Special events
Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair (Dec. 7-8)
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation invites you to the 42nd Annual Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair happening at the beautifully-decorated Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Bring your family and friends to find one-of-a-kind special holiday gifts for everyone on your list. With three big buildings to shop, you will find crafts, gifts, antiques, collectibles, toys, and much more. Enjoy great delicious home-cooked favorites. There’s also a great coffee bar, and the kettle corn is always fresh in the Christmas Square. Don’t forget to grab a slice of wonderful Gizdich pie from our pie booth.
Sounds of the Season (Dec. 7-8)
“Sounds of the Season,” a concert featuring the Aptos High School and Aptos Junior High School choirs, will be held at the Aptos High School Performing Arts Center, 100 Mariner Way, Aptos on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for students and will be available to purchase at the door. At both shows, the choirs will be accepting new, unwrapped donations for Toys for Tots.
Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale (Dec. 7)
Each year Watsonville’s business community holds a factory sale, on the first Saturday in December. This year’s factory sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are great deals on the many products grown, manufactured or produced in Watsonville. Come and check out the amazing deals and support your local businesses, including El Pajaro Community Development Corporation Commercial Kitchen (412 East Riverside Drive), Martinelli’s Company Store (345 Harvest Drive) and American Hatmakers/Head’n Home Hats (125 Aviation Way).
Last Men Standing (Dec. 7)
“Last Men Standing” is a film that follows eight Bay Area men who had the remarkable luck to survive AIDS, and the brutal misfortune to live on. Directed by Erin Brethauer and Tim Hussin of The San Francisco Chronicle, the film premiered to a sold-out crowd at the Castro Theater in San Francisco, and has subsequently screened at film festivals throughout North America. Presented by the Watsonville Film Festival and Pajaro Valley Pride and sponsored by The Diversity Center-Santa Cruz County. Event starts at 3 p.m. at the Cabrillo College Watsonville center.
Holiday Craft Fair & Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec. 7)
Join us for a free family-friendly holiday celebration in the Aptos Village from 2-5 p.m. Enjoy a visit from Santa Claus, Christmas carolers, dance performances, gifts for sale from a dozen local craft vendors. Plus free coffee, cookies, ornament making and much more. Call the Aptos Chamber of Commerce for more information 688-1467.
Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 8)
Kickoff the most wonderful time of the year with Breakfast with Santa Claus at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 1960 Freedom Blvd., from 8 a.m. to noon. Santa and his elves will provide a breakfast with pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit and beverages to be pair with entertainment from young local singers and dancers. Breakfast is $6 for children and $7 for adults—kids under 2 eat for free with a paying adult. Proceeds support recreational activities for Watsonville’s young people. For information: [email protected].
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Recurring events
Saturday, Dec. 7
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.
Researchers Anonymous
History buffs are invited to join this free monthly meeting held the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Details: 429-1964, ext. 17 or www.santacruzmah.org.
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Sunday, Dec. 8
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 Rd. 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.
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Monday, Dec. 9
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.
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Tuesday, Dec. 10
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 a.m. 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.
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Wednesday, Dec. 11
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.
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Thursday, Dec. 12
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.
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Friday, Dec. 13
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.
