Family Activities

Noon Year's Eve Party at MY Museum 2022

 
12/31/22
 
$10/$20
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

Ring in the New Year at a kid-friendly hour this year! Join MY Museum 10am-12:15pm for an unforgettable celebration complete with noisemakers, face painting, and party hats. Watch the Noon Year’s Ball light up as we countdown together. Reservations are required.

Kids' Gingerbread House Extravaganza 2022 at MY Museum

 
12/10/22
 
$35/$40
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

MY Museum invites children to get festive and join us in decorating your own gingerbread houses today. There will be lots of icing and candy canes, swirly twirly gum drops, and tons more candy to make your house look truly extraordinary. Reservations are required - register online here .

Halloween Storytime and Costume Parade at Monterey Public Library

 
10/27/22
 
free
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library invites children and their caregivers to join us for a special spooky Halloween Storytime in our Community Room. Be sure to wear your favorite costumes as we will be parading around the library after we read the...

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2022

 
12/2/22
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

All are cordially invited to the Historic Downtown Monterey Traditional Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, December 2, 5pm-6pm. Join us on the lawn in front of Colton Hall to share in this much-loved holiday event.

Enjoy cookies, cider, live music and caroling, and the lighting of the tree to bring in the holiday season. Monterey's Mayor and members of the City Council will be present.

Monterey Trunk-or-Treat & Outdoor Screening of "Hocus Pocus"

 
10/22/22
 
free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Monterey Recreation and Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation present a Trunk-or-Treat and Movie in the Park on Saturday, October 22 on the lawn of Colton Hall. This family-friendly event is free.

Come dressed in costume to trunk-or-treat, 5pm-6:30pm, when we'll have fire engines and activities for kids. The screening of the Disney film Hocus Pocus will begin at 7pm. Free popcorn and cotton candy available.

Halloween Member Night at Monterey Bay Aquarium

 
10/29/22
 
free for members
 
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium invites our members to join us for a family-friendly Halloween Member Party, October 29, 7pm-10pm. Show off your costumes in an Aquarium full of your favorite people - all dressed up. We'll have a live DJ to get every ghoul dancing!

Are you a member? Please register for the party on our website . Not a member? Here's your chance to join!

Halloween Member Night at Monterey Bay Aquarium

 
10/22/22
 
free for members
 
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium invites our members to join us for a family-friendly Halloween Member Party, October 22 and 29, 7pm-10pm. Show off your costumes in an Aquarium full of your favorite people - all dressed up. We'll have a live DJ to get every ghoul dancing!

Are you a member? Please register for the party on our website . Not a member? Here's your chance to join!

Fall Food Drive at Dali Museum: October 2022

Monterey, CA

The MHAA Salvador Dali Exposition is hosting a Fall Food Drive in support of the Food Bank for Monterey County. In October, for every 4 non-expired shelf-stable items you bring in, you'll receive half-off admission to the exhibit.

Gallery hours are Sat-Thu, 10am-5pm at 5 Custom House Plaza.

MY Museum COVID-19 & Flu Vaccination Clinic

 
12/13/22
 
free
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

MY Museum is hosting a free COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic for everyone ages 2 and up, 3pm-6pm. The museum will have activities and fun music for participating families. Vaccinations are FREE and no insurance is required.

We recommend you register in advance here , but it's not required - walk-ups will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. All children must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver over the age of 18.

MY Museum COVID-19 & Flu Vaccination Clinic

 
11/8/22
 
free
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

Please join MY Museum on Tue, Nov. 8 or Tue, Dec. 13, 3pm-6pm, for a free COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic for everyone ages 2 and up. The museum exhibits will be closed for play during these events, but we will have activities and fun music for participating families. Vaccinations are FREE and no insurance is required.

We recommend you register in advance here , but it's not required - walk-ups will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. All children must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver over the age of 18.

Used Book Sale at Monterey Public Library

 
10/15/22
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is holding a Used Book Sale on Saturday, October 15, 10am-2pm, on the back patio of Monterey Public Library. All funds raised will be used to support the library. Expect to find great deals and great prices!

Kids' Music and Flower Crown Workshop at MY Museum

 
10/13/22
 
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

MY Museum invites you to join us on Thursday, October 13, for Music with Jessica, 10:15am-10:45am, followed by a special Kids' Flower Crown Workshop, 11am-12pm. All supplies will be provided.

Fee for this workshop is included with daily admission....

Matsiko World Children's Choir Performs at MY Museum

 
10/28/22
 
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

MY Museum invites you and your little ones to join us for a special performance by the Matsiko World Orphan Choir on Friday, October 28, 3pm-5pm. Admission to the concert is included with our daily admission fee. Please register online in advance to ensure your spot.

Safety Saturday at MY Museum 2022

 
10/15/22
 
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

MY Museum invites you and your little ones to join us for Safety Saturday. Today, we'll host Monterey firefighters (10am-12pm) and Monterey police officers (1pm-3pm) for safety demonstrations, crafts, and emergency vehicles. Register online here as part of our general admission.

Fire truck rides will be offered by Red Engine Rides for an additional fee, 10am-12pm. Advance registration is required - sign up here .

Dia de los Muertos: Free Family Fun Day at Monterey Museum of Art

 
10/29/22
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Monterey Museum of Art presents a Free Family Fun Day celebrating Dia de los Muertos with Artist in Residence Victor-Mario Zaballa, 11am-1pm.

Participants of all ages will be invited to create engraved images of calaveras (skulls), corazones ardientes (burning hearts) and more. Enjoy free admission to the Museum and view Victor-Mario Zaballa’s lantern installation, NECAUHCAYOTL, Gratitude Memento, Recuerdo de Gratitud .

Annual Children's Trick-or-Treat on Lighthouse 2022

 
10/29/22
 
free
 
Lighthouse District

Halloween festivities on Lighthouse are back! On Saturday, October 29, Lighthouse District shops, restaurants, and boutiques will be open and welcoming little goblins with special treats, 2pm-5pm, rain or shine. So dress up the kids, get in the spirit, and come on down with your family to enjoy a fun and safe time in the community.

All businesses handing out candy will be located on Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey between Reeside and David and will have a Lighthouse Halloween poster displayed in the window.

Monterey Bay Greek Festival 2022

 
9/23/22
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

All are welcome to the Monterey Bay Greek Festival, a weekend of family fun featuring Greek cuisine, live Greek music, and shopping, September 23-25 at Custom House Plaza. Hours are 5pm-9pm on Friday, 11am-7pm on Saturday, and 11am-4pm on Sunday. Admission is free.

Kick-Off Race Car Show: Monterey Classic Car Week 2022

 
8/12/22
 
free
 
Old Monterey

Once called the "Monterey Car Week Kick-Off," this annual event is now called the "Kick-Off Race Car Show," but, as always, Monterey Classic Car Week is beginning with a remarkable display of historic race cars on Alvarado Street!

Come meet the drivers of these beautiful examples of racing history while enjoying great music, a raffle, and drink specials from Cibo at this family-friendly event, 5pm-7pm.

Red Engine Rides at MY Museum

 
7/30/22
 
$25
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

MY Museum invites you and your children ages 3+ to join us on Saturday, July 30, as we partner with Red Engine Rides for a cruise around town. We're offering 15 minute rides in an open-air fire engine for $25 per person. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Rides depart every half hour, 10am-11am. Advance reservations required.

Open House at Youth Arts Collective

 
7/23/22
 
free
 
Youth Arts Collective

Youth Arts Collective is holding an open house in our studio on Saturday, July 23 and Saturday, July 30, 12pm-4pm. View our Summer Art Show and purchase works by young local artists.

YAC's Summer Art Show will open online on July 22 and run through September. Visit the online show here.

Free Family Fun Day: Art Remix

 
7/2/22
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Montery Museum of Art on Pacific Street invites kids and their adults to join us for an afternoon of free art making with a museum educator on Saturday, July 2, 11am-1pm. No registration is required.

Inspired by our exhibition...

Red Engine Rides at MY Museum

 
6/25/22
 
$25
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

MY Museum invites you and your children ages 3+ to join us on Saturday, June 25, as we partner with Red Engine Rides for a cruise around town. We're offering 15 minute rides in an open-air fire engine for $25 per person. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Rides depart every half hour, 10am-12:30pm. Advance reservations required.

Monterey Museum of Art - Free Admission with Your SNAP EBT Card

Monterey, CA

The Monterey Museum of Art is proud to announce our participation in Museums for All , a national initiative to expand access to museums. At Monterey Museum of Art, individuals and families who present a CalFresh / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card will receive free admission for up to four people! We invite you to visit us at 559 Pacific Street.

Kids' Summer Reading Program Kick-Off with Monterey Public Library

 
6/4/22
 
free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Own Saturday, June 4, 11am-1pm, on Colton Hall Lawn, Monterey Public Library invites you to bring a blanket and a snack and join us for our free Summer Reading "Camp-Out" to kick-off our Summer Reading Program. Details for the event remain mysterious, but we know it'll involve family fun, music, and...tents!

Used Book Sale at Monterey Public Library

 
6/11/22
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is holding a Used Book Sale on Saturday, June 11, 10am-3pm, on the patio of Monterey Public Library. All funds raised will be used to support the library. Expect to find great deals and great prices!

Monterey County Pops! Free Memorial Day Concert

 
5/30/22
 
free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, Monterey County Pops! has announced the triumphant return of the annual Monterey County Pops! Memorial Day Concert on the lawn in front of Colton Hall and Monterey City Hall.

On Monday,...