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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | |
Merry Christmas! Happy Festival of Lights! Happy Kwanza! | |
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Christmas Eve and Day are December 24 and 25.
The Festival of Lights, Hanukah, begins at sundown, December 25 and lasts through sundown, January 2.
Kwanza celebrates December 26 through January 1.
Enjoy these festive times with family and friends. We're all super busy, but just think how relaxing it would be to get outside and count as many birds as you see. If you're short on time, just step outside the house.
Be sure you have the Audubon Bird Guide app or the Merlin ID app from your app store. I enjoy turning up the sound on my phone and recording the bird calls. When you do this consistently you soon become skilled at identifying birds by sound. Once in a while I hear a bird new to me! You can also use the sounds you hear to attract a bird to sing back to you. When they're all making a racket, look and listen for a hawk.
Have fun preparing for your holiday, doing rainy day activities and taking a rainy day walk, Parmalee
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Join Audubon's 125th Christmas Bird Count
from Dec 14, 2024 to January 5, 2025!
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The Christmas Bird Count occurs December 14 to January 5 every season. Sign up to receive information and results about all of Audubon's community science programs through American Birds, our newsletter by email.
Click here for a map view of the circles expected to be included in the 125th CBC Santa Cruz Contact: Alex Rinkert, arinkert@gmail.com
Follow these steps to participate in Audubon's Christmas Bird Count:
Step 1: Read these details to become familiar with Audubon's Christmas Bird Count.
Step 2: Check out the map above to find a count near you. Green and yellow circles are open for new participants, and red circles are full.
Step 3: To arrange participation contact compilers by email in advance of count day by using the information from the circle pop-ups on the map.
Step 4: Sign up for American Birds so you can hear about the results of the Christmas Bird Count and other Audubon community science programs!
Step 5: Already signed up for a count? Then head over to our CBC Live tracker to see photos posted from others who are scouting for or participating in the Christmas Bird Count, and upload your own photos!
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An Opportunity to Serve
"The holidays are a joyous time for our community, but as we celebrate the fellowship and good cheer of the season, we must not forget those who face the challenges of houselessness or reduced economic circumstances throughout the year. For more than 35 years, the Veterans in Santa Cruz have provided Holiday Dinners to hundreds of our friends and neighbors in need. The Vets and the Friends of Christmas are preparing to once again host the Christmas Community Dinner. We are asking our community to help make this a special event by donating some time or a few of your holiday dollars to support the meal. Please help make this a season of joy and generosity for the less fortunate. Just as importantly, we are asking for donations of warm weather gear of any kind to help provide some winter and holiday cheer."
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Toy Trains 2024, Thursday, December 19-22 and 26-29, 12 – 6pm, Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy the 17th year of this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH. Members of the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be on hand to once again share their amazing collection of toy trains. Details
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Flynn Creek Circus 2024, Families; December 19 – January 5; Internationally acclaimed Flynn Creek Circus returns to Capitola with a super star line up in their all new show, ‘The Heavy Drift!’
Featuring wild stunts and mind blowing skills, ‘The Heavy Drift’ is an original, film noir detective story. Flynn Creek Circus’ distinctive presentation marked by high comedy, modern creativity, and playful absurdity promises to exceed expectations.
Details including Adults only dates
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Magnificat-A Baroque Choral Celebration for the Holiday Season, Friday, December 20, 7:30-9:30pm, This holiday season, I Cantori di Carmel invites you to a special celebration with Magnificat, a festive Baroque Christmas concert featuring the works of renowned composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and George Frideric Handel. Details
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Fratello Marionettes, Libraries, Saturday, December 21:
Downtown 10:30 – 11:30am
Aptos 1-2pm
Boulder Creek-3:30 – 4:30pm
Join us for Fratello Marionettes’ performance of The North Pole Review. Be entertained by high-kicking Russian Trepak Dancers, graceful ice skating and acrobatic penguins. Details
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Free Movie The Wizard of Oz, Saturday, December 21, 11am,
Landmark’s Del Mar Theatre, Santa Cruz, CA, Follow the Yellow Brick Road to a Magical Movie Afternoon! Join us for a FREE screening of the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz, at the historic Del Mar Theatre. Gather your family and friends for an enchanting journey over the rainbow. Experience the magic of Oz on the big screen. Details
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Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s Nutcracker 2024, Saturday, December 21, 1pm & Sunday December 22, 4:30pm, Experience Santa Cruz’s most spectacular holiday tradition with Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s production of The Nutcracker, taking place at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. This year, we are thrilled to welcome Lucien Postlewaite, principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, who will be gracing the stage in a special performance. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Lucien brings his world-class talent back to his hometown for a production not to be missed. Details
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Santa Cruz City’s Nutcracker, Saturday and Sunday, 1 & 4:30pm, December 21 & 22, Don’t miss the magic of the Nutcracker with Santa Cruz City Ballet (at the International Academy of Dance)’s performance is sure to WOW as you teleport to the wonderful world of Clara and friends in a twirl of holiday magic. Enjoy the festivities of the Party Scene before delving into the battle between soldiers and mice. Travel to the land of sweets and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy! There’s something for everyone in this performance, with an all-age cast! Details
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Track Santa December 24, Every day of the year,NORAD defends North America using an all-domain and globally integrated approach to track everything that flies in and around Canada and the United States. On Dec. 24, NORAD adds a special mission: tracking Santa.
Like many origin stories, NORAD’s mission to track Santa began by accident. In 1955 a young child, trying to reach Santa, dialed the misprinted phone number from a department store ad in the local newspaper. Instead of calling Santa, the child called the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, CO. Read more of the story. Details
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Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train & New Year’s Train, December 14-23, AND 26-31, Operated by Roaring Camp Railroads, Will-Call/Ticketing at the Boardwalk’s Party Room, located to the left of the Main Entrance, Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through Santa Cruz streets. Passengers lend their voices to holiday carols and sip spiced cider while Santa visits with the little ones and the young at heart! Details
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Holiday Tree Walk, December 14-15, 21-22, Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cocoa while greeting Santa Claus. In town, enjoy winter themed activities. Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom on the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz at 5:00pm, 6:30, and 8:00 pm for a 60-minute round-trip excursion. Details
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New Year’s Train, December 26-31, Bring in the new year aboard the New Years Holiday Lights Train. Ride vintage train cars beautifully decorated with holiday lights through the streets of Santa Cruz. Light-up hula hoopers and a live DJ will keep spirits bright and help bring in 2025 right. Details
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Chanukah Train, January 2, We’ll share in Chanukah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Chanukah music and enjoying warm latkas and hot apple cider provided by Chabad by the Sea. Play festive games and win prizes! Lighting of the Menorah (15 mins before departure), Chanukah Games, Kosher Refreshments, Dreidel Mascot. Security will be present. Details
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Bird Walks at Wilder Ranch, December 27, 9am-1pm, On this 2.5 mile hike, be prepared to walk on uneven surfaces, with many stops to view the many birds, plants, and scenery along the way. You will help each other spot and identify birds! Bring your binoculars if you have them, clothes for variable weather, and good walking shoes. Meet next to park map in Wilder Ranch main parking lot. Details
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Visit Santa, Saturday & Sunday, December 20 – 22, 12pm-4pm, Childish Toy Shop, Santa is coming back to Santa Cruz and he can’t wait to visit with you and hear all about the adventures you’ve had this year. And of course, he wants to hear your Christmas wish list. Stop by to say hello to Santa. Details
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Santa Cruz Dance Theater Presents its First Production of The Nutcracker, Saturday, December 21, 1 & 4:30pm; Sunday, December 22, 1 & 4:30pm, Details
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Farley’s Christmas Wonderland 2024, Friday, November 29 – December 31, 5:30 – 8:30pm’ish, Join us at Farley’s Christmas Wonderland. We are a walk-in Christmas display with lots of Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, miniature village’s, and a log cabin that Santa uses for his rest stops. We have elves, fairies and a fairy grotto with two waterfalls. On special nights, it snows here. Details
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Adopt a Bunny, Sunday, December 22, 11:30am, Bunnies coming to town- Adopt- add another sweet family member to your heart & home-The Rabbit Haven is holding a big rabbit adoption event this Sunday, inside of Pet Pals. We will have 18 pens of beautiful rabbits all looking for adoptive homes. We have all sizes, ages and colors. Detail | |
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Valley Churches United Holiday Gift Shop 2024, Monday-Saturday, 11am – 4m, December, Details
Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds, Friday, Saturday, Sundays, 5:30pm, December 21 - 24, Details
Ice Skating by the Bay, through Dec 31, 11am -to 10pm, Custom House Plaza, Monterey, Details
Ice Skate in Union Square! Daily, through January 25, 10am-11pm, Details
Holiday Production: A Christmas Carol by Santa Cruz Shakespeare, through December 24, Details
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3D Printing Design Club, Saturday, December 28, 10am-11:30am, Hey teens! Are you interested in the world of 3D printing? Have you ever wanted to learn how to create your own 3D printable designs? Join us to learn the art of 3D designing in a collaborative atmosphere of your peers. Once finished, designs will be printed and available for the designer at the next meeting. A limited number of laptops will be available with the necessary software installed, and students are encouraged to bring their own laptops if possible. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Details
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The White Album Ensemble, Abridged, with Revolver, Sunday, December 29 & Monday, December 30, 8pm – 11:30pm,
This year we will do an abridged version, 16 songs out of 30, making space for the complete “Revolver” lp at 30 minutes, for an opening act. We will utilize a string quartet, and a horn section, to “not cheat” on the accuracy, growing room for the group to express their musicianship, without rearranging the songs. A lovely local tradition, and wonderful Xmas present! history- Read more! Details
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Chanukah Story Hour, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Monday, December 30, 5-6pm, Free, Please join Temple Beth El for a Chanukah Story Hour! We’ll light the menorah, sing the blessings, read stories, and sing songs. Perfect for families with children of all ages! Your RSVP helps us plan for your arrival and keep in touch with any changes. Thank you for registering! Details
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Ring in the New Year at NOON, Tuesday, December 31, 11am-1pm, No need to wait until midnight – Ring in the New Year at NOON! Join us at the Live Oak Library and celebrate in community with crafts, snacks, and a balloon drop as we count down to Noon! Details
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New Years’ Eve Organists’ Kaleidophone, Tuesday, December 31, 4pm, Come to celebrate the New Year with the colorful sounds of the Aeolien-Skinner 3-manual Pipe Organ at Peace United Church of Christ in Santa Cruz. 20th Annual “Organists’ Kaleidophone!” will kick off at 4pm on New Year’s Eve! Several local Organists will entertain you with mosaics of musical styles and genres from the Baroque to the Contemporary, all highlighting the art of organ playing in solo and ensemble settings. Admission is free, and all donations will go to the Organ Maintenance Fund. A traditional reception of Champagne, Sparkling Cider and Chocolates follows!
Donations welcome. Details
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Parenting Workshops, These parent workshops offer outstanding skills, tips and support in our parenting path. We are fortunate to have these resources. Even if everything is going well, it's good to know what's available! December
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