Santa Cruz County Summer Festival Guide

From Woodies on the Wharf to the Scott Valley Art & Wine Festival and the Watsonville Strawberry Festival, Santa Cruz County is filled with fun, entertaining and wacky festivals over the summer.

We asked readers to list their favorite summer festivals, and here's what they said. Did we leave any of your favorites out? Tell us in the comments!

May 26-27: Santa Cruz Blues Festival

Listen to masters of Blues and American Roots music jam all weekend long at Aptos Village Park for this 20th anniversary event.

June 2-3: Redwood Mountain Fair

Enjoy a weekend at Roaring Camp in Felton with local live music, arts and crafts and beer on tap. All ticket sales benefit local non-profits.

June 23: Woodies on the Wharf

Only once a year does the Santa Cruz Harbor host 200 stylish, pre-bodied cars from before 1952. The day is accompanied by live music, “woodie goodies” and prize-drawings.

June 30: Hop N' Barley Beer Festival in Skypark

This is a great one for all the beer lovers out there. This annual event in Scotts Valley will bring in over 100 different beers with unlimited tastings. The event will also include bocci ball, five local bands and a kids' area.

July 4: Spirit of Watsonville Festival

Gather downtown for food and festivities to kick off Independence Day.

July 22: Festival del Nopal

Celebrate the prickly albeit edible plant at this second annual festival in downtown Santa Cruz. There’s also traditional dance and live music performances. 

July 27-29: Gilroy Garlic Festival

Okay, it’s not in Santa Cruz County, be we think it’s worth it to trek over the 17 or across the 152 to sample some garlic ice cream. Or, for less adventurous eaters, simply to be immersed in sizzling garlic cook-offs, live music, and dancing.

Aug. 4-5: Watsonville Strawberry Festival

Pay homage to one of Watsonville’s sweetest crops through live music, dancing, and of course strawberry cakes and other tasty goodies.

Aug. 11-12: Scotts Valley Art and Wine Festival

What better way to enjoy modern art than with a sampling of the area’s best beers and wines? Come one, come all to Scott’s Valley’s , filled with booths of painting, photography, jewelry, and glass art.

Aug. 31-Sept. 3: Capitola Begonia Festival

For the 60th Labor Day weekend, Capitola is hosting a decorative boat parade, along with lots of fun summer activities like a horseshoe competition.

Sept. 8-9: Capitola Art and Wine Festival

Seal off the summer in style with over 150 fine artists and 21 wineries in Capitola Village.