Santa Cruz Top Festivals

Migration Festival. Celebrate the migration of whales, butterflies, birds and more with talks, games crafts and music
Santa Cruz, CA. Call: (831) 423-4609, parks.ca.gov

Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Festival. The Beach Boardwalk hosts this annual competition cook off with the public invited to buy tickets for tastes of spectacular chili dishes.

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. The festival is held every fall in Banff, Alberta, with stops planned in about 390 communities and 35 countries across the globe. Santa Cruz, CA. recreation.ucsc.edu

Cinco de Mayo Celebration. A free cultural festival of traditional Mexican foods and live entertainment in historic downtown Watsonville. Family fun! Watsonville, CA. Call: (831) 761-0861, cityofwatsonville.org

Santa Cruz Blues Festival. Music Festival bringing you the best in Blues & American Roots music for over 20 years. Fun for the entire family with food, beer & wine. Aptos, CA, santacruzbluesfestival.com

Santa Cruz Woodies on the Wharf. A day of shiny cars and adoring fans snapping tons of photos.

Santa Cruz Goya Windsurfing Festival. Top professional windsurfers from all over the world will come to Santa Cruz to compete in this event Davenport, CA, americanwindsurfingtour.com

Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival. Each year this parade and festival attracts thousands of people from all walks of life, with beautiful floats, music, stage performances, costumes, food, shopping and fun all day long! Downtown Santa Cruz, CA. santacruzpride.org

Santa Cruz Summer Festivals are beach-centric events celebrating, music, arts, education and entertainment.

Hop N' Barley Beer and BBQ Festival. There will be 60 breweries & 10 BBQ vendors serving the best beer and BBQ around. There is also vegetarian food, fresh caught oysters, local wine available by the glass and two live music stages. Scotts Valley, CA, hopnbarley.org

July 4 Spirit of Watsonville. Celebrate Independence Day. Downtown festival and parade.
Watsonville, CA. watsonvillerec.com

Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. The most distinguished festival of new orchestral music in North America presents its 52nd season with many composers in residence, world-class guest artists, and conductor Marin Alsop. Most rehearsals free and open to the public. Santa Cruz, CA. cabrillomusic.org

Watsonville Strawberry Festival at Monterey Bay. This multi-faceted celebration will serve up a menu of strawberry delights, non-stop entertainment, gooey contests & more. Watsonville, CA. celebratestrawberries.com

Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival. Relax in the park & enjoy the fine art of over 100 local artists accompanied by food, wine, beer and music. Kid's art tent. Fun for all! Scotts Valley, CA. scottsvalleychamber.com

Musical Saw Festival. Listen to performances of musical saws and folk instruments from around the world.
Felton, CA. sawplayers.org

Aloha Races and Polynesian Festival. Celebrate the history and Polynesian connection since the Three Hawaiian Princes first rode the waves at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River in 1885. Santa Cruz, CA. santacruzwharf.com

Capitola Begonia Festival. Nautical Parade, Sand Sculpture Competition, movies, concerts & many more free family events. Capitola Village, CA. begoniafestival.com

Santa Cruz Fashion Art Festival. Brings you the coolest, craziest fashion designs this side of the planet.

Monterey Bay Birding Festival. Come see 200 species of birds in one of the world's most picturesque areas of California on the Monterey Bay. Watsonville, CA. montereybaybirding.org

Capitola Art & Wine Festival. Wineries, gourmet food, fine art, entertainment, children's art area. Admission free in Capitola Village By The Sea. Capitola, CA. capitolachamber.com

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