Santa Cruz Boardwalk 2023: Summer/fall movies, concerts, festivals, chili cook-off
Summer’s never over at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, even when the calendar says that autumn is heading our way. Here’s a roundup of events taking place in August, September and October. And, as always, Boardwalk admission is free:
Free Thursday concerts
California bands have been providing the beach soundtrack this season, with free concerts set for 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, through Aug. 10, on the Boardwalk’s Colonnade. There’s a dance area in front of the stage; picnic table seating is first come, first served.
This Thursday, Aug. 3, an alt-Mexican band from Salinas/Watsonville called 4to Prestigio will perform corridos, cumbias, zapateados and rancheros.
The finale on Aug. 10 will feature Pacific Roots, a reggae, punk and rock group from Santa Cruz.
Free movies on the beach
When the sun goes down, the screen comes up.
At 9 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 11, movies will be the attraction on the Main Beach in front of the Colonnade. Bring your Boardwalk snacks and your beach blanket or chairs down to the sand and watch “Shrek” (this Friday, Aug. 4) and “The Neverending Story” (Aug. 11).
Each movie includes a 15-minute intermission. Alcohol, smoking and glass bottles are prohibited on the beach.
National Roller Coaster Day
Sunday, Aug. 13, is National Roller Coaster Day — and if you’re a thrill ride enthusiast you’ll want to celebrate with a whirl on the boardwalk’s Giant Dipper. The iconic wooden coaster made its debut in 1924, with the Boardwalk estimating that 66 million people since then have taken rides. The first 100 riders on this day will receive a Boardwalk souvenir cup.
Fiesta en la Playa
This Saturday, Sept. 9, cultural celebration will feature music by Mariarchi Santa Cruz at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon and 12:30 p.m.; folklorico dancers performing at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; and a free concert by the Colombian band Sonora Tropicana from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the main stage. Look for food and beverage specials throughout the park.
Beach Blitz: Christian Overnight
This Sept. 15-16 event brings youth groups and families for fellowship, prayer and fun. Friday evening’s program will feature speaker Adrian Moreno and a concert by the band Kokua. Participants will camp overnight on the beach, enjoy unlimited play in the arcade and receive a rides wristband for Saturday. The $89.95 fee includes meals. Registrations accepted until Sept. 8, unless a sell-out occurs earlier.
Fall Campout
On Sept. 29-30, families and youth and school groups are invited to an overnight on the Beach Boardwalk. This fundraising event ($5 of every $89.95 registration goes to the American Cancer Society) includes dinner, breakfast, a movie on the beach, a sand sculpture contest, unlimited arcade games, a rides wristband for Saturday and discounted parking.
Overnights for Scout troops will take place Oct. 6-7 and Oct. 13-14.
Fright Flicks
On Wednesday nights from Oct. 4-25, the Boardwalk will present horror movies in the Cocoanut Grove ballroom. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the movies start at 8. On the schedule are “Us” (Oct. 4), “Child’s Play (Oct. 11), “Zombieland” (Oct. 18) and the 2018 “Halloween” (Oct. 25). Tickets, $15, include a cocktail or other beverage.
Santa Cruz Band Review
On Saturday, Oct. 21, the Boardwalk and Santa Cruz High School will again team up to host the Santa Cruz Band Review, a Northern California Band Association event, with 55 high school and junior high school marching bands competing next to the Boardwalk. The students will be judged in the categories of music, showmanship and marching — in sand? You’ll want to arrive early to watch that challenge.
Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off
Dozens of community teams and professional chefs will compete Saturday, Oct. 28, to make the best meaty and vegetarian chilis. That’ll be a lot for chiliheads to sample, but a portion of the proceeds from every tasting kit you purchase ($12 for six samples) always supports a local cause. This year it will be Shared Adventures, a nonprofit that offers recreational and other activities for disabled youth and adults. Tasting kits will go on sale at 10 a.m., and the tasting starts at 1 p.m.
Details: For more schedule info, ride/game ticket prices, advance purchases and promotions, go to https://beachboardwalk.com. 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz.