Community

Omatochi's Aging Well Expo at Scholze Park Center

 
10/15/25
 
Free
 
Scholze Park Community Center

Join Omatochi and the Urban League for a free Aging Well Expo for seniors at Scholze Park Center, 1pm-3pm. Admission is free - register here.

At the expo, enjoy activities, fitness demonstrations, raffle prizes, lunch, and learn about local senior services including Medi-Cal benefits and community resources, This is a wonderful opportunity to connect and have fun.

Coffee with a Cop at East Village Cafe

 
10/1/25
 
 
East Village Cafe

Monterey Police invite you to join them for Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, October 1, 9am-11am at East Village Cafe to enjoy coffee and conversation.

Celebrate The Pearl Works' 4th Anniversary!

 
10/24/25
 
Free
 
The Pearl Works

Join The Pearl Works as we commemorate four incredible years of connection, creativity, and community. On Oct. 24, 5pm-8pm, we’re celebrating in style with a special evening of food, music, and the art opening of our newest art exhibition. RSVP here.

Recycled Records 50th Anniversary Costume Party

 
10/25/25
 
No cover
 
Recycled Records

We're celebrating Recycled Records' 50th anniversary with a costume party on Sat., Oct. 25, 6pm-10pm! Wear your Halloween best and get a 10% discount, enjoy late record shopping, and listen to vinyl spinning all night long.

Gather with current owners Kellen and Bree and honor the shop's colorful history and bright future.

Learning Through Doing at Play Full Ground

Monterey, CA

At Play Full Ground micro high school in Monterey's Lighthouse District we wonder: what if a birthday breakfast could be a project-based learning experience?

One day, we turned a birthday breakfast into a project-based learning experience! How? Through menu...

Volunteer Orientation for Monterey Public Library and Museums

 
10/3/25
 
Free
 
Monterey Public Library

Are you interested in volunteering for Monterey Public Library or the museums? Come learn more! We're holding an orientation / information session on Friday, October 3, 5pm-6pm in the Community Room of Monterey Public Library. No registration is required.

Meet Artist Evelyn Klein at Venture Gallery

 
10/4/25
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist Evelyn Klein on Saturday, October 4, 3pm-5pm. View her new exhibit, Breaking Boundaries: Explorations in Mixed Media, and speak with her about her work.

Celebrate PARK(ing) Day at Parklets in Old Monterey 2025

 
9/19/25
 
free
 
Old Monterey

The City of Monterey invites you to celebrate PARK(ing) Day, when we'll transform parking spaces into temporary parks on Alvarado Street, 10am-2:30pm.

These parklets will feature green spaces, outdoor seating, and fun and educational booths from numerous City departments. Bring your kids to check out the City vehicles!

Meal Snack Packs at International Cafe for Movie in the Park

 
9/20/25
 
 
International Cafe

This Saturday's Movie in the Park: Hocus Pocus is the perfect chance to enjoy a picnic in Scholze Park with friends and family, and International Cafe, located steps away from the park, is offering $20 Meal Snack Packs.

Simply stop by and select your favorite items from their Mediterranean-style deli station. The staff will assemble a delicious Meal Snack Pack for you to share with family and friends. Whether you're vegan or omnivore, gluten free or dairy free, they have options for everyone.

Monterey Business Networking Mixer

 
9/12/25
 
Free
 
The Pearl Works

Join the next Monterey Business Networking Mixer on Friday, September 12, 6pm-9pm, at The Pearl Works. This event is free, but please register here . Enjoy 2 free drinks, business card raffles, and live music!

Whether you’re a longtime local or a new face in town, this is your chance to meet fellow business owners, creatives, and professionals across industries.

Labor Day Celebration at International Cafe

 
8/31/25
 
Free
 
International Cafe

International Cafe is hosting a community gathering on Sunday, August 31, 2:30pm-5:30pm. Come on down for food samples and music and make some new friends. Everyone is welcome!

Labor Day weekend is a great time to come together in support of all our neighbors in peace, understanding, and joy. We're stronger when we're together, and we have fun, too!

Go Hiking with Monterey Hostel

 
8/28/25
 
Free
 
Monterey Hostel

Monterey Hostel invites you to join us for our weekly hikes. We meet at the hostel every Thursday at 12pm and head to area hikes depending on available transportation. All are welcome. No reservations necessary.

Hikes will last approximately 2 hours and be in different locations each week. We aim to keep hikes accessible for beginners and all ages. Questions? Text the hostel at 831-677-6060.

Sea Lions on San Carlos Beach - August 2025

Monterey, CA

They're baaaaack... Sea lions have returned in large numbers to San Carlos Beach. The City of Monterey has temporarily closed the beach to keep all humans and pinnipeds safe.

Everyone, please remember to enjoy the sea lions from a distance - they are large and can be territorial and unpredictable.

A reminder: all marine mammals, including sea lions, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. People who harass, feed, capture, or kill any marine mammal could face a hefty fine or even jail time. It's their bay too.

Lighthouse Movie in the Park: "Hocus Pocus"

 
9/20/25
 
free
 
Scholze Park Community Center

The Lighthouse District is hosting a free outdoor screening of the all-ages Halloween comedy Hocus Pocus (1993). Let's kick off spooky season with a laugh!

The film will be shown at 7:30pm in front of Scholze Park Community Center. You're welcome to come early and bring a picnic. Remember to dress warmly and bring blankets and/or chairs. No pets or alcohol.

What's the event like? View photos from Movie in the Park 2023.

City of Monterey Services Fair: City Hall in Your Corner

 
8/21/25
 
Free
 
Hilltop Park Center

The City of Monterey is hosting a free city services fair, City Hall in Your Corner, on Thursday, August 21, 5pm-7:30pm at Hilltop Park Center.

Come out and enjoy some hot dogs, games and activities for kids, and meet your City staff. This is a great opportunity to get to know the wide variety of programs and services offered for residents of all ages.

Educator Open House: An evening of art, connection, and celebration

 
8/22/25
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Monterey Museum of Art invites Monterey County educators to a special evening celebrating your creativity, dedication, and the impact of arts education.

Wander the galleries, experiment with hands-on art activities, enjoy light refreshments, and connect with fellow teachers in a relaxed, artful setting. Free to all educators - RSVPs are appreciated .

Lighthouse District in the News, 08/11/25

Monterey, CA

A new spot in Monterey travels the culinary world, offering something for everyone – with a surprise or two [Lighthouse Bistro Global Cuisine]
by Dave Faries
Monterey County NOW, 07/31/25

Testing the Waters: Oystertown latches onto its new home, joining a rising tide of of pop-ups going permanent
by Becky Duffett
Concept Carmel, 06/24/25

Monterey Car Week celebrates community and passion for cars [Mattress Nation]
by Michael Rosales
KSBW, 08/11/25

Vote Lighthouse District Businesses for "Best of 2025"

Monterey, CA

Monterey's Lighthouse District has a bunch of businesses that made it to the finals in Monterey County Weekly's Best of 2025 Reader's Poll , including TWO spots nominated for Best New Business of 2025: Carmel Valley Guitar and Oystertown .

Now we need you to vote! The Lighthouse District mostly consists of small, owner-operated businesses, but we pack a great punch when it comes to quality food, goods, and services. Final voting is open until August 29 . Go ahead, make our day !

Monterey First Theater Fest 2025

 
8/30/25
 
Free
 
California's First Theatre

Monterey State Historic Park presents an afternoon of free, all-ages fun at the second annual First Theater Fest on Saturday, August 30, 11am-4pm.

Join us at California's First Theater and Casa del Oro Garden for entertainment by Monterey Peninsula Theatre Company and musician Katherine Lavin, a Maker's Market featuring talented local artisans, a bunch of family-friendly activities, and food trucks. Learn more.

Comanche Cellars Wine Room 7th Anniversary Celebration

 
8/11/25
 
$25/$15
 
Comanche Cellars Wine Room

Comanche Cellars Wine Room is celebrating our 7th Anniversary! Taste older vintages and newer barrel samples, enjoy casual food pairings, and trade stories of fun nights at the wine room. Owner Michael Simons will be on hand. Buy tickets ($25/$15) at the wine room or online .

Play Full Ground's Micro High School Opens Fall 2025

Monterey, CA

High schoolers, do you feel that traditional classroom learning is too restrictive? If the conventional educational model doesn't fit your creative spirit, consider joining Play Full Ground's creative learning community .

This fall, artist and educator Mai Ryuno is opening her artist studio as a micro high school for students who want to learn with more freedom and creativity. Check out the website and make an appointment for you and your family to chat with Mai.

Reception for Youth Arts Collective's Summer Show 2025

 
7/25/25
 
Free
 
Youth Arts Collective

Youth Arts Collective invites you to the opening reception for our 2025 Summer Art Show on Friday, July 25, 6pm-9pm. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we showcase over 100 original works created by YAC’s talented young artists and mentors.

Meet Artist France Ruhnke at Venture Gallery

 
8/2/25
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist France Ruhnke on Saturday, August 2, 3pm-5pm. View her new exhibit, Creative Flow, and speak with her about her work. France's art will be featured at the gallery through September.

The Break Room Closes September 1

Monterey, CA

We have sad news: The Break Room, located at 724 Lighthouse Ave, will close on September 1.

The owners of The Break Room would like to thank their guests for all the great times in the last four years and invite you to get one last rage in while the doors are still open.

Appointments are available through August 31, so book online and go bash stuff in full safety gear.