Public Voting is now officially closed. The awards for judge's choice and people's choice will be announced at the Film Screening event THIS Friday Oct 24!

The Original Horror Short - Youth Division film screening - 5:00 - 6:15 pm.

The Original Horror Short - Open Division and Halloween Music Video - 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

Detailed schedule below.

Film Screening Schedule: (times are approximate)
Original Horror Short - Youth Division (5:00 - 6:15 pm)
4:45 – 5:00 pm – Walk the red carpet, paparazzi photos!
5:00 pm – Welcome by LNCC staff
5:10 pm – Original Horror Short – Youth Division

• Possessed (time 6:11)
• Demon Saja Gurls (time 11:00)
• The Shape (time 14:54)
• Beyond the Outbreak (time 6:00)
• Trip or Treat (time 11:30)

6:00 pm – Awards for Original Horror Short – Youth Division

Halloween Music Video and Original Horror Short - Open Division (6:30 – 8:00 pm)
6:15 – 6:30 pm – Walk the red carpet, paparazzi photos!
6:30 pm – Welcome by LNCC staff
6:30 – 6:45 pm – Halloween Music Video

• Paddle Up, Party On (time 4:59)
• Happy Together (time 3:30)

6:45 pm – Awards for Halloween Music Video

Original Horror Short – Open Division 7:00 – 7:40 pm

• Gorilla on the Loose (time 12:59)
• Death from Within (time 5:05)
• A Nightmare on Paw Street (time 4:30)
• Dead Awake (time 7:00)
• Milo’s (time 7:03)

7:40 pm – Awards for Original Horror Short – Open Division

 
Thank you for attending the 2025 Halloween Mask Making Festival. 

Mark your calendars for next year's event on Saturday Oct 17, 2026!

Thank you to all the Thriller zombies who learned the Thriller dance and carried on the Thriller tradition in Santa Cruz.

Be on the lookout for zombies throughout Santa Cruz leading up to Halloween!

Thank you for dancing, connecting with friends and making new ones at the Sparkly Senior Winter Social. We had a blast!

Fungus Fair

Friday January 9 - Sunday January 11, 2026

Stay up-to-date on this year's event at ffsc.us. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the inaugural Retro Rainbow dance party! It was truly a fabulous evening of glitter, glam, and joy in celebration of 50 years of Santa Cruz Pride!

HUGE thank you to our partners at The Diversity Center and the incredible volunteers who made the event possible. 

Thank you to the dazzling DJ Sparkle for keeping us dancing all evening long!

Thank you to our amazing photographers Mama T and Sean McLean. 

Thank you to the Alzheimer's Association's Philip Geiger and Santa Cruz Pride's Rob Darrow for tabling at the event. 

Honoring London Nelson - May 5 - May 17

 
London Nelson's entire estate was bequeathed to the City of Santa Cruz upon his death, and enabled the public school system to remain open at a crucial time. At the community center, we honor London Nelson from May 5 - May 17 each year, the date of his birth and the date of his passing.

Stay tuned for the line up of activities for 2026.  

Thank you for attending the 34th annual Juneteenth Celebration - a day of freedom, resilience, and unity. From the vibrant 2nd line parade, the ancestral altar, the soulful performances, and the delicious food, every moment brought us together in joy and remembrance. To every person who helped make this event possible and all of those who attended, your energy and commitment made this event a true reflection of community.

HUGE shout out and thank you to Sure Thing Productions for producing an incredible event!

Thank you to our event sponsors Sure Thing Productions, Friends of Parks and Recreation, City of Santa Cruz, Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, Arts Council of Santa Cruz County, Black Health Matters, Black Surf Santa Cruz, Reggie Stephens Foundation, Tribe 1st, NAACP, All Original, Resource Center for Non-Violence, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union, Downtown Santa Cruz, Tannery World Dance , and Cultural Center.

Mark your calendars for the 35th annual Juneteenth on Saturday June 13! Stay up-to-date at santacruzjuneteenth.com. 

Donate to Santa Cruz Juneteenth 2025 at Friends of Parks and Recreation! 

 
Open House week is back! To celebrate Parks and Recreation month, we invite you to learn about YOUR community center.

Behind the Scenes Tours (two tours times): Wednesday July 23, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm and 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Sign up TODAY!

Visit the "History of the Center" Art Exhibit on display all month long including photos of the original Laurel School.

Try a Drop in Classes. Always wanted to try one of our classes for older adults? This week classes are catered for NEW participants!

All Levels Ping Pong Tournament - Tuesday July 22 (singles) and Thursday July 24 (doubles). Sign up by July 18!

Little Library Grand Opening - Friday July 25 at 11:00 am. Bring a book, take a book!

Parks and Rec Children's Theatre performances of Horror at Party Beach - Friday July 25 at 7:00 pm and Saturday July 26 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm. Tickets only $5.00!

Refreshments in our lobby all week long. 

Since 1978, the Center has been a hub for classes, meetings, special events, and live theatre in Santa Cruz. Learn why for the past 47 years "Community Happens Here" at the London Nelson Community Center!