The Ainsley House is excited to be open this holiday season with Holiday events for the whole family. The Campbell Museum Foundation’s annual Holiday Teas and Tours fundraiser will take place on December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10.

All are cordially invited to the Historic Downtown Monterey Traditional Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, December 1, 5pm-6pm. Join us on the lawn in front of Colton Hall to share in this much-loved holiday event.

Enjoy cookies, cider, live music and caroling, and the lighting of the tree to bring in the holiday season. Monterey's Mayor and members of the City Council will be present and KMBY 1240 AM / 95.9 FM will broadcast the event live.

Join Monterey Museum of Art for free, after-hours access during this special edition of First Friday, 5pm-8pm, celebrating the opening of our new annual holiday exhibit, Iluminado . Revel in the fun and enjoy drinks, small-bites, art activities, and a live set by DJ Hanif Wondir. Wine and beer will be available to purchase.

Golden State Theatre presents comedian and actor Felipe Esparza on Friday, December 1 at 8pm. Tickets are $29-$69 - to purchase tickets, please click here .

Felipe Esparza has come a long way since winning NBC's "Last Comic Standing" in 2010. With three successful stand-up specials on Netflix and HBO, his "What's Up Fool?" podcast holding steady as one of the top comedy podcasts, and his sold-out tour dates across country, he's now appearing frequently as an actor in film and TV shows such as "Superstore" and "Gentefied."

Santa Claus will be in the Sun Porch room of the historic Ainsley House greeting families, accepting Christmas lists, and spreading Holiday joy! Don't miss an opportunity to take Holiday photos with Santa Claus!

Monterey Museum of Art presents a Free Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 2, 11am-3pm. Drop by the Museum for a fun-filled afternoon with our interactive art installation, Iluminado .

Meet the artists behind the magical trees of the exhibit, exercise your creativity, and contribute to the evolving exhibition. Featured activities include: paper leaves with messages, mural painting, and pattern-making with wooden blocks.

Youth Arts Collective invites you to view our artists' 2023 Holiday Show in person during our open house events on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, 12pm-4pm. Enjoy the artwork and don't miss the opportunity to take home a stunning piece right away if you decide to make a purchase.

YAC's Holiday Art Show will run through December. Can't make it to one of our open houses? View the show online here.

Stokes Adobe is hosting a holiday market by local artisans and entrepreneurs on Saturday, Dec. 2, 1pm-7pm. This will be a unique holiday shopping experience featuring one-of-a-kind gifts.

Venture Gallery invites you to meet the local artists behind our December group show, A Few of My Favorite Things . Drop by the gallery for our holiday reception, view these small, favorite works of art, and speak with the creators. Attendees may enter their names in a drawing to win a $200 gallery gift certificate.

The Carol of Lights is Campbell's annual celebration to open the holiday season. It features Santa visits, a petting zoo, donkey rides, bounce houses, craft tables, face painting, musical entertainment, and a community stage with performances from local dance teams.

Enjoy Saturday Dessert Night at The Perfect Crumb Bakery! Every Saturday, we're open 4pm-9pm, serving ice cream sandwiches, brownies a la mode, ice cream sundaes, cookies, cupcakes, and a special baked good just for the night. Bring the family, celebrate a birthday, or take a study break with us.

MY Museum invites children to get festive and join us in decorating your own gingerbread houses. There will be lots of icing and candy canes, swirly twirly gum drops, and tons more candy to make your house look truly extraordinary. Reservations are required - register online here .

The Academy of Classical Ballet is excited to present a unique performance that celebrates the beautiful season of winter, as well as the holiday spirit. Follow our heroine, Beatrice, as she departs on an adventure through the snow into an enchanted forest.

The Golden State Theatre presents Macy Gray and The California Jet Club on Saturday, December 2 at 8pm. Tickets are $39-$89. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here ....

Every Sunday during the Campbell Farmers' Market, Redemption and Darling Fischer Memorial Chapel host a collection of makers in the side alley and in front of Redemption.

Immerse yourself in a captivating showcase of local talent and creativity at the Winter Stanton Art Market, where artists from our very own community come together to share their extraordinary work. Explore a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, crafts, and more, all created with passion and skill right here in our vibrant town.

Buy, sell, trade video games, tabletop games, related gaming items at the Retrofix II Turbo's RetroMania Game Swap! Vendors will have all kinds of retro and modern video games as well as other collectible items available for purchase.

Casey Starks Studio presents a Make a Mug Workshop on Sunday, December 3, 2pm-4:30pm. Fee is $150. Please register on our website.

In this workshop you'll learn how to make a mug using the slab-building technique. Emphasis will be placed on making a functional mug that feels nice in your hand and feels good to drink from. Some experience with clay would be helpful, but no experience is necessary.

The Academy of Classical Ballet is excited to present a unique performance that celebrates the beautiful season of winter, as well as the holiday spirit. Follow our heroine, Beatrice, as she departs on an adventure through the snow into an enchanted forest.

Casey Starks Studio presents a Ceramic Painting Night where we'll paint ornaments on Sunday, December 3, 5pm-6:30pm. Fee is $50. Please register on our website.

Looking for an easy and fun project to do in an evening with your pals? Come paint three ceramic ornaments! No experience required. Ages 12 and up.

MidiCi Monterey invites you to join us for Jazz Night every Sunday, 5pm-8pm. Tonight we'll feature the Brian Stock Quartet.

The Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club presents Brighten the Harbor , a lighted boat parade. Watch boats beautifully decorated for the holidays cruise along the Monterey Coast.

Every Sunday, Pearl Hour cocktail bar presents an evening of live jazz music featuring the Zach Westfall Group beginning at 8pm. $10 cover. Ages 21 and over only.

Do you love to sniff and discuss wines while you sip them? On December 4, we will learn about comparing Sangiovese: specifically, our 2020, 2021, and 2022 vintages. Fee is $35. Register in advance online.

Fleet Feet Monterey hosts a Pub Run every Monday at 6:00pm. We'll begin and end at Fieldwork Brewing Company. All paces, levels, distances, and abilities are welcome. Post-run, we can grab a beer together!

The Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers Market is held on Alvarado Street every Tuesday, 4pm-7pm, featuring local produce, crafts, and food vendors. We're open rain or shine.

You will learn the basics of acrylic painting, what my favorite brushes are and how to use your new skills to make fabulous set of paintings! Absolutely NO experience necessary to enjoy this class.

Last workshop for 2023 ! What a great way to de-stress in between the holiday rush with a grounding and fun workshop learning how to make your own moss art. Join us over a glass of wine for a fun-filled 1.5-hour workshop where you'll learn how to create beautiful moss wall art to take home with you.

Tribe in the Sky presents a Community Jam every Tuesday night, 6:30pm-10:30pm, at Bulldog Sports Pub. All are welcome. Bring an instrument or just bring yourself - we want to make some music and have some fun! Enjoy drink specials and the full dinner menu.

Celebrate WineDown Wednesdays at Hula's Island Grill! Every Wednesday, 12pm-9:30pm, all bottles of wine and sake are offered at half off. You're welcome.

Casey Starks Studio presents a Ceramic Painting Night where we'll paint ornaments on Wednesday, December 6, 6pm-7:30pm. Fee is $50. Please register on our website.

Looking for an easy and fun project to do in an evening with your pals? Come paint three ceramic ornaments! No experience required. Ages 12 and up.

Join Sovino Wine Bar for Trivia Night every Wednesday, 7pm-9pm, hosted by Miguel Silva. Prizes are awarded for first and second place. Team size is limited to 6 people or less. No reservations are required, but space is limited. Test your knowledge against other trivia geeks!

Come on down to Nacho Bizness on Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm, for Kahoot! Trivia Night. Eat nachos, drink drinks, win prizes, and have fun.

Every Wednesday, there are 3 rounds of trivia followed by a speed round⁠. After each round, small prizes are awarded. At the end, all scores are added and the person with the most points wins the big prize⁠.

This fun and interactive workshop is for the moon lovers who would like to learn how to work with the moon in order to get to know themselves on a deeper level. When we learn to work with the natural cycles of nature and our own inner rhythms, we are better able to find harmony, health, and wellbeing.

Come to Bon Ton L'Roy's every Thursday, 7pm-10pm, and share some music at our Open Mic Night. Join this friendly, supportive group of people for a fun, low-key evening of originals and covers and make some new friends.

Hellam's Tobacco and Wine Shop presents a special holiday season champagne tasting on Thursday, December 7, 7pm-10pm. Participation fee is $40.

Golden State Theatre presents The Clairvoyants and their Holiday Spectacular on Thursday, December 7 at 8pm. Tickets are $24-$79. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here .

Amelie van Tass and Thommy Ten...

Are you a New Monterey resident? Join the New Monterey Neighborhood Association (NMNA) for our Annual Holiday Party at Gianni’s Pizza on Friday, December 8, 5pm-7pm. Come meet your neighbors!

Pizza and soft drinks will be provided by NMNA....

Christmas in the Adobes on December 8 & 9 is Monterey's signature holiday event! Stroll the streets of Monterey and stop in at any one of the many decorated adobes with soft holiday lights and entertainment. The event supports Monterey State Historic Park children's educational programs and the restoration of the historic First Theatre.

Tickets are $30 per night for adults and free for children and youth age 17 and under. A 2-night Gold Pass is available for $45. Reserve your tickets online today.

Every month, Old Capitol Books and Boukra Press host a poetry writing workshop. All levels are welcome. This is two hours of facilitated and structured poetry writing for only $10. Feedback given by trained and published poets.

Golden State Theatre presents comedian Carlos Ballarta on Friday, December 8 at 8pm. Tickets are $29-$39. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here .

Mexican comedian and actor Carlos...

We know that some of you have been fantasizing about gathering in dark parking lots. With strangers. To read poetry. Let Old Capitol Books help you with that.

Our next monthly Poetry Open Mic Night will be held on Friday, November 10 at 9pm in the parking lot behind our building (at 499 Calle Principal).

Join Flex Party on Saturday, December 9 on the back patio of Bulldog Sports Pub for a dragtastic holiday brunch in support of Monterey Peninsula Pride hosted by the one and only Rouge Roulette! Tickets are $15 each. We'll have...

Om Studios invites you to join us for a transformative afternoon retreat to embrace the winter's shift with grace as we journey inward - nourishing mind, body, and spirit through movement, sound, and serenity on Saturday, December 9, 3pm-6pm. Fee...

South Bay Dance Center presents an enjoyable student version of the holiday tradition, The Nutcracker. Local dancers and volunteers combine their talents to bring this classic ballet to the stage. Audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy!

On the second Saturday of every month at 7pm, Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse presents Alligator , a legendary Blues, Zydeco, and Cajun guitar and fiddle player. Advance reservations recommended, 831-375-6958.

Defected Records superstar Mr. V returns to Compact Disco on Saturday, December 9, for what is sure to be yet another sold out performance! Tickets are $10 in advance , $15 at the door. Ages 21+ with ID.

Golden State Theatre and (((folkYEAH!))) present Pink Martini featuring China Forbes on Saturday, December 9 at 8pm. Tickets are $58-$98. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here .

Pound...

On the second Saturday of every month at 10pm, Pearl Hour presents The Roulette Hour , a drag, burlesque, and variety show featuring a dazzling array of talent hosted by Rogue Roulette and Khloe Quarterpounder. $15 cover charge.

South Bay Dance Center presents an enjoyable student version of the holiday tradition, The Nutcracker. Local dancers and volunteers combine their talents to bring this classic ballet to the stage. Audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy!

Casey Starks Studio presents a Kids' Ornament Painting Workshop on Sunday, December 10, 2pm-3:30pm. Fee is $35. Please register on our website.

Come out and paint some ceramic ornaments with your kids! This is a fun activity...

Join Livi Love, Wyld Blue Rose, and Florra for our last sound bath of the year that will include much more! We are hosting a Holiday Wellness Mini Retreat on 12/12, a powerful energetic portal day.

Bamboo Reef Dive Shop invites you to join our NAUI Nitrox Diver Class for ages 15 and up. This is a 4-hour class offered Wednesday at 6pm on October 25, November 22, and December 13. Please register on our...

Mark your calendars, ladies! Monterey Core Fitness invites you to join us and some amazing local small businesses for a Sweat & Shop on Thursday, December 14 at 6pm.

Our full body workout will start at 6pm followed by...

Wendi Kirby Music presents an acoustic concert by singer-songwriter Casey Frazier and his band of local musicians - Doug Fearnside, Zach McDaniel, and Rory Glass - on Thu, Dec. 14 at 7pm. Tickets are $40 - purchase here . All ages welcome.

This mixology workshop celebrates the flavors of the holidays! Come in your festive holiday attire and enjoy a night out crafting holiday-inspired cocktails.

The Pearl Works, a community coworking space in Downtown Old Monterey, invites you to join us for a Holiday Crafts and Cards Workshop on Friday, December 15, 6pm-8pm. All are welcome! Fee is on a sliding scale, $20-$30. ...

Golden State Theatre presents A Flock of Seagulls on Friday, December 15 at 8pm. Tickets are $48-$78. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here .

A Flock of Seagulls...

Golden State Theatre presents X on Saturday, December 16 at 8pm. Tickets are $35-$50. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here .

More than four decades after the inception of...

The legendary horn powered R&B band out of Oakland comes to Campbell to perform a special seasonal concert featuring their holiday hits.

Feel renewed and rested by this healing sound bath workshop led by Om Studios' instructor Jordan at Monterey Museum of Art on Sunday, December 17, 9:30am-11am. Space is limited - advance registration is recommended.

Experience...

Comanche Cellars Wine Room presents an Ugly Sweater Dumpling Party on Monday, December 18, 6pm-8pm. Tickets are $40. Space is limited - purchase tickets here .

Wear your ugliest holiday sweater and come enjoy dumplings here...

Join Monterey Museum of Art on Friday, December 22, 5:30pm-7:30pm, for an evening of merriment and reflection as the year comes to a close and we celebrate the fully transformed Iluminado exhibition at our Winter Solstice Celebration. Admission is free.

Golden State Theatre presents Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton with their Atomic Funk Cosmic Holiday Jam on Friday, December 22 at 8pm. Tickets are $49-$150. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click...

Compact Disco presents Monterey County SantaCon, a fundraiser for CalFire, on Sunday, December 24, 4pm-2am. Costumes suggested. Please register online. Admission is free, but donations online or at the door are encouraged.

On Christmas Eve...

On the fourth Thursday of every month, Pearl Hour presents The Bassment, a Monterey based, ever-changing improvisational jam band fusing hip hop, neo-soul, and funk...with an emphasis on funk. $15 cover charge. Ages 21+ only.

The Carmel Delights and a star-studded cast bring burlesque and vaudeville to Pearl Hour, serving you a speakeasy vibe with delicious craft cocktails and an all-inclusive environment on the last Friday of every month at 9pm. Ages 21 and over only. $15 cover charge.

A community celebration of the arts, First Night Monterey is an affordable, alcohol-free family celebration held on New Year’s Eve, 3pm-midnight, in the heart of Downtown Old Monterey. Join us as we dance, play, act, perform, create and sing our way into 2024! Featuring multiple performance venues. Purchase your admission button here.

Get ready for Compact Disco's first annual New Year's Eve Party on Sunday, December 31, with a 2-hour open bar, champagne toast at midnight, and passed appetizers.

We'll have limited capacity tonight, so stay tuned to our ...

Yasss Monterey and Paradise present New Years at the Disco on Sunday, December 31, 8pm-2am. Ring in the New Year at Monterey's most exclusive venue, Compact Disco. Enjoy a two-hour open bar, 8pm-10pm, complimentary food all night, a champagne toast...