Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili!
Mark your calendar For these can't miss local events
From concerts to cultural events, Santa Cruz is alive with activities celebrating everything from art and fashion to food and film. Here are a few rad events worth adding to your social calendar.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 United States
SC Beach Boardwalk: Chili Cook-Off
Oct 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cowell Beach at Dream Inn Santa Cruz 175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, California
The S'more The Merrier Beachside with SCFF + Dream Inn
Oct 17, 2026 | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Join Santa Cruz Film Festival and Dream Inn for a free community night on the sand, right outside Dream Inn. Watch an independent film under the stars, with beach fire pits, s'mores, and ocean air. Everyone is welcome. Bring a blanket or chair, and dress warm. Reserve a free ticket so we know how many marshmallows to bring.
Cowell Beach at Dream Inn Santa Cruz 175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, California
She Sets The Table
Oct 24, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reserve your seat for a rare evening of standout chefs, thoughtful wine pairings, and ocean views this October.
UCSC CASFS Farm and Garden 152 Farm Road Santa Cruz, CA 95064
All-Star Fest
Oct 17, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join for the annual Harvest Festival at the UCSC Farm! Enjoy face painting, pumpkin painting, tractor rides, live music, an apple pie bake-off, and more. Fun for all ages.
London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street, 95060
Downtown Santa Cruz: Halloween Mask Making Festival
Oct 17, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Enjoy this FREE annual event! Bring the family for a creative day of mask making, carnival games, Thriller performances plus Nightmares – A Stage Spooktacular. This event has been a Halloween tradition for families for over 25 years!
All of Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz Mountains: Wine Passport Day
Oct 17, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport is the ultimate way to explore the region’s award-winning wineries. This exclusive pass provides access to over 35+ participating wineries, each offering unique tasting experiences and unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains.
Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Santa Cruz Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Oct 14, 2026 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
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