Santa Cruz County is teeming with festivals and fairs: wine, art, food, crafts, you name it. For the Lookout List Community & Events category, our voters celebrated these local staples — as well as the volunteer opportunities that bring neighbors together. Find more Lookout List winners here.
Find your favorite …
Favorite Art Fair/Festival
Winner: Capitola Art & Wine Festival
Held in Capitola Village
Voters love the festival’s seaside setting in Capitola Village, the quality of its vendors and “so many wonderful booths” full of amazing artwork.
Runner-up: Open Studios — Arts Council of Santa Cruz County
Self-guided tour of artists’ studios across the county each October
Favorite Bite at the Santa Cruz County Fair
Winner: Corralitos Market & Sausage Co.
Fairgoers praise the “unmatched flavor & quality” of Corralitos Market’s sausages.
Runner-up: Cinnamon Rolls
Readers call them simply “Delicious!”
Favorite Drink Festival
Winner: Capitola Art & Wine Festival
Held in Capitola Village
Voters call it an “excellent event,” with great ambiance in the Village and a beautiful seaside setting as they take in the art and wine on offer.
Runner-up: Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival
Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
Attendees praise the “wonderful wine and beer with delicious foods.”
Favorite Food Festival
Winner: Strawberry Festival
Held in downtown Watsonville
Readers love the “amazing food, music, vendors and energy from the community” at this family-friendly event. As one put it, it’s “the sweetest!”
Runner-up: Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
Favorite Local Maker Pop-Up Event
Winner: Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market
1100 block of Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, on the third Sunday of every month
The monthly street market brings more than 40 local makers and artists to Pacific Avenue with a wide range of handmade goods.
Runner-up: Collective Santa Cruz — Holiday Mega Market
Held in the former Logos Books & Records space
Founded in 2022 by two childhood friends.
Favorite Music Festival
Winner: Redwood Mountain Faire
Held at Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton
Fans love the beautiful venue, great vibes and fun bands. “Going on my 12th year,” one voter wrote.
Runner-up: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz
Readers call it a “world class orchestra.”
Favorite Non-Profit Awards Event
Winner: Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County — Be the Difference Awards
Annual awards from the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County
Voters call Be the Difference “the most energizing and inspiring recognition of our community volunteers that exists in Santa Cruz County,” an event that brings the whole county together to honor volunteers and the nonprofits they power. One community leader called it the place “where I fill my cup up each year.”
Runner-up: United Way of Santa Cruz County — United in Purpose
Annual celebration and awards from United Way of Santa Cruz County
Fans say United Way makes the event “fun and memorable,” and they appreciate that it honors young people as well as adults.
Favorite Non-Profit Fundraiser
Winner: Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter — St. Pittie’s Party
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz
“Best event, hands and paws down!” one voter wrote. Supporters say the party is “great for all the animals, not just Pitties,” and celebrate the shelter as a great community partner.
Runner-up: United Way of Santa Cruz County — Stuff the Bus
United Way’s back-to-school supply drive
Volunteers say the drive brings people together to give kids who couldn’t otherwise afford school supplies “a successful start to the school year.”
Lookout Staff Pick
Stockings: A Holiday Cabaret, Motion Pacific
I look forward to Stockings: A Holiday Cabaret all year long! The dancing, the performers, the creativity – there’s truly nothing else like it in Santa Cruz. I love how Motion Pacific celebrates dance, self-expression and people of all kinds, with a brand-new theme every year. It’s a fundraiser that feels like a party, it’s always a beautiful performance and a celebration of everything that makes our community special.
My pro tip? If you can, spring for a table. You’ll get the best seats, a round of complimentary drinks and an incredible view of the show. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Jamie Garfield, Director of Student & Community Engagement
Favorite Place to Volunteer
Winner: Grey Bears
2710 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz
Volunteers say “the people are the secret” at Grey Bears, which offers “lots of different ways to volunteer” to fit any schedule, a sustainable model built on reducing waste and, as several noted, a free lunch. One former volunteer called it “a model of what a sustainable world should strive for.”
Runner-up: Santa Cruz SPCA
2601 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz
Volunteers describe “a kind and compassionate community of animal lovers” at the SPCA. “Chilling with dogs is good for the soul, and walking is healthy for the body,” one wrote.
Lookout Staff Pick
Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services
Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services is one of those extraordinary places that reminds you just how much love, compassion, and generosity exist in the world. They offer comfort, hope, and meaningful support to families navigating one of the most difficult experiences imaginable. Being able to volunteer with this organization is a privilege. Jacob’s Heart is a beautiful reminder that even in the darkest moments, kindness and human connection can make a profound difference.
Kevin Painchaud, Photojournalist
Favorite Stop on a First Friday Santa Cruz Art Tour
Winner: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front St., Santa Cruz
Readers say the MAH has “great events for everyone,” a cool downtown vibe and free admission on First Friday.
Runner-up: Fruition Brewing
918 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville
Fans love Fruition’s vibes and “fun beer flavors, even for someone who doesn’t particularly like beer.”
Favorite Stop on the Open Studios Art Tour (North County)
Winner: Hawk and Hammer Creative Studio
Visitors say Tina’s prints, calendars and stickers are “unique and fun,” and that stopping by her open studio “is always inspiring and informative.” One called her an “amazing artist and human!”
Runner-up: Susan Taylor Brown Art
Voters are wowed by Susan Taylor Brown’s fiber art, embroidered “wildscapes” and moss pieces that feel “grown rather than crafted.” “No other artist is doing this,” one wrote.
Favorite Stop on the Open Studios Art Tour (South County)
Winner: Rhia Hurt
Visitors love Rhia Hurt’s brilliant colors, layered paintings and eye-catching jewelry, and her studio tucked into a gorgeous backyard garden. “Her work is dramatic and peaceful at the same time,” one wrote. Another said a piece she bought “brings me happiness and a sense of hope.”
Runner-up: Charles Prentiss
A former curator at the Santa Cruz City Museum of Natural History, Prentiss is known for paintings, prints and mixed-media pieces with bold color.
Favorite Street Fair/Festival
Winner: Santa Cruz Pride
Parade and festival in downtown Santa Cruz
“It is SC and it is Pride, say no more,” one voter wrote. Others call it “a joyous occasion” that’s “very inclusive to all.”
Runner-up: Santa Cruz Dance Week
Presented by Motion Pacific at venues countywide
Readers say the celebration shows off the city’s “legendary” dance scene.
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