WEEKENDER
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County.
April 9, 2026
RAIN OR SHINE FUN
Don’t let the rain in the forecast keep you at home this weekend – there are too many opportunities for a good time across the county. This Saturday in Watsonville, the Watsonville Buddhist Temple will celebrate Hanamatsuri, the Flower Festival, starting at 11 a.m. with food, cultural exhibits and demonstrations, and performances by Watsonville Taiko.
In Soquel, Beer Thirty is hosting Brews, Bands, & Bites, an all-day family-friendly outdoor fundraiser for Skills of Life Cafe, with local bands and a maker’s market. Also on Saturday, Surf City Comic Con returns to the Capitola Mall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with opportunities to geek out with your favorite heroes and villains. Here’s Lookout contributor Mat Weir’s coverage of the event.
On Saturday evening, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History celebrates 30 years in the community at The Red Ball, with immersive art installations and performances. – Lily Belli
UPCOMING EVENTS YOU’LL LOVE
Vintage stores, always a fixture in downtown Santa Cruz, have blossomed over the past five years along Pacific Avenue and its tributaries. This weekend, the Downtown Association is celebrating its upcycle culture in the inaugural Vintage Walk. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can use a passport to explore vintage and secondhand shops throughout downtown. Retailers will display their unique finds at a Vintage Walk Fashion Show at Abbott Square on Sunday at 4 p.m.
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FROM THE LOOKOUT LIST
FAVORITE STOP ON THE OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR (SOUTH COUNTY)
CRISTINA SAYERS
“She’s a rad person and love her energy and color!”
ICYMI: ARTS & DINING STORIES
A TREAT BEFORE YOU GO
Quick, clever, and bite-sized.
Sudoku, crosswords and more word puzzles await – play new daily puzzles in the free Lookout App. Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
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