No fruitcake here, we only list the good stuff!
First, my apologies to fruitcake lovers everywhere. Some of my best friends love fruitcakes. Second, Santa Cruz loves a good holiday, and none is bigger than the Christmas holiday season with its winter inspired events and activities. From a lighted boat parade to 20th century inspired games and crafts to a Surfin’ Santa – Santa Cruz knows how to put on a really big show!
Here is a list of upcoming events:
Santa Cruz Christmas Tree Farm Locations — Late November through the end of December.
Getting your family’s Christmas tree can become a cherished family memory and the beginning of a new family tradition!
Multiple locations for pick and cut Christmas farms are listed at https://explorer1.com/santacruz/things-to-do/christmas-tree-farms/
Reindeer Round-up — November 27 to December 23rd, 2020
This family fun scavenger hunt helps Santa find his lost reindeer! Pick up a map at the Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk to identify participating businesses and then find the hidden reindeer for fun prizes.
Address: Downtown Santa Cruz
Website: https://downtownsantacruz.com/do/reindeer-round-up
Santa Cruz Community Tree Lighting – To be announced
Corner of Pacific Ave. & Water Streets., Downtown, Santa Cruz (831) 429.8443
A community event that features Santa, Victorian carriage rides, tree lighting, holiday caroling, and food drive for the needy.
Website: https://downtownsantacruz.com/events/calendar#december-2020
Santa’s Reindeer Round-up – November 27, 2020 – December 21, 2020
Find Santa’s reindeer that are hidden throughout stores in Downtown Santa Cruz and be entered to win raffle prizes and treats!
Pacific Ave., Downtown, Santa Cruz (831) 429.8443 https://downtownsantacruz.com/events/holidays
Downtown Santa Cruise TBD
Somewhere between Naughty and Nice!
Pacific Ave., Downtown, Santa Cruz (831) 429.8443 http://www.downtownsantacruise.com/
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train – Cancelled until 2021
Felton to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart!
Website: https://www.roaringcamp.com/
Visits with Santa —Three Weekends in December
Family photo opt with the jolly old man.
Pacific Ave., Downtown, Santa Cruz (831) 429.8443 Website: https://downtownsantacruz.com/events/holidays
Surfin’ Santa – TBD
Santa & his reindeer surf into Capitola Beach!
Capitola Village, Capitola
Phone: (831) 475-6522
Website: https://www.cityofcapitola.org/calendar/month/2020-12
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade – Cancelled until 2021
Marching bands, floats, horses, classic cars, and Santa parade down Pacific Ave.
Pacific Ave., Downtown, Santa Cruz (831) 429-8433 https://downtownsantacruz.com/events/downtown-holiday-parade
Lighted Boat Parade Postponed until 2021
Santa Cruz Harbor – Decorated boats parade through Santa Cruz Harbor. This is a fun event for the whole family.
This free event Starts at Postponed until 2021.
Address: 135 5th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone: (831) 475-6161
Website: https://www.santacruzharbor.org/events/
Holidays on the Ranch – Cancelled until 2021
Wilder Ranch State Park – Experience the winter holidays as Santa Cruzeans did in the early 20th century with traditional games, crafts, and music.
Directions: located two miles north on Hwy. 1, Santa Cruz, CA Address: 1401 Coast Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 423-9703
Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=549
WinterFest – TBD
The downtown open house serves up find crafts, treats, deals, carolers, musicians, merriment and more! Fun for the whole family
Pacific Ave., Downtown, Santa Cruz https://downtownsantacruz.com/events/calendar#december-2020
Victorian Carriage Rides – TBD
Pacific Ave., Downtown, Santa Cruz https://downtownsantacruz.com/events/calendar#december-2020
Enjoy a great family outing with a Victorian Carriage ride, from the Santa Cruz Carriage Company. Click on link to find out pricing.
Jingle Shells Art & Book – Cancelled until 2021
Seymour Marine Discovery Center – Their annual holiday celebration features ocean- and nature-inspired gifts by local artists and crafts people. In addition, there are plenty of children’s crafts, musical performances, and holidays decorated exhibit hall. The festivities conclude with the lighting of their outdoor blue whale skeleton.
Address: 100 McAllister Way in Santa Cruz, California 95060
Phone: (831) 459-3800
Website: https://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/learn/family-activities/family-events/
The Nutcracker – TBD
Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre – They boast a fully professional orchestra for its annual “The Nutcracker” as well as a Music Director. This year they have a DVD “The Santa Cruz Nutcracker: Clara’s Dream” available for purchase or it can be watched at one of their public viewings.
Address: 2800 South Rodeo Gulch Road, Suite C, Soquel, CA 95073
Phone: (831) 477-1606
Website: http://www.scbt.org/season-and-tickets/tickets/ or http://www.scbt.org/season-and-tickets/calendar/
Christmas with the Chorale, at Holy Cross Church – Uncertain for 2020
Holy Cross Church – The chorale sings beautifully inspired Christmas music.
Tentatively Planned for Saturday, December 19, 2020 – 8:00pm and Sunday, December 20, 2020 – 4:00pm
Address: 123 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 427-8023
Website: http://www.santacruzchorale.org/concerts
