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.
Santa isn’t the only member of the family hard at work during the holidays. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mrs. Claus will visit the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, located inside the Capitola Mall, for cookie and gingerbread house decorating. Kids of all ages are invited to decorate their own home-baked cookies and gingerbread houses with a spread of candy and frosting. Donate $20 to the museum of a plate of cookies, and $30 for a gingerbread house. Admission to the museum is $10 per person.
Visit Madson Wines’ tasting room on Santa Cruz’s Westside for a Holiday Market Party this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. More than 15 local makers will offer handmade goods, and shoppers can enjoy Madson’s award-winning wines by the glass, tasty snacks and live music. Entry is free.
Best of Santa Cruz County food and drink events, Dec. 13-19
Here are some local food and drink events you might be interested in:
Saturday, Dec. 14
- Discover Us! | 11 a.m. @ Patagonia Outlet
- Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop: Cookie & Gingerbread House Decorating | 11 a.m. at Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery | $10 admission plus donation
- Holiday Market Party at Madson Wines | 1 p.m. @ Madson Wines
- Urban Wine Tour: Swift Street Courtyard | 1 p.m. @ Swift Street Courtyard | $85
- Distillery tour and guided tasting | 2 p.m. @ Venus Spirits Tasting Room | $25
- Mediterranean Tasting Party and Book Launch | 5 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
- Holiday Dinner & Show | 5 p.m. @ Boulder Creek Rec Center | $15
- Shrimp Paella Dinner at Ibiza | 6 p.m. @ Ibiza | $75
Sunday, Dec. 15
- West Cliff Holiday Market | 10 a.m. @ Lighthouse Point
- Neighborhood Night | Sunday Roast | 5 p.m. @ The Grove Cafe and Bakery | $40
Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Downtown Santa Cruz farmers market | 1 p.m. @ Cedar Street & Lincoln Street