What a summer, Santa Cruz!
The 6th season of the Event Santa Cruz Midtown Fridays Summer Block Party has officially come to a close, and we want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped make 2026 such an incredible season.
From May 29 through August 28, we gathered every Friday night at 1111 Soquel Ave for 14 weeks of live local music, great food, local artists and makers, fun, and — most importantly — community.
A huge thank you to all of the amazing bands who took the Midtown Fridays stage this summer and gave us so many memorable nights (see some video highlights below). Thank you to our food trucks, artists, makers, and vendors who brought something unique to the event every single week.
We are also incredibly grateful to our Title Partner (City of Santa Cruz Economic Developement Department) and all of our local event partners (see list below) whose support helps make Midtown Fridays possible and allows us to keep this event free for the community.
Thank you Natalie Sweeting for all the amazing photos, videos, and overall support each and every week!
Thank you, Mike, for always helping with cleanup at the end of the night — and especially for putting away 100 chairs every Friday. You definitely saved my back! 😁
And a very special thank you to our Midtown business neighbors for welcoming thousands of people into the neighborhood throughout the summer and for being such an important part of what makes Midtown Santa Cruz special.
Most of all, thank you to everyone who came out — whether you joined us every Friday or made it to just one show. You danced, ate, shopped local, supported the bands and businesses, brought your families and friends, and helped create the energy that makes Midtown Fridays what it is.
Over the past six years, Midtown Fridays has grown into one of Santa Cruz’s favorite summer traditions, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate local music, local businesses, creativity, and the awesome Midtown community!
We couldn’t do it without all of you.
Thank you, Santa Cruz, for another unforgettable summer. ❤️
Let’s make this summer unforgettable!
Every Friday • May 29 – August 28
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Midtown Santa Cruz • 1111 Soquel Ave
2026 Live Music Lineup
May 29 – James Durbin and The Lost Boys (Opening Band JAM and the Buttered Biscuits)
June 5 – Members of Santa Cruda (new name announcement)
June 12 – Salsa By The Sea with Dj @its dancing time, El Sol, and DJ Monk Earl of Afrobeats Nite Santa Cruz
June 19 – Ribsys Nickel
June 26 – kentucky Mule
July 3 – Santa Cruz Latin Collective
July 10 – Hijinx
July 17 – Ancestree
July 24 – Ripatti Rose Band
July 31 – Amp Melo with Extra Medium
August 7 – Trestles
August 14 – Fire Peach
August 21 – The Rumba Madre
August 28 – Alex Lucero Band – Finale
Thank you to our title sponsor:
City of Santa Cruz Economic Development Department
And thank you to our Midtown Fridays partners:
Caitlin Phillips, Realtor® • Santa Cruz Warriors • Santa Cruz Vibes Magazine • The Starving Musician • Lookout Santa Cruz • Moe’s Alley • Good Times • Growing Up In Santa Cruz
