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

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

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

Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music | July 27-Aug 10

Civic Auditorium and other locations.
307 Church St., Santa Cruz
Tickets: 831-420-5260 x 5, www.cabrillomusic.org