Live Music Santa Cruz: December 14 – 17
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
Capitola SantaCon in The Village
Saturday, December 16 | 5:30 – Late
Multiple locations:
Capitola Wine Bar, 115 San Jose Ave | 5:30
Katalina’s By The Sea, 312 Capitola Ave | 6:30
Capitola Bar & Grill, 231 Esplanade | 7:00
Bay Bar, 209 Esplanade Ste A | 8:00
Britannia Arms, 110 Monterey Ave | 9:00
The Sand Bar, 211 Esplanade | 10:00
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
Julie Horner is Co-Founder and Editor for the San Lorenzo Valley Post. Julie lives and works in Boulder Creek and is an active participant in the county's vibrant music scene. She loves the outdoors and is the go-to expert on Santa Cruz Mountains hiking trails.