Mark your calendar For these can't miss local events

The summer fun spills out on to Cooper Street for this festive festival!

• 8 AM: Coffee and good vibes from local musicians
• 11 AM: Summer food starts being served for the rest of the event by the local restaurants and music continues
• 1-7 PM: Cooper Street will close for an exotic car show on the street and music continues
• 1-7 PM: Zany party games for the kids like oversized horseshoes and spin art you can take home
• 7:30 PM: Bars will close but the music continues
• 8 PM: the music will finally wrap up with the event

It’s a come-and-go-as-you-please kind of day with something for everyone—great food, live music, cool cars, quirky games, and the unbeatable energy of downtown Santa Cruz in summer.

Welcome to the world’s shortest parade this July Fourth!

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of Soquel Drive and State Park Drive and will continue along Soquel Drive to Parade St.

Roads will close at 9:30am.

If your groups attention span is longer than this, head to the Party in the Park after!

Celebrate the Fourth of July in Boulder Creek!

Enjoy a parade, a block party with vendors, BBQ, and live music!

The Spirit of Watsonville 4th of July parade proceeds down Main St. from St. Patrick’s Church to First Street. Thousands of spectators line the route five to six people deep. Those wanting a front row seat, place their chairs along the route early in the morning of the parade date.

This Fourth of July, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Enjoy the nostalgic town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities, live music and a good ol’ American BBQ.

ACTIVITIES

• Live Music
• Kids Club Activities
• Chuckwagon BBQ

Go see the Scotts Valley 4th of July Parade and Flyover!

• 9am-3pm- Kids zone free activities & food trucks
• Parade starts at 11:00am.
• ADA Parking and Viewing is located at 5007 Scotts Valley Dr.
• Live music and food trucks continue after the parade until 3pm.

All are welcome to join in an early 1900s-style Independence Day celebration! Join the parade through the ranch at high noon. Ongoing events include lawn games, and machine shop and blacksmith demos. There will be live music throughout the day, fresh baked goods and hand-cranked ice cream, living history demos, crafts, games, “The Star-Spangled Banner” sing-along, and more!

Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. Hang on to that receipt!  Once you have paid for parking at one State Park, it is good for all of them for the day. There are 14 in Santa Cruz County alone to explore!

Its all here and waiting for just for you! The race is always held on July 4th in the morning! What a great way to kick off a holiday celebration of our nation’s Independence Day.

Runners on the 10K will be treated the the challenging “Thrill of the Hill” in Pogonip Park before topping out on the Spring Trail that winds through the beautiful meadow by UCSC before dropping down into the neighborhoods before returning to Harvey West Park.

5K Runners will face a flat and fast course contained completely in the Harvey West Business Park Area. The 5K course is Stroller, ADA and Wheelchair accessible.

Everyone ends up in beautiful Harvey West Park for great music, post-race gourmet hot dog bar and awards.  You don’t want to miss this!

Celebrate the Santa Cruz surf lifestyle and classic surf wagons at Woodies on the Wharf.

Come see the more than 200 “Woodies”, gorgeous, pre-1950s cars that feature wood bodies, line the Santa Cruz Wharf. Stroll the Wharf and enjoy dozens of shops and restaurants and stellar coastal views while you soak up the sun and beauty of Northern California’s premier “Woodie” show. At 3:30pm, be sure to take part in the Woodies Send-Off Parade!

*Alternative transportation available to the wharf including free bike valet and the Santa Cruzer Beach and Downtown Shuttle ($1)

Pleasure Point will be buzzing as the community takes to the street to enjoy the Pleasure Point Street Fair. This event will be held on Portola Drive between 41st and 38th Avenues. There will be bike parking available, and admission is free. There will be great music, fun for kids, vendors, a beer garden, great food, and more!

Every Friday night (Except 4th of July this year) on the beach in front of the Colonnade, bring your family and your blanket or low-back chair to experience the ultimate movie night!  Watch your favorite movies while munching on mouthwatering Boardwalk treats, from kettle corn and saltwater taffy to corn dogs and turkey legs. Seating is first come, first served and each movie will have a 15-minute intermission.

• June 13, 2025: The Lost Boys
• June 20, 2025: Men in Black
• June 27, 2025: Ghostbusters
• July 11, 2025: Jumanji
• July 18, 2025: Clueless
• July 25, 2025: Wizard of Oz
• August 1, 2025: Despicable Me 4
• August 8, 2025: The Goonies

Welcome back to Tuesday Night Live at the Wharf Common’s stage!  Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, head to the Wharf for live music and games from 6 to 8pm. Check out Wharf Business pop ups, game and photo booth by The Booth Biz in the Commons.  Get a stamp validation from any business on the Wharf on Tuesdays and receive 2 hours of free parking!  Be sure to bring a chair or wear your dancing shoes! 

• May13, 2025/ SambaDá
• June 10, 2025/ The Viva Santana Show (Nor Cals #1 Tribute Band)
• June 24, 2025/ Extra Large
• July 8, 2025/ The Lost Boys Featuring James Durbin
• July 22, 2025/ Fish Hook
• August 12, 2025/ The Joint Chiefs
• August 26, 2025/ Sweet Voodoo
• September 9, 2025/ Jive Machine

Join Chardonnay Sailing and experience concerts from the water! Chardonnay Sailing will be mooring for a limited time off the wharf during their regularly scheduled sails to enjoy the concert from their sailboat! Please note that you will not experience the entire concert but a limited time as part of the sailing experience!