Drummer Boy opens Friday, November 6 at CineLux Scotts Valley Cafe & Lounge. In this epic musical, two brothers are driven onto opposite sides of the American Revolutionary War. With love, loyalty, and family caught in the crossfire, each must decide who he will become, as the fight for freedom turns into a deeply personal battle for forgiveness. Ages 12+, Local Details

Santa Cruz Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival, Saturday & Sunday, November 7 & 8, 10am-5pm, Dive into a weekend of coastal creativity! Shop ocean-inspired sea glass creations from more than 60 talented artists, including sea glass jewelry, ceramics, photography, fabric arts, decor, soaps, and more. Enjoy delicious food, drinks from the full bar, stunning Monterey Bay views, and a chance to win a fabulous gift basket. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds supports Monterey Bay marine conservation efforts. Celebrate the ocean. Support a cause. Details

Girls on Wheels Take Over at the Felton Pump Track, Sunday, November 8, 10am – 12pm, Get ready for a GIRLS ON WHEELS takeover at the Felton Pump Track! Girls and women of all ages are invited to try out the brand new pump track in a safe and supportive environment. Details

Ms. Blue Returns at Marine Science Fest, Sunday, November 8, 11am – 3pm, Join KQED and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center to celebrate the return of our 87-foot blue whale skeleton. Dive into hands-on science with UC Santa Cruz researchers, add your creativity to a community mural, and get crafty with Santa Cruz Maker Studio. Enjoy live music, explore on an oceanfront tour, and grab something delicious from local food trucks. All part of a full day of family fun! Details

Matilda the Musical, November 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14, 7 – 9:30pm; November 7 & 14, 2 – 4:30pm. Matilda the Musical is the story of an extraordinarily bright, book-loving young girl who uses her sharp mind, vivid imagination, and secret telekinetic powers to stand up to the oppressive adults in her life.

With the help of her kind teacher, she changes her destiny and inspires her classmates to do the same. Details & Tickets

SLV Theatre: Shrek The Musical JR, Friday, November 6 & 13, 7pm; Saturday, November 7, 7pm; Sunday, November 8, 2pm, A family-friendly middle school production of 'Shrek The Musical JR,' following Shrek's quest to save a princess and find his own heart. This family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must battle an even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others. SLV Theatre Department Details

Mount Madonna School: Shrek the Musical JR, Saturday & Sunday, November 14 & 15, 2pm | Doors open at 1:30pm, Get ready for an ogre-sized adventure when the Mount Madonna School Middle School takes the stage with Shrek the Musical JR.! Join Shrek, the lovable ogre with a heart of gold, and his wisecracking sidekick Donkey as they set off on an unforgettable journey through the kingdom of Duloc. Filled with humor, heart, memorable music, and plenty of surprises, Shrek the Musical JR. celebrates the idea that being different is something to be proud of and that true beauty comes from within. Details

Día de los Muertos, Thursday, November 5, 1am-12pm, Felton, Join librarian Jackie for a celebration of Día de los Muertos through story, song, and rhymes, followed by a craft! Details

Contra Dancing at Live Oak Grange, Sunday, November 8, Newcomers’ intro 2:30pm, dance 3 – 5:30pm, Come kick your heels up contra dancing at Live Oak Grange with some amazing local talent and fun and friendly dancers! Details

Home Depot Kids Workshop, Saturday, November 7, 9am – 12pm, Details

Santa Cruz Roller Derby v Bay Area Derby, Doors Open 6:15pm, November 7, Details

Navigating Your Child’s IEP: A Parent’s Guide to the IEP Process, Saturday, November 7, 4-5:30pm, Join us to learn about navigating your child’s IEP. This workshop will demystify the Individualized Education Program and give parents practical tools, insight into California special education timelines, and guidance on collaborating effectively with school teams to secure the support your child deserves. Details

November Seasonal Crafts for Kids, Tuesday, November 10, 3:30pm – 5pm, Families and caregivers are invited to join us to make November Seasonal crafts at the Downtown Branch Library. Ages 4+ Details

Make & Explore Gnomevember! Thursday, November 5, 3 – 5pm, Make your own Gnomevember peg doll gnome or fairy! All supplies provided (while supplies last). Free! Age 6+ Details

Free Charlies Brown Movies - Save these dates.

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” November 14-15

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” December 12-13 Details

Goat Hill Fair Antique & Vintage Show, Friday, November 13, 10am – 4pm & Saturday, November 14, 9am – 3pm, Join us for the Goat Hill Fair! Enjoy two full days of shopping vintage and antique vendors. A wide variety of food offerings will be available. Details and Tickets

Symphony Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn,

• Open Rehearsal, Friday, November 13, 7:30 – 10pm
• Concert, Saturday, November 14, 7:30-9:15pm, Civic
• Sunday, November, 2pm, Mello Center

Our November concerts pair Mendelssohn’s irrepressibly joyful Italian Symphony with Tchaikovsky’s supremely romantic Violin Concerto, featuring violin soloist In Sun Jang. Details and Learn about free open rehearsals > > >

Play it Safe, Friday, November 13, 3- 4pm, The SCPA Santa Cruz is bringing a fun and engaging program to the Scotts Valley Branch Library! With the help of a life-size stuffed dog, children will learn to interpret dog body language, to conduct ‘consent tests’, and how to stay safe around dogs. Details

Line Dancing Class, La Selva Beach Clubhouse, Mondays, 5:30-6:45pm (Doors open at 5), Tuesdays 2:15-3:45 PM (Doors open at 2), Details

Mountainfilm on Tour Santa Cruz, Saturday, November 14, 7pm, Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. Details

Día de los Muertos, Thursday, November 5, 11am-12pm, Felton, Join librarian Jackie for a celebration of Día de los Muertos through story, song, and rhymes, followed by a craft! Details

The magic of The Nutcracker awaits! Saturday, December 19 & Sunday, December 20, Performances 1pm & 4:30pm, Don’t miss your chance to snag Early Bird tickets to this beloved holiday tradition! A timeless holiday tradition filled with magic, wonder, and unforgettable memories, The Nutcracker is a festive favorite for audiences of all ages! Celebrate the season with us and experience the magic of The Nutcracker! Early Bird offer valid through November 5 only! Details

The Petite Nutcracker, Saturday, December 19, 9:30am,

Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s Petite Nutcracker is a heartwarming and family-friendly rendition of the beloved holiday ballet, showcasing young dancers ages 3-7 alongside SCDT’s top dancers. With its joyful, family-centered atmosphere and shorter runtime, the Petite Nutcracker is a perfect holiday outing, inviting audiences of all ages to experience the magic of this timeless story and Tchaikovsky’s sublime score! Details

Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas, Thursday, December 17, 7:30pm, Come experience a night of community, laughter, and joy with Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas. For decades, the acclaimed show — new each year — has cris-crossed the country bringing holiday joy to audiences; this December, it returns to Santa Cruz with its Irish musicians, dancers, and native Irish storyteller, Tomáseen Foley. Details

James & the Giant Peach Jr., December 11-19, 1:30pm or 6:30pm, When young James discovers a magic potion, it transforms his aunts’ old fruit tree into a tremendous peach and launches him on the adventure of a lifetime. Inside the giant peach, James meets a colorful cast of human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities, and together they roll into the ocean, facing hunger, sharks, and plenty of squabbles along the way. Through it all, James’ quick wit and creative thinking bring the group together as a family, proving that even the most unlikely crew can pull off an extraordinary journey. Details & Tickets

A Celtic Christmas, Wednesday, December 2, 6pm. A Taste of Ireland Company presents its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas. Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night. Experience the magic as world-class performers blend melodic folk mash-ups, acapella tap battles, and heartwarming storytelling in one truly unforgettable performance. Details & Tickets

Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents A Christmas Carol!,December 3 – 24, Join us for a theatrical, music-filled adaptation of A Christmas Carol, presented by Santa Cruz Shakespeare. Tickets are on sale for Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s production of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, a festive holiday tradition for the whole family. Details & Tickets

Children’s Craft Fair, Saturday, November 28, 2-5pm, Support our young entrepreneurs, The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, Details

The Cricket & the Wren, December 17 through January 3, The Cricket & the Wren is a highly original, all-human fairytale that enchants through breathtaking acrobatics and athletically stunning skill. A merchant’s daughter sets out to find the castle where the horizon meets the sea. In order to break the spell of the Frog Prince, she must brave a harrowing journey filled with wonder. Details