.5 Things To Do In Santa Cruz: Nov. 27 – Dec. 3

A weekly guide to what’s happening

Green Fix 

Boardwalk Holiday Ice

Ice skating at the beach is one of Santa Cruz’s most iconic holiday events. The ice skating rink is open to all ages and ability levels—whether you can barely stand or you’re the next Tonya Harding, all are welcome. It does get chilly with all of the coastal snow flurries, so be sure to cozy up next to the fire pits with some hot cocoa afterward. Open rain or shine, online reservations recommended.

INFO: Runs through Sunday, Jan. 5. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. 423-5590, beachboardwalk.com. One-hour session includes $15 ice skate rental.

Art Seen 

Glass Ornament Show 

Most people know Chris Johnson as the glass pumpkin man, but he is actually running a multi-holiday operation. Johnson also hand-crafts unique, one of-a-kind glass holiday ornaments. The perfect functional gift for friends and family, or yourself. Local jeweler Rhona Bloom will also be selling her fused-glass wearable work for those looking for everyday ornaments. 

INFO: Noon-5pm. Dec. 1. Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Live Oak. Free. 

Thursday 11/28 

32nd Annual Veterans Community Thanksgiving 

Veterans Day has come and gone this year, but Thanksgiving can be an especially difficult time for people who have made sacrifices for their country and haven’t received sufficient support since they returned home. To celebrate them, Veterans in Santa Cruz will provide a free, hot Thanksgiving dinner and live entertainment to hundreds of our friends and neighbors in need. India Joze is cooking dinner and meals are first-come, first-served. Every dollar donated ensures that a person in need will have a place at the holiday table. Entertainment by local musicians Gail Swain and Friends, international fiddle champion Theo Paige and more. INFO: Noon-3pm. Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. 465-1778. Free/donation. 

Tuesday 12/3 

UCSC Arboretum Community Day 

UCSC’s 135 acre-living museum is full of rare and unique plant species from around the world. On the first Tuesday of every month, there’s free admission to the arboretum, and visitors can enjoy the more than 300 plant species that thrive in our climate. Due to limited parking at the Arboretum and the popularity of community cay, carpooling, walking or biking is suggested. 

INFO: 9am-5pm. UCSC Arboretum, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. 502-2998, arboretum.ucsc.edu. Free. 

Friday 11/29 

Make a Card for a Local Senior

One in five seniors in Santa Cruz County sees another person less than once a week, and 54% live alone or experience loneliness. This Black Friday, give something special to our local seniors. The MAH is inviting the community to make someone’s day. Inspired by the popular exhibition We’re Still Here: Stories of Seniors and Social Isolation, the MAH is supplying all the materials to make a good old-fashioned greeting card that will be sent to a senior or caregiver in Santa Cruz County this holiday season. Feel free to bring any special supplies from home to add a little something extra, too. 

INFO: 5-8pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. 429-1964,  santacruzmah.org/events/greetingcard. Free.