Upcoming events
SC DJ Sessions
Let's get SPOOKY with Santa Cruz DJ Sessions' epic monthly at Abbott Square! This October we've got the POWER LINEUP for you!!! SCDJ Sessions is proud to feature a talented collective of local, Bay Area, and global DJs every month. Each evening we'll be highlighting professional DJs with amazing skill from all different genres. Come down to party with us on the Abbott Square patio as we boogie to the grooves and funky beats by this month's SCDJ's:
-Lucho
-Denver Drake
-Solkist
-Danger Muffin
-DownSquarez
-DJ DENISE
Burnout
Burnout is a four-piece indie rock and country band hailing from Ventura and Santa Cruz, California. Drawing inspiration from artists like Zach Bryan, The Red Clay Strays, and The Backseat Lovers, Burnout blends the raw storytelling of country and folk with the energy and melodies of indie rock to create a sound that’s both dynamic and unmistakably their own
Sweet Voodoo
Sweet VooDoo is a solid band of seasoned players bringing super danceable rock-n-funk-n-jams to the party. The voodoo that WE do will get you moving, grooving and singing along to a mix of epic hits and rare gems from the deep vault of all-time greats like Aretha, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Santana, Joplin, and many more. We’ll rock the house and tickle your funky bone with a tight rhythm section, a shredding guitarist, and a dynamic leading lady… come check out the show!
Comedy Night
Come hang out in the garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.
Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Salsa Social Dance
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Trivia Night
Trivia is BACK every Wednesday starting Janurary 15th, hosted at front and cooper inside of Abbott Square!
Come test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails!
Afrobeats Nite SC
Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz Halloween Party dance, rhythm, and pure vibes. Hosted by DJ Monk Earl at Abbott Square Market, it's more than just a party—it's a community celebration built on the beats of Afrobeats, the spirit of connection, and the joy of moving together. Come for the music, stay for the energy. Let’s dance, Santa Cruz!
Halloween Details:
5-6pm Doggie Halloween Costume Contest
6-6:45 Afrobeats
6:45-8:15pm Floratura
8:15-8:45 Costume Contest Hosted by The Bubble Lady
8:45-10pm Afrobeats TURNS IT UP
The Puffball Collective
Enjoy live music from The Puffball Collective out in Abbott Square.
Grab a tasty meal or delicious beverage in Abbott Square Market. Explore the interactive art and history exhibitions just a few steps away inside the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. Run into old friends and make new ones in the plaza.
Free and all ages.
Made possible by Abbott Square Market.
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More about the band:
The Puffball Collective(TPC), is a legendary local Santa Cruz band, that touches the hearts of anyone who witnesses them. Every performance we will celebrate as community the power & healing of music & song with happy-feet-dance, spirit- lifting-revival , and unifying-revelry….The power of TPC!!!
The Trolley Drops - 1st Sundays (Copy)
The Trolley Drops play hokum blues and novelty tunes from the 20s and 30s. Vocally rich, carefree, and infectiously fun, this good time dance music, often known as Jug Band Music, blends the call and response of gospel with the drive of the delta blues and the ruckus sounds of New Orleans Jazz. The line up currently includes bass, banjo, guitar, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone with kazoo, washboard and jug players occasionally sitting in...our motto is: The more the merrier… Jug till you Drop…..
Comedy Night
Come hang out in the garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.
Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Tuesday Night Salsa Social
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Mathew Hartle Band
Guitarist Matt Hartle, a Pennsylvania native now based in Santa Cruz, CA, channels the spirit of the San Francisco Bay Area’s rich musical legacy. With a background in jazz and a passion for blending rock, blues, folk, and improvisation, his fluid, expressive style has drawn comparisons to Jerry Garcia and Carlos Santana—though his voice remains uniquely his own. A key figure in bands like Shady Groove, Painted Mandolin, Spirit of '76, and The China Cats, Hartle also leads the popular “Grateful Sundays” series and shares his love of music through teaching guitar and piano.
Matt Masih and The Messengers
Feel the funk, feed your soul, find that groove and jam out here at Abbott Square Market. You won't want to miss this group! They definitely bring that need to dance energy!
Free and all ages - provided by Abbott Square Market. Grab a bite and enjoy yourself!
**FULL BAND | FUNK , SOUL, GROOVE**
To find out more:
www.fb.com/mattmasihmusic
Comedy Night
Come hang out in the garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.
Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Tuesday Night Salsa Social
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Floratura
Hailing from Santa Cruz, California, Floratura coalesce a unique blend of flavors, electrifying live performances with uplifting and soul blending songwriting. Weaving genre defying music made of driving riffs, funky grooves, adventurous improvisation, and blissful soul. Tatiana Peña (mandolin, vox), Treetop (guitar, vox), Jack Reed (keys), Noah Mogor (bass), and Jacob Gilmore (drums)
Comedy Night
Come hang out in the garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.
Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Tuesday Night Social Dance
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
The Surf Creeps
The Surf Creeps is a new formation stemming from 3 pro successful Bay Area bands. J "Mofo" D Andersen coming from Stock Shot, Kevin "Meat Cutter" Vierra from The Thirsty 3, and of course singing sensation, Lenny "El LenoX" Fortunato from Los High Tops. ,The trio perform high quality renditions of 60's surf infused instrumentals with neo-rockabilly classics.
Comedy Night
Come hang out in the garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.
Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Salsa Social Dance
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Papiba and Friends
It's going to be a party! Free and all ages show made possible by Abbott Square Market and all these amazing musicians.
A collision of rock, soul, funk, reggae, and samba, this group takes current world music and stirs it up to create a refreshing new sound.
Trivia Night
Trivia is BACK every Wednesday starting Janurary 15th, hosted at front and cooper inside of Abbott Square!
Come test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails!
Salsa Social Dance
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Comedy Night
Come hang out in the garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.
Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Hosted by Brian Snyder
La Otra Banda
La Otra Banda is a Santa Cruz-based Latin dance band with a powerhouse sound and roots in the music of Cuba, Brazil, Mexico and more. Featuring two lead vocalists—one Cuban, one Mexican—the group blends latin jazz, soul tunes, and latin rhythms in a high-energy experience that makes you want to dance.
Rosebud
Central California band playing Grateful Dead music mixed with originals, Beatles, Dylan, etc
Afrobeats Nite
Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz is your bi-weekly dose of dance, rhythm, and pure vibes. Hosted by DJ Monk Earl at Abbott Square Market, it's more than just a party—it's a community celebration built on the beats of Afrobeats, the spirit of connection, and the joy of moving together. Come for the music, stay for the energy. Let’s dance, Santa Cruz!
Trivia Night
Trivia is BACK every Wednesday starting Janurary 15th, hosted at front and cooper inside of Abbott Square!
Come test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails!
Tuesday Night Social Dance
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Comedy Night
Come hang out in the garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.
Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Second Sunday Artisan Faire w/ Mark Teigo
Don’t miss our second-to-last market of the season!
Join us for an afternoon filled with local vendors, talented artists, and all the cozy fall vibes. Spooky season is here — and what better way to spend a crisp autumn day than at an artisan fair? Grab a coffee, a cocktail, or some delicious food, and enjoy live music from Mark Teigo of Smith & Teigo, an amazing musician who’ll keep the good vibes going all afternoon. Come shop small and support local!
Tuesday Night Social Dance
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Comedy Night
Come hang out in the garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT.
Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
The Trolley Drops - 1st Sundays (Copy)
The Trolley Drops play hokum blues and novelty tunes from the 20s and 30s. Vocally rich, carefree, and infectiously fun, this good time dance music, often known as Jug Band Music, blends the call and response of gospel with the drive of the delta blues and the ruckus sounds of New Orleans Jazz. The line up currently includes bass, banjo, guitar, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone with kazoo, washboard and jug players occasionally sitting in...our motto is: The more the merrier… Jug till you Drop…..
Joint Chiefs
R&B Funk & Soul
If you make it to a Joint Chiefs show it's always a Good time Dance Party !!
http://thejointchiefsband.com/
Jive Machine
Don't miss this opportunity. Horns, reggae, classic rock... it's an all out party when Jive Machine sets the stage.
Jive Machine takes listeners on a sonic roller coaster that fuses elements of funk, rock, and blues. The band is defined by infectious grooves, crisp horn lines, tasteful lead guitar virtuosity, and contagious energy.
www,jivemachine.com
Afrobeats Nite
Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz is your bi-weekly dose of dance, rhythm, and pure vibes. Hosted by DJ Monk Earl at Abbott Square Market, it's more than just a party—it's a community celebration built on the beats of Afrobeats, the spirit of connection, and the joy of moving together. Come for the music, stay for the energy. Let’s dance, Santa Cruz!
Trivia Night
Trivia is BACK every Wednesday starting Janurary 15th, hosted at front and cooper inside of Abbott Square!
Come test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails!
Surf City Line Dancing
Sunday Funday at Abbot Square! Save the last Sunday of every month from 6-8 pm for a perfect evening of line dancing outdoors in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz. No experience needed, no cover charge - just bring your energy! There will be beginner line dance lessons with open line dancing mixed in. Come early and enjoy some of the delicious food & drinks Abbott Square has to offer! Open to all ages!
Big Bad Wolf
Enjoy live music from Big Bad Wolf out in Abbott Square.
Grab a tasty meal or delicious beverage in Abbott Square Market. Explore the interactive art and history exhibitions just a few steps away inside the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. Run into old friends and make new ones in the plaza.
Free and all ages.
About Big Bad Wolf:
Classic Rock, Soul, and Blues
Big Bad Wolf's collection of classic covers ranges from Beatles to Bowie to James Brown to CCR with many interesting stops in between.
www.bigbadrockingwolf.com
Afro HiLife
Tropical Fusion, Afro Funk, Soukous, HiLife, Afro Reggae, Afro Beat
AfroHiLife is a band formed in Santa Cruz CA - The band performs music that will get you dancing ; whether it’s a slow Tropical ballad or a pumping Soukous the band’s hypno-rhythms will take you for a journey.
Trivia Night
Trivia is BACK every Wednesday starting Janurary 15th, hosted at front and cooper inside of Abbott Square!
Come test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails!
Tuesday Night Salsa Social
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Ryan Price & Friends
Mixed genres of music heard through the sounds of percussive and melodic string work.
Los Bahianatos
Dust off your dance shoes and invite your favorite parejas to an evening of non-stop partner dancing at Abbott Square Market! Los Bahianatos specialize in Colombian accordion music including cumbia, vallenato, salsa and música sabanera - with a sprinkling of psychedelic Peruvian chicha thrown in, for good measure.
Formed in Oakland, California, during the early days of the pandemic, Los Bahianatos remain the premier cumbia and vallenato group en La Bahía. With over 200 performances under our belt, we can’t wait to finally take our sound to Santa Cruz. See you there!
Afrobeats Nite
Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz is your bi-weekly dose of dance, rhythm, and pure vibes. Hosted by DJ Monk Earl at Abbott Square Market, it's more than just a party—it's a community celebration built on the beats of Afrobeats, the spirit of connection, and the joy of moving together. Come for the music, stay for the energy. Let’s dance, Santa Cruz!
Trivia Night
Trivia is BACK every Wednesday starting Janurary 15th, hosted at front and cooper inside of Abbott Square!
Come test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails!
Tuesdasy night Salsa Social
Spice up your Tuesdays! Join us every Tuesday night from 7–10pm at Abbott Square Market for a sizzling social dance party! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect midweek vibe. All levels welcome—just bring your energy and your dancing shoes!
Jive Machine
Don't miss this opportunity. Horns, reggae, classic rock... it's an all out party when Jive Machine sets the stage.
Jive Machine takes listeners on a sonic roller coaster that fuses elements of funk, rock, and blues. The band is defined by infectious grooves, crisp horn lines, tasteful lead guitar virtuosity, and contagious energy.
www.jivemachine.com