Santa Cruz SPCA Home for the Holiday
2025-12-28 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-30 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-31 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-01 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-02 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-03 11:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Cruz SPCA, 2601 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz (Live Oak), Santa Cruz, CA, 95065, United States
Santa Cruz SPCA Home for the Holiday
Through January 3: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-5pm
The Santa Cruz SPCA’s Home for the Holidays event starts TODAY — and our adoptable animals are ready!! Like, brushed-their-fur-and-everything ready.
From NOW through Jan 3, you can meet your future snuggle buddy AND enjoy waived adoption fees for the following animal categories:

Big dogs (40+lbs)
Adult cats (6mos+)
Adult dogs/cats who’ve waited 30+ days for a home!

Come meet your new bestie. They’re cute. They’re available. 10/10 would recommend.

Redwood Loop Tour Henry Cowell Redwoods
2025-12-28 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-04 12:00 - 14:00 | Henry Cowell State Park, 101 N Big Trees Park Road, Felton, CA, 95018, United States
Redwood Loop Tour – Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Sundays, February 16, 12 – 2pm

Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee! Every Sunday at 12:00pm, we are taking folks on a guided walk through the Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest together. On this 1-mile stroll, we will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants.
Click here to RSVP. Let’s plan to meet in the front of the Visitor Center, we hope you can join us!
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park Road, Felton, CA 95018

Monthly Baby Stuff Swap hosted by FIT4MOM Santa Cruz
2025-12-29 10:30 - 11:30 | Jade Street Park, 4400 Jade St, Capitola, CA, 95010, United States
Monthly Baby Stuff Swap
Last Monday of the month
Join us on the last Monday of each month to swap baby stuff with other mamas in our community! Bring what you would like to offer and take what you need.
This swap takes place right after Strides 360 in the park!
New to FIT4MOM?? Join us for a free class by registering at santacruz.fit4mom.com!

Storytime with Ivy
2025-12-31 11:00 - 11:15 | Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Storytime with Ivy

Last Wednesday of the Month 11-11:15am

Join Ivy, our children’s book buyer, at 11:00 am on the last Wednesday of the month for a storytime presentation of some of her favorite picture books! Meet in the kids’ section.

Kids Event

R.E.A.D. Reach Every Amazing Detail Capitola
2025-12-31 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-07 15:00 - 17:00 | Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA, 95010, United States
R.E.A.D. Reach Every Amazing Detail
Wednesdays 3 – 5pm through June 6
R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers.
Wednesdays from 3:00p to 5:00p at Capitola and La Selva Beach Libraries. Sessions are 25 minutes long. By appointment only.
For more information or to register, contact SCPL Telephone Information: 831-427-7713 or elibrary@santacruzpl.org

Stuffie Hide & Seek
2026-01-01 10:00 - 18:00 | Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Dr,, Aptos, CA, 95003
Stuffie Hide & Seek
Friday, August 1, 10am – 6pm
Every day through December 1
A cuddly, book-loving stuffed animal is hiding in the Children’s Room—can you track it down? Explore the shelves, uncover fun books and surprises, and when you find the critter, let a librarian know to earn a sticker prize! This passive program runs all day, every day—just drop in and join the fun!
Aptos Library Children’s Room

AI Prompting for Learning Mac or PC
2026-01-01 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom, CA, United States
AI Prompting for Learning (Mac or PC)
Thursdays 11am-12pm
Tech Talk Online On Zoom
Are you using AI tools to improve your understanding?
Explore the topic of learning strategies and discover ways to use chatbots and NotebookLM for learning.
https://loom.ly/M858HbUv

Game Zone Scotts Valley
2026-01-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA, 95066, United States
Game Zone Scotts Valley

Thursdays, beginning December 11, 1 – 3:00pm

Scotts Valley Branch Library is offering a game zone for tweens and teens to relax, hang with friends and play games!

We’re offering a variety of video, card and board games as well as ping pong and art projects every Thursday afternoon from 1-3pm. Come check it out and bring your friends! Ages 10-14
Scotts Valley Branch

R.E.A.D. Reach Every Amazing Detail
2026-01-01 15:00, 2026-01-08 15:00 | Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Dr,, Aptos, CA, 95003
R.E.A.D. Reach Every Amazing Detail
Thursdays 3-5pm
R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers.
Thursdays from 3:00p to 5:00p at Downtown, Aptos, Felton & Live Oak Libraries. Sessions are 25 minutes long. By appointment only.
For more information or to register, contact SCPL Telephone Information: 831-427-7713 or elibrary@santacruzpl.org

Future-Ready Innovators: Free 2-Hour Intro Workshop
2026-01-01 16:00 - 2026-01-03 18:00, 2026-01-08 16:00 - 2026-01-10 18:00 | NextSpace Coworking Santa Cruz (Opp Abbott Square), 101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, Philippines
Future-Ready Innovators: Free 2-Hour Intro Workshop
Thursdays 4-6pm, starting September 4
Watch your child’s creative ideas come to life with 3D printing!
Join our 3D Entrepreneurs Club for a fun and engaging free 2-hour intro workshop designed for kids ages 8–12. In this 2-hour session, kids will explore creativity, confidence, and community while learning the basics of 3D design and printing.
👉 Limited free spots available
👉 Join in-person or online
👉 For kids ages 8–12
📅 Reserve your spot today at: www.3de.club/workshop

Elkhorn Slough Free Weekend Tours
2026-01-02 10:00, 2026-01-03 10:00, 2026-01-09 10:00 | Elkhorn Slough, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, 95003, United States
Elkhorn Slough Free Tour of the Preserve
Every Saturday AND Sunday, 10 am and 11 am

Guided hikes with naturalists are offered at 10am and 11am every Saturday and Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up for tours at the Visitor Center front desk. If you have questions, call (831) 728-2822.

New Support Group Stillbirth & Infant Loss Support
2026-01-02 11:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, CA, United States
New Support Group Stillbirth & Infant Loss Support
Join us on the 1st and 3rd Friday, 11am – 12:30pm, beginning June 17
This support group is for parents who have experienced stillbirth or early infant loss. Our group is here to provide support and connection to parents as we know losing a baby can be an isolating and devastating experience. This group is led by trained peer facilitators who have also experienced infant loss.<
Our groups are 90 minutes (1.5 hours) in length. The first ~30 minutes is providing information, education, and establishing group guidelines. The next ~60 minutes is “talk time,” in which group members share and talk with each other. Group members must be present for the group guidelines before joining in the discussion or “talk time.”
Register at http://bit.ly/FindSupportGroup

Jazz at the Library
2026-01-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Downtown Library, 224 Church St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Jazz at the Library
Friday 12 – 1pm, August 1
Join us at the Downtown Library and enjoy free jazz music by local musicians!
In memory of her husband, bassist and jazz singer, Betty has created the William H. Nadeau Memorial Fund promoting and rewarding excellence in jazz performance.
In partnering with the library, the memorial fund is able to bring the wonderful sounds of live jazz music to the community.
https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/14621683

Friday Pet Food Pantry
2026-01-02 15:00 - 17:00 | SPCA, CA, United States
Friday Pet Food Pantry
Fridays 2-5pm
Just a friendly reminder that our Pet Food Pantry is still happening every Friday from 3-5pm!
Donate anytime!

Guided Walk: Big Basin: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
2026-01-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Big Basin Park, 21600 Big Basin Way,, Boulder Creek, CA, 95006, United States
Guided Walk: Big Basin: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Saturdays 11am-12pm

Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United States

Come learn about the story of Big Basin: past, present, and future while wandering under the guardian old-growth redwoods that have seen it all! This program is a 1 hour walk on a 0.6 mile, flat and easy trail designed for all ages.
We will be covering the cultural history of this unique area including Indigenous groups, loggers, and preservationists.
Of course, we will also discuss natural history such as the amazing coast redwood and the CZU Lightning Complex Fire as well as the future of our park.

Free Workshop "Give Your Kids Wings to Fly"
2026-01-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Next Space Coworking (Opp Abbott Square, downtown Santa Cruz), Next Space Coworking, Opposite Abbott Square, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
“Give Your Kids Wings to Fly”
Saturdays 4-6pm
Join this fun and interactive 2-hour workshop with your kids (ages 8–12) and watch them soar as high as their creativity and imagination can take them!
This free workshop is led by the 3DE Club—an online after-school program that helps kids develop entrepreneurial, leadership, and financial skills through 3D modeling and printing technology.
Kids ages 8–12 team up to design their own toy or product.
Teachers and Parent/Guardian Volunteers Welcome. (For invitation please email info@3de.club)
Next Space Coworking (Opposite Abbott Square, downtown Santa Cruz)
Workshop Registration Link: https://3de.club/workshop (required to attend)

Community Day Free Admission!
2026-01-06 09:00 - 17:00 | UCSC Arboretum, 120 Arboretum Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, United States
Community Day Free Admission!
First Tuesdays, 9am – 5pm

The first Tuesday of each month, Community Day, the Arboretum is open and free for visitors.
See dates and times UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden is open.
NOTE: Due to limited parking at the Arboretum and the popularity of Community Day, we greatly encourage visitors to carpool, bike, walk or use public transportation as much as possible.
https://arboretum.ucsc.edu/eventscalendar/events/recurring-events/community-day.html
