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.
November
Dia de los Muertos
Saturday, November 2 from 2:30 to 3:30pm
Celebrate the dead with an all-ages festival throughout downtown Santa Cruz. Enjoy music and dance performances on the patio as the procession passes through the park on the way from the Museum of Art & History (MAH) to Evergreen Cemetery. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Santa Cruz MAH in partnership with Senderos, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, and California State Parks.
Mission Strategy Game
Monday, November 11 from 11am to 12:30pm
Friday, November 29 from 1 to 2:30pm
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.
Gardens of Time
Saturday, November 9 at 1pm
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.
Wool, Spinning, and Weaving
Saturday, November 16 at 1pm
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, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Mission Cooking Demonstration
Saturday, November 23 from 1 to 2pm
Experience different cooking styles used by the people who lived and worked at Santa Cruz Mission over 200 years ago. There will be a presentation of Ohlone and Spanish cuisine including hot rock cooking, tortilla frying on a comal, and baking in our horno. You can even sample the creations and make your own tortilla. 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.
What They Wore
Saturday, November 30 at 1pm
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, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
December
Drop In Family Craft – Games
Saturday, December 7 from 1 to 3:30pm
Sunday, December 29 from 1 to 3:30pm
What kind of games did the Ohlone play? Learn about their games and make one 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.
Drop In Family Craft – Ramillettas
Sunday, December 8 from 1 to 3:30pm
Monday, December 23 from 1 to 3:30pm
Enjoy an informal afternoon at this hidden jewel near downtown Santa Cruz. Create colorful layered paper decorations. Free event. For more information, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Guided Adobe Tour
Saturday, December 14 at 1pm
Friday, December 27 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 – Candle Dipping
Saturday, December 21 from 1 to 3:30pm
Enjoy an informal afternoon at this hidden jewel near downtown Santa Cruz. You can hand-dip a wax candle 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.
Drop-In Family Craft – Luminaria
Sunday, December 22 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.
What They Wore
Saturday, December 28 at 1pm
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, call (831) 425-5849. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Mission Strategy Game
Monday, December 30 from 1 to 2:30pm
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.