Live Music Santa Cruz: December 14 – 17

December 5, 2023February 9, 2024 Julie HornerEntertainment, Events, Music and Concerts, Santa Cruz

Full listing of live music, concerts, entertainment, and events in Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Thursday, December 14

Lucas Lawson at Highway 1 Brewing
Thursday, December 14 | 4:00 – 7:00
720 Cabrillo Hwy, Pescadero

Free Elements at Shanty Shack Brewing
Thursday, December 14 | 5:00 – 7:00
138 Fern St., Santa Cruz

Shawn Yanez at Chaminade Resort
Thursday, December 14 | 5:30 – 8:30
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz

Back Porch Boys at Aptos Street BBQ
Thursday, December 14 | 6:00 – 8:00
8059 Aptos St, Aptos

T Bone Mojo at Mission Street BBQ
Thursday, December 14 | 6:00 – 8:00
1618 Mission St., Santa Cruz

Ukulele Night at Cork and Fork
Thursday, December 14 | 6:00 – 9:00
312-B Capitola Ave, Capitola

Trivia w/ Michael Gaither at El Vaquero Winery
Thursdays | 7:00
2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville

Java Jam Bluegrass at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company
Chip Curry, Dan Mazer, Robert Cornelius, Tom Kane, Yvonne Walbroehl
Thursday, December 14 | 7:00 – 9:00
101 W Main St., Los Gatos

Spanish Harlem Orchestra – Salsa Navidad at Kuumbwa Jazz
Thursday, December 14 | 7:00 & 9:00
320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz
Tix: @KuumbwaJazzSC

Grateful Thursdays w/ Aardvark at the Historic Brookdale Lodge
Thursday, December 14 | 7:00 – 10:00
11570 Highway 9, Brookdale

Santa Cruz Scottish Country Dance Class
Welcome Night for Beginners and Curious
Peace United Church
Thursday, December 14 | 7:15 – 9:30
900 High St., Santa Cruz

Trolley Drops Twisted Holiday Sing-Along at Joe’s Bar
Thursday, December 14 | 7:30 – 9:30
13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

Big Bad Wolf at The Crow’s Nest
Thursday, December 14 | 8:00
218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

Karaoke Night at Henflings of Ben Lomond
Thursdays | 8:00 – 11:00
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Sammy Johnson at The Catalyst
Thursday, December 14 | 9:00
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Retro DJ Night at The Blue Lagoon
Thursdays | 9:30
923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz

Friday, December 15

Mo Animo at Jack O’Neill Lounge
Friday, December 15 | 3:00 – 6:00
175 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

The Country Squires at Highway 1 Brewing
Friday, December 15 | 5:00 – 7:00
720 Cabrillo Hwy, Pescadero

Teapot Logic at San Gregorio General Store
Friday, December 15 | 5:00 – 7:00
7615 Stage Rd., San Gregorio

Johnny Fabulous at Steel Bonnet Brewing
Friday, December 15 | 5:00 – 7:00
20 Victor Square, Scotts Valley

Harpin & Clark at Discretion Brewing
Friday, December 15 | 5:30 – 7:30
2703 41st Ave Ste. A, Soquel

The Nagging Doubts at Chaminade Resort
Friday, December 15 | 5:30 – 8:30
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz

Ryan Price at Stockwell Cellars
Friday, December 15 | 5:30 – 8:30
1100 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz

Claudio Melega at Aroma Restaurant
Friday, December 15 | 5:30 – 8:30
9600 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Vern Fernandez, Vince Fernandezm, Chris Weinress “Huna Wai”
Pono Hawaiian Grill
Friday, December 15 | 6:00 – 8:30
120 Union St., Santa Cruz

Alex Lucero at El Vaquero Winery
Friday, December 15 | 6:00 – 9:00
2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville

Elie Mabanza at Capitola Wine Bar
Friday, December 15 | 6:00 – 9:00
115 San Jose Ave, Capitola

The Messiahs Trio at Cork and Fork
Friday, December 15 | 6:00 – 9:00
312-B Capitola Ave, Capitola

Slow Coast at Davenport Roadhouse
Friday, December 15 | 6:00 – 9:00
1 Davenport Ave, Davenport

Big Bad Wolf at Vino by the Sea
Friday, December 15 | 6:30 – 9:30
55 Municipal Wharf, Ste. B, Santa Cruz

Papiba & Friends + Lelo of the California Honeydrops
Abbott Square
Friday, December 15 | 7:00 – 9:30
725 Front St., Santa Cruz

Karaoke w/ Ed G at the Historic Brookdale Lodge
Friday, December 15 | 7:00 – 10:00
11570 Highway 9, Brookdale

Extra Medium + Ugly Sweater Party at Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Friday, December 15 | 7:00 – 10:00
230 Mt Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley

The Alternative Zen Blues Trial at Joe’s Bar
Friday, December 15 | 7:30
13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

X at the Rio Theatre
Friday, December 15 | 8:00
1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Jonathan Richman at the Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Hall
Friday, December 15 | 8:00
846 Front Street Santa Cruz

Patterson Hood at Felton Music Hall
Friday, December 15 | 8:00
6275 Highway 9, Felton

Mike Hellman + Kentucky Mule at Henflings of Ben Lomond
Friday, December 15 | 8:00 – 11:00
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Hot Laundry + Hunting Lions at The Crepe Place
Friday, December 15 | 8:00 – 11:30
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Little Big Band Swing at The Crow’s Nest
Friday, December 15 | 9:00
218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

The Nth Power w/ Wreckless Strangers at Moe’s Alley
Friday, December 15 | 9:00
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Nightmare Before Christmas Rave at The Catalyst
Friday, December 15 | 9:00
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Dylan Rose, Dave De Silva, Craig Underwood and John Michael
The Sand Bar
Friday, December 15 | 9:00
211 Esplanade, Capitola

Mothership Connection Firme Friday Cumbia & Boogie
The Blue Lagoon
Friday, December 15 | 9:30
923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz

Saturday, December 16

Claudio Melega at Jack O’Neill Lounge
Saturday, December 16 | 12:00 – 3:00
175 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

The Shady Rest Band at Davenport Roadhouse
Saturday, December 16 | 1:00 – 4:00
1 Davenport Ave, Davenport

Quail Court Consort Christmas Concerto
Boulder Creek Methodist Church
Saturday, December 16 | 2:00
12855 Boulder St., Boulder Creek

Mak Nova + Rosebud + The Kings + DJ 7th Anniversary Party
Shanty Shack Brewing
Saturday, December 16 | All Day | Music 3:00
138 Fern St., Santa Cruz

Marin County Breakdown at Discretion Brewing
Saturday, December 16 | 3:00 – 5:00
2703 41st Ave Ste. A, Soquel

NoJoKen at Stockwell Cellars
Saturday, December 16 | 4:00 – 7:00
1100 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz

DNA Presents Marga Gomez Swimming with Lesbians
The Blue Lagoon
Saturday, December 16 | 5:00
923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz

Island Holiday Party w/ Dos Bros at Steel Bonnet Brewing
Saturday, December 16 | 5:00 – 8:00
20 Victor Square, Scotts Valley

Ten O’Clock Lunch Band at El Vaquero Winery
Saturday, December 16 | 5:00 – 8:00
2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville

Trolley Drops Twisted Holiday Sing-Along at Pono Hawaiian Grill
Saturday, December 16 | 6:00 – 8:00
120 Union St., Santa Cruz

Joe Jester at Davenport Roadhouse
Saturday, December 16 | 6:00 – 9:00
1 Davenport Ave, Davenport

Snake Oil Road Show at Bruno’s Bar and Grill
Saturday, December 16 | 6:00 – 9:00
230 Mt Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley

Open Mic at Lille Aeske Arthouse
Saturday, December 16 | 6:00 – 9:00
13160 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

Djangatos at Capitola Wine Bar
Saturday, December 16 | 6:00 – 9:00
115 San Jose Ave, Capitola

Pie Ranch Barn Dance at Pie Ranch
Saturday, December 16 | 6:00 – 9:00
2080 Highway 1, Pescadero

One Man Gone at Apple Jack’s
Saturday, December 16 | 6:00 – 10:00
8790 La Honda Rd, La Honda

“AfroHiLife” African Funk & Soukous Dance Music
Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
Saturday, December 16 | 6:30 – 9:00
119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz

Scarlet at Pono Hawaiian Grill
Saturday, December 16 | 7:00 – 9:00
120 Union St., Santa Cruz

Ugly Sweater Party at Seabright Social
Saturday, December 16 | 7:00 – 9:00
519 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz

Matt Masih and The Messengers at Abbott Square
Saturday, December 16 | 7:00 – 9:30
725 Front St., Santa Cruz

T Bone Mojo at Cork and Fork
Saturday, December 16 | 7:00 – 10:00
312-B Capitola Ave, Capitola

Severe Thrill at Vino by the Sea
Saturday, December 16 | 7:00 – 10:00
55 Municipal Wharf, Ste. B, Santa Cruz

The Joint Chiefs at the Historic Brookdale Lodge
Saturday, December 16 | 7:00 – 10:00
11570 Highway 9, Brookdale

Chris Lynch, Hannah Muse, Chandra Johnson House Concert
Saturday, December 16 | 7:30
West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
Tix: https://fb.me/e/1F2oAnrle

Jeffrey Martin + Anna Tivel at Felton Music Hall
Saturday, December 16 | 8:00
6275 Highway 9, Felton

Coyote Moon at Trout Farm Inn
Saturday, December 16 | 8:00 – 10:00
7701 E. Zayante Rd., Felton

Earthtones at Henflings of Ben Lomond
Saturday, December 16 | 8:00 – 11:00
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Cougar Unleashed at Joe’s Bar
Saturday, December 16 | 8:30
13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

Hall Pass + Ugly Sweater Party at The Crow’s Nest
Saturday, December 16 | 9:00
218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

Soulwise w/ Pacific Roots at Moe’s Alley
Friday, December 15 | 9:00
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Ozomatli at The Catalyst
Saturday, December 16 | 9:00
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Sunday, December 17

Holiday Market on the Felton Covered Bridge
Featuring The Sada Springs Jug Band
Sunday, December 17 | 11:00 – 3:00
@SLVPostNews

Scott Slaughter at Jack O’Neill Lounge
Sunday, December 17 | 12:00 – 3:00
175 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

Billy Reese Band at Davenport Roadhouse
Sunday, December 17 | 1:00 – 4:00
1 Davenport Ave, Davenport

Mighty Mike Shermer at Moe’s Alley
Sunday, December 17 | 2:00
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas at Rio Theatre
Sunday, December 17 | 3:00 – 5:00
1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
Tix: @CelticSocietyMontereyBay

Bonnie June & Bonfire at Discretion Brewing
Sunday, December 17 | 3:00 – 5:00
2703 41st Ave Ste. A, Soquel

BanjerDan at Fruition Brewing
Sunday, December 17 | 3:00 – 5:00
918 East Lake Ave., Watsonville

Blue Lightning & Friends at Cork and Fork
Sunday, December 17 | 3:00 – 6:00
312-B Capitola Ave, Capitola

Jackie Kohls at Joe’s Bar
Sunday, December 17 | 4:00 – 7:00
13118 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

The Next Blues Band at Vino by the Sea
Sunday, December 17 | 4:00 – 7:00
55 Municipal Wharf, Ste. B, Santa Cruz

Fuse at El Vaquero Winery
Sunday, December 17 | 4:00 – 7:00
2901 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville

DNA Presents Marga Gomez Swimming with Lesbians
The Blue Lagoon
Sunday, December 17 | 5:00
923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz

Two Tiers at Chaminade Resort
Sunday, December 17 | 5:00 – 8:00
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz

Pro Jam at Henflings of Ben Lomond
Sundays | 5:00 – 9:00
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Plateau Jazz Band Holiday Show at Pono Hawaiian Grill
Sunday, December 17 | 5:30 – 7:30
120 Union St., Santa Cruz

Grateful Sundays w/ Matt Hartle and Friends at Felton Music Hall
Sundays | 6:00 – 9:00
6275 Highway 9, Felton

That Mexican OT at The Catalyst
Sunday, December 17 | 8:00
1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra w/ Jesse Wagner & Karina Denike
Plus The Inciters at Moe’s Alley
Sunday, December 17 | 8:00
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

Live Comedy at The Crow’s Nest
Sundays | 9:00
218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

The Box Dark Dance Party at The Blue Lagoon
Sundays | 9:30
923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz

Hot Ticket Alert

New Year’s Eve w/ AJ Lee & The Coffis Brothers at Felton Music Hall
Sunday, December 31 | 10:00 pm
Tix: @feltonmusichall

New Year’s Eve w/ the China Cats at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall
Sunday, December 31 | 8:00 pm
Tix: @mountainmusicproductions

New Year’s Eve Roaring 20s Party
Sunday, December 31 | 8:00 pm
Tix: @historicbrookdalelodge

The SLV Post Weekend Roundup of Music

The weekend roundup of live music is brought to you by the San Lorenzo Valley Post newspaper and is posted every Thursday afternoon: @SLVPostNews

See something we missed? Post your event to the Santa Cruz Mountains Entertainment News Facebook group: @santacruzmountains

Featured image: Irish step dancer Alexandra Williamson performs with Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas at the Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts on Sunday, December 17 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. celticsociety.org