

This weekend’s biggest events include a star studded music festival, a major surfing competition, and a favorite local brewery’s weeklong birthday party.

Read on to see our picks for the best events in Santa Cruz this weekend.

Steep Ravine // Kendra McKinley – Club Kuumbwa

When: Friday, 5/22 at 9:00 pm

Where: Kuumbwa Jazz

How Much: $12-$15

Join local band Steep Ravine as they celebrate the release of their second album, which borrows sounds from jazz, folk, pop and more. They will be joined on stage by Kendra McKinley, who has been compared to both The Flaming Lips and the Beatles.

Get more info here.

Tallest Man on Earth

When: Friday, 5/22 at 8:00 pm

Where: The Catalyst Club

How Much: $25

Music writers have compared singer-songwriter the Tallest Man on Earth to Bob Dylan, so you know you’ll be in for a treat when you head to this charismatic Swede’s show.

Get more info here.

Sam Bush

When: Friday, 5/22 from 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Where: Rio Theatre

How Much: $31-$45

As a major player in the “Newgrass” (meaning new Bluegrass) musical movement, mandolin player Sam Bush brings a musical tradition onto the stage and then puts his own spin on things. You can hear it for yourself this weekend.

Get more info here.

Dance concert: Splinters in Our Ankles

When: Friday, 5/22 at 7:00 pm

Where: Theater Arts Mainstage UCSC

How Much: $12-$15

If you’ve ever seen tinikling, a traditional Pilipino style of dance that requires some heavy footwork, then you know how engrossing it is to watch. This weekend’s performance will have elements of tinikling, but bring modern themes of cultural diaspora into the mix.

Get more info here.

Hurricane Roses Farewell Performance

When: Saturday, 5/23 at 9:00 pm

Where: Moe’s Alley

How Much: $10

Over the last six years, the members of the Hurricane Roses have seen local success, as well as a slew of personal ups and downs. Now they’re saying goodbye to their band, which is sure to make for an emotional and beautiful performance.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Derby Girls – Redwood Rebels vs. Steamer Janes

When: Saturday, 5/23 at 6:30 pm

Where: Civic Auditorium

How Much: $18-$32

In a match reminiscent of the Bay Bridge Series, two of Santa Cruz’s own Derby Girls team will face each other this Saturday night. This is part of a season long rivalry among three new local teams, which will vie throughout the summer to be crowned Santa Cruz’s finest.

Get more info here.

Felton Remembers Parade and Festival

When: Saturday, 5/23 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Where: Parade starts at Henry Cowell, Festival at Felton Covered Bridge Park

How Much: Free

The Felton Remembers Parade and Covered Bridge Festival is a community tradition in Felton. You can expect live music, great food, local beer and wine, vendor booths and fun activities for kids. The event starts with the parade, beginning at Henry Cowell State Park and culminates with the Festival at the Covered Bridge Park on Graham Hill Rd.

Get more info here.

Steel Pulse

When: Saturday, 5/23 at 8:00 pm

Where: The Catalyst Club

How Much: $29-$33

Reggae and R&B band Steel Pulse has a big fan base in Santa Cruz, and it’s sure to turn out this weekend at the Catalyst, making for a packed, energetic show.

Get more info here.

34th Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment

When: Saturday, 5/23 through Monday, 5/25 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Where: Roaring Camp Railroads

How Much: $23-$30

If your kids find learning about history from a textbook boring, bring them to this weekend’s Civil War reenactment to get them engaged in a crucial part of America’s past. You’ll be able to see how soldiers lived, slept, ate, and fought back in the 1800s.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Longboard Invitational

When: Saturday, 5/23 through Sunday, 5/24 at 7:00 am

Where: Steamer Lane

How Much: Free

Considered “the best longboard contest in the US,” this invitational attracts 200 surfers from all over and provides for some riveting entertainment for spectators. You can even enter a raffle for a chance to win a one of a kind longboard of your own.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz American Music Festival

When: Saturday, 5/23 through Sunday, 5/24 10:00 am

Where: Aptos Village Park

How Much: $25-$200

Very big names like Bonnie Raitt, Big & Rich, Kellie Pickler and Los Lonely Boys will all descend on our very own Aptos Village Park this weekend in a celebration of country western, folk, Bluegrass, and other classic American music genres.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz American Music Festival Afterparty with Coco Montoya

When: Sunday, 5/24 at 8:00 pm

Where: The Catalyst Club

How Much: $25

Whether or not you can make it to the American Music Festival, the afterparty will offer a stellar lineup of its own, with Coco Montoya, Drake White and the Big Fire, and Pacific Groove all taking the stage.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Derby Juniors & Jellies Double Header

When: Sunday, 5/24 at 1:00 pm

Where: Civic Auditorium

How Much: $15

Little girls with big talent get a chance to show what they can do on the skating rink this weekend. If you want to see what the next generation of butt kicking Derby Girls will look like, bring your family to this double header.

Get more info here.

Music in the Garden

When: Sunday, 5/24 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Where: Directions provided to ticket holders

How Much: $40-$50

The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival’s Spring event is Music in the Garden. The Bonny Doon concert will feature celtic musicians as well as Santa Cruz’s own The Great Morgani.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing 10 Year Anniversary Week

When: Begins Sunday, 5/24 at 10:00 am

Where: Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing



Santa Cruz has seen a wave of excellent new craft breweries and taprooms in the last few years, and at ten years old, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing is now considered an elder in the local craft brew scene. The brewery is celebrating with a whole slew of events this week, from an interactive homebrewing class to a brunch a beer feast at Kelly’s French Bakery.

Get more info here.

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Additional events this weekend

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Friday & Saturday

Friday through Sunday

Saturday:

Saturday & Sunday

Sunday:

Recurring Events You Can Find Every Weekend

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