Park Events
All events and activities are FREE, and are made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
For more information about events and activities please call the Santa Cruz Mission at (831) 425-5849. All programs meet at the Santa Cruz Mission, located on School Street off of Mission Street and Emmet Street in Santa Cruz.
May
Hides and Tallow
Saturday, May 4 from 1 to 2pm
Come and see how Mission Santa Cruz participated in a world economy back in the early 19th century. We will look at some of the major products of the mission, leather and tallow, and demonstrate how they were used. You will see how a branding iron works and get to make your own candle. Rain cancels. Free event. For more information, please call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Archaeology Demonstration
Saturday, May 11 from 1 to 2pm
How do artifacts give us clues to the past? Follow the archaeological process from the dig to the display, and participate in hands-on activities to discover the stories told by the artifacts. Presented in collaboration with the Santa Cruz Archeological Society. Rain cancels. Free event. For more information, please call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Drop-In Family Craft – Paper Poppies
Sunday, May 12 from 1 to 3:30pm
Enjoy an informal afternoon creating a bouquet of poppies to celebrate spring in California. Free event. For more information, please call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Wool, Spinning, and Weaving
Saturday, May 18 from 1 to 2pm
How did an isolated settlement clothe the hundreds of people who lived there? Take an in-depth look at the cloth industry of Mission Santa Cruz. We will follow the path of wool from the sheep to the shirt. You will have the chance to try your hand at a drop spindle and spin your own wool. Free event. For more information, please call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
What They Wore
Saturday, May 25 from 1 to 2pm
Color, cloth, & cut – the clothing worn by the people in the Mission was not all about style – it was about identity, status, and different roles in the community. We will demonstrate the apparel you may have seen here in the 19th century, and learn what the clothing meant to the people who wore it. Free event. For more information, please call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Guided Adobe Tour
Sunday, May 26 at 1pm
Join us for a guided tour of the oldest building in Santa Cruz. Come learn about the many families who have called this 180-year-old mission adobe their home. Free event. For more information, please call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Mission Strategy Game
Monday, May 27 from 11am to 12:30pm
Gather round the table and play a board game set in the 18th century. Spend Spanish real coins and roll the sheep’s knucklebone to determine the fate of your mission. Geared for ages 8 and older. Free event. For more information, please call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
June
Guided Adobe Tour
Saturday, June 1 at 1pm
Join us for a guided tour of the oldest building in Santa Cruz. Come learn about the many families who have called this 180-year-old mission adobe their home. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Drop-In Family Craft – Luminaria
Sunday, June 9 from 1 to 3:30pm
Enjoy an informal afternoon at this hidden jewel near downtown Santa Cruz. You can fashion a tin lantern in our garden courtyard. Rain cancels. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Junior Rangers – Ohlone Science: Pigments & Paint
Thursday, June 13 at 11am
In this fun STEM activity, we’ll explore the pigments and binding agents traditionally used by local indigenous people. Experiment with color and chemistry. Junior Rangers is a statewide program for 7 to 12 year olds. Space is limited. Register by calling (831) 425-5849 or online. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Building Methods at the Mission
Saturday, June 15 from 1 to 2pm
Come and see how the oldest building in town was made. We will look at the materials used by the Ohlone to build their homes and then at the materials used by the Spanish to build Mission Santa Cruz. You will have the chance to get your hands dirty and make your own mini abode brick. Rain cancels. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Junior Rangers – Ohlone Economy: Trade Network Game
Thursday, June 20 at 11am
Native Californians participated in a vast network of trade. Your tribe will trade with others to obtain resources, develop relationships, and attain status in this fun simulation game. Junior Rangers is a statewide program for 7 to 12 year olds. Space is limited. Register by calling (831) 425-5849 or online. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Gardens of Time
Saturday, June 22 from 1 to 2pm
Stroll through history as you visit the various gardens within our courtyard and patio. We can learn a good deal about people who lived here in the past by exploring the plants they used and cultivated. Tour our native plant gardens, demonstration vegetable beds, and Victorian “Nearyland.” Take home history in a seed. Rain cancels. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Junior Rangers – Ohlone Science: Botany
Thursday, June 27 at 11am
Get to know three California native plants and how to use them. We’ll work with soap root, tule reeds, and oak trees to discover how to make food, tools, and toys to take home! Junior Rangers is a statewide program for 7 to 12 year olds. Space is limited. Register by calling (831) 425-5849 or online. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Skill and Luck: Games of the Mission
Saturday, June 29 at 1pm
What kind of games did the Ohlone play? When the Spanish came did they bring games? Did the Ohlone still play their games during the missions? Come and find the answers to these questions about games at the mission. Make a game to take home! Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.