Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz Alternative Tickets

From
To
All Dates

Trending Santa Cruz Events

Man in hat and green shirt facing a cheering crowd at a concert.
The Expendables
Dec 5 • 8:00PM
The Catalyst
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
A blonde woman in a sparkly outfit sings into a microphone on stage.
Cannons
Sep 25 • 7:30PM
Mountain Winery
Saratoga, CA
Get Tickets
A male singer in a brown suit performs on stage with a microphone, sunglasses, and long blonde hair.
Taking Back Sunday, Thrice & Saves The Day
Oct 10 • 7:00PM
Frost Amphitheater
Stanford, CA
Get Tickets
A bald man with tattoos on his face sings into a microphone on a smoky stage.
Five Finger Death Punch, Cody Jinks & Eva Under Fire
Sep 16 • 6:45PM
Shoreline Amphitheatre - CA
Mountain View, CA
Get Tickets
Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins performs on stage, pointing with his left hand and playing a guitar.
Smashing Pumpkins
Nov 8 • 8:00PM
SAP Center
San Jose, CA
Get Tickets
A male singer with long blonde hair crouches and sings into a microphone, pointing his finger towards the left.
Candlebox
Sep 29 • 8:00PM
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
A male rapper performs into a microphone on stage, while a guitarist plays an electric guitar to his right.
Slightly Stoopid
Oct 9 • 4:00PM
Frost Amphitheater
Stanford, CA
Get Tickets
A person in a black hat faces a crowd at a concert, bathed in pink and white stage lights.
Donavon Frankenreiter & Band of Heathens
Nov 10 • 8:00PM
Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
Band performs on stage, three men singing and playing guitar and bass.
Black Flag
Oct 23 • 8:00PM
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets

Santa Cruz Alternative Schedule

2-22-25
Aug 22
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Aug 22
8:00 PM
Coyote Island
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Aug 26
Wed • 8:00 PM
Wed
Aug 26
8:00 PM
Twisted Teens
The Crepe Place
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Aug 28
Fri • 8:00 PM
Fri
Aug 28
8:00 PM
Bob Schneider
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 1
Tue • 9:00 PM
Tue
Sep 1
9:00 PM
Rehash
The Catalyst
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 4
Fri • 6:00 PM
Fri
Sep 4
6:00 PM
Devildriver
The Ritz - San Jose
San Jose, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 5
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Sep 5
8:00 PM
Flat Sun Society
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 5
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Sep 5
8:00 PM
Public Image Ltd
Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 9
Wed • 6:00 PM
Wed
Sep 9
6:00 PM
Hail The Sun
The Ritz - San Jose
San Jose, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 15
Tue • 8:00 PM
Tue
Sep 15
8:00 PM
The New Pornographers
Golden State Theatre
Monterey, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 16
Wed • 6:45 PM
Wed
Sep 16
6:45 PM
Five Finger Death Punch, Cody Jinks & Eva Under Fire
Shoreline Amphitheatre - CA
Mountain View, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 16
Wed • 8:00 PM
Wed
Sep 16
8:00 PM
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 17
Thu • 8:00 PM
Thu
Sep 17
8:00 PM
Phantom Planet
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 17
Thu • 8:00 PM
Thu
Sep 17
8:00 PM
The Growlers
The Catalyst
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 18
Fri • 8:00 PM
Fri
Sep 18
8:00 PM
Moonalice
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 18
Fri • 8:00 PM
Fri
Sep 18
8:00 PM
Railroad Earth
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 19
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Sep 19
8:00 PM
Meltt
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 19
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Sep 19
8:00 PM
Shawn Mullins
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 22
Tue • 7:30 PM
Tue
Sep 22
7:30 PM
Peter Hook and The Light
Mountain Winery
Saratoga, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 25
Fri • 7:30 PM
Fri
Sep 25
7:30 PM
Cannons
Mountain Winery
Saratoga, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 27
Sun • TBD
Sun
Sep 27
TBD
Sleep
The Catalyst
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 27
Sun • 7:00 PM
Sun
Sep 27
7:00 PM
A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce
Mountain Winery
Saratoga, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Sep 29
Tue • 8:00 PM
Tue
Sep 29
8:00 PM
Candlebox
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 1
Thu • 7:00 PM
Thu
Oct 1
7:00 PM
Weedeater
The Ritz - San Jose
San Jose, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 5
Mon • 8:00 PM
Mon
Oct 5
8:00 PM
Toadies
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 6
Tue • 8:00 PM
Tue
Oct 6
8:00 PM
Kishi Bashi
Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 9
Fri • 4:00 PM
Fri
Oct 9
4:00 PM
Slightly Stoopid
Frost Amphitheater
Stanford, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 10
Sat • 7:00 PM
Sat
Oct 10
7:00 PM
Taking Back Sunday, Thrice & Saves The Day
Frost Amphitheater
Stanford, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 10
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Oct 10
8:00 PM
Damien Jurado
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 16
Fri • 8:00 PM
Fri
Oct 16
8:00 PM
Shovels and Rope
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 17
Sat • 5:30 PM
Sat
Oct 17
5:30 PM
Amelie Farren
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 17
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Oct 17
8:00 PM
Fastball & The Click Five
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 23
Fri • 8:00 PM
Fri
Oct 23
8:00 PM
Black Flag
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 24
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Oct 24
8:00 PM
BALTHVS
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 27
Tue • 8:00 PM
Tue
Oct 27
8:00 PM
Great Lake Swimmers
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Oct 28
Wed • 8:00 PM
Wed
Oct 28
8:00 PM
The Bridge City Sinners
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 1
Sun • 8:00 PM
Sun
Nov 1
8:00 PM
The Psychedelic Furs & We Are Scientists
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 2
Mon • 8:00 PM
Mon
Nov 2
8:00 PM
The Psychedelic Furs & We Are Scientists
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 5
Thu • 8:00 PM
Thu
Nov 5
8:00 PM
Thomas Dolby
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 7
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Nov 7
8:00 PM
Fitz and the Tantrums
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 8
Sun • 8:00 PM
Sun
Nov 8
8:00 PM
Fitz and the Tantrums
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 8
Sun • 8:00 PM
Sun
Nov 8
8:00 PM
Smashing Pumpkins
SAP Center
San Jose, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 9
Mon • 8:00 PM
Mon
Nov 9
8:00 PM
Donavon Frankenreiter
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 10
Tue • 8:00 PM
Tue
Nov 10
8:00 PM
Donavon Frankenreiter & Band of Heathens
Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 10
Tue • 8:00 PM
Tue
Nov 10
8:00 PM
Holy Wave
Moe's Alley
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 12
Thu • 7:30 PM
Thu
Nov 12
7:30 PM
The Smithereens
Carriage House Theatre At Montalvo Arts Center
Saratoga, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 14
Sat • 6:00 PM
Sat
Nov 14
6:00 PM
TRSH
The Ritz - San Jose
San Jose, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 15
Sun • 8:00 PM
Sun
Nov 15
8:00 PM
Bombargo
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 16
Mon • 8:00 PM
Mon
Nov 16
8:00 PM
Son Volt
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 18
Wed • 9:00 PM
Wed
Nov 18
9:00 PM
As I Lay Dying
The Catalyst
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 23
Mon • 8:00 PM
Mon
Nov 23
8:00 PM
The Residents
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 28
Sat • 7:00 PM
Sat
Nov 28
7:00 PM
Andy Grammer
Sunset Center
Carmel By The Sea, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Nov 28
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Nov 28
8:00 PM
The English Beat
Golden State Theatre
Monterey, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Dec 5
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Dec 5
8:00 PM
The Expendables
The Catalyst
Santa Cruz, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Dec 11
Fri • 8:00 PM
Fri
Dec 11
8:00 PM
Buckethead
Golden State Theatre
Monterey, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Dec 12
Sat • 7:00 PM
Sat
Dec 12
7:00 PM
Suicide Silence
The Ritz - San Jose
San Jose, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Dec 17
Thu • 8:00 PM
Thu
Dec 17
8:00 PM
Pokey LaFarge
Felton Music Hall
Felton, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Dec 19
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Dec 19
8:00 PM
Missing Persons
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Dec 20
Sun • 6:00 PM
Sun
Dec 20
6:00 PM
Set Your Goals
The Ritz - San Jose
San Jose, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Jan 21
Thu • 7:30 PM
Thu
Jan 21
7:30 PM
Five For Fighting
Carriage House Theatre At Montalvo Arts Center
Saratoga, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Jun 18
Fri • 8:00 PM
Fri
Jun 18
8:00 PM
The Airborne Toxic Event
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets
2-22-25
Jun 19
Sat • 8:00 PM
Sat
Jun 19
8:00 PM
The Airborne Toxic Event
The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park
Menlo Park, CA
Get Tickets

Find the Best Alternative Concerts in Santa Cruz for 2026

Santa Cruz is a hub for exciting live entertainment. We've analyzed our sales data to bring you the most popular alternative concerts so you can easily plan your next outing.

Top Alternative Concerts in Santa Cruz This Weekend

Planning your weekend? There are 6 alternative concerts happening around Santa Cruz this weekend! Here are the most popular alternative concerts happening in Santa Cruz from Thursday to Sunday. Don't miss out on the action!

Event Name Date Venue Lowest Price
Wille and the Bandits Aug 20 Biscuits and Blues $68
Wille and the Bandits Aug 20 Biscuits and Blues $68
Casket Cassette Aug 21 Kilowatt Bar $33
Coyote Island Aug 22 Felton Music Hall $52
Malo & Patron Latin Rhythms Aug 22 The Historic Bal Theatre $96
The Black Heart Procession Aug 22 Brick & Mortar Music Hall $83

Top 2026 Summer Alternative Concerts in Santa Cruz

Summer is the perfect time for live events in Santa Cruz! Check out this list of the top alternative concerts happening from May through September.

Event Name Date Venue Lowest Price
David Byrne Aug 25 Greek Theatre - U.C. Berkeley $159
Bill Callahan Aug 28 The UC Theatre $83
Screeching Weasel Sep 1 August Hall $74
Liz Phair & Sleater-Kinney Sep 9 Greek Theatre - U.C. Berkeley $137
Weezer, The Shins & Silversun Pickups Sep 9 Chase Center $53
Five Finger Death Punch, Cody Jinks & Eva Under Fire Sep 16 Shoreline Amphitheatre - CA $32
Cannons Sep 25 Mountain Winery $96
Sleep Sep 26 The Fillmore - San Francisco $119
Social Distortion Sep 28 The Masonic - San Francisco $123
Candlebox Sep 29 The Guild Theatre - Menlo Park $93

Cheap Things to Do in Santa Cruz This Weekend (Under $100)

Looking for fun in Santa Cruz that won't break the bank? You've come to the right place. This list features the best-selling alternative concerts this weekend with tickets under $100.

Event Name Date Venue Lowest Price
Wille and the Bandits Aug 20 Biscuits and Blues $68
Wille and the Bandits Aug 20 Biscuits and Blues $68
Casket Cassette Aug 21 Kilowatt Bar $33
Coyote Island Aug 22 Felton Music Hall $52
Malo & Patron Latin Rhythms Aug 22 The Historic Bal Theatre $96
The Black Heart Procession Aug 22 Brick & Mortar Music Hall $83

Top Venues in Santa Cruz, CA

Aerial view of a baseball stadium at dusk, with the city lights and bay in the background.
Oracle Park
San Francisco, CA
See More
Aerial view of a modern amphitheater with a large white tent roof and surrounding cityscape at sunset.
Shoreline Amphitheatre - CA
Mountain View, CA
See More
Outdoor amphitheater with a large stage and tiered seating, set against a backdrop of hills and buildings at dawn.
Greek Theatre - U.C. Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
See More
Modern glass building with a pyramid roof against a vibrant sunset sky.
SAP Center
San Jose, CA
See More
A grand pipe organ and stage with a piano in a concert hall.
Castro Theatre
San Francisco, CA
See More
A large, modern arena with a geometric facade and large windows, set against a dramatic sunset sky.
Oakland Arena
Oakland, CA
See More
A modern tan building with a curved facade and a relief sculpture, against a hazy orange sky.
The Masonic - San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
See More
A stage with purple curtains is set up for a performance with small tables and chairs in front.
Cobb's Comedy Club
San Francisco, CA
See More
An outdoor amphitheater with a stage, seating, and large screens, framed by trees.
Toyota Pavilion At Concord
Concord, CA
See More
An outdoor amphitheater with rows of seats facing a stone building resembling a church, with wine barrels visible on the left.
Mountain Winery
Saratoga, CA
See More
All Venues Near Santa Cruz, CA