Family Activities

Old Flags of Monterey Exhibit at Colton Hall Museum, July 2026

Monterey, CA

Colton Hall Museum presents Old Flags of Monterey, an exhibit featuring a variety of historic and replica flags July 1-31 in celebration of America 250. The Museum, located at 570 Pacific Street, is open daily 10am-4pm, and will be open on July 4.

Included in the exhibit are several original flags, dating from the 19th century, that are seldom on public display, plus the watercolor painting of a bear by Charles Nahl, which is the basis for the current California Republic flag.

Tatt's Musical Tales at Rosebuds Kids Co.

 
6/20/26
 
Free
 
Rosebuds Kids Co.

Rosebuds Kids Co. presents Tatt's Musical Tales on Saturday, June 20, 10am-11am. Free. Great for kids age 0-8 and their grownups.

Enjoy original songs woven around your favorite children's books. Just a guitar, a voice, and a great story.

July 4th Living History Day 2026 - Monterey State Historic Park

 
7/4/26
 
free
 
Memory Garden at Pacific House

Monterey State Historic Park Association presents a free July 4th Living History Day for all ages in the Memory Garden behind Pacific House, 11am-4pm.

Bring the whole family for 19th century games, rope making, leather stamping, candle making, and guided history tours.

Stars, Stripes & Stories: A Fourth of July Celebration 2026

 
7/4/26
 
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 live performances, crafts, storytelling, and more, 12pm-4pm. View the schedule.

Make a Custom Hat for Dad at Rosebuds

 
6/21/26
 
 
Rosebuds Kids Co.

Join Rosebuds Kids Co. on Sunday, June 21, 11am-1pm as The Hattie Co. pops up with their hat bar! Choose your patches, build your design, and create a one-of-a-kind hat for your favorite dad. $25 per hat. No registration needed.

Extended Summer Hours at High Scores Arcade 2026

Monterey, CA

Extended summer hours have begun at High Scores Arcade! We're now open Mon-Thu, 12:30pm-10pm; Fri & Sat, 12:30pm-12am; and Sun, 12:30pm-11pm. Visit us at 459 Alvarado Street for the quintessential summer arcade experience.

Pricing is $10 per hour of unlimited gaming, or $22 per day of unlimited gaming with in-and-out privileges. We welcome all ages.

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, and we want to party like a rock star on Sunday, July 19, 10am-12pm. It's Circle Time will be back to help us celebrate with a live concert; we'll also have face-painting, crafts, and much more. Tickets included with daily admission. RSVP here .

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 for a free, intimate guided tour led by Nicholas Sanchez which explores the lives and works of six remarkable artists whose paintings grace the walls of the historic adobe.

Opening Reception for Exhibit on Local Shipwrecks at Casa Gutierrez

 
6/11/26
 
Free
 
Casa Gutierrez

Monterey State Historic Park is celebrating California State Parks Week , June 10-14!

Don't miss the opening reception for a new exhibit entitled Shipwrecks: Every Broken Piece Tells a Story, a t Casa Gutierrez. All are welcome to join us for sea shanties, light refreshments, and an exhibit preview. The exhibit will be open throughout the summer, Fri & Sat, 11am-4pm.

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.

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 .

The Big Weekend: Free Family Fun Day

 
6/6/26
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join the Museum for an afternoon of art and creativity for the whole family at our Family Fun Day on June 6, 11am-3pm. This is part of the Museum's weekend-long celebration of the Winter 2026 Exhibition Season! Free admission all weekend.

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 Alvarado Street and Polk Street near Alta Bakery, continuing 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.