Lunar New Year Celebration
2026-02-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Colleges Nine and John R. Lewis College Multi-purpose Room, 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Lunar New Year is quickly approaching and to celebrate the year of the dragon, ISSP and College Nine/John R. Lewis will be hosting our annual celebration on Wednesday, February 18 starting at 18:00 at the C9/JRL Multipurpose Room.

Come join us for festivities including a sampling of Lunar New Year foods, crafts and activities, special performances, and much more. Stop on by to celebrate the lunar new year with your fellow international community.

In addition, we encourage you to check out our website for all things Lunar New Year at UCSC. This includes a greeting from Chancellor Larive and a schedule of upcoming celebrations from student groups.

Slugs Go Bowling
2026-02-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Boardwalk Bowl, 115 Cliff St, Santa Cruz, 95060, United States
Join the Office of Leadership and Involvement, in collaboration with the Slug Mentor Network and the Services for Transfer, Re-entry, and Resilient Scholars (STARRS) Office, for Slugs Go Bowling — a UCSC student takeover at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Bowl!
Celebrate and connect with fellow Banana Slugs during an evening of free bowling, desserts, swag, and community-building. This event is designed to help students mingle, build connections, and learn more about campus support services in a fun, welcoming environment.
Don’t miss the chance to snap a photo with Sammy the Slug!
Date: Friday, February 20
Time: 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: Boardwalk Bowl 115 Cliff St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
RSVP HERE
If you have questions or need accommodations, please email involved@ucsc.edu.
We can’t wait to see you there!
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

UCSC Dining Competes at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Clam Chowder Cook-Off
2026-02-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Come support UCSC Dining as they compete in the legendary Clam Chowder Cook-Off at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! This two-day event is one of the country’s largest and longest-running clam chowder competitions, where talented chefs prepare and serve their best chowder recipes along the Boardwalk.
On Sunday, February 22, UCSC Dining will join professional teams in both Boston (white) and Manhattan (red) clam chowder categories. Cheer on our teams — University Chowder led by Chance Taylor (cooking up the white Boston chowder) and Redwood Chowder Heads led by Chad Glassley (cooking up red Manhattan chowder) — as they compete for top honors and People’s Choice votes.
When: Sunday, February 22, 1–3 p.m.
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Details: Boardwalk admission is free; tasting kits go on sale starting at 10 a.m. or you can pre-purchase your tasting kits online. (public tasting begins at 1 p.m.) and benefit Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.

Food For Thought
2026-02-22 15:00 - 18:00 | Cardiff House, 114 Carriage House Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join the People of Color Sustainability Collective for a fun, community-centered day of activities, shared food, and meaningful conversation. This gathering creates an informal, educational space for the UCSC community to connect with one another while exploring themes within environmentalism, with an emphasis on inclusive sustainability.
Food for Thought will focus on food sovereignty and strengthening relationships with local organizations leading food justice work. The evening will include a shared dinner, presentations and discussion with community leaders in food justice, and a hands-on food preservation workshop to build practical skills and collective knowledge.

College Night: Camp Snoopy
2026-02-23 17:00 - 20:00 | Crown/Merrill Dining Hall
Merrill College, in collaboration with UCSC Dining, present Peanuts (not the food) college night. Join us Monday, February 23, from 5–8 p.m. at the Crown/Merrill Dining Hall for a night of activities, fun, community, and a special themed menu. Standard dining hall entry pricing applies, and all students, faculty, and staff are invited.
Please note: The dining hall will be closed from 2–5 p.m. for event preparation.
Learn more about College Nights at dining.ucsc.edu/events.
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You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.How to Use the Statement Across Communication Channels

Coffee and Convo with Provost Aims
2026-02-24 09:00 - 11:00 | CA
Stay for the engaging conversation or grab it to go. Either way, it’s hot and free. Featuring Alta Organic Roasting Company coffee, a fair trade locally women owned company.

Transform Your Future Pop-Up (Cookies Included!)
2026-02-24 10:30 - 11:30 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join Baskin Engineering to celebrate National Engineers Week with a sweet stop at the Transform Your Future Pop-Up (Cookies Included!) 🍪☕
This year’s Engineers Week theme, Transform Your Future, is a powerful reminder that engineering doesn’t just shape our world—it shapes our opportunities, our communities, and the futures we can imagine for ourselves.
Swing by the BE Courtyard to grab cookies, coffee, and BE swag (first come, first served!) and take a moment to celebrate how you are transforming your future.
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 24⏰ Time: 10:30 a.m.📍 Location: BE Courtyard
We hope to see you there!

BE Club Bash - Engineers Week
2026-02-26 12:00 - 14:00 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Discover innovation at the Baskin Engineering Club Bash, an event celebrating National Engineers Week!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 26, 12–2 PM in the BE Courtyard! The BE Club Bash brings together student organizations across all engineering disciplines to showcase their projects, demos, and interactive activities.
Stop by to:

Explore hands-on booths and demonstrations from student organizations
Learn about engineering opportunities on campus and how to get involved
Chat with student leaders and hear about their experiences
Enter our 3D printer raffle (must be present to win!)
Grab snacks and BE swag while you explore

This is a great way to connect with the engineering community, discover new ideas, and have fun. We hope to see you there! RSVP here.

Black on the Block
2026-02-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Crown Provost House, 660 Crown Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join the African American Resource & Cultural Center every Thursday from 1–2 p.m., at the front of the Ethnic Resource Center for Black on the Block, a weekly tabling and engagement space.
Stop by to learn about campus resources, upcoming programs, and ways to get involved. It’s a casual, welcoming space to ask questions, make connections, and build community. All are welcome.
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

Pachanga 2026: Noche de Baile
2026-02-27 18:00 - 21:30 | Cultural Center – Merrill College, 641 Merrill Rd, Santa Cruz, 95064, United States
Join El Centro, the African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC), and Merrill College for our annual Noche de Baile as part of Pachanga 2026! For years, El Centro and the AARCC have collaborated on Pachanga, an annual event series during Black History Month focused on uplifting and celebrating AfroLatinidad. Each year, the series culminates in a Noche de Baile, where folks come together in community and dance. This year’s baile will be held on Friday, February 27th from 6 PM to 9:30 PM at the Cultural Center at Merrill.
We are excited to welcome Portsha Jefferson, of Rara Tou Limen in Oakland, CA, who will be offering a live traditional Haitian dance workshop. Stick around for an open dance floor featuring beats from DJ Rianna! We will have delicious food, refreshing beverages, and an evening filled with música y comunidad!
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

Lunar New Year SC Warriors Game with ISSP
2026-02-27 19:00 - 22:00 | Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Lunar New Year Santa Cruz Warriors Basketball Game
Date: Friday, February 27
Time: 19:00 Tipoff
Location: Kaiser Permanente Arena
Click here to RSVP for free ticket(s)

We are teaming up with the SC Warriors to offer a limited number of free tickets to their upcoming Lunar New Year-themed game!
Sign up above and let us know how many tickets you’d like. Students should download the SC Warriors app and link their Ticketmaster account in order to receive the digital ticket.

If you have any questions, please contact us at iprogramming@ucsc.edu.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Trip
2026-02-28 10:30 - 16:30 | Cowell College, 257 Cowell-Stevenson Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Join International Student Services and Programming (ISSP) for our annual trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This will be a great time to get to know each other more while exploring an exciting and beautiful location.

The trip will be limited to 30 participants. Non-international students can also sign up, but priority will be given to those who are a part of the Global Mentorship Program and/or are international students. The cost of participation is $25 and includes a round-trip shuttle service and entry to the aquarium. Fees will be charged to your UCSC account following the event (no pre-payment is required).

We recommend bringing about $20 for lunch and souvenirs. You can also bring your own lunch/snacks if you’d prefer.

Please RSVP here by Friday, February 20th to reserve your spot!
Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 10:30-16:30
Location: Cowell Circle, UCSC Campus
Meeting Location: Please meet at Cowell Circle between 10:15-10:30 for this exciting day trip!
The last day to cancel is Wednesday, February 25th. If you cancel beyond this date, you’ll be responsible for the $25 participation fee.
If you have any questions, please contact us at iprogramming@ucsc.edu.

Formula Slug Open House
2026-02-28 12:30 - 17:30 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
We’re excited to announce our Formula Slug Open House at Baskin Engineering on Saturday, February 28th.
Last season we placed 18th out of 120 teams representing UC Santa Cruz at the national FSAE competition, the result of a year spent designing, manufacturing, and testing our electric race car. The open house is an opportunity to see the work and decisions made behind the scenes, as well as a sneak peek into the changes being made on our next race car, FS-4.
RSVP FORM: https://forms.gle/VqZ2Pz8NdhSxhpt37
Itinerary:
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Guest Arrival & Seating
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM: Team Overview @ Jack Baskin Engineering (JBE) Auditorium
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM: Alumni Panel: Experiences Beyond FSAE @ JBE Auditorium
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Lab Tours, Subteam Showcases & Networking @ Baskin Courtyard
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks & Acknowledgements

Barn Dance at the Hay Barn
2026-03-01 15:00 - 17:00 | Hay Barn, 94 Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, United States
The UCSC Celtic Music Ensemble performs live during a beginner-friendly, gender-neutral, darn good barn dance. Attendees are invited to dance, and partners are not needed.
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ADMISSION
– Open admission; tickets/registration not required.
– FREE and open to the public.
– Donations of any amount are welcomed and appreciated to support to support live music study, performance, and events like this.
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PARKING
– Parking by permit or ParkMobile.
– Lot #170 is the closest parking lot to the event.
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS).
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This program is open to staff, faculty, and students consistent with state and federal law.

Free Coffee, Snacks, & Conversation
2026-03-03 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-10 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-24 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-31 09:00 - 11:00 | Merrill College Office, 641 Merrill Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Enjoy a cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea, and a breakfast snack with Merrill Provost McGuinness. Stay and chat with him and Poppy the Merrill Chihuahua, or take it go.
See you outside of the Merrill College office, across from the Merrill Mailroom.

College Night: Gotta Catch Them All? – a Pokémon themed event exploring animal rights
2026-03-04 17:00 - 20:00 | College Nine and John R. Lewis Dining Hall
College Nine and John R. Lewis College, in collaboration with UCSC Dining, present “Gotta Catch Them All? ” – a Pokémon-themed event exploring animal rights. Join us Wednesday, March 4 from 5–8 p.m. at the College Nine/John R. Lewis Dining Hall for a night of activities, fun, community, and a special themed menu. Standard dining hall entry pricing applies, and all students, faculty, and staff are invited.
Please note: The dining hall will be closed from 2–5 p.m. for event preparation.
Learn more about College Nights at dining.ucsc.edu/events.
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You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.How to Use the Statement Across Communication Channels

HCI Build Demo Day
2026-03-12 11:00 - 15:30 | Event Hall, 3175 Bowers Ave, Santa Clara, 95054, United States
Welcome to HCI Build Demo Day!
Get ready to dive into an exciting in-person event where HCI builders come together to showcase their projects. In Intro to Build at UCSC Silicon Valley Campus, we build with two realms of technologies – digital and physical. HCI 202A will showcase their creative apps they made with React Native and HCI 202B will have an exhibition of the interactive physical prototypes they made with Arduino.
Light refreshments are provided at the event, and it is free for all to attend!

Agenda
11:00 AM – 1:15 PM

Mobile Programming Demo

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Physical Computing Demo

Yoga as Healing Series
2026-03-31 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-04-07 18:00 - 19:30 | CA
Yoga as Healing is a 7-session trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness program hosted by UCSC’s CARE office. Spring Quarter classes will be held Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30 p.m. from March 31–May 12. Classes are free for students.
Each class facilitated by CARE Advocate Abbey Wise (she/ella), includes gentle, trauma-informed movement, breathwork, meditation and reflective journaling to support survivors in reconnecting with their bodies, building confidence and being present. Mats, blocks, blankets and journals are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle.
CARE aims to build a consistent group of 8-10 survivors who can attend all 7 classes to foster the community, predictability and safety core to the trauma-informed structure of the program.
If you are interested in participating submit an application and a CARE Advocate will get back to you with further information. Location will be provided upon approval to participate.
Check out our schedule for the series:
3/31 — Orientation and Intention
4/7 — Safety & Grounding
4/14 —Self-Care as Daily Practice
4/21 — Embodied Boundaries
4/28 — Self-Compassion
5/5 — Inner Strength & Trust
5/12 — Cultivating Community
If you have previously attended Yoga as Healing, we would love to hear from you. Please complete our short, anonymous survey —your feedback helps us grow and improve our programming.
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities.
To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

A Sacred Witnessing: A Trans Day of Euphoria Event
2026-03-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Diversity Center, 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
Join the Cantu Queer Center and the Diversity Center for an intergenerational Trans Day of Visibility gathering rooted in euphoria, joy, and sacred witnessing. Trans, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender-expansive people of all ages are invited to share their stories, create art, and witness each other’s full humanity in a moment of dangerous hypervisibility and harm to our community. The event will include intergenerational story sharing, protest sign art, gentle restorative offerings, live performance, tabling with local organizations, and light refreshments.
This event is open to students, faculty, staff, alums, and the wider Santa Cruz community.
RSVP in advance.
You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to all, consistent with state and federal law, as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service, faculty program, or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all identities. To learn more, please visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy for UC Publications.

FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories seminar series featuring Dr. Randi Solhjell
2026-04-01 10:30 - 12:00 | Ocean Health Building, McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Please join us for the first talk in the FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories seminar series featuring Fulbright Fellow Dr. Randi Solhjell. Her talk, “Managing a Fishy Business: Norway’s foreign aid and its impact on global fisheries governance” will discuss how Norwegian actors shape global fisheries policy through diplomacy, regulatory innovation and engagement in international institutions such as the UN FAO. She will also discuss how she studies fisheries from a social/political science lens.
FINS: Fisheries Insights Narratives and Stories Seminar Series
Dr. Randi Solhjell, Fulbright fellow, University of Oslo
Title: Managing a Fishy Business: Norway’s foreign aid and its impact on global fisheries governance
When: Wednesday, April 1st from 11am-12pm
Where: Ocean Health Building Rm 118, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 and on Zoom
Agenda:

10:30 am – 11:00 am – Professional Networking Session (in person only – light snacks and refreshments provided)
11 am to 12 pm – presentation followed by Q & A
12 pm – 1pm – student lunch with the speaker in OHB courtyard → sign up here

Zoom Meeting Registration: https://ucsc.zoom.us/meeting/register/NwH0_qUbSeuIm3A76DY-Dg
Randi Solhjell is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Criminology and Sociology of Law, Faculty of Law, The University of Oslo, and visiting Fulbright scholar at the Science and Justice Research Center, the University of California, Santa Cruz. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the London School of Economics.

Opening Celebration for EASP M.F.A. Exhibition—"Picking up Shells Amid a Tsunami"
2026-04-02 17:00 - 19:00 | Mary Porter Sesnon Art Gallery, Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
The culminating exhibition of the Environmental Art and Social Practice (EASP) M.F.A. program at UC Santa Cruz presents new projects—Picking up Shells Amid a Tsunami 쓰나미가 밀려오는데, 조개나 줍고 있네—developed through concentrated inquiry over a two-year period and offers a window into the artists’ unique long-term research projects that expand beyond the gallery space.
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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
– Ongoing Exhibition: Thurs.., April 2–Sat., May 2, 2026
– Opening Celebration: Thurs., April 2, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
– Artist Roundtable: Thurs., April 23, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
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ADMISSION
– FREE and open to the public
– Gallery hours are Tues.–Sun.noon–5:00 p.m (closed Mondays)
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PARKING
– Lot 124 & 125 are the closest parking lots to the event.
– Parking is by permit or ParkMobile.
– Refer to TAPS for more parking information.
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ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
– More exhibition information here.
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

UC Santa Cruz Alumni at the Sacramento Kings
2026-04-03 19:00 - 22:00 | Golden1 Center, 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento, 95814, United States
Head to a Sacramento Kings game with fellow UC Santa Cruz alumni on Friday, April 3. Sit together, cheer loudly, and connect with Sacramento Slugs at Golden1 Center!
Click here to purchase tickets in our section.

Coffee with Provost Aims
2026-04-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Merrill College Office, 641 Merrill Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Warm greetings and hot coffee are served by Provost Aims and Poppy the Merrill Chihuahua each Tuesday in April. Breakfast snacks, tea, and cocoa too.
Stop by and say “hi”
Outside of the Merrill Mailroom, Merrill College
