The Second Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival
Thursday August 6th – Sunday August 9th, 2026
Free admission for all events!
Contact [email protected]
Jug band music is scrappy, soulful, and a little unexpected — The songs are an energetic and artful blend of old-time jazz with blues and gospel. It can be played using washboards, jugs, kazoos; anything that can be turned into an instrument - or guitar, banjo, and brass - it’s the kind of music that makes you stop and smile!
Calendar of events:
Thursday August 6th, 5:45-7:30 pm at Pono Hawaiian Grill. 120 Union St. Downtown Santa Cruz.
• Join the Trolley Drops at their monthly jug band sing and play along. Bring your voice and/or instruments and your good humor. Lyrics projected on the wall. It’s free.
Friday August 7th, 6-9 pm at Abbott Square Market and the MAH, 725 Front St. Santa Cruz
• 6 pm in the MAH lecture hall: “The Wild & Wacky History of Jug Band Music”, a presentation by the Trolley Drops.
• 7 pm at Abbott Square: The Puffball Collective plays dance music, “Prohibition to Psychedelia: Jug Band Roots as Rock.”
Saturday August 8th, Noon-9 pm at Abbott Square. 725 Front St. Santa Cruz
• Five bands will play one hour sets with sing-alongs or solo performances between sets.
• Alphabetically the bands are:
The Rivertown Skifflers
The Quake City Jug Band
The San Lorenzo Valley Ramblers
The Trolley Drops
The Washboard Rhythm Company
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
















