(Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian: Surfin’ Santa arrives at Capitola Beach Saturday to greet families and cheer up the holidays as part of an annual tradition.)
Dec. 1-3
Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
The 40th annual Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair will take place Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Three buildings at the fairgrounds will be filled with crafts, gifts, antiques, toys and more. Admission is $6, and children under 5 are free. Parking is free. For information, visit fairgrounds-foundation.org/holiday-fair.
Christmas Open House
Aladdin Nursery & Gift Shop, 2905 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville, will hold its 13th annual Christmas Open House from 4-8 p.m. The event will include live jazz, local wine, hot coffee and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag of non-perishable groceries to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank to receive a 10 percent discount on purchases. Two bags will receive a 20 percent discount.
‘Music for the Feast of Christmas’
The Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus will present “Music for the Feast of Christmas” Dec. 1-2 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, 126 High St. in Santa Cruz. The performance will include “The Peace of Wild Things” by Imant Raminish and traditional carols. Admission is $25 general, $21 seniors, $20 students and $19 for Cabrillo SAC cardholders. Tickets are available at the door or by calling 479-6154. For information, visit www.feastofchristmas.com.
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Saturday, Dec. 2
Holiday Factory Sale
Ten Watsonville businesses will participate in the Holiday Factory Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual event features local businesses offering Christmas gifts at deep discounts. Participating merchants this year are La Selva Designs, American Hatmakers, El Pajaro CDC Commercial Kitchen, Martinelli’s Company Store, Annieglass, Smith & Vandiver, Integrity Wines, Hidden Fortress Coffee, Roche Leather Company and Creator Haven. For information, visit www.watsonvillefactorysale.com.
Relay For Life Holiday Craft Fair
The fourth annual Relay For Life Holiday Craft Fair will be held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1960 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Twenty-five vendors will be showcasing their wares for sale. Admission is free. The VFW will donate a percentage of proceeds to Watsonville Relay For Life.
Aptos Holiday Craft Fair and Tree Lighting
The annual Holiday Craft Fair and Tree Lighting will take place at the Aptos Village Park Tree from 2-5 p.m. The evening will including dancing, music, crafts and a visit from Santa Claus. The rain check date is set for Dec. 9.
Lighted Boat Parade
The annual Lighted Boat Parade will float through the Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 Fifth Ave. in Santa Cruz, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Decorated boats will parade throughout Santa Cruz Harbor rain or shine.
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Sunday, Dec. 3
Grey Bears Holiday Dinner
The 44th annual Grey Bears Holiday Dinner will take place at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. in Santa Cruz, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Live performances on stage will feature Casual Sax, Senderos Dancers, singer-songwriters Ryan and Liam, dancers from Elaine’s Studio, Ben Jammin and the Santa Cruz Performing Arts Singers, and Ruth’s Dancenter. A free bus from the Watsonville Senior Center will travel to/from the event. Contact Valerie to reserve a seat at 722-1333.
Christmas Tea
The Pajaro Valley Historical Association will hold its Old Fashioned Christmas Tea from 1-4 p.m. at 332 East Beach St. in Watsonville.
Watsonville Multicultural Celebration and tree lighting
The festivities begin at 2 p.m. with the Watsonville Multicultural Celebration, featuring activity booths for children hosted by local cultural groups, food booths from different cultures and live entertainment on two stages. Santa Claus will arrive at 4 p.m. Following the Watsonville Multicultural Celebration at 5 p.m., the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin.
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Dec. 2-3
SCO Christmas Show
Senior Citizens Opportunities will perform a Christmas show, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at Market Street Theater, 222 Market St. in Santa Cruz. Admission is $10 per person. Proceeds benefit the Santa Cruz Follies, a performing arts group for “over 50” Santa Cruz County residents.
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Saturday, Dec. 9
‘Country Christmas’
The Agricultural History Project’s Second Saturday on the Farm event is themed “Country Christmas” this month. The event will feature traditional Christmas craft projects such as paper chains, reindeer puppets, cranberry and popcorn stringing and holiday movies in the Owl Theater. It will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville. Admission is free, and donations are accepted.
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Sunday, Dec. 10
Watsonville Band concert
The Watsonville Community Band’s 70th Winter Concert Series comes to the Henry J. Mello Center, 250 East Beach St. in Watsonville, at 1 p.m. The band will perform a variety of holiday favorites, from “Jingle Bells” to “Joy to the World.”
