entertainment

Upcoming Events

First Friday at Monterey Museum of Art

 
11/7/25
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Come celebrate the weekend with Monterey Museum of Art on Pacific Street with extended hours and free access to the galleries every First Friday of the month, 5pm-7pm. Enjoy an all-ages community gathering featuring art, music, refreshments, and a casual vibe.

Alligator at Bon Ton L'Roy's

 
11/8/25
 
 
Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse

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. Enjoy good food and good times! Reservations recommended, 831-375-6958.

Old Capitol Books Chess Club

 
11/9/25
 
free
 
Old Capitol Books

Every Sunday, 2pm-4pm, chess matches are played between the tumbling piles of books at Old Capitol Books. Come join us for a relaxed game, a chat, or a wee peek at a nearby page. Beginners are more than welcome. Free for everyone.

Harmony Rising at Wendi Kirby Music 2025

 
11/9/25
 
$50
 
Wendi Kirby Music, LLC

Wendi Kirby Music presents Harmony Rising - singer-songwriters Julie Capili, Anne Sibley, Beth Vattuone, and Wendi Kirby - on Sunday, November 9 at 4pm. Tickets are $50 - purchase here . Join us for an incredible afternoon of music and friendship by a powerhouse group of musicians.

Sunday Jazz Nights at Pearl Hour

 
11/9/25
 
$10
 
Pearl Hour

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

The quartet features Zach Westfall (bass), Ben Herod (sax), Mike Lent...

Toast Band - The Ultimate Bread Experience

 
11/12/25
 
$39 - $55 + $4.00 Facility Fee
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

TOAST is the No. 1 Tribute in the world to the 70’s hit band, BREAD!
With a surprising fidelity rarely heard from a live tribute band, their sound is often described as “spot on” to the original recordings.

Wednesday Jazz Night at Pearl Hour

 
11/12/25
 
$10
 
Pearl Hour

Every Wednesday, Pearl Hour cocktail bar presents an evening of live jazz music featuring the Ben Herod Trio beginning at 8pm. $10 cover. Ages 21 and over only.

Open Mic Night at Bon Ton L'Roy's

 
11/13/25
 
free
 
Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse

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.

Poetry Workshop at Old Capitol Books

 
11/14/25
 
 
Old Capitol Books

On the second Friday of every month at Old Capitol Books, join us at 7pm for a poetry writing workshop with Brian Sheffield. All levels welcome. Free and open to everyone.

Gary Meek Band at Wendi Kirby Music 2025

 
11/16/25
 
$50
 
Wendi Kirby Music, LLC

Wendi Kirby Music presents the Gary Meek Band on Sunday, November 16 at 4pm. Don't miss this chance to hear a group of some of the best jazz musicians on California's Central Coast, gathered together to perform Gary's original music.

Ryan Sesma at Melville Tavern

 
11/25/25
 
 
Melville Tavern

Melville Tavern hosts live music every Tuesday, 6pm-8pm. Tonight we'll feature local musician Ryan Sesma. Arrive early and enjoy our Happy Hour, 4pm-6pm. Dinner reservations recommended. No cover.

"Monterey Men" - Burlesque Show at Pearl Hour

 
11/28/25
 
$20
 
Pearl Hour

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. $20 cover charge.

Small Business Saturday in Downtown Old Monterey 2025

 
11/29/25
 
 
Old Monterey

This holiday season, Downtown Old Monterey invites you to Shop Small and support locally-owned businesses. Your gifts warm the hearts of loved ones near and far and those purchases help our community remain vibrant.

Throughout the district on Saturday, November 29, there will be special offers and fun things to do.

Shilstone and Wilson at Melville Tavern

 
12/2/25
 
 
Melville Tavern

Melville Tavern hosts live music every Tuesday, 6pm-8pm. Tonight we'll feature Mark Shilstone and Rod Wilson. Arrive early and enjoy our Happy Hour, 4pm-6pm.

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2025

 
12/5/25
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

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

Enjoy cookies, cider, live music and caroling, and the lighting of the tree to bring in the holiday season. KMBY 1240 AM / 95.9 FM will broadcast the event.

Dr. T and the Remedy at Melville Tavern

 
12/9/25
 
no cover
 
Melville Tavern

Melville Tavern hosts live music every Tuesday, 6pm-8pm. Tonight we'll feature Dr. T and the Remedy, with Greg Tapson and Steve Moseley. Arrive early and enjoy our Happy Hour, 4pm-6pm. Dinner reservations recommended. No cover charge.

Academy of Classical Ballet - CA presents A Winter Wonderland

 
12/13/25
 
$35.00
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

Join our heroine Beatrice as she travels through the enchanted forest and celebrates the joys of Winter with the Peppermint Princess, the Winter Fairy, Jack Frost and all their magical friends from Winter Wonderland. A festive show for the whole...

Academy of Classical Ballet - CA presents A Winter Wonderland

 
12/14/25
 
$35.00
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

Join our heroine Beatrice as she travels through the enchanted forest and celebrates the joys of Winter with the Peppermint Princess, the Winter Fairy, Jack Frost and all their magical friends from Winter Wonderland. A festive show for the whole...

Tower of Power Holidays and Hits Tour

 
12/18/25
 
$89/$189 + $6.50 Facility Fee
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

For 55 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music and a limited number of premium VIP Soundcheck Experience passes are available for this show!

"Scrooglesque" - Burlesque Show at Pearl Hour

 
12/26/25
 
$20
 
Pearl Hour

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. $20 cover charge.

Peninsula Symphony presents Joyce Yang

 
1/17/26
 
$35 - $50
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

We are excited to bring back one of our most loved and honored soloists, the Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang, in a program balancing the masterful First Concerto of Beethoven with three orchestral visions of the story of Romeo and Juliet.

World Ballet Company: Cinderella

 
2/14/26
 
$45-$105 + $6.50 Facility Fee
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

World Ballet Company’s Cinderella features a dazzling cast of 40 international dancers, over 150 radiant hand-sewn costumes, exquisite hand-crafted sets, and enchanting choreography by Marina Kesler. From the mischievous evil stepsisters to the breathtaking ballroom scenes, every moment is filled with charm, wonder and everything you’ve loved about this story for years.

BENISE - 25 Years of Passion!

 
2/21/26
 
$49.50 - $98.50 + $6.50 FF
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

Emmy Award Winning Spanish Guitar and Dance Spectacular.
2025 marks the year that Benise, "The Prince of Spanish Guitar, "launches his 25th Anniversary Tour and 8th PBS Special "25 Years of Passion!" Armed with his Spanish Guitar...

Easton Corbin

 
2/26/26
 
$90 + $6.50 Facility Fee
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

Known for No. 1 singles like “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It,” Easton Corbin has been gracing stages with his memorable baritone and unique blend of traditional and modern country music for more than a decade.

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and the Celtic All-Stars

 
2/28/26
 
$75 + $6.50 Facility Fee
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

This musical journey will feature true all-stars of the Celtic world from Ireland, England, Scotland and beyond. Cape Breton’s Celtic legend Natalie MacMaster and Fiddle virtuoso Donnell Leahy invite some of the World’s top Celtic Musicians to join them for an incredible night!

Peninsula Symphony presents Canadian Brass

 
3/14/26
 
$35 - $50
 
Campbell Heritage Theatre

The Peninsula Symphony is thrilled to present the iconic Canadian Brass in concert with the Peninsula Symphony, led by guest conductor Brad Hogarth.

Past Events

Exhibit Opening: Pat Hathaway's Historical Images of Monterey

 
8/29/24
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Museum

Join the City of Monterey in celebrating the opening of the Pat Hathaway Memorial Exhibition on Thursday, August 29, 5pm-7pm at Colton Hall Museum. Free and open to the public.

This exhibit celebrates the life and photo collection of the late Pat Hathaway, featuring historical images of Monterey, c.1870-1950, collected and preserved by Pat over the course of 50 years. The exhibit will run through Sept 29.

First Night Monterey 2025

 
12/31/24
 
 
Old Monterey District

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 2025! Featuring multiple performance venues. Purchase your admission button here.

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2024

 
12/6/24
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

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

Enjoy cookies, cider, live music and caroling, and the lighting of the tree to bring in the holiday season. KMBY 1240 AM / 95.9 FM will broadcast the event.

Preview RM Sotheby's Classic Car Auction 2025

 
8/13/25
 
$60
 
Monterey Conference Center

RM Sotheby's 2025 Classic Car Auction at Monterey Conference Center is hosting public previews on August 13 & 14, 10am-7pm, and August 15 & 16, 10am-5pm.

With a focus on the top tier of the market, this auction will feature some truly amazing cars. Preview admission is $60 for the weekend. Passes can be purchased onsite at the entrance to the plaza.

RJ DeMarco at Albatross Ridge

 
7/18/25
 
 
Albatross Ridge Winery and Kitchen

Albatross Ridge Winery and Kitchen presents singer-songwriter RJ DeMarco . Experience the magic of live music along with award-winning wines, tapas style light bites, and a rotating selection of craft beer.

RJ DeMarco at Albatross Ridge

 
4/12/25
 
 
Albatross Ridge Winery and Kitchen

Albatross Ridge Winery and Kitchen presents singer-songwriter RJ DeMarco . Experience the magic of live music along with award-winning wines, tapas style light bites, and a rotating selection of craft beer.

Ice Skating by the Bay 2024

 
11/22/24
 
$15/$13
 
Custom House Plaza

Celebrate the holidays at Ice Skating by the Bay's seasonal ice skating rink, open daily November 22 - January 5 . At Custom House Plaza, located behind Portola Hotel & Spa in Old Monterey, skaters can spend the day in a winter wonderland by the Bay.

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for children 12 & under. Skate rental fee is $5.