Things To Do This Week

Things to do in Santa Cruz

October 6, 2026

Rickie Lee Jones brings her unmistakable voice and blend of barroom grit, jazz phrasing and tender storytelling to the Rio Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 8. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter behind “Chuck E.’s in Love” performs at 8pm. Tickets: $38.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Twin Temple’s Alexandra and Zachary James bring vintage rock ’n’ roll and Satanic spectacle to the Catalyst on Friday, Oct. 2.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Guitarist Bill Frisell brings Harmony Five to Kuumbwa Jazz Center, blending jazz, Americana, folk and classical sounds with vocalist Petra Haden, cellist Hank Roberts, bassist Luke Bergman and drummer Tim Angulo.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Comedian and musician Kristin Key brings her guitar, high-energy musical comedy and viral “Lesbian Army” to Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s Monday Night Revels on Sept. 21.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Argentine multi-instrumentalist Facundo Salgado brings his Rumbo Tumba project to the Rio Theatre at 8pm Saturday, Sept. 12, layering handcrafted South American instruments into his signature “organic loops.” Photo: Mattias Baruta.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Indie rock icon and Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus brings a solo show to the Rio Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 6, drawing on the singular DIY spirit that has defined his career.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Bay Area reggae-rock favorites The Holdup bring their blend of reggae, hip hop and rock to Felton Music Hall on Saturday, Aug. 29.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Psych-folk artist Ruth Garbus brings her quiet, genre-blurring sound to the Crepe Place on Aug. 20, performing music from Profound, an album that moves between indie folk, free jazz and R&B.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Honolulu surf-rock band Twin Fin brings its blend of surf, country, ’60s pop and alternative rock to Felton Music Hall on Sunday, Aug. 16.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Honus Honus brings Man Man’s gloriously skewed blend of experimental rock, cabaret, music hall and country-folk to the Catalyst, Friday August 7

Things to do in Santa Cruz

The Cash Box Kings bring distorted harmonica, powerhouse vocals and Chicago-style blues to Moe’s Alley, with Bay Area favorite Aki Kumar joining the bill.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Acclaimed Americana songwriter James McMurtry brings his poetic, hard-edged songs to the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz on Thursday, July 23.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Water Tower brings bluegrass chops and punk fury to Kuumbwa, with founding member Kenny Feinstein leading the band’s fiercely independent, ever-evolving collective.

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Things to do in Santa Cruz