Family Activities

First Night Monterey 2024

 
12/31/23
 
 
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 2024! Featuring multiple performance venues. Purchase your admission button here.

Celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day on Colton Hall Lawn!

 
6/13/26
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Montery Public Library's Afternoon Stitch & Sip Club is joining forces with the Monterey Knitting Social Club to celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day on Colton Hall Lawn on Saturday, June 13, 12pm-4pm. Join us anytime!

This event welcomes everyone, from beginners to experts, and is inclusive of all fiber arts (not just knitting). Please bring something to sit on, protection from the sun or fog, a snack, and your latest project to work on.

Winter Puzzle Exchange at Monterey Public Library 2026

 
1/31/26
 
Free
 
Monterey Public Library

Wintertime evokes early evenings, hot beverages, cozy blankets, and PUZZLES! On Saturday, January 31, 10am-1pm, bring your gently used puzzles to Monterey Public Library's Community Room and exchange them for another. What's old to you will be new to someone...

Brighten the Harbor Boat Parade 2025

 
12/7/25
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

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

Free Family Fun Day - Iluminado

 
12/6/25
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Bring the whole family to Monterey Museum of Art for Free Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 6, 11am-3pm, and enjoy hands-on, Iluminado-inspired art activities designed for all ages. Explore creativity together, discover new ways to make and play, and...

Monterey 4th of July Parade 2026

 
7/4/26
 
free
 
Old Monterey District

Monterey's annual 4th of July Parade is a must-attend celebration that draws approximately 20,000 people of all ages to line the streets in and around Old Monterey. We invite you to join us and revel in the festive floats, patriotic displays, entertaining costumes, and musical bands. The parade begins at 10am sharp.

Kids Hero Run at San Carlos Beach Park

 
3/7/26
 
Free
 
San Carlos Beach Park

Monterey Recreation and Monterey Firefighters Foundation is hosting a free Kids Hero Run at San Carlos Beach Park on Saturday, March 7, 10am–2pm.

Bring the family out for an afternoon of fun, movement, and community celebration along the Monterey waterfront. Costumes are encouraged.

Race Car Show: Monterey Classic Car Week Kick-Off 2026

 
8/7/26
 
free
 
Old Monterey

Monterey Car Week is beginning with a remarkable display of historic race cars on Alvarado Street on Friday, August 7, 5pm-7pm! Come on down, see the cars up close, and meet the drivers. This is a family-friendly event.

Celebrate MY Museum's 29th Birthday!

 
7/19/26
 
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

MY Museum is turning 29! We are so honored to have served our community for nearly 30 years, and hope to keep doing so for another 30.

What do we do when we turn 29? We PARTY like a...

Skylight Talks: Paintings of the Adobe

 
6/13/26
 
Free
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Step back into the vibrant art scene of 1870s and 1880s San Francisco, when new wealth fueled an unprecedented appetite for local art. Join us at Cooper-Molera Adobe Museum on Saturday, June 13 at 2pm for a free, intimate guided tour which explores the lives and works of six remarkable artists whose paintings grace the walls of the Cooper-Molera Adobe historic home.

Garden Art Walk at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
6/6/26
 
$8 suggested donation
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Join us in the Cooper-Molera Adobe gardens, 1pm-3pm, for our Garden Art Walk - an afternoon of creativity, community, and nature. Suggested donation is $8.

Stroll through our beautiful gardens and engage with hands-on art lessons for all ages by artist Kristen Burroughs, including color swatches of the garden, flower coloring pages, and drawing and painting of flowers.

Used Book Sale at Monterey Public Library

 
6/13/26
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is holding a Used Book Sale at the Library on Saturday, June 13, 10am-3pm. You'll find gently used books across all genres at great prices. Proceeds will benefit Monterey Public Library.

Community Craft Day at Monterey State Historic Park 2026

 
6/13/26
 
free
 
Memory Garden at Pacific House

Monterey State Historic Park hosts a free community craft day for all ages on Saturday, June 13, 10am-2pm. Visit the Memory Garden for leather stamping, candle making, and more!

Free Art and Literature Tours in Monterey State Historic Park 2026

 
6/10/26
 
free
 
Custom House Store

Monterey State Historic Park is celebrating California State Parks Week , June 10-14! Join us for free special tours departing daily at 12:30pm from Custom House. Registration recommended (search by date).

On June 10, 12 & 14, catch the Arts and Literature Tour. Hear readings about Monterey Bay by some of the world's most important writers and view work by California’s preeminent painters.

Stevenson House & Larkin House Open on Memorial Day

 
5/25/26
 
Free
 
Stevenson House

On Memorial Day, May 25, Monterey State Historic Park will open the Stevenson House (530 Houston St.) and Larkin House (464 Calle Principal) for the holiday. The Stevenson House will be open 10am-1pm , while Larkin House will be open 1:30pm-4:30pm . (Note the staggered times!)

Admission to both houses will be free and staff will be on-site to answer questions and provide information about the buildings to visitors.

Free Women's Self-Defense Seminar at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

 
5/31/26
 
Free
 
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monterey

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Monterey is holding a free, two-hour Women’s Self-Defense Seminar on Sunday, May 31, 1:30pm-3:30pm for women and girls age 12 and up (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Register here.

This safe and fun workshop is the perfect introduction to jiu-jitsu for women with no previous experience.

Fleet Feet Monterey: The Big Run 5k 2026

 
6/6/26
 
$54
 
Fleet Feet Monterey

Fleet Feet Monterey invites all runners and walkers to join us on June 6 for the Big Run 5k in celebration of Global Running Day! Register online. Fee is $54. Military and student-athlete discounts available.

Celebrate Mother's Day at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
5/10/26
 
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Celebrate Mother's Day at Cooper-Molera Adobe, 10am-2pm on Sunday, May 10, with a beautiful Sunday focused on flowers, plants and handmade treasures.

Flower Bouquet Bar

Back by popular demand, our Flower Bouquet Bar invites you to create and wrap...

Flowers for Mom at Rosebuds Kids Co.

 
5/10/26
 
 
Rosebuds Kids Co.

Stop by Rosebuds Kids Co. with your little ones on Mother's Day, 11am-2pm, and make your own bouquet of fresh flowers for just $10.

WeatherTech Raceway Throwback Block Party on Alvarado Street

 
4/29/26
 
Free
 
Old Monterey

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is kicking off race weekend with a free Throwback Block Party for all ages on Alvarado Street between Franklin and Del Monte on Wednesday, 5pm-7pm.

Get up close with IMSA cars, meet drivers, and enjoy a preview of the action before it hits the track this weekend for the StubHub Monterey Sports Car Championship.

Japanese American Citizens League Hall Centennial Celebration!

 
5/2/26
 
Free
 
Japanese American Citizens League Hall

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) of the Monterey Peninsula presents the JACL Hall Centennial Celebration on Saturday, May 2. This event is free and all are welcome!

Enjoy a day of Japanese cultural activities for all ages, 10am-3pm, followed by a swing dance with live music, 7pm-9pm. See the full schedule.

Garden Art Walk at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
5/2/26
 
$8 suggested donation
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Join us in the Cooper-Molera Adobe gardens, 1pm-3pm, for our Garden Art Walk - an afternoon of creativity, community, and nature. Suggested donation is $8.

Stroll through our beautiful gardens and engage with hands-on art lessons for all ages by artist Kristen Burroughs, including color swatches of the garden, flower coloring pages, and drawing and painting of flowers.