Special events
Fall Dance Concert (Nov. 22-24)
Dance students at Cabrillo College will come together this weekend for three days of performances at the Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos. Groups from Cabrillo, including jazz and modern to Folklorico, will perform. Shows will be held on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $13.50 for students and seniors and $7.50 for Cabrillo students with a student activities card. Order at the box office or in advance by calling 479-6154 or visiting cabrillovapa.com.
Holiday in the Plaza (Nov. 24)
Ring in the holidays in style. Join us for the Annual Holiday in the Plaza event from 1-7 p.m. The event will feature food, live performances, a snow area, a holiday train and Santa Claus. The popular holiday train is back this year to take you on a tour around the City Plaza. The snow area for children—free of charge—also returns, but this year, as part of the City’s efforts to help the Second Harvest Food Bank, it will be accepting monetary donations to access the snow area. The holiday tree lighting ceremony begins at 5 p.m. and will include local entertainment and the jolly man himself. For information: cityofwatsonville.org.
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil (Nov. 24)
Join us to commemorate the lives of our fallen transgender siblings—and celebrate the lives of those still among us—in an intimate candle-lit vigil at the Watsonville City Plaza from 5-7 p.m. Event will feature spoken word, a reading of the names followed by a moment of silence, and a safe space to process grief as a community. For information, contact [email protected].
SCDG Turkey Bowl (Nov. 27)
The Santa Cruz Derby Girls invite fans, friends and supporters to participate in their 11th Annual Turkey Bowl at the Boardwalk Bowl from 6-9 p.m. This annual tournament raises funds to help offset costs for the league’s travel teams. Teams of four bowlers can reserve a lane for $100. Teams are encouraged to embrace the derby spirit and create team and bowler names, dress to impress, and invite cheering sections. Get a chance to bowl with your favorite derby girls and support the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. To register a team, or for information email [email protected].
Community Gratitude Ride (Nov. 29)
Watsonville Bike Party will host a community bike ride. The event kicks off with a “gratitude wall,” where you can share your thoughts about what you are thankful for, starting at 5:30 p.m. The ride will depart Watsonville Cyclery at 6 p.m., and will include a tour of some of the newly installed green bike lanes in town. Wear light-colored or reflective clothing, bring lights for your bike and helmets (required for anyone under 18).
•••
Recurring events
Saturday, Nov. 23
Aptos Farmer’s Market
Open rain or shine, the Aptos Farmer’s Market at Cabrillo College runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
•••
Sunday, Nov. 24
Farm and garden market
The Corralitos Farm and Garden Market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables and homemade baked goods prepared with organic and locally grown ingredients. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 127 Hames Road in Corralitos.
Wetlands Nature Center
Discover the wildlands on free exploration walks at 1:30 p.m. at the Wetlands Nature Center, 30 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville, behind Ramsay Park. Binoculars provided. Rain cancels. Information: 768-1622 or wetlandsofwatsonville.org.
El Mercado Certified Farmer’s Market
This year-round Certified Farmer’s Market is held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
•••
Monday, Nov. 25
Karate at Watsonville PAL
Karate trains Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Watsonville Police Activities League, 130 Rodriguez St., Watsonville. Details: Coresta Angelo at 763-4146
Hamburger Night
The American Legion Post 121 invites all to its Hamburger Night from 5:30-7 p.m. at 214 Center St., Watsonville. Cost: $6. Proceeds benefit veterans and the post’s community activities.
Homework help at Youth Center
Need an extra hand at understanding your assignments? Can’t seem to figure out how to get the right answers? Have a group project due and don’t have a place to meet up? Approach one of our teammates at the Watsonville Youth Center Monday-Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m. and we’ll do what we can to help you get your homework done and get your grades up. Ages 6-22. Must be a registered member to participate. Registration and membership is free. For information: 768-3248.
•••
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Self-Defense Program
This program at the Watsonville PAL gym on Rodriguez Street is designed to give the participants an hour and 15 minutes of self-defense instruction. Classes start a 4:45 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday Details: Coresta Angelo at 763-4146.
Bingo at Senior Center
The Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E. Fifth St., hosts bingo from 1-4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the center and its programs. Free coffee. Open to anyone 18 or older. In addition, the Senior Center holds a flea market starting at 9:30 a.m. Details: 722-1333.
Valley Heights
Free social hour every Tuesday and Friday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. is open to the public at 925 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville.
Legal assistance
California Rural Legal Assistance offers free legal services to low-income people. New clients on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesdays between the hours of 9:30-11:30 am and 1:3-4:00 p.m. at 21 Carr St. in Watsonville. We also have satellite offices in Hollister and Santa Cruz, call for intake hours at 724-2253.
•••
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Watsonville Rotary
Rotary Club of Watsonville invites community members to its weekly luncheon meeting at the Elks Lodge, 121 Martinelli St., each Wednesday from 12:15-1:30 p.m. The program includes local community speakers that vary each week. For information: watsonvillerotary.com.
Lions Bingo
Join the Watsonville Associated Lions Club Bingo and support a nonprofit that gives back to the Pajaro Valley. Meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville.
Bilingual toddler and baby lap time
Freedom Branch Library, 2021 Freedom Blvd., offers child socialization and early literacy skills for children ages 0-24 months at 10:30 a.m., and for ages 2-4 at 11:30 a.m. Details: 768-3420.
Watsonville Band
The Watsonville Community Band wants new members who can read music and competently play an instrument. Rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. in the Watsonville High School band room on Marchant Street. Information: band manager Bill Nestler at 768-8692 or watsonville-band.org.
Elks Lodge dinner
The Watsonville Elks Lodge, 121 Martinelli St., hosts dinners for members and guests. Lodge opens 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served 6:30 p.m. A full course dinner is included for $10 per person (special events may be higher). Contact the lodge for reservations at 724-2493. Reservations are a must.
Migrant assistance
The Community Information Center for Migrant Assistance/Centro Communitario de Información Migratoria at Trinity Lutheran Church, 175 Lawrence Ave., Watsonville offers immigration information and assistance from 6-8 p.m. Free. Information: 724-3461.
Magic Club
Our magicians club meets on the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in club room at the Antonelli Mobile Manor at 2655 Brommer St. in Santa Cruz. If yo do magic or want to get started in this fun hobby, join us. Questions? Call Jim at 685-3829.
Fun Tech Day: Virtual Reality
Join the journey and immerse yourself in a 3D environment at the Watsonville Library from 3-5 p.m. For ages 12 and up. Parental permission required for participants under 18 and VR waiver is required for all participants.
•••
Thursday, Nov. 28
Bilingual toddler time
Bilingual Toddler Time is a free bilingual (English/Spanish) 30-minute program including stories, activities and music for toddlers and preschoolers. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Watsonville Public Library.
•••
Friday, Nov. 29
Farmer’s Market
The Watsonville Certified Farmer’s Market takes place every Friday from 3-7 p.m. on Peck Street in the downtown Plaza. It offers organic and ethnic produce, flowers, live music and plenty of goodies to eat.
St. Francis bingo
Bingo meets every Friday evening at the Kennedy Center, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. Doors open at 5 p.m. Proceeds go to scholarships at St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School. Information: 722-2665 or 722-3274.
Senior dance
The Watsonville Senior Center hosts a free dance at 10:30 a.m. at 114 E. Fifth St.
Bilingual baby lap time
A free bilingual (English/Spanish) 30-minute program including stories, activities and music for babies age 0-24 months. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Watsonville Library.
STEAM in Watsonville Library
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) meets in the library from 3-4 p.m. For ages 8-12, the ongoing program allows participants to learn about and make electronic creations from Little Bits kits.
•••
To submit calendar events email [email protected].
