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.

Scoops Ice Cream Parlor Opens in Downtown Old Monterey

Monterey, CA

Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, a fun new dessert spot for all ages, has opened at 595 Munras Ave. An independent, family-owned business, they know how to do sweet treats right!

Exclusively serving Marianne's ice cream, they offer everything from simple scoops, milkshakes, and hot chocolate to wildly creative treats featuring clouds of freshly-spun cotton candy and more. It's a great indoor hangout for families, friends, and youth.

Kick-Off Race Car Show: Monterey Classic Car Week 2025

 
8/8/25
 
free
 
Old Monterey

Monterey Car Week is beginning with a remarkable display of historic race cars on Alvarado Street on Friday, August 8, 5pm-7pm! Come on down, see the cars up close, and meet the drivers. This is a family-friendly event.

The Western Flyer Sets Sail for the Gulf of California

 
3/16/25
 
free
 
Old Fisherman's Wharf

The legendary fishing boat, the Western Flyer, will set sail from Fisherman's Wharf on Sunday, March 16 at 3pm for an 85th anniversary expedition to the Gulf of California. All are welcome to come and join the free community celebration, 11am-3pm, rain or shine.

Enjoy live music and dancing, a 1940s costume contest, a vintage car show, hands-on science and art activities, and seeing the Western Flyer set sail with a fireboat escort and a celebratory ship horn farewell.

The Big Weekend: Free Family Fun Day

 
6/6/26
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join the Museum for a weekend-long celebration of the Winter 2026 Exhibition Season! Free admission all weekend, beginning Friday at 5pm.

Free Family Fun Day

Join the Museum for an afternoon of art and creativity for the whole family...

Miss Sarah Sunshine at MY Museum

 
5/22/26
 
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

Every Friday. April 3 - May 29, Miss Sarah Sunshine of It's Circle Time will be at MY Museum, 10:15am-11am, with a fun and educational program for little ones including singing, dancing, stories, and more. Included with museum admission.

Monterey Peninsula LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Celebration 2026

 
6/27/26
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

Monterey's annual LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration and Parade returns on Saturday, June 27. The parade begins at 11am at Polk Street, continuing on toward Pearl Street and down Alvarado Street all the way to Custom House Plaza.

Afterwards, bring the whole family to Custom House Plaza, 12pm-3pm, to enjoy speakers and free entertainment for all ages, shopping and dining from local vendors, and info tables by local groups and agencies.

Information Session: Play Full Ground Micro High School

 
3/15/25
 
free
 
Play Full Ground

Learn about Play Full Ground's new micro high school (opening Fall 2025) and share your hopes for your child's high school education with school founder Mai Ryuno. Register for a session on March 15 or March 29 , 3pm-4:30pm.

Students and parents are invited to share their experiences and challenges to help Mai create detailed educational plans to meet local needs. More info here.

Make Charm Bracelets with The Green Craft Club

 
8/10/25
 
$10-$20
 
Play Full Ground

The Green Craft Club invites you to join us at Play Full Ground to make custom friendship bracelets with beads, charms, and ribbon on Sunday, August 10 at 2pm.

Open to all ages (younger children may need adult assistance). Register here. Fee is $15 for 1 bracelet, $20 for 2 bracelets, and $10 for an additional sibling to attend.

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.

Mother's Day High Tea at Casa Serrano Adobe 2026

 
5/10/26
 
$90
 
Casa Serrano

Celebrate Mother’s Day with timeless elegance as Rosemary & Thyme High Teas invites guests to a beautifully curated Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Sunday, May 10, 3pm-4:30pm.

This special event offers a refined escape filled with delicate flavors, thoughtful presentation, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Tickets are $90 - purchase here .

Tuesday Story Time at Rosebuds Kids Co.

 
5/26/26
 
Free
 
Rosebuds Kids Co.

Rosebuds Kids Co. invites you and your children to join us every Tuesday, 9am-10am, for our weekly story time at the shop. It's a cozy hour of books, connection, and getting out of the house with your littles. This is a free event. No RSVP required.

Cyanotype Garden Workshop at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
4/11/26
 
Free
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

On Saturday, April 11 from 12pm-2pm , Cooper-Adobe Museum will participate in the Monterey Museum of Art's Block Party as a Historic Hotspot. Local Scientific Illustrator/Educator Kristen Burroughs will lead curious artists in a Cyanotype Garden Workshop using flowers...

Enjoy Six Different Art Activities at The Hot Spot!

Monterey, CA

The Hot Spot, Downtown Monterey's community art space, offers 6 different arts and crafts to enjoy with friends and family at 458 Alvarado Street.

Each person in your group can choose to paint pottery, paint a blank canvas, create a mosaic, make a candle, design a fairy garden, or mix slime (perfect for small children).

Walk-ins and reservations are welcome. Open Sun-Tue & Thu, 11am-7pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-8pm.

Spring Art and Wearable Art Sale at Venture Gallery

 
4/11/26
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to a two-day Spring Art and Wearable Art Sale featuring the work of Venture Gallery artists on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 & 12, 10am-6pm. We'll have racks of art and wearable pieces at "Spring Cleaning" prices, and artist demonstrations out on Alvarado Mall.

Rosebuds Kids Co. Has Expanded!

Monterey, CA

Rosebuds Kids Co. has expanded! The space next door became available and we've extended our footprint to bring you even more resale clothing, books, and toys, plus a new baby and maternity section.

Now there's more floor space and we've got lots of fresh finds at 535 Foam Street. Open: Tue-Fri, 9am-4pm; Sat, 10am-4pm; and Sun, 11am-2pm.

March in Monterey's 4th of July Parade in 2026!

Monterey, CA

Join Monterey's 4th of July Parade! The Old Monterey Business Association is now accepting applications to participate in the 2026 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 29.

Entries are required to be entertaining, creative, and exciting. We welcome bands, floats, drill teams, dance groups, equestrians, comical groups, etc.. Get creative and think outside the box!

Earth Day Art and Ecology Exploration

 
4/22/26
 
$50
 
The Great Tide Pool

Play Full Ground presents an Earth Day Art and Ecology Exploration at the Great Tide Pool in Pacific Grove on Wednesday, April 22, 9am-11am. Middle and high school students and curious adults are welcome!

Guided by ecologist and artist Emily Gottlieb, participants will explore colors, textures, and sea creatures. Observe, sketch, and create! Learn more and register - flexible pricing is available.