SANTA CRUZ / STUDENTS & COMMUNITY

WHAT’S ON.

A club to join. A show to catch. A reason to get out.
Find your next plan, from Cabrillo to UCSC and everywhere between.

THE LOCAL
PLAN FINDER

All ages · 18+ · 21+
Check the badge. Bring your people.

ON THE CALENDAR

Find your next thing.

Selected September 14, 2026
Times are Pacific.

All ages18+21+

Badges describe admission, not a content rating. Campus eligibility is listed separately. “Not stated” does not mean all ages.

12 upcoming picks

Sep 1521+

Around town / Live music

Slap Dragon

Doors 7 PM · Music 8 PM Pacific

Moe’s Alley · Santa Cruz

Acoustic grooves and soul vocals for a Tuesday night out.

Ticketed · See current price

Public · Valid ID required

Details at Moe’s Alley ↗

Sep 16–20All ages

Around town / Around town

Santa Cruz County Fair

Wed–Fri noon · Sat–Sun 10 AM Pacific

Fairgrounds · Watsonville

Rides, exhibits and evening entertainment. Opening-day admission is $2.50 cash at the gate; check the daily schedule for closing times and specials.

Paid admission · Daily discounts

Public · Children welcome

Details at Santa Cruz County Fair ↗

Sep 16Age policy not stated

UCSC / Campus life

Pause & recharge before fall quarter

2–5 PM Pacific

Namaste Lounge · College Nine, UCSC

A relaxed campus gathering with a sound bath and restorative activities before classes start.

Price not listed

For students · Check organizer details

Details at UCSC Events ↗

Sep 17Age policy not stated

Cabrillo / Campus life

Connecting Por Siempre

Aptos 11 AM–1 PM · Watsonville 4–6 PM Pacific

Aptos 900 Plaza · Watsonville A Breezeway

Paint a pot, plant something, and connect over art, gardening and food.

Price not listed

Campus community · Reserve a pot

Details at Cabrillo Student Health Services ↗

Sep 17–19Age policy not stated

UCSC / Art & culture

ReView at the Sesnon Gallery

Thursday–Saturday · 1–5 PM Pacific

Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery · UCSC

Catch the final days of the summer exhibition on campus.

Price not listed

Gallery visitors · Check access details

Details at UCSC Events ↗

Sep 1716+

Around town / Live music

The Growlers

Doors 7 PM · Music 8 PM Pacific

The Catalyst · Downtown Santa Cruz

A downtown concert with a 16+ admission policy. Check the ticket page for availability.

Ticketed · See current price

Public · Organizer lists ages 16+

Details at The Catalyst ↗

Sep 18Age policy not stated

Cabrillo / Campus life

Mental Health First Aid training

8:30 AM–3:30 PM Pacific

Aptos campus · Room 913

A full-day skills workshop. Register through Student Health Services.

Free for Cabrillo students/staff; others $50 + fee

Students, staff & community · Registration required

Details at Cabrillo Student Health Services ↗

Sep 1821+

Around town / Nightlife

People’s Disco with Ani Phoebe

From 8 PM · Check show time with venue Pacific

Moe’s Alley · Santa Cruz

A Friday dance night with the Bad Times Disco DJ. The venue lists free entry and a strict 21+ policy.

No cover

Public · Valid ID required

Details at Moe’s Alley ↗

Sep 23Age policy not stated

Cabrillo / Clubs & community

Inter-Club Council

Time & location: check meeting agenda Pacific

Cabrillo College

Connect with the club network. Follow the agenda link on Cabrillo’s page for meeting details.

Price not listed

Cabrillo students & club representatives

Details at Cabrillo Inter-Club Council ↗

Sep 30Age policy not stated

Cabrillo / Campus life

Health & Essential Needs Fair

10 AM–noon Pacific

Watsonville Center · Breezeway

Meet campus and community resource teams, with food and giveaways.

Price not listed

Campus community

Details at Cabrillo Student Health Services ↗

Oct 1Age policy not stated

Cabrillo / Campus life

Health & Essential Needs Fair

10:30 AM–1:30 PM Pacific

Aptos campus · Main Quad

Find wellbeing and essential-needs resources on the Aptos campus.

Price not listed

Campus community

Details at Cabrillo Student Health Services ↗

Oct 918+

Around town / Nightlife

It’s a 2000’s Party

Doors 8 PM · Party 9 PM Pacific

The Catalyst · Downtown Santa Cruz

A throwback night for the 18+ crowd. Bring ID and check the venue’s entry requirements.

Ticketed · See current price

Public · Organizer lists ages 18+

Details at The Catalyst ↗

These are dated editorial picks, not a live ticket feed. Past dates drop off automatically. Confirm availability, price and entry rules with the organizer before going.

START WHERE YOU ARE

Your campus. Your people.

APTOS / WATSONVILLE

CABRILLO.

Meet the club network, find campus happenings, and stay connected between classes.

See Cabrillo event picks ↑

REDWOODS / WESTSIDE

UCSC.

Explore campus arts, student gatherings and the reporting that matters to Banana Slugs.

See UCSC event picks ↑

THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES

Find your local circle.

Groups, social pages and places
to check for the next announcement.

FACEBOOK / COMMUNITY GROUP

“You know you’re from
Santa Cruz when…”

Join the Santa Cruz conversation. Open Facebook to read current posts, check group rules and see what locals are sharing.

Visit the group ↗

Facebook sign-in or membership may be required. Community posts are not verified reporting.

THE CATALYSTConcerts & DJ nights ↗Age policy varies by show.MOE’S ALLEYLive music & dance nights ↗Check each event’s posted admission.COUNTY FAIRFair schedules & announcements ↗Official dates, admission and daily programs.SAN LORENZO VALLEY POSTWhat’s happening in the mountains ↗Community news, music and local events.

Social links open the original profiles; posts are not mirrored here. Have a public event or group to recommend? Send the original link, date, location and age policy.

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