Family Activities

Monterey 4th of July Parade 2025

 
7/4/25
 
free
 
Old Monterey District

Monterey's annual 4th of July Parade is a must-attend celebration that draws approximately 15,000 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.

Monterey 4th of July, 2025: Join the Parade!

Monterey, CA

Update, June 8, 2025: Thank you to everyone who has applied to march in the parade! The application deadline has now passed.

Join the parade! The OMBA is now accepting applications to participate in the 2025 4th of July Parade . Together as a community, we'll bring entertainment, excitement, and a whole lot of fun to Monterey on Independence Day. Entry deadline is Friday, May 30.

We welcome bands, floats, drill teams, dance groups, unique vehicles, entertainment troupes, and equestrians. Get creative and think outside the box!

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.

Monterey Peninsula LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Celebration 2025

 
6/28/25
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

The annual LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration and Parade returns to Monterey on Saturday, June 28. Parade begins at 11am, going down Alvarado Street from Pearl to Franklin.

Afterwards, bring the whole family to Custom House Plaza, 12pm-3pm, to enjoy speakers and free entertainment for all ages, lunch from local food trucks, and info tables from more than 65 groups and agencies.

Whalefest Monterey 2025

 
4/12/25
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

Whalefest is an educational and entertaining family-friendly event held at and around Custom House Plaza and Old Fisherman's Wharf on April 12 & 13, 10am-5pm, rain or shine.

It includes fun activities for all ages, live music, research and rescue vessels, lots of interactive exhibits, and a symposium at Stanton Center .

Downtown Neighborhood Meet Up for Downtown Monterey Residents

 
9/21/24
 
free
 
East Village Cafe

Attention, local residents! Monterey's Downtown Neighborhood Association invites you to join us for a meet up on Saturday, September 21, 10am-12pm, in the plaza outside East Village Cafe. Meet fellow neighbors, discuss neighborhood issues and how to improve them, and enjoy free coffee and Red's donuts.

First Friday at Monterey Museum of Art: Illuminado

 
12/6/24
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join us for free after-hours access to the Museum at this special edition of First Friday, celebrating the opening of our annual holiday program, I luminado , a living and growing art installation that invites you to participate.

Kick off the holiday season with DJ Edison Tesla and take in the festivities of Iluminado while sampling drinks, small bites, and art activities.

Batman Day 2024 at Current Comics

 
9/21/24
 
 
Current Comics

Before Movie in the Park: Jumanji at Scholze Park on Saturday, stop by Current Comics, located only a half block away, to celebrate Batman Day.

They'll have free activity sheets, 11am-7pm, while supplies last, and a great collection of Batman comics for sale for all ages, including a reprint of the story that started it all in 1939.

Brighten the Harbor Boat Parade 2023

 
12/3/23
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

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.

Super Chexx Pro Bubble Hockey at High Scores Arcade

Monterey, CA

High Scores Arcade now has Super Chexx Pro Bubble Hockey available for play at 459 Alvarado Street. This is some serious fun, people.

Pay a flat fee ($10/hour or $22/day) and you can play all the games in the arcade (including this one) as many times as you want.

It's Circle Time at MY Museum!

 
7/12/25
 
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

It's Circle Time is coming to MY Museum for a Summer Residency! Don't miss out on these live monthly performances by one of the hottest new children's entertainment groups on the Central Coast.

About...

Spoon Circus at MY Museum- CANCELED

 
6/12/25
 
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

We regret that, due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been canceled. We look forward to hosting Spoon Circus in the future!

The circus is coming to MY Museum! We're excited to host Spoon Circus on Thursday, June 12, 10am-12pm. Suitable for ages 3-8. Included with daily admission fee.

Spoon Circus is a vibrant, traveling social circus on a mission to bring joy and empowerment to communities through the magic of circus arts and physical education. They believe in the power of play.

Drag Queen Storytime at Oscar's Playground

 
6/11/25
 
Free
 
Oscar's Playground

Oscar's Playground hosts a free Drag Queen Storytime with Saint Sallos. Doors open at 6pm, storytime begins at 7pm. Enjoy fun and creative expression in a welcoming, inclusive environment for all ages.

Today we’ll read C is for Country by Lil Nas X and ‘Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick. Register here on Monterey Public Library's events calendar.

Garden Art Walk at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
6/7/25
 
Free
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Join us in the Cooper-Molera Adobe gardens for a day of creativity, community, and nature at our Garden Art Walk on Saturday, June 7, 12pm-2pm.

Stroll through our beautiful gardens and engage with free, hands-on art lessons for all...

Community Craft Day at Monterey State Historic Park

 
6/14/25
 
free
 
Memory Garden at Pacific House

Monterey State Historic Park hosts a free community craft day for all ages on Saturday, June 14, 11am-4pm. Visit the Memory Garden for leather stamping, candle making, and more!

July 4th Living History Day 2025 - Monterey State Historic Park

 
7/4/25
 
free
 
Memory Garden at Pacific House

Monterey State Historic Park Association presents July 4th Living History Day in the Memory Garden, located behind Pacific House Museum. Free admission, donations encouraged.

The whole family can participate in 19th century games, rope-making, leather stamping, embroidery, and tortilla making, 11am-3pm. Guided history tours at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, and 4pm.

Stars, Stripes & Stories: A Fourth of July Celebration at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
7/4/25
 
Free
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Stars, Stripes & Stories: A Fourth of July Celebration at Cooper-Molera Adobe is a free, family-friendly community event celebrating Independence Day through interactive history and cultural activities, 12pm-4pm.

Free Family Fun Day: 2025 Monterey Biennial

 
6/7/25
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Bring the whole family to Monterey Museum of Art for a free, fun-filled day of creativity, community, and celebration for all ages on Saturday, June 7, 11am-3pm. Admission is free.

Create art inspired by the 2025 Monterey Biennial and engage with the exhibition in a brand-new creative setting.

Monterey County Pops! Free Memorial Day Concert 2025

 
5/26/25
 
free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Enjoy a free Memorial Day Concert for all ages on the lawn in front of Colton Hall and Monterey City Hall on Monday, May 26. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic snacks!

At 12:45pm, Heartstrings will start the show. At 1:15pm, the Soquel High School Jazz Singers will perform. At 2pm, the full 40-piece Monterey County Pops! orchestra , conducted and hosted by Dr. Carl Christensen, will play a selection of popular and patriotic music.