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 Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival returns to Skypark in Scotts Valley starting at 10 a.m. and running until 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. This annual summer festival offers distinct experiences on both days, including the Cops Car Show on Saturday and Dog Day on Sunday. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy over 100 artists, live music, a kid zone, food trucks, and beer and wine tasting. The festival is free to enter.
This Saturday, Santa Cruz Cider Co. will celebrate its 12th anniversary at its cidery in Watsonville from noon to 8 p.m. Live music goes from 2 to 5 p.m. and food trucks will be on site, including Hole Foods Vegan Donuts with a doughnut and cider flight. Plus, cider sisters Nicole Todd and Natalie Henze will release new ciders. This event is free to enter.
Best of Santa Cruz County food and drink events, Aug. 15-21
Here are some local food and drink events you might be interested in:
Friday, Aug. 15
- Watsonville Farmers Market | 2 p.m. @ Downtown Watsonville
- Midtown Santa Cruz Friday Summer Block Parties | 5 p.m. @ Midtown Block Party Lot
- Lighthouse Lawn: West Cliff Drive Celebration | 5 p.m. @ Steamer Lane at Lighthouse Point
Saturday, Aug. 16
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College
- Westside Santa Cruz Farmers Market | 9 a.m. @ Westside Farmers Market
- Scotts Valley Farmers Market | 9 a.m. @ Joe and Linda Alberti Clubhouse
- Cars and Coffee | 9 a.m. @ East Lake Village Shopping Center
- Fermented Hot Sauce Class With Jess | 10 a.m. @ Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
- Behind the Scenes Tour of Live Earth Farms with Farmer Tom | 10:30 a.m. @ Live Earth Farm
- Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival | 10 a.m. @ Skypark
- 12-Year Anniversary Party | Noon @ Santa Cruz Cider Co.
- Herbal Mocktail Pop-Up | 1:30 p.m. @ Go Ask Alice
Sunday, Aug. 17
- Big Queer Weekend: You Better Brunch | 8 a.m. @ Courtyard Santa Cruz
- Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale | 8 a.m. @ Highlands Park Senior & Community Center
- Sunday Brunch Buffet | 9 a.m. @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
- Live Oak Farmers Market Live Oak | 9 a.m. @ East Cliff Village Shopping Center
- Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival (Dog Day Sunday) | 10 a.m. @ Skypark
- Ferragosto BBQ & Bocce | 1 p.m. @ DeLaveaga Park Washington Picnic Area
- Farmworker Reality Tour | 3 p.m. @ Crystal Bay Farm