Monterey State Historic Park presents an afternoon of free, all-ages fun at the third annual First Theater Fest on Saturday, September 5, 11am-4pm. Join us at California's First Theater and Casa del Oro Garden for live performances; a Maker's Market featuring talented local artisans; family-friendly activities; and food trucks.

Activities & Entertainment

This year’s festival will include performances on First Theater's historic stage by the Monterey Peninsula College Theatre Department and Poetry Friends of Monterey (including poets Rachel includes Escamilla, Kent Leatham, Ayaz Pirani, Laura Schulkind, and Brian Sheffield) and live music by River Voices.

Across the street from the theater, Casa del Oro Garden will host several state park activities for all ages.

Maker's Market

The festival’s Maker’s Market in the First Theater Garden will host local vendors North Coast Tintypes, Casey Starks Studio, Flukeprint Studio, Amarla Handmade, Strike the Set, Soleia Lane, and illustrator Maria Schoettler.

Dining

Feeling hungry? We'll be hosting Cafe Guarani and La Pizza Piccolo Mobile Pizza. There's also a wide variety of delicious cafes and restaurants within walking distance in Downtown Old Monterey.

About First Theater

This adobe theater was built by Jack Swan in 1846-47 as a lodging house and tavern for sailors. It was used as a theater in 1850 when U.S. Army officers from Colonel Stevenson's 1st New York Volunteers produced plays as a money-making venture. Swan built a small stage and provided benches, whale-oil lamps, candles for footlights, and curtains made of red and blue blankets.

In later years, the First Theater was used as a lodging house for whalers but fell into disrepair after Swan's death in 1896. It was purchased in 1906 by California Historic Landmarks League and donated to the State of California. Beginning in 1937, the Troupers of the Gold Coast staged melodramas there. The theater was closed in 1999 for renovations, which were completed in 2024.