The 2026 Mask Making Festival will be held this Saturday at the London Nelson Community Center in Santa Cruz. Make your own mask and experience a youth theatre performance based on “The King in Yellow,” an eerie play written in 1895 by American writer Robert W. Chambers that claims to incite madness. Spooky! This event is free. – Lily Belli
Here are more upcoming local events you might be interested in:
Thursday, Oct. 15
- Santa Cruz Film Festival (Thursday through Sunday) | Multiple times @ Del Mar Theater | $8-$75
- Thursday Night Wine Down | 7 p.m. @ Cocoa Vino | Free
- Santa Cruz Comedy Fest | 7:30 p.m. @ Mission West | $14.64
Friday, Oct. 16
- High Score: Vintage Arcade and Midway Games | Noon @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History | $8-$10
- Watsonville Movies in the Park | “Hoppers” | 7 p.m. @ Franich Park | Free
- Moon Dinner Series | 7 p.m. @ Chaminade Resort and Spa | $93.07
- “Frankenstein” with live score by Sleepbomb | 7:30 p.m. @ Rio Theatre | $20
Saturday, Oct. 17
- Glenwood 5K Trail Run/Walk | 8 a.m. @ Siltanen Park | $45
- Race The Flame | 8 a.m. @ East Field, UC Santa Cruz | $15-$20
- No Kings: Vote Early | 10 a.m. @ 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz | Free
- Peace Village Fall Fest | 11 a.m. @ Peace United Church of Christ | Free
- Wilder Ranch Harvest Festival | 11 a.m. @ Wilder Ranch State Park | Free
- Open Studios Art Tour (Saturday & Sunday) | 11 a.m. @ Multiple locations | Free
- 2026 Mask-Making Festival | Noon @ London Nelson Community Center | Free
- Ink Faire | Noon @ Evergreen Cemetery | Free
- Uncork Corralitos | 1 p.m. @ Alladin Nursery & Gift Shop | $50-$90
Sunday, Oct. 18
- Pancakes in the Park & Bake Sale | 8:30 a.m. @ Highlands Park Senior & Community Center | $5-$12
