2016 Begonia Festival

See some brilliant blooms while boating, baiting and frolicking on the beach over Labor Day weekend at the 64th annual Capitola Begonia Festival.

With over 43 acres and 3 million blooms come late summer, the Begonia Festival is a spectacular sight and a fun, family-oriented weekend filled with activities like concerts in the park, a sand sculpture contest, movies on the beach, arts and crafts, as well as a Nautical Parade with Begonia-covered barges on Sunday.

2016 Begonia Festival
Friday-Monday, September 2-5, 2016
Capitola Beach and Esplanade Park, Capitola
FREE

2016 Schedule

Friday, September 2

• Dance Review: 5-9 pm – Come down to Esplanade Park and enjoy dance reviews performed by local talent

Saturday, September 3

• Float Construction Viewing: All day until 10 pm
  Stroll along the banks of Soquel Creek and watch as the floats begin to take shape.
• Sand Sculpture Contest: 8 am to noon at Capitola Beach
  Registration begins at 8 am on the beach. Trophy judging will be held at noon.
• Begonia Mural Noon: 7 pm on Upper Esplanade Lawn
  Back for another year, this event was so popular last year; don’t miss out. Come try your hand at attaching begonia blossoms to chicken wire – just like the float-builders do. You will create a wall of flowers and a perfect photo opportunity.
• Meet the Artist: 2:30 – 3:30 pm – Janet Allinger, this year’s poster artist, will be signing posters during the festival at the merchandise booth.
• Concert in the Park: 4 – 6 pm
  The OTR Band – live at the beach in Esplanade Park. Bring the family, a picnic dinner, chairs, blankets and your dancing shoes.
• Saturday Movie Night at the Beach “E.T.” – Begins at dusk.

Sunday, September 4

• Horseshoes on the Sand: 8 am – finish
  Doubles tournament at Capitola Beach in front of Zelda’s Restaurant. Teams will be chosen by drawing names from a hat. Participants must pre-register. Call (831) 475.6522 to register.
• Float Construction Viewing
  Take another stroll along the banks of Soquel Creek in the morning, and watch as the floats get their finishing touches.
• Chalk Art on the Seawall: 9 am – noon
  Sign in at Esplanade Park. The Capitola Begonia Festival’s gift to the children. Open to children of all ages. Create your own masterpiece atop the seawall on the Esplanade for all to enjoy art chalk provided to all participants.
• Begonias to Go, Head to Toe – 10 am – noon
  Begonia blossoms in Esplanade Park. Become a part of the festival. We provide the begonias – you put them head to toe.
• 64th Annual Nautical Parade: 1 pm – finish
  Begonia covered barges float down Soquel Creek to the Lagoon. Great views from the Stockton Bridge, Cliff Avenue and Wharf Road. ADA access available, click here.
• Meet the Artist: 2:30 – 3:30 pm – Janet Allinger, this year’s poster artist, will be signing posters during the festival at the merchandise booth.
• Concert in the Park: 4 – 6 pm – The Ruckus Band – live at the beach in Esplanade Park. Bring the family, a picnic dinner, chairs, blankets and your dancing shoes.

Monday, September 5

• Fishing Derby: 6:30 am – noon
  Registration begins at 6:30 am near the end of the Capitola Wharf. Bring your own fishing poles. Open to all ages. Final tally begins at 11 am. Sponsored by Britannia Arms and Paradise Beach Grille
• Children’s Art Project: 11 am – 2 pm
  In Esplanade Park, children of all ages are welcome to come and create a “make & take” memory of the festival.
• Hula Hoops for Everyone: 11 am – 2 pm
  Demonstrate your talent at fun-filled hooping. Meet members of Aerial Arts Santa Cruz at the Bandstand where they will be showing their talents and teaching you a few moves, too.
• Rowboat Races beginning at 1 pm – finish
  Timed heats on Soquel Creek with two people per boat – they supply the boats. Registration at the pathway by the Stockton Bridge from noon until 1 pm.