Here, find a curated list of the best food and drink events in Santa Cruz County for the coming week. At the top, I share my picks of unmissable local happenings.
The Watsonville Strawberry Festival returns to downtown Watsonville today, Saturday and Sunday to celebrate this special berry. The family-friendly festival takes over the area around the Watsonville Plaza with live entertainment, carnival rides, artisans, kids activities, specialty vendors, and a variety of mouthwatering treats, including berry-infused pizza, churros, beer and even tacos. Entry is free.
Tomorrow, Roaring Camp in Felton will host the fifth annual Santa Cruz Mountain Brewgrass Festival, a celebration of bluegrass music, craft beer and food. Seven bands will play on two stages throughout the day, with Santa Cruz Mountain-born The Brothers Comatose headlining. General admission tickets are $65 in advance and $75 at the gate. Kids 11-17 are $25, and 10 and under are free. Purchase VIP Tasting Train tickets for $132.50 to ride up to the festival from Santa Cruz with music by Wild Iris.
Friday, Aug. 1
- Farmers Market Watsonville | 2 p.m. @ Downtown Watsonville
- Art and Wine at the Silver Mountain / Bottle Jack tasting room | 4 p.m. @ Bottle Jack Winery & Silver Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room
- Watsonville Strawberry Festival Kickoff | 5 p.m. @ Watsonville Plaza
Saturday, Aug. 2
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College | Free
- Friends of Local Farms | 9 a.m. @ Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
- Books & Brews La Selva Beach Summer Fair | 10 a.m. @ La Selva Beach Clubhouse & Lawn | Free
- Watsonville Strawberry Festival | 11 a.m. @ Downtown Watsonville
- Santa Cruz Mountains Brewgrass Festival | 12 p.m. @ Roaring Camp
Sunday, Aug. 3
- Wee Kirk Market | 9 a.m. @ Wee Kirk Church
- Farmers Market Live Oak | 9 a.m. @ East Cliff Shopping Center
- Sunday Brunch Buffet | 9 a.m. @ Chaminade
- Watsonville Strawberry Festival | 11 a.m. @ Downtown Watsonville
- Moon Dinner Series: The Sun and The Moon | 7 p.m. @ The View at Chaminade
- Monday, Aug. 4
Tuesday, Aug. 5
- Moving Beyond the Meat & Dairy Culture | 6 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Wednesday, Aug. 6
- Farmers Market Santa Cruz Downtown | 1 p.m. @ Cedar & Lincoln Sts.