Concerts worth the drive
Hear this week's shows
Previews via Apple Music; each show's page links the track.
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October 2026
9 shows-
Wed21Oct The Jerry Douglas Band 60–80 minnorthwest
- When
- Wed, Oct 21 · Doors 7:00 PM, show 8:00 PM; 21+Allow 70 minutes to Felton
- Where
- Felton Music Hall, Felton
- Cost
- Price not verified
Dobro master Jerry Douglas and his band in a small standing-room hall in Felton.
Source: feltonmusichall.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Thu22Oct Sarah Jarosz: 10 Years of Undercurrent 40–55 minsouthwest
- When
- Thu, Oct 22 · Show 7 PMLeave Aromas around 5:45
- Where
- Golden State Theatre, Monterey
- Cost
- Price not verified
Four Grammys, a stint in I'm With Her, and a tour built around playing Undercurrent ten years on. Probably the best Americana bill in the region this fall.
Source: goldenstatetheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Thu22Oct Todd Rundgren 45–65 minwest
- When
- Thu, Oct 22 · Doors 7 PM, show 8 PM
- Where
- Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- $62 · $82 Gold Circle
Hello It's Me, I Saw the Light, and the producer's chair on Bat Out of Hell. Rundgren in a single-screen neighborhood theater is a rare thing.
Source: riotheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sat24Oct+ Sun Symphony San Jose: Symphonic Spooktacular 75–95 minnorthwest
- When
- Sat 7:30 PM or Sun 2:30 PM
- Where
- California Theatre, San Jose
- Cost
- Price not verified
Halloween pops: hero-and-villain film music, Batman, Phantom of the Opera, Ghostbusters, Spider-Man and more. Peter Jaffe conducts; Bianca Orsi sings.
Source: symphonysanjose.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Danny Elfman recording via Apple Music
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Sat24Oct The Devil Makes Three 40–55 minsouthwest
- When
- Sat, Oct 24 · Show 5 PMLeave Aromas around 3:45
- Where
- Golden State Theatre, Monterey
- Cost
- Price not verified
Santa Cruz's own, back in the county-next-door for an early show. Their crowd is loyal, so it will be full.
Source: goldenstatetheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sun25Oct Carmel Bach Festival: Quartet Novalis 50–110 minsouthwest
- When
- Sun, Oct 25 · 7:00 PMLeave Aromas about an hour ahead
- Where
- Church in the Forest, Pebble Beach
- Cost
- Price not verified
Quartet Novalis in the Bach Festival's off-season chamber series, with a program that runs from Mozart to Fanny Mendelssohn.
Source: bachfestival.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Quatuor Ébène recording via Apple Music
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Thu29Oct Michael Franti Trio 45–65 minwest
- When
- Thu, Oct 29 · Doors 6 PM, show 7 PM
- Where
- Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- $76
Franti without Spearhead: a three-piece, mostly acoustic, in a theater instead of the amphitheaters he usually fills. Same songs, closer.
Source: riotheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Fri30Oct Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band 45–65 minsouthwest
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 · 7:00 PMLeave Aromas about 5:45
- Where
- Sunset Center, Carmel
- Cost
- Level I $181 / Level II $96
Lyle Lovett and the Small Large Band in a 700-seat hall.
Source: sunsetcenter.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sat31Oct AJ Lee & Blue Summit: Pirates Ball 45–65 minwest
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 · Doors 7:00 PM, show 8:00 PM
- Where
- Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- $42
AJ Lee & Blue Summit, the Santa Cruz bluegrass band, playing their hometown on Halloween night.
Source: riotheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
November 2026
4 shows-
Sat14Nov+ Sun Santa Cruz Symphony: Tchaikovsky & Mendelssohn 25–45 min
- When
- Sat Nov 14, 7:30 PM at the Civic; Sun Nov 15, 2:00 PM at the Mello Center
- Where
- Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz / Mello Center, Watsonville
- Cost
- Price not verified
In Sun Jang plays the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Also on the program: Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony and a world-premiere overture by Strebulaev.
Source: santacruzsymphony.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Itzhak Perlman, The Philadelphia Orchestra & Eugene Ormandy recording via Apple Music
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Sat21Nov Joanne Shaw Taylor with Robert Jon & The Wreck 40–55 minsouthwest
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · Show 7 PMLeave Aromas around 5:45
- Where
- Golden State Theatre, Monterey
- Cost
- Price not verified
A UK guitarist Joe Bonamassa champions, paired with a Southern-rock band on the way up. A double bill for people who go for the guitar solos.
Source: goldenstatetheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sat21Nov+ Sun Monterey Symphony: Slavonic Dances + Two Pianos 45–65 minsouthwest
- When
- Two performances, Nov 21–22
- Where
- Sunset Center, Carmel
- Cost
- Price not verified
Dvořák's irresistible Slavonic Dances plus a two-piano showcase in Carmel's excellent Sunset Center.
Source: sunsetcenter.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Alisa Weilerstein & Anna Polonsky recording via Apple Music
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Tue24Nov Gary Numan 40–55 minsouthwest
- When
- Tue, Nov 24 · Show 7 PMLeave Aromas around 5:45
- Where
- Golden State Theatre, Monterey
- Cost
- Price not verified
Cars was 1979; the industrial and electronic acts he shaped are still citing him. A US theater date this small is unusual for Numan.
Source: goldenstatetheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
December 2026
9 shows-
Sat5Dec+ Sun Symphony San Jose: Merry Mozart 75–95 minnorthwest
- When
- Weekend matinee or evening; Dec 5–6
- Where
- California Theatre, San Jose
- Cost
- Price not verified
An all-Mozart program in San Jose's gorgeous restored movie palace, one of the best classical rooms still drivable.
Source: symphonysanjose.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Bruno Walter & Columbia Symphony Orchestra recording via Apple Music
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Sun6Dec Hélène Grimaud Piano Recital 70–90 minnorthwest
- When
- Sun, Dec 6 · 2:30 PMAllow 90 minutes to Stanford
- Where
- Bing Concert Hall, Stanford
- Cost
- Price not verified
Grimaud plays Beethoven's final sonata, Schubert's B-flat major sonata, and Rachmaninoff picture pieces in Bing's in-the-round hall.
Source: live.stanford.edu · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sun6Dec Pink Martini All-Stars: A Season of Stars 45–65 minsouthwest
- When
- Sun, Dec 6 · 7:00 PMLeave Aromas about 5:45
- Where
- Sunset Center, Carmel
- Cost
- Level I $147 / Level II $107 / Level III $87
Pink Martini's holiday show: a dozen musicians, guest singers, and songs in several languages.
Source: sunsetcenter.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Mon7Dec The Bad Plus: Farewell Tour 45–60 minwest
- When
- Mon, Dec 7 · 7:00 PM
- Where
- Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- Advance $46.62 / Door $52.50 / Student $26.25 / Advance Member $42.00
Twenty-six years in, The Bad Plus is on its final tour. Kuumbwa is one of the stops.
Source: kuumbwajazz.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Thu10Dec Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Salsa Navidad 45–60 minwest
- When
- Thu, Dec 10 · Shows at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM
- Where
- Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- Advance $64.10 / Door $68.25 / Student $34.00
Christmas standards and Latin classics in salsa arrangements, from a three-time Grammy-winning orchestra.
Source: kuumbwajazz.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Fri11Dec Jonathan Richman featuring Tommy Larkins 45–65 minwest
- When
- Fri, Dec 11 · Doors 7:00 PM, show 8:00 PM
- Where
- Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- $42
Jonathan Richman and drummer Tommy Larkins, the duo he has toured with for years.
Source: riotheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sat12Dec+ Sun Symphony San Jose: Holiday Spectacular 75–95 minnorthwest
- When
- Three performances: Sat 2:30 and 7:30 PM, Sun 2:30 PM
- Where
- California Theatre, San Jose
- Cost
- Price not verified
The orchestra's festive holiday pops. A seasonal night out in a beautiful hall.
Source: symphonysanjose.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Berlin Philharmonic & Mstislav Rostropovich recording via Apple Music
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Sat12Dec The Wooten Brothers 45–65 minwest
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · Doors 6:30 PM, show 7:30 PM
- Where
- Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- $46.62 Gen / $69.93 Gold Circle
Victor Wooten and his brothers, booked by Kuumbwa Jazz into the Rio's bigger room.
Source: riotheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Thu31Dec The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (New Year's Eve) 40–55 minsouthwest
- When
- Thu, Dec 31 · Show 7:00 PMLeave Aromas around 5:45
- Where
- Golden State Theatre, Monterey
- Cost
- Price not verified
New Orleans brass-band funk on New Year's Eve.
Source: goldenstatetheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
January 2027
5 shows-
Sat16Jan+ Sun Santa Cruz Symphony: Rachmaninoff's 3rd 25–45 min
- When
- Sat Jan 16, 7:30 PM at the Civic; Sun Jan 17, 2:00 PM at the Mello Center
- Where
- Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz / Mello Center, Watsonville
- Cost
- Price not verified
Pianist Serene plays Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto, and Jaron Lanier's Singularity Variations gets its world premiere on the same program.
Source: santacruzsymphony.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Yunchan Lim, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra & Marin Alsop recording via Apple Music
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Tue19Jan Beth Hart 40–55 minsouthwest
- When
- Tue, Jan 19 · Show 7:00 PMLeave Aromas around 5:45
- Where
- Golden State Theatre, Monterey
- Cost
- Price not verified
Beth Hart, blues-rock singer, on a January weeknight in Monterey.
Source: goldenstatetheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Thu21Jan Jesse Cook 45–65 minwest
- When
- Thu, Jan 21 · Doors 6:30 PM, show 7:30 PM
- Where
- Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- $29.50
Jesse Cook, nuevo-flamenco guitar, with his band.
Source: riotheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Thu21Jan Three Dog Night 40–55 minsouthwest
- When
- Thu, Jan 21 · Show 7:00 PMLeave Aromas around 5:45
- Where
- Golden State Theatre, Monterey
- Cost
- Price not verified
Three Dog Night had 21 Top 40 hits between 1969 and 1975 and still tours on them.
Source: goldenstatetheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sat23Jan+ Sun Symphony San Jose: Pictures at an Exhibition 75–95 minnorthwest
- When
- Jan 23–24, 2027
- Where
- California Theatre, San Jose
- Cost
- Price not verified
Mussorgsky's blockbuster in Ravel's dazzling orchestration. A showpiece for a full orchestra.
Source: symphonysanjose.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · American Youth Harp Ensemble & Lynnelle Ediger recording via Apple Music
February 2027
5 shows-
Fri5Feb Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: World on a String, Swinging Songs of Broadway 45–65 minsouthwest
- When
- Fri, Feb 5 · 7:00 PMLeave Aromas about 5:45
- Where
- Sunset Center, Carmel
- Cost
- Level I $75 / Level II $60 / Level III $45
Broadway songs in swing arrangements, a Jazz at Lincoln Center touring show with vocalists Kate Kortum and David Marino.
Source: sunsetcenter.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Kate Kortum recording via Apple Music
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Mon8Feb Kenny Barron Trio 45–60 minwest
- When
- Mon, Feb 8 · 7:00 PM
- Where
- Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz
- Cost
- Advance $69.93 / Door $73.50 / Member $63.00 / Student $36.75
Pianist Kenny Barron, an NEA Jazz Master, leads his trio.
Source: kuumbwajazz.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Fri19Feb Joan Osborne: Relish Live 40–55 minsouthwest
- When
- Fri, Feb 19 · Show 7:00 PMLeave Aromas around 5:45
- Where
- Golden State Theatre, Monterey
- Cost
- Price not verified
Joan Osborne performs her album Relish live.
Source: goldenstatetheatre.com · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sat20Feb Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Wynton Marsalis 70–90 minnorthwest
- When
- Sat, Feb 20 · 8:00 PMAllow 90 minutes to Stanford
- Where
- Bing Concert Hall, Stanford
- Cost
- Price not verified
Wynton Marsalis leads the 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at Bing.
Source: live.stanford.edu · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Song via Apple Music
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Sat20Feb+ Sun Monterey Symphony: Tchaikovsky 5 45–65 minsouthwest
- When
- Sat 7:30 PM or Sun 3:00 PMLeave Aromas about an hour ahead
- Where
- Sunset Center, Carmel
- Cost
- Tier 1 $90 / Tier 2 $70 / Tier 3 $50 / Student, Teachers & Military $12
Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony is the main event. Before it: Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, Copland's Quiet City, and Valerie Coleman's Seven O'Clock Shout.
Source: sunsetcenter.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Berlin Philharmonic & Kirill Petrenko recording via Apple Music
March 2027
1 show-
Sat6Mar+ Sun Symphony San Jose: Concerto for Orchestra 75–95 minnorthwest
- When
- Mar 6–7, 2027
- Where
- California Theatre, San Jose
- Cost
- Price not verified
Bartók's virtuoso showcase puts every section of the orchestra in the spotlight.
Source: symphonysanjose.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · Los Angeles Philharmonic & Gustavo Dudamel recording via Apple Music
April 2027
1 show-
Sat10Apr+ Sun Symphony San Jose: Star Wars, A New Hope 75–95 minnorthwest
- When
- Three performances: Sat 2:30 and 7:30 PM, Sun 2:30 PM, Apr 10–11, 2027
- Where
- San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose
- Cost
- Price not verified
The full film with John Williams' score performed live to picture. The most crowd-pleasing night of the season.
Source: symphonysanjose.org · Checked Oct 17, 2026 · John Williams & London Symphony Orchestra recording via Apple Music
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