Weekend Guide: Things to Do in Santa Cruz & Monterey, October 24-25
This is the final full weekend before Halloween, and Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties are leaning all the way into it: the Boardwalk throws its Chili Cook-Off, Thrill the World leads the free Thriller flash mobs through downtown and along the Wharf, the Wharf screens Hocus Pocus at Wharf Commons, the 7th annual California Seaweed Festival makes its Monterey debut on Custom House Plaza, Thomas and Percy roll together for the final Halloween weekend at Roaring Camp, and the Capitola Village Halloween Parade marches down the Avenue on Sunday afternoon. In Watsonville, the Día de Muertos ceremony and the Downtown Candy Crawl fill the Plaza, Salinas brings a candlelit Coldplay and Imagine Dragons concert to the Fox Theater, and Monterey Bay Football Club hosts a big USL match on the CSU Monterey Bay campus. Add a free 100th birthday block party for Sunset Center in Carmel, the Hunter's Moon rising over the hills Sunday night, and a live music lineup from Moe's Alley to the Golden State Theatre, and you have a weekend worth planning around. This is your share-ready guide, from someone who has called this coast home for more than 50 years.
I am Kieron Bery, a REALTOR® and Pricing Strategy Advisor with Century 21 Masters, and every event on this list was verified as current this week. One honest note for the North Monterey County crowd: the country corridors from Prunedale to Aromas and Royal Oaks are keeping October quiet this weekend, which is exactly the charm of that corner, so your best bets down that way are the markets, the slough, and a short hop up Highway 101 into Salinas. Pick one thing or make a whole weekend of it, but get out there. Here is your plan for October 24-25.
Saturday, October 24
Saturday Farmers Markets
Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Scotts Valley Farmers Market at Graham Plaza, 219 Mt. Hermon Road: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Westside Santa Cruz Farmers Market, Mission Street Extension at Western Drive: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Old Town Salinas Certified Farmers Market, 300 block of Main Street: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Four Saturday markets across both counties, and all four are year-round institutions. Aptos at Cabrillo is the big weekend ritual, Scotts Valley is settled into its Graham Plaza home, the Westside market is a Santa Cruz original, and Old Town Salinas runs rain or shine. Late October is peak winter squash, pomegranate, and apple season everywhere, so fill the bags first and play after.
Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street | Free to attend
Pro and amateur chefs compete for best chili on the beachfront while the Colonnade Stage keeps the party going. Tasting kits go on sale at 10:00 AM (about $15), the public tasting starts at 1:00 PM, and winners are announced at 4:00 PM. Rain or shine and free to watch, this is the annual first bite of fall at the beach. Season pass members can also bring a friend for free both Saturday and Sunday.
13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf & the Hocus Pocus Movie Night
Wharf events through October 31; movie at 6:30 PM Saturday | Santa Cruz Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf | Free
The Wharf's 13 Days of Halloween (October 19-31) is in full swing with the Great Pumpkin BINGO scavenger hunt hidden through wharf shops and restaurants, a festive photo booth by the Wharf Stage, and Halloween specials all week. On Saturday night, the Wharf Commons screens the family classic Hocus Pocus at 6:30 PM. Free, on the water, and the perfect way to end a long day.
Thrill the World Santa Cruz
3:00 PM at Front & Cooper Streets downtown; 4:00 PM at Wharf Commons | Free
Santa Cruz dances again: Thrill the World leads two free, all-ages Thriller flash mobs on Saturday, the first downtown and the second on the Wharf. Join in or just watch the zombies take over. Either way, get your camera ready.
Santa Cruz Harbor Trick-or-Treat
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue | Free
The harbor community opens its docks and shops for an early Halloween candy run along the water. Kid friendly, boat friendly, and very Santa Cruz.
La Ofrenda at the MAH
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM | Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street | Free
The museum's free community celebration of Día de los Muertos brings traditional music and dance, face painting, and food, with community ofrendas taking shape inside. Stop in, admire the altars, and add your own tribute.
Thomas & Percy's Halloween Party: Final Weekend
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday | Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton
This is the final weekend of the season that engines Thomas and Percy roll together through the redwoods: themed steam train rides on timed 25-minute departures, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, and meet-and-greets with both engines. Tickets are $27 for peak departures (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM) and $25 off-peak for all ages, kids under 1 ride free, and parking is $10. The trains sell out, so book ahead at roaringcamp.com.
Outdoor Santa Cruz, Saturday
Wilder Ranch Guided Coastal Walk, 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM | Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road | Free with day-use parking
A ranger-led bluff walk covering plants, animals, and geology along one of the prettiest stretches of the North Coast, about 2.5 miles and family friendly. A second guided walk steps off at 12:00 PM if you want another pace on the headlands.
Surf City Cyclo-X CX1 "All Hallow's Cross," all day | Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm, 12200 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz
The beloved cyclocross weekend opens with the CX1 race up Empire Grade. Watching is free, cowbells encouraged, costumes welcome.
Watsonville: Día de Muertos & the Candy Crawl
3rd Annual Día de Muertos Ceremony, 1:00 PM | Downtown Watsonville
Downtown Candy Crawl, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM | City Plaza, Main & Peck Streets
Watsonville does Saturday right: the community's third annual Day of the Dead ceremony gathers downtown in the early afternoon, then the free Downtown Candy Crawl takes over with trick-or-treating through downtown shops and restaurants, a trunk-or-treat on Peck Street, and a costume parade around City Plaza at 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM (ages 13 and under, no registration needed). Pair both for a full afternoon in the Plaza, and swing by Pajaro Valley Arts to see "Caminos de Recuerdo," the Día de los Muertos exhibition on view for the season.
North County & the Peninsula, Saturday
Monterey Bay FC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC, 7:00 PM | Cardinale Stadium, CSU Monterey Bay campus
USL Championship soccer and a big Saturday night out on the peninsula side of Highway 1: Monterey Bay Football Club hosts Las Vegas Lights, with tickets from about $26. The rare fall evening with a hometown crowd under the lights.
Seaside Sashay Square Dance Festival, 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM, kicks off Friday at 7:00 PM | Seaside Convention Center
A full day of square dancing, live calling, and good old-fashioned community fun at the convention center. Beginners welcome, watchers welcome, flannel encouraged.
Monterey County, Saturday
California Seaweed Festival, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Old Custom House Plaza, Monterey | Free
North America's largest seaweed festival makes its Monterey debut with the theme "Dive In! to Seaweeds": scientist talks and demos, seaweed tastings and chef dishes, hands-on exploration, crafts, live music, and 60-plus vendors across marine science and ocean-inspired makers. Free, family friendly, and unlike anything else on this coast.
11th Annual Carmel Pumpkin Roll, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Ocean Avenue between Santa Rita and Junipero Streets, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Painted pumpkins roll down a traffic-free Ocean Avenue in the beloved Carmel tradition (the street closes to cars 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Arrive early, pick a lane, and cheer.
Howl-o-ween Pet Parade & Costume Contest, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Carmel Plaza, Ocean Avenue & Mission Street
Carmel's canine costume parade is the gloriously extra photo op of the weekend, hosted by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce. The first 50 registered pets get a free treat bag and professional portraits on site. Bring your best-dressed dog.
Downtown Pacific Grove Trick-or-Treat, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, trick-or-treating 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove | Free
The 14th annual "A Halloween Under the Sea" brings candy, giveaways, and music along Lighthouse Avenue. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.
Painting Gourds at Asilomar, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Avenue, Pacific Grove
California State Parks hosts gourd painting and shore crafts at Asilomar, supplies included and free.
Trunk or Treat, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM | General Stilwell Community Center, 4260 Gigling Road, Seaside
The Presidio of Monterey's family trunk-or-treat with decorated trunks, candy, and games, free and open to the community.
Shoreline Fall Family Festival, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Shoreline Church, 2500 Garden Road, Monterey
A free, family-friendly fall festival on the east side of Monterey, games and candy for the kids.
Celtic Thunder, 7:00 PM | Sunset Center, San Carlos Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea
The celebrated Irish performance group brings its soaring vocals and stagecraft to Carmel for a big Saturday night.
Salinas & Up Highway 101, Saturday
Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons, 8:30 PM | Fox Theater, 241 Main Street, Salinas
A candlelit string-ensemble tribute to the anthems of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons inside the beautifully restored Fox Theater, about 60 minutes, tickets from about $22. An easy night out from the North Monterey County towns.
North Salinas Fall Festival, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Salinas Valley Community Church, 368 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas
A free family fall festival on the San Juan Grade side of town, just up the corridor from Prunedale: games, candy, and community for the kids.
SPCA Halloween Tricks and Treats, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM | SPCA Monterey County, 1002 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Salinas
A free, family-friendly trick-or-treat walk-through with spooky decorations and adoptable pets at the SPCA campus near Laguna Seca.
Live Music Tonight
Zepparella at Moe's Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz: doors 8:00 PM, show 9:00 PM
The all-women Led Zeppelin tribute brings the thunder to Santa Cruz's favorite blues room, with a second show Sunday to follow.
The Devil Makes Three with Two Runner at the Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado Street, Monterey: 8:00 PM
The Santa Cruz-born trio comes home to one of Monterey's grandest theaters for a roots and Americana headline show.
Return to Laurel Canyon at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz
An evening built around the Laurel Canyon songbook at the coast's premier listening room.
Surf City Line Dance with Barnstormer at The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
Boots on the floor at the Catalyst for a Saturday night of line dancing.
Sunday, October 25
Sunday Farmers Markets
Live Oak / Eastside Farmers Market, 15th Avenue at East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Marina Certified Farmers Market, Marina Village Shopping Center, 215 Reservation Road: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Carmel Valley Certified Farmers Market, Mid-Valley Shopping Center, 9550 Carmel Valley Road: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Live Oak is the only Sunday market in Santa Cruz County, so treat it like the institution it is: grab the fall haul and walk a block to Seabright Beach for an October picnic. Marina keeps a second Sunday market going just off Highway 1, and Carmel Valley brings the season's harvest to the Mid-Valley center. Apples, persimmons, and winter squash are at their peak.
Capitola Village Halloween Parade
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, line-up at 1:30 PM | Line-up in the lower Beach & Village Parking Lot 2 behind the Capitola Police Department | Free
The 2026 Capitola Village Halloween Parade is the Sunday headline: costumed marchers line up behind the fire engine and band, wind down Capitola Avenue through the Village to the Esplanade, and finish at Esplanade Park, where trick-or-treating awaits at participating Village shops. Free, wonderfully small-town, and the most photogenic Halloween moment on the bay.
Thomas & Percy, Day Two
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton
The final day of the season's Halloween train weekends. If Saturday sold out, Sunday is your last chance until next year, and advance tickets at roaringcamp.com are still the move.
Quail Hollow: Community Day & the Full Moon Hike
Community Day, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Felton | Free
Full Moon Hike, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM | Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Felton | Free, reserve with Santa Cruz County Parks
Two ways to love Felton's ranch in the hills on Sunday: an open-house Community Day at the ranch house, then the guided Full Moon Hike through the lower trails as the Hunter's Moon rises over the coastal hills. The hike runs about an hour, ages 8 and up, and space is limited, so reserve online through Santa Cruz County Parks or call (831) 454-7901. The moon peaks Monday night, which makes Sunday evening the perfect time to watch it come up.
North County & Salinas, Sunday
Compass Church Fall Festival, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Compass Church of Monterey County, 1044 South Main Street, Salinas
The big free family fall festival of the Salinas side: pony rides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, bounce houses, carnival games, live music, food trucks, and candy. A short hop up Highway 101 from the North Monterey County towns, and worth the drive.
Sunday on the Peninsula
Sunset Center Centennial Community Celebration, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Sunset Center, San Carlos Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea | Free
Sunset Center turns 100, and the whole town is invited to a free block party with live music, dance, art, storytelling, and family activities. Cake, community, and a century of Carmel nights.
Los Hermanos Vega, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Palenke Arts, Seaside
The Son Jarocho ensemble from Veracruz brings its fiddle-and-voice tradition to the Peninsula for a free community concert.
Sunday Sounds
Zepparella, night two at Moe's Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
Another dose of Zeppelin classics at the coast's favorite blues room to close the weekend.
Easy Star All-Stars at the Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado Street, Monterey: 7:00 PM
The reggae institution plays Dub Side of the Moon live to close the weekend on Alvarado Street.
Let the Caged Bird Sing at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz
The fourth installment of the tribute series lands at Kuumbwa to close the weekend.
All Weekend: Outdoors, Family & Fall Flavors
The Wharf's 13 Days of Halloween
Through October 31 | Santa Cruz Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf | Free
All 13 days, the Wharf hides pumpkins through its shops and restaurants for the Great Pumpkin BINGO hunt, keeps a photo booth by the Wharf Stage, and runs Halloween specials up and down the pier. Free, on the water, and the perfect walk between markets and shows. Do not miss the Hocus Pocus movie night Saturday at Wharf Commons.
Monarchs Are Back at Natural Bridges
Self-guided tours 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily | Natural Bridges State Beach, 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
The first monarchs of the season are clustering in the eucalyptus grove at California's only State Monarch Preserve, and the park's free self-guided monarch tours run daily through the season. Numbers build through November and peak in early December, but this is the weekend to start the ritual. Bring binoculars and walk the bluff trail while you are there.
Elkhorn Slough at the Watsonville-Moss Landing Border
Guided walks 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, Saturday and Sunday | Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Moss Landing | Free
Free naturalist-led hikes into one of California's great estuaries, with otters, seals, and shorebirds likely, and sign-up at the Visitor Center front desk (first come, first served). Add the monthly Mindfulness Tour at 2:00 PM Saturday, and you have two ways to slow down on the slough.
Surf City Cyclo-X
CX1 All Hallow's Cross on Saturday, CX2 costume race on Sunday | Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm, 12200 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz's beloved cyclocross weekend returns up Empire Grade: the CX1 race Saturday and the CX2 costume race Sunday. Bring a cowbell and cheer for the mud-caked heroes.
Boardwalk Season Pass Perks
Season pass members bring a friend for free, Saturday and Sunday | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
A little extra fall sunshine for pass holders during the Chili Cook-Off weekend. Check the Boardwalk app for details.
Community News Worth Knowing
A few things around town worth sharing this week: Thomas and Percy wrap their Halloween season this weekend at Roaring Camp, and it has been the talk of the San Lorenzo Valley. The 7th annual California Seaweed Festival makes its Monterey debut Saturday, the first time North America's largest seaweed festival has come to the Peninsula. The Wharf's 13 Days of Halloween is underway through October 31 with the Hocus Pocus movie night Saturday, the first monarchs are clustering at Natural Bridges, Watsonville's Día de Muertos ceremony and Downtown Candy Crawl plus the "Caminos de Recuerdo" exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts fill the Plaza on Saturday, and the Capitola Village Halloween Parade plus the Surf City Cyclo-X costume race close the weekend with pure community spirit. The Monterey Bay Aquarium also hosts its Halloween Member Night on Saturday evening for members, and Monterey Bay FC plays a big Saturday night home match that has the peninsula talking. This is the Santa Cruz I know and love, in its favorite season.
Shareable Social Captions
Planning to post about the weekend? Here are some ready-to-copy captions for Instagram and Facebook, written the way I would share my own plans with friends.
Saturday in Santa Cruz is the full Halloween warm-up: the Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off heats up at 10, Thrill the World leads two Thriller flash mobs (downtown at 3, the Wharf at 4), and Hocus Pocus screens at Wharf Commons at 6:30. Chili, zombies, and the bay. I will be there with a tasting kit. 🌶️ 🎃 #SantaCruzEvents #ThingsToDoSantaCruz #WeekendInSantaCruz #SantaCruzLife
Parents, this is the one: Thomas AND Percy roll together for the final Halloween weekend at Roaring Camp (book ahead, it sells out), the Watsonville Candy Crawl fills the Plaza on Saturday, the Santa Cruz Harbor trick-or-treat runs 3 to 6, and Sunday's Capitola Village Halloween Parade winds through the Village with candy waiting at the shops. My kids will be talking about this one all week. 🚄 🍬 #SantaCruzEvents #WeekendInSantaCruz #ThingsToDoSantaCruz #SantaCruzLife
Monterey side, you have the coolest festival of the year: the California Seaweed Festival makes its Monterey debut on Custom House Plaza, free and family friendly with tastings and 60-plus vendors. Then watch painted pumpkins roll down Ocean Avenue, catch the Howl-o-ween pet parade at Carmel Plaza, and toast 100 years of Sunset Center at Sunday's free block party. Strangely wonderful, deeply Monterey. 🌊 🦀 #MontereyBay #SantaCruzEvents #ThingsToDoSantaCruz #WeekendInSantaCruz #SantaCruzLife
North County friends, your weekend is sorted: Monterey Bay FC hosts Las Vegas Lights on Saturday night, the Seaside Sashay square dance fills the convention center, Elkhorn Slough guides walks at the Watsonville-Moss Landing border, and Salinas has a candlelit Coldplay & Imagine Dragons concert at the Fox plus fall festivals all weekend. And if you like your music with mud, the Cyclo-X costume race is up Empire Grade on Sunday. ⚽ 🎸 #MontereyBay #SantaCruzEvents #WeekendInSantaCruz #ThingsToDoSantaCruz #SantaCruzLife
My full weekend script: Aptos market at 8, chili tasting on the Boardwalk by 1, Día de Muertos and the candy crawl in Watsonville Plaza by 3, finale trains at Roaring Camp Sunday morning, the Capitola Halloween Parade at 2, then monarchs at Natural Bridges before the Hunter's Moon rises. October on the Central Coast is the best kept secret in California, and I am not keeping it anymore. 🍂 🎃 #WeekendInSantaCruz #SantaCruzEvents #MontereyBay #SantaCruzLife #ThingsToDoSantaCruz
Enjoy the weekend, everyone. Whether you are tasting chili on the Boardwalk, dancing Thriller downtown, riding a Halloween train through the redwoods, watching pumpkins roll in Carmel, cheering the costume parade in Capitola, or catching a home match for Monterey Bay FC, I hope this weekend gives you exactly what you need. And if you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Santa Cruz or Monterey County, I would love to hear from you. Call me at (831) 247-5719 or visit the contact page. I want you to make informed decisions, and I love helping people find their place in this beautiful corner of California.
Talk soon.
Kieron Bery, REALTOR® with Century 21 Masters
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