16th Santa Cruz Blues Festival | May 24-25 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.)

Aptos Village Park, Aptos
831-479-9814, www.santacruzbluesfestival.com

Gilroy Gardens - Red, White & Cool Days | May 24-31 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Come celebrate Memorial Day, Independence Day and every day in between during our Red, White & Cool celebration! There are red, white and blue floral displays, a sidewalk sale at Hall’s Mercantile and a Memorial Day weekend BBQ.

3050 Hecker Pass/Hwy 152, Gilroy
408-840-7100, www.gilroygardens.org

Gilroy Gardens Hosts A Heroes Welcome | May 24-July 6

It’s a Red, White and Cool celebration for our Heroes! Military, Veteran, Fire, Police, and Emergency Personnel with valid IDs receive one free and one half off General Admission tickets for families up to six persons.

3050 Hecker Pass/Hwy 152, Gilroy
408-840-7100, www.gilroygardens.org

Boulder Creek Art, Wine and Music Festival | May 24-26 (noon-6 p.m.)

19th Annual festival that celebrates the good life and launch of the summer vacation season in the Santa Cruz mountains. More than 200 vendors line the streets of downtown offering original art works unique art and hand-crafted items, a selection of fresh cooked treats and nibbles, and wines from 11 area wineries. There is non-stop music from two stages playing Rock, Jazz, and Blues music. Also, the Kid’s Activity area offers a range of things for youngsters from rock wall climbing to bounce houses. Free event.

Downtown Boulder Creek
831-338-2578, www.bcba.net

Memorial Day Weekend 21st Annual Art Show | May 24-26 (10 a.m-5 p.m.)

Bargetto Winery Courtyard
3535 North Main Street, Soquel
800-422-7438, www.bargetto.com

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | May 25 (1-3 p.m.)

Create fun crafts that feature the cool creatures of the tidepools. Make a seastar suncatcher, or create your own sea anemone! There are activity sheets, scavenger hunts, and a take home souvenir of your day.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Oak Restoration Stewardship | May 25

Join other volunteers and help with weeding invasive plants, placing mulch and removing trash from an oak restoration site. It is best if volunteers wear layered clothing for the temperatures can change rapidly. Tools and a light snack provided. Bring plenty of drinking water and wear sun protection.

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Rd.
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

Santa Cruz Baroque Festival - Music in the Garden | May 25 (1-5 p.m.)

Five garden locations
Tickets & map: 831-457-9693, www.scbaroque.org

Marine Mammal Research Tour | May 27

Head behind the scenes at Long Marine Lab. Learn about the work of scientists and their studies of dolphins, seals, sea lions, and whales. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required. Call (831) 459-3800

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
Reservations: 831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

“Cabrillo Latin Music Ensembles” | May 28 (7:30 p.m.)

Cabrillo College Theater
Tickets: at door or call 831-479-6331