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.
On Sunday, celebrate Santa Cruz and its 831 area code on Aug. 31 – 8/31 – from noon to 8 p.m. at 831 Day at Sante Adiarius Rustic Ales in Capitola. At this community event, guests can enjoy music by DJ2Row, food pop-ups by Yakitori Toriman and The Widow Burger, and 831-themed craft beer and merchandise. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and Planned Parenthood.
On Saturday, Home restaurant in Soquel is hosting a benefit dinner for mutual aid for families impacted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Reception is at 5 p.m. followed by a sitdown family-style dinner at 6 p.m. alongside a silent auction. Tickets are on a sliding scale from $125 to $250, and include a four-course dinner with wine.
Best of Santa Cruz County food and drink events, Aug. 29-Sept. 4
Here are some upcoming local food and drink events you might be interested in:
Friday, Aug. 29
- Midtown Santa Cruz Friday Summer Block Party | 5 p.m. @ Midtown Block Party Lot
- Watsonville Farmers Market | 2 p.m. @ Downtown Watsonville
Saturday, Aug. 30
- Aptos Farmers Market | 8 a.m. @ Cabrillo College
- The Freedom Blvd Market | 10 a.m. @ The Farm at Lavender Hill
- Family Farm Campout (3 days) | Noon @ Farm Discovery at Live Earth Farm
- Benefit dinner for community mutual aid | 5 p.m. @ HOME
- Shroomami Dinner | 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. @ The Grove Cafe & Bakery
- Moonlight Dinner Party | 6 p.m. @ Roaring Camp Railroads
- Glow Hard: Mushroom Magic (by Collective Santa Cruz & Far West Fungi) | 8 p.m. @ Felton Music Hall
Sunday, Aug. 31
- Live Oak Farmers Market | 9 a.m. @ East Cliff Village Shopping Center
- Sunday Brunch Buffet | 9 a.m. @ Chaminade Resort & Spa
- Fresh Pasta Making | 10 a.m. @ 2880 Research Park Dr., Suite 200, Soquel
- 831 Day | Noon @ Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
- Winemakers Dinner with Madson Wines | 5:30 p.m. @ Persephone Restaurant
Monday, Sept. 1
- Labor Day Community Barbecue & Fish Fry | Noon @ Veterans Memorial Building
- Annual Wine Club BBQ Party | 5 p.m. @ Hallcrest Vineyards
Wednesday, Sept. 3
- Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market | 1 p.m. @ Cedar Street & Church Street
Thursday, Sept. 4
- Downtown Santa Cruz Sunset Market | 5 p.m. @ Lot 16, Church Street between Cedar Street and Center Street
- Girl Dinner | 5 p.m. @ The Grove Cafe & Bakery
- Moon Dinner Series: The Universe and Beyond | 7 p.m. @ The View at Chaminade
