Special events
Festival of Lights (Dec. 14)
Bradley Elementary School and Corralitos Coffeehouse are bringing back the Festival of Lights to Corralitos from 4-8 p.m. at the Corralitos Padres Hall, 35 Browns Valley Road. More than 20 vendors will be selling their handmade items and goods. Come sip some wine and beer from the beer garden, have your kids craft and play games, take a holiday photo, shop till you drop, drink hot cocoa from the cocoa bar and eat delicious food made by the Coffeehouse. Proceeds raised will go directly to Bradley. Tickets are for sale at Corralitos Coffeehouse and Bradley Elementary.
A Personal Story with Frank Jimenez (Dec. 14)
The Watsonville Public Library presents an afternoon with Mexican-American author and educator Dr. Francisco Jimenez, author of The Circuit, Breaking Through, Reaching Out, & Taking Hold. The event starts a 1 p.m. Dr. Jimenez will share his personal experiences growing up in a family of immigrant farmworkers and will explain how these experiences have shaped his writing.
“El Sueño…The Dream Benefit Show” (Dec. 14)
Join us for a night of music and comedy at the Rio Theater, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, featuring Watsonville’s Andy Vargas, vocalist from the legendary band Santana, featuring Karl Perazzo with Souleros, and Tortilla Soup. The evening also features comedy by Frankie Quinones AKA: “Creeper.” Creeper is Quinones’ most recognized character as he portrays a reformed cholo and fitness guru with his famous “CholoFit” video skits. Wine, beer and new Souleros merchandise will be sold that evening. Proceeds from tickets, merchandise and drink sales benefit the Andy Vargas Foundation scholarship program for Watsonville High School. Cash preferred for all merchandise and drink sales. Online ticket sales close today. Available tickets will be sold day of the show at the door from 4-9 p.m. Tickets available at Eventbrite.
Mercado Artesanal (Dec. 14)
Our Mercado at 112 Beach St. is a fundraiser to help us establish Arte Del Corazón as a nonprofit with the goal of advocating for local artists and providing opportunities for artists to create, showcase and sell their work. The market gets going at 3 p.m.
A Very Choral Christmas (Dec. 15)
The St. Francis High School Concert Choir invites you to its annual Christmas Concert at 6 p.m. Come join us for songs and carols to usher in the Christmas season. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Las Posadas festivities and food available for purchase following the concert. For information visit the event’s Facebook page.
Family Craft Night (Dec. 19)
Join us for an evening creating holiday cards for your loved ones from 6-7 p.m. in the Watsonville Public Library. For information: 768-3400.
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Recurring events
Saturday, Dec. 14
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.
Second Saturday on the Farm
The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave.
Second Weekends at the Airport
Admission is free and everyone is welcome to show and admire these historical aircraft on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pilots displaying their aircraft can enjoy special offers from Ella’s At The Airport and top off at our self-service island at the lowest fuel prices from 9 a.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday.
Mayor’s Bike Ride for Health
Join Watsonville’s mayor for a short, family-friendly bike ride on the second Saturday of each month that follows the Pajaro River levee, starting at the parking lot across from Watsonville Buddhist Temple at 423 Bridge St. This easy, level ride is perfect for kids and beginners. Warm up stretches led by Watsonville Yoga. Ride starts at 10 a.m. Helmets are required for this ride. Some will be provided if needed.
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Sunday, Dec. 15
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. 16
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.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
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.
Turbo Tuesday
Come spend an afternoon of fun playing all kinds of games in the Watsonville Public Library from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
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. 18
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. 19
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. 20
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.
