Thursday Night Downtown | July 26

Free outdoor fun: live music, dancing, performances, classic cars, evening shopping, children's activities and more.

Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
831-429-8433, www.downtownsantacruz.com

Day Out With Thomas | July 27-29

Join Thomas The Tank Engine™ on his train ride through the Big Trees. Meet Sir Topham Hatt™ and have at the Thomas play area. There are many and activities, a big Thomas store, and much more Thomas fun.

Roaring Camp, Felton
Tickets: 866-468-3399, www.ticketweb.com/thomas.html
Info: 831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

Noon at the Nick - The Tempest | July 27 (1 p.m.)

FREE Shakespeare Santa Cruz lecture series. Bring your lunch and take advantage of this rare opportunity to meet the festival directors, actors, designers and artisans.

Nickelodeon Theatre
210 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz
831-426-7500, www.thenick.com

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | July 27 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

American Stock, 4 Bangers, Ocean Late Models, Figure 8, IMCA Modifieds.

Santa Cruz Country Fairgrounds
2601 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville
831-476-9466, www.oceanspeedway.com

Santa Cruz Improv Festival | July 27-29 (Fri-Sat 8 p.m.; Sun 7:30 p.m.)

Local and regional improv. performers and groups are featured in evening programs.

Actor's Theater
1001 Center Str., Santa Cruz
831-425-7529, www.sccat.org

Gilroy's 29th Garlic Festival | July 27-29 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)

Follow your nose, and taste buds, to one of the nation's top festivals. It's all thing garlic: crafts, games, art displays, activity booths, gift shops, child play area, cooking demonstrations, entertainment and lots of food. From Gourmet Alley's prize winning recipe dishes to service club favorites ranging from fried artichokes to garlic infused wine and ice-cream, there are no end of tasty choices.

Strawberry Park, Gilroy
408-842-1625, www.gilroygarlicfestival.com

"Back 40" Celebration | July 27-29

A 40th anniversary celebration of the Student Garden Project at the Alan Chadwick Garden.

Alan Chadwick Garden, UCSC Campus Farm
831-459-3240

Full Moon Madness | July 28 (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Join a moonlit guided tour of the redwoods and moon gaze through telescopes. Activities include music, multi-media presentation about the park's nocturnal critters, crafts for kids and refreshments.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Hwy 9 @ North Big Trees Rd., Felton
831-335-7077, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Summer Saturdays at the Museum | July 28 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Youth under the age of 18 are invited to join the museum's Sensational Snakes program. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free for children and normal admission fees apply for adults.

Museum of Natural History
831- 420-6113, www.santacruzmuseums.org

Moss Landing Antique Fair | July 28 (7:30 a.m.-dusk)

There are over 100 antique vendors plus the 20 Moss Landing antique shops offering a wide range of old and rare finds including art, glassware, books and furniture. There is a pancake breakfast and a selection of food booths available from mid-day.

831-633-4501, www.mosslandingchamber.com