A guide to Santa Cruz County holiday fun 2024

December is rolling in with a cascade of holiday-themed activities in clubs, theaters and venues around Santa Cruz County. Sure, the holiday office party can be fun. But your carefully curated holiday “ugly sweater” needs a wider audience. Get out and enjoy the traditional trappings of the holiday season, Santa Cruz style:

On stage

Santa Cruz Symphony’s Holiday Concert — The ennobling time-tested classics of the holiday season from Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and others get a rousing run-through from the Santa Cruz Symphony on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. then again the following afternoon, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.

“A Christmas Carol” — You’ve heard the tale again and again, in print, on stage, in movies. But you’ve never heard it from Santa Cruz Shakespeare. The county’s premier theater company takes on the Charles Dickens classic in what it hopes will become a beloved annual tradition in Santa Cruz. Mike Ryan takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come can still cause your hair to stand up on end. The show plays through Dec. 24 — yes, you can catch the Western world’s most famous Christmas Eve story on Christmas Eve! — at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Santa Cruz. 

“The Nutcracker” (Santa Cruz) — The timeless holiday-themed ballet, powered by the unforgettable music of Tchaikovsky, comes to Santa Cruz County in two productions from two different dance companies. At the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, the Santa Cruz Dance Theater will present four performances over two days, Dec. 21 and 22, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. both days. This production will feature professional dancer and Santa Cruz native Lucien Postlewaite, along with students from Agape Dance Academy and Northern California Ballet. Additionally, SCDT will present a special “Petite Nutcracker,” featuring dancers between the ages of 3 and 7, also at the Civic, at 10 a.m. on Dec. 21. 

“The Nutcracker” (Cabrillo College) — The beloved ballet will also be presented for Mid-County audiences at the Crocker Theater at Cabrillo College, by the Santa Cruz City Ballet at the International Academy of Dance. This is the 12th year that SCCB and IAD have presented “The Nutcracker” at the Crocker. Performances are Dec. 21 and 22, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. both days. 

“Christmas With the Chorale” — For two performances, in the enchanting environment of Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Chorale and the Monterey Bay Sinfonietta celebrate the season with Pachelbel’s “Psalm 100,” Durante’s “Magnificat” and other selections from contemporary composers, all of which make a joyful noise. “Christmas With the Chorale” takes place Dec. 14 and 8 p.m. and again Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.

“Music for the Feast of Christmas” — The amazing Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, under the direction of Cheryl Anderson, presents its annual holiday concert for the 41st consecutive year. In what will be Anderson’s last performance as choir director before her retirement, the chorus takes on Morton Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna” with a full orchestra, plus carols for the season and other goodies. Three performances, all at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz, Dec. 6 and 7 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. 

Tomáseen Foley’s “A Celtic Christmas” — This spirited and joyful celebration featuring storyteller Tomáseen Foley and dancer and musician collaborators, has been a mainstay on the Santa Cruz calendar for decades, thanks mainly to the show’s musical director, Santa Cruz’s William Coulter. The story takes audiences back to Christmastime in rural Ireland during the 1950s, with traditional Celtic acoustic music as beautiful as a winter night in County Kerry. This year, the show lands Dec. 13, that’s Friday the 13th, at the Music Center Recital Hall on the campus of UC Santa Cruz.

‘Miracle on 34th Street’ — The beloved Christmas tale from heart of Macy’s in New York City is this year’s holiday season production of Mountain Community Theater. The play comes to MCT’s home stage at Park Hall in Ben Lomond, now playing Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m., this weekend through Dec. 15. Tickets now available.

Flynn Creek Circus — This Mendocino-based acrobatic traveling show has floored local audiences for the past three years with bold and audacious performances steeped in mythological themes of winter, all from its makeshift big top in the parking lot of the Capitola Mall. This year’s show is titled “The Heavy Drift,” a tribute to film noir. Most of the performances are family-friendly. But the troupe also has a few adults-only performances that get a little saucy. The show runs Dec. 19-Jan. 5.

Candlelight Christmas — The Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove Ballroom will be illuminated by candlelight Dec. 19 for the Candlelight Concert Series event featuring traditional Christmas and Hanukkah music, courtesy of the Listeso String Quartet. 

Parades and festivals

Downtown Holiday Parade — Every year, for one day in December, Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz becomes a community expression of holiday spirit, and this year’s parade is sure to be no different. Last year’s parade drew more than 3,000 spectators and had more than 1,000 participants as well. It all happens downtown on Dec. 7, beginning at 10 a.m., and that’s rain or shine. 

Holiday Lights — The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds outside Watsonville is the site for a magical light show throughout December. In the evenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (with bonus nights on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 23 and 24), visitors are in for a drive-through experience, among a meticulously designed route through the fairgrounds. The weekend of Dec. 6-7 is set aside for a walk-through experience, which also features the Holiday Craft and Gift Fair. Also, Dec. 5, the Holiday Lights event presents Krampus Night, a visit from the mythical goat-like spirit of Christmas popular in German folklore, with what they’re calling a “dark” holiday market. All Holiday Lights events begin around 5:30 p.m. 

Lighted Boat Parade — A wonderful Santa Cruz tradition continues at the Santa Cruz Harbor. The Lighted Boat Parade is exactly what it sounds like, a chance to see the harbor at its most enchanting, just after sunset amid the sparkling holiday lights. Find your place along the south end of the harbor, this year on Dec. 7. The magic happens right around 5:30 p.m. 

Boardwalk’s Winter Wonderland — For a site deeply associated with summer, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is embracing the winter as well. The Boardwalk will be open during the afternoons the first two weekends after Thanksgiving, and then every day from Dec. 14 until Jan. 5. Fire pits, holiday s’mores, decorations, photos with Santa, and, of course, lots of rides, games and arcades. Noon to 5 p.m. 

In the clubs

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra — Trombonist Chris Crenshaw brings his JLCO big band to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Dec. 6 to enliven some holiday chestnuts, with rising-star vocalists Ekep Nkwelle and Robbie Lee.

“A John Waters Christmas” — It’s not for the dyed-in-the-wool traditionalists, but weirdos need a holiday celebration as well. The infamous filmmaker and merry provocateur John Waters visits Santa Cruz’s Rio Theatre on Dec. 1 for a show of stand-up comedy and storytelling that’s likely to get Waters on Santa’s naughty list. 

“Salsa Navidad” — The Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra drops into the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Dec. 19 for a show called “Salsa Navidad,” which features holiday classics done up in a salsa style, and a distinctive Puerto Rican style known as “aguinaldo,” which reflects the holiday spirit of the Caribbean. 

Winter Solstice Concert — Pianist Barbara Higbie and cellist Mia Pixley come together at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Dec. 18 for a show that’s been a Santa Cruz tradition, welcoming the onset of winter and the celebration of the season. 

Faye Carol’s “Carolizing Christmas” — East Bay blues/gospel legend Faye Carol has her mind on the holidays. She and her jazz combo come to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Dec. 12 to put a particularly bluesy and funky twist on Christmastime classics. 

The Trolley Drops — Coming to you as a holiday gift from the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz are the Trolley Drops, a jug band in the spirit of Dan Hicks & the Christmas Jug Band. The Drops will be presenting no fewer than seven holiday performances of a show they’re calling “Twistmas Carols.” The conceit is they borrow melodies from well-known old chestnuts from pop, rock, folk, jazz, etc., but rewrite the lyrics with a more seasonal bent, just in case you’re dying to hear CCR’s “Bad Moon Rising” reborn as “Reindeers on the Rise.” The Drops play Dec. 5 at Pono Hawaiian Grill in Santa Cruz; Dec. 6 at Stockwell Cellars in Santa Cruz; Dec. 7 at Steel Bonnet Brewing in Scotts Valley; Dec. 14 at Discretion Brewing in Soquel; Dec. 15 at the holiday craft show in Davenport; Dec. 18 at the VFW Hall in Santa Cruz; Dec. 19 at Joe’s Bar in Boulder Creek; and Dec. 22 at the Live Oak farmers market. Keep up with the Trolley Drops here. 

Community gatherings and family events

“Chanukah Rock of Ages” — Temple Beth El in Aptos is the site for the annual “Chanukah Rock of Ages” extravaganza on Dec. 20, at TBE, 3055 Porter Gulch Rd. in Aptos. Things get started with a latke dinner, followed by a Rock Shabbat service with the musical group Rock of Ages at 7 p.m. 

“The Grinch” — The beautiful Cocoanut Grove ballroom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the place for a special screening of the 2018 animated family film “The Grinch” on Dec. 15. Things get started with cookie decorating at 4:30 p.m. followed by Santa storytime at 5 p.m. and the film at 5:30 p.m.

Holidays on the Ranch — Wilder Ranch State Park is open Dec. 14 for its free Holidays on the Ranch event with live caroling, demonstrations of blacksmithing and wreath-making and other Victorian-era holiday-themed activities, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

“Season of Light and Love” — Netstage Productions presents an afternoon musical with holiday favorites and even audience participation Dec. 7 at Market Street Theater in Santa Cruz, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Winter on the Wharf — The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is the place to be on the afternoon of Dec. 14 for face-painting, balloon animals, snow play and photos with Santa, 2 to 5 p.m.

And one not-so-family event

The Naughty List — The holidays are a great time for a pub crawl and scavenger hunt. This one takes place in downtown Santa Cruz with a handful of bars and restaurants, all a short walk from each other. Tickets are $12 and get you drink discounts and access to bar games and raffle prizes. It all goes down Dec. 14, beginning at 6 p.m.

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