Calendar

FRI 2

Campus Tour at Mount Madonna School. 10am-12pm Come for a tour and stay for a preview of the Matilda Jr. Small classes and learning that goes beyond the classroom walls, Montessoriinfluenced preschool and kindergarten and academically vibrant 1st–12th grades. Featuring hands-on science labs, outdoor adventure and travel, marine science on Catalina Island, buddy program, visual and performing arts. Contact Benna Dimig at 408-846-4042 or admissions@ mountmadonnaschool.org

SAT 3

Winter Open House 10am-5pm Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a free day celebrating the changing of the seasons. Enjoy free admission to the Museum all day. Free nature crafts & gift making from 10am to 2pm outdoors in Tyrrell Park. Makers Market Holiday Pop-Up 11am4pm Kick-Off December shopping after the parade with the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market. More than 30 local artists and makers will be on hand and there will be fun crafts and music. scmakersmarket.com. Lighted Boat Parade 5:30-7:30pm The Lighted Boat Parade features 50 beautifully decorated power and sailboats parading through the Santa Cruz Harbor. This is a family event with hot drinks and snacks available at various locations throughout the south harbor. scyc.org.

MON 5

Wonderland Toys 7th Birthday Celebration 10am-6pm 19-B Rancho Del Mar, Aptos Take 25% off one item (excluding Lego). Come make a xmas craft, get a free birthday balloon and cupcake, and take a picture with Santa (4pm-6pm.) Followed by Adults-only evening shopping 7-9pm. Take 25% off one item (excluding Lego). Refreshments, a raffle and free gift wrap (up to 3 items). wonderlandsantacruz.com

TUES 6

Gateway School Day Tours 9-11am Come and learn how Gateway School inspires children's innate curiosity and sense of wonder through daily exploration, discovery, and hands-on experiences. Visit www.gatewaysc.org and schedule a tour to experience all that Gateway has to offer! Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum 9am-5pm Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum, free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9am5pm. Come explore the biodiversity of our gardens, great birdwatching or simply come relax on a bench in the shade. arboretum.ucsc.edu/eventscalendar/events/ recurring-events/community-day.html

FRI 9

Unto Us a Child is Born 7-9pm Get into the Christmas spirit with an amazing night of Christmas music and art at Monte Vista Christian School The evening includes a beautiful Christmas concert in the Don Price Performing Arts Chapel with middle school artwork displayed in the lobby, followed by Christmas cookies and hot chocolate! Admission is free!

SAT 10

Mini Fungus Fair 11am-3pm Join local fungiphiles at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for the return of the (Mini) Fungus Fair in partnership with the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz. Explore a display of dozens of species of local mushrooms while enjoying free family-friendly activities and community resources. Admission to the museum is free all day.

Winter Art Market at the Tannery Arts Center 10am-5pm Start your holiday shopping at the Tannery Art Center. The Winter Art Market at the Tannery Arts Center returns the first weekend of December! Find the perfect holiday gift as you peruse one-of-a-kind creations by local artists. Enjoy live music and on-site food truck as you explore the Small Works show at Radius Gallery, art demonstrations, and over 15 open artist studios. Find everything from ceramics, jewelry, and sculpture to painting, prints, and apparel. The Market is on, rain or shine, with plenty of available parking and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Living History at Wilder Ranch 11am-3pm This family-friendly holiday event features holiday themed oldfashioned activities, crafts and living history demonstrations. Kids can try their hand at candle making, wreath making and crafts. The event is free but there is a $10 day vehicle day use fee.

SAT-SUN 10-11

Matilda Jr. Onstage at Mount Madonna School 2pm-12am Kind, clever and precocious, Matilda dreams of a better life even as she navigates a tumultuous childhood in Matilda Jr., a humorous, musical ode to the power of perseverance and imagination. Matinee at 2pm. Tickets $10-$15, available at mms-matilda. brownpapertickets.com. Information at www.MountMadonnaSchool.org

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker 1 and 4:30 pm both days. Celebrate the holidays with SCBT’s The Nutcracker at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium! The only local Nutcracker featuring a live orchestra conducted by Maestro Pamela Martin. This holiday favorite features SCBT dancers and professional, wordclass guest dancers as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. Tickets at SantaCruzTickets. com. More info at scbt.org

SUN 11

Downtown Antique Faire 8am-5pm The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the second Sunday of every month. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles and more. Visit the Antique Faire on Lincoln Street between Pacific and Cedar. Interested in vendor space? Call (831) 476-6940. downtownsantacruz.com/do/ downtown-antique-fair-1

SAT 17

Benefit Concert 7-10pm Christie McCarthy and Glen MacPherson will perform a concert at Corralitos Cultural Center benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank. Cost: $20.

SAT-SUN 17-18

Santa Cruz Dance Guild Nutcracker Dec. 17 at 1pm and Dec. 18 at 8pm. This show features dancers of all ages and backgrounds at Cabrillo College's Crocker Theater. Members of the staff including Studio Director Shannon Chipman and ballet teacher Vicki Bergland performed in the original Santa Cruz Nutcracker production and continue to dance.

SUN 18

Winter on the Wharf 3-5pm Come enjoy holiday decorations and see Santa arrive on the Wharf in a vintage fire engine. Take photos with Santa and play in the snow.

WED 21

Solstice Tide Pool Walk 2:30-4:30pm/ The Winter Solstice coincides with the approach of the new moon, bringing excellent low tides that are perfect for exploring the intertidal zone and its many fascinating creatures. Celebrate the changing of the seasons with us during this guided walk at The Hook in Capitol. Event is free.

WED-THUR 21-22

Agape Dance Nutcracker This Christmas, Agape Dance Academy presents their 10th Anniversary Nutcracker. Enjoy all the fun of a timeless classic. Show times are at 2:30pm and 6:30pm at Cabrillo's Crocker Theater.

Submit your event at growingupsc.com/submissions

GUiSC will attempt to update the calendar listings as needed; however, it is the responsibility of the organization listed to provide updated information. GUiSC assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Readers are encouraged to check the accuracy of the information provided. Events that are free or cost less than $10 can be submitted for inclusion in the calendar. GUiSC does not guarantee that a submitted event will automatically be included. Preference is given for events of interest to children and/or parents. Calendar entries must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the month of the event. Calendar entries and photos will be selected by the Calendar Editor.