Whalefest is an educational and entertaining family-friendly event held at and around Custom House Plaza and Old Fisherman's Wharf on April 12 & 13, 10am-5pm, rain or shine. It includes fun activities for all ages, live music, research and rescue vessels, and dozens of fascinating marine-related interactive exhibits by numerous local organizations.

About Whalefest

Whalefest Monterey benefits many local and national marine organizations that educate, inspire, and empower the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Whalefest Symposium

Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center will host the Whalefest Symposium, April 12 & 13, 11am-4:30pm, a deep dive into critical work being done to protect our oceans. Learn more here.

Scheduled presentations, 45 min each:

Saturday, April 12, 11am
Ted Cheeseman
"Surprising Stories About Our Humpback Whales: Where Do Monterey Bay Whales Go When They Wander Onward?"

April 12, 11:45am
Lisa Wooninck
"The Value of National Marine Sanctuaries"

April 12, 2pm
Peggy Stap
“The Trials and Tribulations of Whale Disentanglement Response”

April 12, 2:45pm
Sammy Andrzejaczek
“The Science of Sharks: Meeting the Predator Next Door”

April 12, 3:30pm
Aliya Khan
“Wetlands as Nature Based Carbon Solution”

Sunday, April 13, 11am
James Fahlbusch
"A Day in the Life of a Whale Biologist"

April 13, 11:45am
Joelle De Weerdt
“From Nicaragua to Monterey: Understand Humpback Whales' Migratory Patterns and Feeding Behaviours”

April 13, 2pm
Andrew DeVogelaere
"Listening to Learn About and Protect Whales in National Marine Sanctuaries"

April 13, 2:45pm
Jonathan Warrick
“Our Ever-Changing Shores”

April 13, 3:30pm
Jane King Silberstein
"The Five Most Important Reasons Why Plankton Are Critical to Our Planet and to the Incredibly Rich, Diverse Wildlife We Enjoy Here Iin Monterey Bay!"