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.
Breakfast with Santa
Dec 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for the 8th annual Breakfast with Santa, with new special guest Ms. Claus!
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
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.
Mission Plaza Park 103 Emmett Street Santa Cruz, CA
Abbott Square: Dog Halloween Costume Contest
Oct 31, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Calling all fur babies: it’s their time to shine! Sign your pup up to strut their Halloween best on the Abbott Square stage at the Halloween Dog Costume Contest, with prizes for the best costumes.
Not entering? Come cheer them on!
The Grove 400 Beach Street Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival
Nov 07, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
18th annual art market in the historic Grove event center at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!
Abbott Square Market 118 Cooper St Santa Cruz, CA
Abbott Square: Halloween Bash
Oct 31, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Bring the kiddos for trick-or-treating around the market
With delicious food, festive drinks, live music, and plenty of Halloween cheer, this is one downtown celebration you won’t want to miss.
Santa Cruz Wharf 21 Municipal Wharf Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Wharf: Trick or Treating
Oct 31, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Little witches, goblins, ghosts, superheroes and their parents can enjoy trick-o-treating on the beautiful Santa Cruz Wharf. Stroll the Wharf and visit your favorite businesses for sweet surprises. Special guests will hand out candy and provide photo opportunities galore for kids (and kids at heart)! Snap a scenic family photo at the photo booth overlooking the beautiful Monterey Bay. Play the Great Pumpkin Hunt Wharf trivia game. Find 5 pumpkins hidden on the Wharf with a Wharf trivia question and answer. Turn in the answers to participating businesses and win a prize. The event is FREE!
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Santa Cruz Wharf: 13 Days of Halloween
Daily | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Celebrate 13 Days of Halloween on the Santa Cruz Wharf! Trick-or-treat on Halloween Day from 3 to 6 PM, take a festive photo with the bay and lighthouse behind you, enjoy Halloween-themed Wharf specials, and hunt for hidden pumpkins to win a prize.
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