Santa Cruz County Live Music Weekend Roundup: December 26-28

🎶 A comprehensive listing of live music in the Santa Cruz Mountains & Santa Cruz County! Here’s the roundup of concerts and entertainment for the weekend of Friday, December 26 through Sunday, December 28, 2025! Check out the “Hot Ticket Alert” and “New Year’s Eve” sneak peek so you can snap up your tix before the rush! Enjoy all there is to do in Santa Cruz County! 🎶🍷 🍺🎻💃

Friday, December 26 Boxing Day

🎶 Boxing Day w/ Common People
📍 Steel Bonnet Brewing
Friday, December 26 | 4:00 – 6:00
20 Victor Square, Scotts Valley
Wear Your Ugly Sweaters and Pajamas!
No Cover

🎶 Three on the Tree
📍 San Gregorio General Store
Friday, December 26 | 5:00 – 7:00
7615 Stage Rd., San Gregorio

🎶 Vinny Johnson Blues
📍 Highway 1 Brewing
Friday, December 26 | 5:00 – 7:00
5720 Cabrillo Hwy, Pescadero

🎶 Jim McGowan
📍 Alice’s Restaurant
Friday, December 26 | 5:00 – 7:30
17288 Skyline Blvd, Woodside

🎶 Death And Saxes
📍 Discretion Brewing
Friday, December 26 | 5:30 – 7:30
2703 41st Ave Ste. A, Soquel

🎶 Daniel Paul Nelson
📍 Chaminade Resort & Spa
Friday, December 26 | 5:30 – 8:30
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz

🎶 Preacher Boy Blues
📍 Aptos Street BBQ
Fridays | 6:00 – 8:00
8059 Aptos St, Aptos

🎶 Live Blues w/ Lloyd Whitley
📍 Mission Street BBQ
Fridays | 6:00 – 8:00
1618 Mission St., Santa Cruz

🎶 Ka Nalu Aloha Friday
📍 Pono Hawaiian Grill
Friday, December 26 | 6:00 – 8:30
120 Union St., Santa Cruz

🎶 El Brick
📍 Abbott Square Market
Friday, December 26 | 6:00 – 9:00
725 Front Street & 118 Cooper Street, Santa Cruz

🎶 Ugly Beauty
📍 Davenport Roadhouse
Friday, December 26 | 6:00 – 9:00
1 Davenport Ave, Davenport

🎶 Beach Cowboys
📍 Cork and Fork
Friday, December 26 | 6:00 – 9:00
1955 41st Avenue Suite B-8, Capitola

💃 Hot Jazz Swing Holiday Dance Party
📍 Shanty Shack Brewing
Friday, December 26 | 6:00 – 9:00
138 Fern St., Santa Cruz

🎶 Edge of the West
📍 El Vaquero Winery
Friday, December 26 | 6:00 – 9:00
2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville
Reservations: (831) 607-8118 | elvaquerowinery
$10 Door | Food Truck

💃🥀 Steal Your Holidaze Grateful Dead Party ☮️
Members of Aardvark, Nugz & Dead Roses
📍 Apple Jack’s
Friday, December 26 | 6:00 – 11:00
8790 La Honda Rd, La Honda
No Cover

🎶 The Lab DJ Dance Party w/ Dr. Sparklehorse + DJ Doug EP
DJ Brewbone & DJ Kurtographer
📍 Cat Alley Street Upstairs at The Catalyst
Friday, December 26 | 6:00 – 1:30
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

💃 Contra Dance w/ Ken Chang & The Whoots
📍 Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange
Friday, December 26 | 6:30 – 10:00
1911 17th Ave, Santa Cruz

🎶 Kid Kameleon & The Lounge Lizards Holiday Show🎄
📍 Vino by the Sea
Friday, December 26 | 7:00 – 10:00
55 Municipal Wharf, Ste. B, Santa Cruz

🎶 Karaoke w/ Susan🎄
📍 Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Friday, December 26 | 7:00 – 10:00
230 Mt Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley

🎶 The Suborbitals
📍 Over the Hill Gang Saloon
Friday, December 26 | 7:00 – 10:00
3530 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz

🎶 Vito & Friends [Canceled Power Outage]
📍 The River Run at Brookdale Lodge
Friday, December 26 | 7:00 – 10:00
11570 Highway 9, Brookdale

🎶 Ali Luna & Friends
📍 Sevy’s at Seacliff Inn
Friday, December 26 | 7:00 – 10:00
7500 Old Dominion Ct, Aptos

🎶 Down Home Blues Duo
📍 Britannia Arms
Fridays | 7:30
110 Monterey Ave., Capitola

🎶 Little Big Band Swing Era Holiday Party
📍 The Crow’s Nest
Friday, December 26 | 8:00
2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
$7 Door

🎶 No Music
📍 Henflings Tavern
Friday, December 26 | 8:00 – 11:00
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

🎶 Robert Hager & The Wolfpack
📍 Joe’s Bar
Friday, December 26 | 8:30 – 11:55
13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

🎶 Burnin’ Vernon
📍 The Sand Bar
Friday, December 26 | 9:00 – 11:30
211 Esplanade, Capitola

Saturday, December 27

🎶 The Keller Sisters Hangover Party
📍 San Gregorio General Store
Saturday, December 27 | 11:00 – 1:00
7615 Stage Rd., San Gregorio

🎶 Billy Reese
📍 The Cats Los Gatos
Saturday, December 27 | 1:00 – 3:30
17533 Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos

🎶 West Coast Resonators
📍 Davenport Roadhouse
Saturday, December 27 | 1:00 – 4:00
1 Davenport Ave, Davenport

🎶 Live Blues
📍 Aptos Street BBQ
Saturdays | 1:00 – 4:00
8059 Aptos St, Aptos

🎶 Bundy Browne Band
📍 San Gregorio General Store
Saturday, December 27 | 2:00 – 5:00
7615 Stage Rd., San Gregorio

🎶 Soul Shakers Blues Rockers
📍 Shanty Shack Brewing
Saturday, December 27 | 2:00 – 5:00
138 Fern St., Santa Cruz

🎶 Pattie Gilbert & Good Company Trio
📍 Discretion Brewing
Saturday, December 27 | 3:00 – 5:00
2703 41st Ave Ste. A, Soquel

🎶 Jack Mullins
📍 Highway 1 Brewing
Saturday, December 27 | 3:00 – 5:00
5720 Cabrillo Hwy, Pescadero

🎶 Jenny O’Leary Jazz Quartet
📍 The Crepe Place Garden Stage
Saturday, December 27 | 5:00 – 7:00
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

🎶 Jeffery Halford & The Healers
📍 El Vaquero Winery
Saturday, December 27 | 5:00 – 8:00
2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville
Reservations: (831) 607-8118 | elvaquerowinery
$10 Door | Corralitos Pizza Kitchen Food Truck

🎶 Mojo Mix Blues
📍 Aptos Street BBQ
Saturdays | Sundays | Wednesdays | 6:00 – 8:00
8059 Aptos St, Aptos

🎶 Live Blues
📍 Mission Street BBQ
Saturdays | 6:00 – 8:00
1618 Mission St., Santa Cruz

🍍Island Music Saturday – Ka La’i O Mele
📍 Pono Hawaiian Grill
Saturday, December 27 | 6:00 – 8:30
120 Union St., Santa Cruz

🎶 Vinny Johnson Blues Band
📍 Cork and Fork
Saturday, December 27 | 6:00 – 9:00
1955 41st Avenue Suite B-8, Capitola

🎶 Big Bad Wolf
📍 Abbott Square Market
Saturday, December 27 | 6:00 – 9:00
725 Front Street & 118 Cooper Street, Santa Cruz

🎶 Jazz on Tap
📍 Davenport Roadhouse
Saturday, December 27 | 6:00 – 9:00
1 Davenport Ave, Davenport

🎶 Fox & The Hounds
📍 Shanty Shack Brewing
Saturday, December 27 | 6:00 – 9:00
138 Fern St., Santa Cruz

🎶 Lost in SBASS w/ DJ Dfunkt + DJ Random & DJ Stridah
📍 Cat Alley Street Upstairs at The Catalyst
Saturday, December 27 | 6:00 – 1:30
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

🎶 The Earth Tones Reggae
📍 BaleFire Brewing Company
Saturday, December 27 | 6:30
21517 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz
Espadin Taco Truck

💃 The Ten O’Clock Lunch Band Dance Party & Fundraiser
📍 Mid-County Senior Center
Saturday, December 27 | 7:00 – 9:00
829 Bay Ave., Capitola
$10 Door

🎶 Claudio Melega
📍 Sevy’s at Seacliff Inn
Saturday, December 27 | 7:00 – 10:00
7500 Old Dominion Ct, Aptos

🎶 Chicago Bill & The Next Blues Band
📍 Over the Hill Gang Saloon
Saturday, December 27 | 7:00 – 10:00
3530 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz

🎶💃 Winter Warmer EDM Dance Party w/ DJ Little John
Edge of the West Live Band
📍 The River Run at Brookdale Lodge
Saturday, December 27 | 7:00 – 1:00
11570 Highway 9, Brookdale
Tix on Eventbrite: raindancewinterwarmer

🎶 Midnight Dumpster Fire + Chrome Serpent
📍 The Crepe Place
Saturday, December 27 | 8:00
1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
$10 Door

🎶 Fleetwood Macramé
📍 Felton Music Hall
Saturday, December 27 | 8:00
6275 Highway 9, Felton
Tix: feltonmusichall

🎶 Burnin’ Vernon & The Cyclones
📍 The Crow’s Nest
Saturday, December 27 | 8:00
2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
$8 Door

🎶 Afrobeats Nite w/ Phreeborn + DJ El Jaguar & Monk Earl
📍 Moe’s Alley
Saturday, December 27 | 8:00
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
Tix: moesalley

💀 Eldrith + Alexander Undead + Rest in Decay
📍 The Blue Lagoon
Saturday, December 27 | 8:00
923 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

🎶 Mark Van Haren Sings the 70s
📍 Bay Bar & Grill
Saturday, December 27 | 8:00 – 10:00
209 Esplanade, Capitola

💄 Shug Shack Holiday Drag Show🎄
📍 Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Saturday, December 27 | 8:00 – 11:00
230 Mt Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley
Tix: brunosbarandgrill

💃 Gimme Gimme Disco Dance Party
📍 The Catalyst Club Atrium
Saturday, December 27 | 9:00
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
Tix: catalystclub

🎶 High Wire
📍 Henflings Tavern
Saturday, December 27 | 8:00 – 11:00
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

🎶 Vintage Point
📍 Joe’s Bar
Saturday, December 27 | 8:30 – 11:55
13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

🎶 B-Movie Kings
📍 The Sand Bar
Saturday, December 27 | 9:00 – 11:30
211 Esplanade, Capitola

Sunday, December 28

🎶 Jack Mullins
📍 San Gregorio General Store
Sunday, December 28 | 11:00 – 1:00
7615 Stage Rd., San Gregorio

🎶 Joe Ferrara
📍 The Cats Los Gatos
Sunday, December 28 | 1:00 – 3:30
17533 Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos

🪕 Annie Rye Bluegrass
📍 Davenport Roadhouse
Sunday, December 28 | 1:00 – 4:00
1 Davenport Ave, Davenport

🎶 John Michael Sings Sinatra
📍 BrewTopia
Sundays | 2:00 – 5:00
115 San Jose Ave, Ste H, Capitola

🎶 Leo Lobo
📍 San Gregorio General Store
Sunday, December 28 | 2:00 – 5:00
7615 Stage Rd., San Gregorio

🎶 Andy Fuhrman
📍 MJA Vineyards Westside Tasting Room
Sundays | 2:30 – 5:30
Ingalls St., Santa Cruz

🎶 Junebug Bayer
📍 Discretion Brewing
Sunday, December 28 | 3:00 – 5:00
2703 41st Ave Ste. A, Soquel

🎶 Jade w/ Ted Porter
📍 Cork and Fork
Sunday, December 28 | 3:00 – 6:00
1955 41st Avenue Suite B-8, Capitola

🎶 Lloyd Whitley Blues Trio
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Third Sundays | 3:30
402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz

🎶 The Joint Chiefs Early New Year’s Bash
📍 El Vaquero Winery
Sunday, December 28 | 4:00 – 7:00
2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville
Reservations: (831) 607-8118 | elvaquerowinery
$10 Door

🎶 Nick DiSalvo
📍 Joe’s Bar
Sunday, December 28 | 4:00 – 7:00
13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

🎶 Ten O’Clock Lunch Band
📍 Vino by the Sea
Sunday, December 28 | 4:00 – 7:00
55 Municipal Wharf, Ste. B, Santa Cruz

🎶 Santa Cruz Jazz Society Showcase
📍 Pono Hawaiian Grill Santa Cruz
Sunday, December 28 | 4:00 – 8:00
120 Union St., Santa Cruz

🎶 Jim Lewin & Diana Z
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Sunday, December 28 | 5:00 – 8:00
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz

🏈 49ers on the Big Screen
📍 Henflings Tavern
Sunday, December 28 | 5:00 – 9:00
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

🏈 49ers on the Big Screen
📍 Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Sunday, December 28 | 5:20 – 8:20
230 Mt Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley

🎶 Live Blues
📍 Mission Street BBQ
Sundays | 6:00 – 8:00
1618 Mission St., Santa Cruz

✌️☮️ Grateful Sunday w/ Matt Hartle & Friends
📍 The Crepe Place Garden
Sunday, December 28 | 6:00 – 9:00
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
$15 Door | Rain Or Shine!

🤣 Open Mic Comedy
📍 Shanty Shack Brewing
Sundays | 7:00 – 9:00
138 Fern St., Santa Cruz

🎶 Sunday Pro Jam w/ Dennis Dove
📍 The Sand Bar
Sunday, December 28 | 7:30 – 11:30
211 Esplanade, Capitola

🎶 Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes
📍 Moe’s Alley
Sunday, December 28 | 8:00
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
Tix: moesalley

🤣 Don Flynn’s Comedy Revue | Fully Seated
Christian Castañeda, Rea Kapur, Brittnii Potter, & Nicky + Music w/ Eyes Like Lanterns
📍 Felton Music Hall
Sunday, December 28 | 8:00
6275 Highway 9, Felton
Tix: feltonmusichall

🎶 Live Comedy w/ Headliner Rodger Lizaola
📍 The Crow’s Nest
Sunday, December 28 | 9:00
2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
$10 Door

💀 ::THE BOX:: Darkwave Dance Party Nightmare After Xmas
📍 The Blue Lagoon
Sunday, December 28 | 9:30
923 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

New Year’s Eve

🕰️ Scottish Hogmanay Celebration w/ Parker Presents & The Kerry Sheepdogs
📍 Steel Bonnet Brewing
Wednesday, December 31 | 3:00 – 5:00
Oysters 2:30 – 6:00 | Ring in the Scottish New Year at 4:00
20 Victor Square, Scotts Valley

🕰️ Henry Warde Rockin’ Country NYE
📍 Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
Wednesday, December 31 | 5:00 – 8:00
119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz
$10 Door

🕰️ 20th Annual Last Night DIY New Year’s Parade
📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
Wednesday, December 31 | 5:30
Meet at the Corner of Pacific & Spruce > Party Pacific & Cooper

🕰️ The Love Dogs NYE Party
📍 El Vaquero Winery
Wednesday, December 31 | 6:00 – 9:00
2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville
Reservations: (831) 607-8118 | elvaquerowinery
$10 Door | Food Truck

🕰️ Midnight Cabaret NYE w/ DJs Solkist + Little John [SOLD OUT]
Lucho + Shamoon + LowDeka + Denver Drake
📍 Cat Alley Street Upstairs at The Catalyst
Wednesday, December 31 | 6:30 – 1:30
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
Tix: snarklefarkers.ticketspice.com/midnight-cabaret-nye

🕰️ Jesse Daniel + Two Runner NYE Party
📍 The Catalyst Club
Wednesday, December 31 | 7:00
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
Tix: catalystclub

🕰️ Rio Road NYE Party
📍 Cork and Fork
Wednesday, December 31 | 7:00 – 10:00
1955 41st Ave Ste B8, Capitola

🕰️ The Surf Creeps NYE
📍 Over the Hill Gang Saloon
Wednesday, December 31 | 7:00 – Midnight
3530 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz

🕰️ Best Coast Burlesque BAWDY New Year’s Eve Extravaganza
📍 Santa Cruz Actors’ Theater
Wednesday, December 31 | 7:00 – Midnight
1001 Center St., Santa Cruz
Tix: Eventbrite

🕰️ NYE w/ Redwood Groove
📍 River Run at Brookdale Lodge
Wednesday, December 31 | 7:00 – 1:00
11570 Highway 9, Brookdale
Dinner & Lodging Packages Available
No Cover | Hotel: (831) 609-6010

🕰️ China Cats Grateful New Year’s Eve Ball
Liquid Light Show + Balloon Drop
📍 Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Hall
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:00 – 12:00
846 Front St., Santa Cruz
Tix: mountainmusicproductions

🕰️ Matt Masih & The Messengers + DJs NYE Party
📍 The Crow’s Nest
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:00 – 1:00
2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
$20 Door Includes Champagne Toast

🕰️ NYE Gathering in Gratitude 2025: A Night in the Rainforest
SambaDa + Sitar Power + Aerial Artists + DJs + Light Show
📍 The 418 Project
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:00 – 1:00
155 S. River St., Santa Cruz
Tix: Eventbrite

🕰️ 7th Annual Ecstatic Dance NYE
Performances + Immersive Arts & Ritual
📍 Yoga Center Santa Cruz
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:00 – 1:00
1620 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz
Tix: danielmollner.com

🕰️ NYE Dance Party
📍 The Blue Lagoon
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:00 – 1:00
923 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

🕰️ Spun NYE Dance Party
📍 Vino by the Sea
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:00 – 1:00
55 Municipal Wharf, Ste. B, Santa Cruz
Dinner Package Available
Tix: vino-by-the-sea

🕰️ 80s Throwback DJ Dance NYE Party
DJ Kalveronic
📍 Henflings Tavern
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:00 – 1:00
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
No Cover

🕰️ NYE The Roaring Countdown: Speakeasy w/ Fire Peach
📍 Bruno’s Bar & Grill
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:00 – 1:00
230 Mt Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley
Great Gatsby Theme
Tix: brunosbarandgrill

🕰️ NYE Get Down w/ Jive Machine + Floratura + Coffee Zombie Collective
📍 Moe’s Alley
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:30
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
Tix: moesalley

🕰️ Los Lobos + Rasquache Liberation Front + ¿QIENSAVE?
📍 The Rio Theatre
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:30
1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
⚠️ Low Ticket Alert: Eventbrite

🕰️ The Night Agents NYE Live Band & Cha Cha Lesson + DJ
📍 Palomar Ballroom
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:30 – 11:00
1344 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
Tix: palomarballroom

🕰️ James Durbin & The Lost Boys Miami Vice Neon Nights
📍 Inn At Pasatiempo, Back Nine Grill & Bar
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:30 – 1:00
555 Hwy 17 at Pasatiempo Exit, Santa Cruz
Tix: Eventbrite

🕰️ Alex Lucero Band NYE Dance Party
📍 Chaminade Resort & Spa
Wednesday, December 31 | 8:30 – 1:00
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz
Dinner & Lodging Packages Available
Tix: chaminade

🕰️ HiJinx NYE
📍 Zelda’s at the Beach
Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00
203 Esplanade, Capitola
$5 Door

🕰️ Pop, Hip Hop, & Latin NYE DJ Dance Party
📍 The Catalyst Club
Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00
The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
Tix: catalystclub

🕰️ The Tone Wheels NYE Party
📍 The Sand Bar
Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00 – 1:00
211 Esplanade, Capitola

🕰️ New Year’s Eve DJ Dance Party
📍 Pono Hawaiian Grill Santa Cruz
Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00 – 1:00
120 Union St., Santa Cruz

🕰️ Lumina NYE DJ Dance & Immersive Art Party
📍Santa Cruz Art Expressions
Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00 – 1:30
1545 1/2, Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
Tix: Eventbrite

🕰️ Harry & The Hitmen NYE Party
📍 The Crepe Place
Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00 – 1:30
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

🕰️ The New Horizons + Jacks & Dogs NYE Party
📍 Joe’s Bar
Wednesday, December 31 | 9:30 – 1:00
13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek
No Cover

🕰️ Tommy Castro and The Painkillers NYE Party
📍 Felton Music Hall
Wednesday, December 31 | 10:00 – 1:00
6275 Highway 9, Felton
Tix: feltonmusichall.com

Hot Ticket Alert

🤸 Flynn Creek Circus “The Bridge”
📍 Capitola Mall Under the Big Top
Daily Through January 4 | Various Times
1855 41st Ave., Capitola
Tix: flynncreekcircus

🪕 Jamgrass Jubilee w/ Broken Compass Bluegrass & Painted Mandolin
📍 The Rio Theatre
Saturday, January 17 | 7:30 – 10:30
1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
Tix: riotheatre

🎶 A Todd Snider Tribute w/ Michael Gaither, Jackson Emmer, Andy Fuhrman
Ralph Anybody, Kevin Kavanaugh, Ginny Mitchell & Many More
📍 Kuumbwa Jazz
Saturday, January 31 | 7:00
320-2 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz
Tix: kuumbwajazz

☃️ Winter Warmer Festival
📍 Roaring Camp Railroads🚂
Grahame Lesh & Friends + Hot Buttered Duo + Alex Lucero Band + More
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 2:00 – 8:00
5401 Graham Hill Rd., Felton
Tix: winterwarmer831.com

The SLV Post Weekend Roundup of Music

The roundup of live music is compiled by hand by humans: Julie Horner for the San Lorenzo Valley Post newspaper and posted on Facebook: @SLVPostNews and on the SLV Post’s website: https://slvpost.com/category/entertainment/

See something we missed? Add your event to the comments. Or drop your event on the Santa Cruz Mountains Entertainment News Facebook group: @santacruzmountains. Email: julie@slvpost.com

Featured photo: Vintage Point at Joe’s Bar Saturday, December 27 | 8:30 – 11:55