48th Annual Artichoke Festival | May 19-20 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Parade, Agro Art event, music, children's activities, cooking demonstrations, foods, wine tasting, farmers market and much more.

Main Street, Castroville
831-633-2465, www.artichoke-festival.org

Mountain Wine Auction & Grand Tasting | May 20 (1-4 p.m.)

Taste fines wines and gourmet appetizer pairings. Held at exclusive Nestldown Estate. The private and lavish mountain-top Nestldown Estate and Gardens is the ideal venue for this extraordinary event. Sample wines from all award-wining Santa Cruz Mountain wineries and savor paired appetizers created by the region's most celebrated dining rooms. Auction items include rare wines, resort packages and overseas trips, private winemakers' dinners and much more. Tickets ($65) available online: www.scmwa.com

Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Assn.
831-685-8463, www.scmwa.com

Star Parties at Quail Hollow - Saturn & The Aquarids | May 22 (8 p.m.-midnight)

Indoor video presentation followed by outdoor hands-on activities and telescope viewing. Rain and cloudy skies cancel the program. Free. All ages.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

Circus Chimera - "Circus Happy Dayz" | May 22-25 (Two shows daily)

A family Circus, featuring creative acrobats and clowns who juggle, work daring feats on the low wire trapeze and motorcycle tricks. The kids will love this up-close view of an old- fashioned circus. Ticket booth at the tent opens at noon each day or purchase advance tickets by calling 888-663-7464 or visit www.circuschimera.com

Skypark, Scotts Valley
888-663-7464, www.circuschimera.com

Watsonville Fly-in and Air Show | May 25 - 27 (9 a.m.-7 p.m.)

The three day show is packed with aerial performers including Military Aircraft, Warbirds - B-17; Aerobatics and RC Model Flights. A pyrotechnic show will explode into the sky both nights. Other highlights include displays of hundreds of antique, neoclassic, war birds and experimental aircraft, and a classic car show. There are food and merchandise vendors. Discount tickets available at the event website.

Watsonville Airport, Freedom
831-763-5600, www.watsonvilleflyin.org

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | May 25 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

Destruction Derby, American Stock, 4 Bangers, Dwarf Cars, Figure 8, AMCA Modifieds.

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

Civil War Battles & Encampment | May 26-28

Visit encampments of Union and Confederate solders and witness historic battles at one of the longest-running Civil War reenactments in the West.

Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton
831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

Felton Rememberers Parade | May 26 (10 a.m.)

This is the 19th annual parade and salute to Felton's history. Participants include youth and civic groups, bands, horses, marching units and much more. Festival has music, food, historic photos displayed. Sponsored by the Felton Business Association.

Parade: Hwy 9
Festival: Covered Bridge Park
Felton

Santa Cruz Blues Festival | May 26-27

This festival takes place in a natural amphitheater surrounded by Red Wood trees. in Aptos Village Park. Entertainment line up has: Saturday: Los Lonely Boys, Indigenous, Jackie Greene, Sonny Landreth, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings. Sunday: Etta James & the Roots Band, Little Feat, Robben Ford, Tommy Castro and Nina Storey. Tickets available in advance or at the gate.

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

Boulder Creek Art, Wine and Music Festival | May 26-28 (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)

18th annual festival that celebrate 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 15 area wineries. There is non-stop music from two stages playing Rick, Jazz, and Blues music. Also, the Kids 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