Summer is arriving in Santa Cruz County, and with it, Santa Cruz County is gearing up for a sunny set of engaging events. June’s lineup is all about local flavor, community connection and celebrating the people and places that make Santa Cruz County special. From exclusive tastings to trivia nights and networking events, we’re excited to gather with readers, members and partners out in the community.

We’re proud to partner with local organizations to highlight events that reflect the heart of Santa Cruz County. It’s all part of our mission to make local news a living, breathing part of community life.

And we couldn’t do it without our Marketing Partners, who help us spotlight key happenings across the county. Interested in joining our Media Sponsorship program? Contact Duffy Barrett at duffy@lookoutlocal.com.

See you out in the community this month!

Private VegFest tasting tour with Lily Belli | June 6

Join Lookout’s food and drink correspondent, Lily Belli at 10:30 a.m. until noon, for a curated tasting experience at VegFest, featuring standout bites, sips and stories from festival vendors before the crowds arrive.

Trivia Night with Wallace Baine at Abbott Square | June 10

Wallace might have retired, but he’s still got the trivia! Bring your friends and test your local knowledge for a fun evening of trivia, conversation and community gathering at Abbott Square beginning at 6:30 and ending around 8 p.m.

Business After Hours with the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce | June 11

Tour the Lookout office, meet the team and connect with local professionals, business leaders and community members during this special after-hours networking event hosted with the chamber of commerce from 5-7 p.m..

Juneteenth Celebration | June 13

Join community members to celebrate Black liberation and freedom on Juneteenth for the 35th year at Laurel Park behind the Louden Nelson Community Center. This year’s event theme is resilience and will include soul food, craft booths, music, dance and poetry from the diaspora. Make sure to check out the ancestors altar and to arrive in time for the parade in the park starting at noon and including a live brass and drum band with an Honorary Grand Marshal. 

Santa Cruz Symphony “Movie Night”  | June 13

The Santa Cruz Symphony is proud to present their special annual POPS concert and benefit. Make sure to arrive early for a street party with live music, food trucks, and costumes in front of the Civic Auditorium at 5 p.m. Doors to the event will open at 6 p.m. and movie selections which will start around 7:30 include Pirates of the Caribbean, Titanic, Lord of the Rings, Interstellar, Avengers, and more. Make sure to reserve your tickets on the Symphony website before they sell out. Students are eligible to purchase discounted tickets 90 minutes prior to each regular symphony concert as long as they present their student identification. 

Community Bridges – Farm to Fork Gala | June 27

Indulge in a night packed with regional wine, seasonal cuisine and a silent auction with Community Bridges for their Farm to Fork Gala from 5-9 p.m.. This event will bring together supporters, partners and community champions to celebrate the impact of Community Bridges ten different programs and the community that helps to make the organization’s work possible. 

Sip for Second Harvest | June 28

Join Second Harvest for a celebration of community, compassion and charity at the beautiful Seascape Beachside Resort in Aptos from 1-4 p.m.. Sip on some fine wine, beer and cider alongside live music and delicious light appetizers. All proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County in providing healthy food and nutrition education to neighbors in need of the County. 

Galicia Stack Lozano is a student at UC Santa Cruz and an intern at Lookout Santa Cruz through the Humanities EXCEL program led by the UC Santa Cruz Humanities Division with strategic support from The Humanities Institute