Special Events

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

SAT | DEC 3 | 10am-12pm

downtownsantacruz.com The traditional holiday parade is the official kickoff for the winter holidays celebration. One never knows exactly what to expect at the Parade, but you can be sure to expect the whole community to show up and have a great time - and of course, at the end of the parade, sitting in an antique fire truck, the man of the hour is welcomed back to Downtown Santa Cruz. Bring the family or participate!

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker

SAT & SUN | DEC 10 & 11

scbt.org | Celebrate the holidays with SCBT’s The Nutcracker! At the Civic Auditorium, SCBT’s production is the only local Nutcracker featuring live orchestra conducted by Maestro Pamela Martin. This holiday favorite features SCBT dancers and professional, word-class guest dancers as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. *Tickets at SantaCruzTickets.com

Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District

SUN | DEC 4 | 12-7pm

13333 Middleton Ave, Boulder Creek bcrpd.org/events The Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District's Winter Boutique will be full of local gifts for your holiday shopping this year. Follow the redwoods to Boulder Creek where we will have over 18 local artists, Santa and Snow. Santa pictures $10 per family for up to 5 edited images.

Santa Cruz Warriors

FRI | DEC 9 | 7pm vs. South Bay Lakers SUN | DEC 11 | 7pm vs. Oklahoma City Blue FRI | DEC 16 | 7pm vs. G League Ignite THU | DEC 29 | 7pm vs. Stockton Kings FRI | DEC 30 | 7pm vs. Stockton Kings

The Santa Cruz Warriors, the G-League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, will be at home at Kaiser Permanente Arena for five games in December. Come out and watch the action and see future NBA stars up close.

Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources 7th Birthday Celebration Monday Dec 5, 10am 19-B Rancho Del Mar, Aptos 831.316.7261 www.wonderlandsantacruz.com Family-friendly daytime shopping and birthday fun 10am-6pm. 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).

Holiday Lights

THROUGH DEC 25 | 5:30-9:30pm

fairgrounds-foundation.org/holiday-lights Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present Holiday Lights at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. The half-mile drive-through includes spectacular lighted displays all around you.

Gateway School K-8

TUES | DEC 6 | 10am-1pm

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz 831.423-0341 | admissions@gatewaysc.org 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 to schedule a tour and experience all that Gateway has to offer!

Winter Wonderland

THROUGH JAN. 1

beachboardwalk.com. Enjoy festive holiday decorations and lights including a three-story tall Christmas tree while riding rides and visiting the arcade at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. beachboardwalk.com.

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DEADLINE

The 15th of the month prior to publication month.