Holidays

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.

Winter Market at Stokes Adobe 2023

 
12/2/23
 
 
Stokes Adobe

Stokes Adobe is hosting a holiday market by local artisans and entrepreneurs on Saturday, Dec. 2, 1pm-7pm. This will be a unique holiday shopping experience featuring one-of-a-kind gifts.

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2023

 
12/1/23
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

All are cordially invited to the Historic Downtown Monterey Traditional Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, December 1, 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 and KMBY 1240 AM / 95.9 FM will broadcast the event live.

Winter Stanton Art Market

 
12/3/23
 
free
 
Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center

Immerse yourself in a captivating showcase of local talent and creativity at the Winter Stanton Art Market, where artists from our very own community come together to share their extraordinary work. Explore a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, crafts, and more, all created with passion and skill right here in our vibrant town.

Find Locally-Made Gifts at Alma del Mar

Monterey, CA

Alma del Mar is ready to help you with your holiday shopping! We have a wealth of locally-made gift items including soaps, bath bombs, shower steamers, keychains, cards, cutting boards, and more. We're open Tue, 4pm-7pm, and Wed-Sun, 11am-4pm, at 269 Bonifacio Place.

Christmas in the Adobes 2023

 
12/8/23
 
$30/$45
 
Custom House Store

Christmas in the Adobes on December 8 & 9 is Monterey's signature holiday event! Stroll the streets of Monterey and stop in at any one of the many decorated adobes with soft holiday lights and entertainment. The event supports Monterey State Historic Park children's educational programs and the restoration of the historic First Theatre.

Tickets are $30 per night for adults and free for children and youth age 17 and under. A 2-night Gold Pass is available for $45. Reserve your tickets online today.

Christmas Tree and Lights

Monterey Fire Department Holiday Toy and Food Drives

Monterey, CA

Monterey Fire Department is collecting food and toy donations this holiday season. The toy drive will run through December 15; the food drive will run through January 3.

A community toy-wrapping party will take place on Friday, December 16, 6pm-10pm at Monterey High Gym. Everyone is invited to help wrap presents!

Slay Belles Holiday Brunch at Bulldog Sports Pub

 
12/9/23
 
 
Bulldog Sports Pub

Join Flex Party on Saturday, December 9 on the back patio of Bulldog Sports Pub for a dragtastic holiday brunch in support of Monterey Peninsula Pride hosted by the one and only Rouge Roulette! Tickets are $15 each. We'll have...

Manasiri's Crepes and Sandwiches Open New Year's Day

 
1/1/23
 
 
Manasiri's Crepes and Sandwiches

Manasiri's Crepes and Sandwiches will be open on New Year's Day, 8am-7pm. We heard a rumor that they'll be having a series of fun, all-ages events and activities that day. Bring the whole family down to celebrate!

Breakfast with Santa at Jacks Monterey

 
12/11/22
 
 
Jacks Monterey

Jacks Monterey invites you to join us for Breakfast with Santa! On Sunday, December 11, 9am-2pm, Santa Claus will be available say hello to our guests and take photos at your leisure as you enjoy breakfast at the restaurant....

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.

New Year's Eve at Portola Hotel & Spa: Roaring Into 2023

 
12/31/22
 
$175 / $195
 
Portola Hotel & Spa

Toast to 2023 with all the glitz and glamour of the 1920's at Portola Hotel & Spa's Annual New Year's Eve celebration! This year-end event will include live music by Michael Gaither and the Alison Sharino Band, dancing, a buffet dinner, an open bar, and a champagne toast. For ages 21 and over.

New Years at the Disco 2024

 
12/31/23
 
$100/$140
 
Compact Disco

Yasss Monterey and Paradise present New Years at the Disco on Sunday, December 31, 8pm-2am. Ring in the New Year at Monterey's most exclusive venue, Compact Disco. Enjoy a two-hour open bar, 8pm-10pm, complimentary food all night, a champagne toast...

Holiday Sweat and Shop at Monterey Core Fitness

 
12/14/23
 
 
Monterey Core Fitness

Mark your calendars, ladies! Monterey Core Fitness invites you to join us and some amazing local small businesses for a Sweat & Shop on Thursday, December 14 at 6pm.

Our full body workout will start at 6pm followed by...

First Friday: Celebrate "Iluminado" at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/1/23
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join Monterey Museum of Art for free, after-hours access during this special edition of First Friday, 5pm-8pm, celebrating the opening of our new annual holiday exhibit, Iluminado . Revel in the fun and enjoy drinks, small-bites, art activities, and a live set by DJ Hanif Wondir. Wine and beer will be available to purchase.

Winter Solstice Celebration at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/22/23
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join Monterey Museum of Art on Friday, December 22, 5:30pm-7:30pm, for an evening of merriment and reflection as the year comes to a close and we celebrate the fully transformed Iluminado exhibition at our Winter Solstice Celebration. Admission is free.

Winter Art Market at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/16/23
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join Monterey Museum of Art on Pacific Street for a cozy and creative shopping experience at our Winter Art Market on Saturday, December 16, 11am-2pm. Held inside the wondrous Iluminado exhibition, visitors are invited to participate in various art prompts, support local businesses, and find the perfect gifts for the holiday season! Admission is free.

New Monterey Neighborhood Association Holiday Party 2023

 
12/8/23
 
 
Gianni's Pizza

Are you a New Monterey resident? Join the New Monterey Neighborhood Association (NMNA) for our Annual Holiday Party at Gianni’s Pizza on Friday, December 8, 5pm-7pm. Come meet your neighbors!

Pizza and soft drinks will be provided by NMNA....

Holiday Champagne Tasting at Hellam's

 
12/7/23
 
$40
 
Hellam's Tobacco and Wine Shop

Hellam's Tobacco and Wine Shop presents a special holiday season champagne tasting on Thursday, December 7, 7pm-10pm. Participation fee is $40.

Poppleton's Kozy Kit Holiday Special

Monterey, CA

Are you searching for a warm and comforting holiday gift? Poppleton's can help! Now through December 24, 2023, come to our showroom and buy a throw blanket, a diffuser, and a Poppleton's candle and get 20% off all three. These...

Iluminado: Free Family Fun Day at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/2/23
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Monterey Museum of Art presents a Free Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 2, 11am-3pm. Drop by the Museum for a fun-filled afternoon with our interactive art installation, Iluminado .

Meet the artists behind the magical trees of the exhibit, exercise your creativity, and contribute to the evolving exhibition. Featured activities include: paper leaves with messages, mural painting, and pattern-making with wooden blocks.

Please Support Fashion Trade & Kim Lawson This Holiday Season

Monterey, CA

In honor of Small Business Saturday, the Lighthouse District wants to share with you the story of one of our own beloved business owners and community members, Kim Lawson.

Kim has experienced significant health challenges this fall, and we encourage you to stop by her shop, Fashion Trade. on Nov. 25, 11am-5pm, and Nov. 26, 2pm-5pm, to show your support, both personal and financial, at 554 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey during her recovery. (Shop for a good cause!) Read more here.

Small Business Saturday Sale at Recycled Records

 
11/25/23
 
 
Recycled Records

Recycled Records is under new management and we'll be celebrating Small Business Saturday with a fully-stocked new arrivals section, new merchandise, a collectibles and poster sale, $2 cassettes, $5 CDs, and half off DVDs and Blu-Ray discs.

Come and meet the new owners! We'll be open 10am-7pm.

Extended Black Friday Sale at Mattress Nation 2023

Monterey, CA

Come on in to locally-owned Mattress Nation for our extended Black Friday Sale! We've got excellent deals on great brands like Stearns & Foster, Tempur-Pedic, and Sealy Posturepedic, running now through Dec. 6 at our showroom at 296 Lighthouse Avenue. We're open daily, 10am-6pm.

Holiday Gifts at Saltwater Sanctuary

 
11/25/23
 
 
Saltwater Sanctuary - Pedicures

On Small Business Saturday, Saltwater Sanctuary will open the doors of our retail shop 8am-5pm. Come and find a beautiful selection of holiday gifts and skin care treatments, including orange citrus epsom salt soaks, fall sea witch brooms, decorated mussel shells, candles, and our signature holiday soaps.

Holiday Sale at Haute Beauty Guide

 
11/24/23
 
 
Haute Beauty Guide

Haute Beauty Guide's retail shop will offer 20% off everything in-store and online Nov. 24 & 25. It's the perfect time to stock up on beauty and self care needs, plus do some fun holiday shopping from our wide selection of gifts for all ages. We'll be open 10am-4pm both days.