Holidays

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.

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2025

 
12/5/25
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

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

Enjoy cookies, cider, live music and caroling, and the lighting of the tree to bring in the holiday season. KMBY 1240 AM / 95.9 FM will broadcast the event.

First Night Monterey 2025

 
12/31/24
 
 
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 2025! Featuring multiple performance venues. Purchase your admission button here.

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2024

 
12/6/24
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

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

Enjoy cookies, cider, live music and caroling, and the lighting of the tree to bring in the holiday season. KMBY 1240 AM / 95.9 FM will broadcast the event.

New Cookbook from Rosine's Restaurant

Monterey, CA

Ever wish you could recreate the wonderful flavors of Rosine's Restaurant at home? Here's your chance! Rosine's Cuisine , the Culcasi Family's recently redesigned cookbook with all new recipes, is now available at 434 Alvarado Street and online .

Featuring a treasure trove of recipes from Monterey's legendary family restaurant, the cookbook makes a great holiday gift. Treat yourself or friends and family!

European Holiday Sweets at Malinka

Monterey, CA

Christmas comes but once a year, and so do European holiday treats. Malinka Mini Market has a wealth of sweet delights on our shelves, including stollen, gingerbread, marzipan, fruit cake, and chocolates. We're located at 484 Lighthouse Avenue.

Ice Skating by the Bay 2024

 
11/22/24
 
$15/$13
 
Custom House Plaza

Celebrate the holidays at Ice Skating by the Bay's seasonal ice skating rink, open daily November 22 - January 5 . At Custom House Plaza, located behind Portola Hotel & Spa in Old Monterey, skaters can spend the day in a winter wonderland by the Bay.

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for children 12 & under. Skate rental fee is $5.

Storytime with Santa

 
12/7/25
 
$30
 
Campbell Community Center

Santa Claus is making a special stop at the Campbell Community Center to share a holiday story and spread some cheer! Parents and children will enjoy this festive annual tradition together, which includes a heartwarming story read by Santa, followed...

Storytime with Santa

 
12/5/25
 
$30
 
Campbell Community Center

Santa Claus is making a special stop at the Campbell Community Center to share a holiday story and spread some cheer! Parents and children will enjoy this festive annual tradition together, which includes a heartwarming story read by Santa, followed...

Small Business Saturday in Downtown Old Monterey 2025

 
11/29/25
 
 
Old Monterey

This holiday season, Downtown Old Monterey invites you to Shop Small and support locally-owned businesses. Your gifts warm the hearts of loved ones near and far and those purchases help our community remain vibrant.

Throughout the district on Saturday, November 29, there will be special offers and fun things to do.

Small Business Saturday on Lighthouse 2025

 
11/29/25
 
 
Lighthouse District

New Monterey's Lighthouse District invites you to join us on November 29 for our annual celebration of Small Business Saturday. We'll have wonderful holiday shopping, great deals, and fun activities all along the avenue and, as always, some of the best eats in town. Don't miss out!

Marc Stephen Johnson Featured at Webster Street Art Gallery

Monterey, CA

Through February, Webster Street Art Gallery is featuring the work of its proprietor, Marc Stephen Johnson, at 188 Webster Street.

Enjoy an exhibit of Marc's paintings and fiber art (knitting) plus portraits of him done over the years by his many talented friends in a variety of media. Open Tue-Fri, 11am-3pm.

Downtown Campbell Gift Cards for Last Minute Shoppers

Campbell, CA

Ok last minute shoppers, just because you waited as long as possible doesn't mean you have to settle for token generic stuff in a box as your redemption. You can shop small, shop unique, and shop fast all at the same time by taking advantage of the Downtown Campbell Gift Cards Gallery to lookup the gift card options available with the small independent retailers and restaurants that we have in Downtown Campbell.

2024 Lighthouse District Holiday Display Contest Winners

Monterey, CA

The New Monterey Business Association congratulates the winners of our 2024 Lighthouse District Holiday Display Contest!

**Best Holiday Display with Lighting**
Chic Event Rentals
301 Lighthouse Ave, Ste C

Runner-Up
On The Beach Surf Shop
693 Lighthouse Ave

**Best Holiday Display, Minimally Lit**
Fashion Trade
554 Lighthouse Ave

Runner-Up
Creative Property Management
484 Lighthouse Ave, Ste 101

We encourage everyone to come down and view the creative holiday displays in the windows of shops and restaurants along Lighthouse Ave.

Fresh Fudge at The Perfect Crumb

Monterey, CA

The Perfect Crumb Bakery has fresh fudge for the holidays! Stop by and get yours. They come in bright, cheerful boxes perfect for gifting...unless you eat it all yourself first. We're located at 301 Lighthouse Avenue.

New Holiday Dresses at Cypress Boutique

Monterey, CA

Step into the holiday season with the perfect dress! From rich reds and burgundies to festive greens, dazzling metallic golds, and shimmering styles, Cypress Boutique's collection has everything you need to shine this Christmas, New Year's, and every special occasion in between.

Find your holiday magic in-store today at 800 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite C.

Holiday Gift Ideas at Current Comics 2024

Monterey, CA

Current Comics has holiday gift ideas for all ages at our shop at 400 Lighthouse Ave. Whether you have a comic book enthusiast in your life, or someone who might become one, come visit us.

Our staff is particularly excited about the newest GI Joe comic book, the new Justice League Unlimited comic, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and its spin-off The Last Ronin, and "Kraven's Last Hunt," a classic story from the Spider-Man universe. Learn more here.

Scrooglesque Holiday Burlesque Show at Pearl Hour

 
12/27/24
 
$20
 
Pearl Hour

On Friday, Dec. 27 at 8pm, the Carmel Delights Dance Company is bringing back our holiday burlesque show "Scrooglesque" featuring a star-studded cast.

Enjoy the speakeasy vibe at Pearl Hour with delicious craft cocktails and an all-inclusive environment for ages 21+. Tickets are $20 each.

Bamboo Reef Dive Shop Gift Certificates

Monterey, CA

Give the diver in your life the ideal present: a gift certificate for Bamboo Reef Dive Shop! Good for training or equipment, these gift certificates allow the recipient to gear up or learn new skills. Available online or in-person at 614 Lighthouse Ave.

No Farmers Market on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve

 
12/24/24
 
free
 
Old Monterey District

The Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers' Market will be closed on December 24 and December 31. We wish you a very happy holidays and hope to see you on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 4pm-7pm.

Holiday Prime Rib Dinner Served at Rosine's

 
12/13/24
 
 
Rosine's Restaurant

In celebration of the holidays, Rosine's is serving a special Prime Rib Dinner on Friday nights, December 13, 20, and 27. Enjoy 12oz prime rib au jus, baked potato, carrots, special broccoli casserole and creamy horseradish sauce for $39.

Christmas Dinner at Esteban Restaurant 2024

 
12/25/24
 
 
Esteban Restaurant

Esteban Restaurant invites you to celebrate your Christmas Day meal with us, 2pm-8pm. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. We'll offer a three-course dinner special as well as a selection of regular menu items and a children's menu. Call to reserve your table, 831-375-0176.