Holidays

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.

Small Business Saturday in Downtown Old Monterey 2024

 
11/30/24
 
 
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 30, there will be special offers and fun things to do. View everything here.

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.

2025 Calendars at Lighthouse Books

Monterey, CA

2025 calendars have arrived at Lighthouse Books! There are a wide variety of titles to choose from - 200 different calendars - but quantities are limited to 1 or 2 of each, so be sure to visit us soon at 600 Lighthouse Ave. We're open daily, 11am-6pm.

Tickets on Sale for Christmas in the Adobes 2024

Monterey, CA

Tickets are now on sale online and in-person for Monterey's signature holiday event, Christmas in the Adobes, on December 13 & 14. Stroll the streets of Monterey and tour the many beautifully decorated adobes, listening to live music and stories of Monterey's history.

Tickets are $30 per night for adults and free for ages 17 and under. A two-night Gold Pass is $45. Discounts available for active military personnel. Proceeds benefit Monterey State Historic Park children's educational and school history programs.

Christmas in the Adobes 2024

 
12/13/24
 
$30/$45
 
Custom House Store

Christmas in the Adobes on December 13 & 14 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's K-12 educational history program.

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

Small Business Saturday on Lighthouse 2024

 
11/30/24
 
 
Lighthouse District

New Monterey's Lighthouse District invites you to join us on November 30 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!

New Year's Eve Party at Bon Ton L'Roy's

 
12/31/23
 
no cover charge
 
Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse! Beginning at 7pm we'll have live music performed by Alligator, the legendary Blues, Zydeco, and Cajun guitar and fiddle player. Enjoy a toast with us at midnight.

No cover charge. Reservations recommended, 831-375-6958.

Bulldog Sports Pub Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

 
12/25/23
 
 
Bulldog Sports Pub - CLOSED

Bulldog Sports Pub will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Come watch some football with us! The kitchen will be serving our regular menu both days.

We're open 9:30am-2am on Christmas Eve and 4:30pm-2am on Christmas Day. Remember…. there are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.

Bulldog Sports Pub Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

 
12/24/23
 
 
Bulldog Sports Pub - CLOSED

Bulldog Sports Pub will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Come watch some football with us! The kitchen will be serving our regular menu both days.

We're open 9:30am-2am on Christmas Eve and 4:30pm-2am on Christmas Day. Remember, there are no strangers here, only friends you haven't met yet.

2023 Lighthouse District Holiday Display Contest Winners

Monterey, CA

The New Monterey Business Association congratulates the winners of our 2023 Lighthouse District Holiday Display Contest!

Best Holiday Displays with Lighting
Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse
794 Lighthouse Ave

Paprika Cafe
309 Lighthouse Ave

Best Holiday Displays, Minimally Lit
Mattress Nation
296 Lighthouse Ave

Second Chance Thrift Store
443 Lighthouse Ave

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

Holiday Clearance Sale at Pamir Rugs 2023

Monterey, CA

Pamir Rugs and Kilims is having a Holiday Clearance Sale! Save 40-60% off Oriental and Persian rugs in a variety of sizes and colors. We also have hand-woven pillows that make excellent gifts. Visit us at 237 Lighthouse Avenue, or call 831-647-9965.

Namaste India Bistro Open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

 
12/31/23
 
 
Namaste India Bistro

Namaste India Bistro will be open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, offering our all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, 11:30am-2:30pm, and dinner service, 5pm-9pm, featuring a special holiday dinner menu to tantalize your taste buds.

Our holiday lunch buffet...

Namaste India Bistro Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

 
12/24/23
 
 
Namaste India Bistro

Namaste India Bistro will be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, offering our all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, 11:30am-2:30pm, and dinner service, 5pm-9pm, featuring a special holiday dinner menu to tantalize your taste buds.

Decorated Cookies for the Holidays at The Perfect Crumb

Monterey, CA

The Perfect Crumb Bakery has freshly decorated cookies available for your holiday celebrations! You'll find gingerbread people, reindeer, Christmas trees, and more. Visit the bakery at 301 Lighthouse Avenue.

Please note that The Perfect Crumb will be closed from December 25 through mid-February for a long winter's nap. We look forward to seeing you when we reopen!

Britannia Arms Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

 
12/24/23
 
 
Britannia Arms of Monterey - CLOSED

The Britannia Arms of Monterey will be open on Christmas Eve, 10am-5pm, playing the full NFL schedule on our big screen TVs. We'll also be open on Christmas Day, 10am-8:30pm. Don't miss the Raiders game at 10am and the 49ers...

Take a Photo with the Grinch at Cloud City

 
12/17/23
 
Free
 
Cloud City Supply

Stop by Cloud City this weekend and take a picture with the Grinch! 💚

The Grinch will be on site all weekend long!
Saturday, 12/16 from 1pm-4pm
Sunday, 12/17 from 10am-12pm

Celebrating Kwanzaa and Community at the Stanton Center

 
12/31/23
 
$25/$30
 
Monterey History and Art Museum at Stanton Center

Celebrate the sixth day of Kwanzaa, 6:30pm-8:30pm, at Stanton Center! Glodean Champion, in partnership with Black Leaders and Allies Collaborative and the Juneteenth Coalition, invites you to join us for an evening of soul-stirring food and conversation. Donation is $25 in advance , $30 at the door.

Enjoy Panettone from Paris Bakery

Monterey, CA

Paris Bakery is now offering freshly-made panettone. A sweet Italian yeast bread with raisins and dried fruit, panettone is traditionally enjoyed during the winter holiday season. Visit us at 271 Bonifacio Place to get yours.

New Year's Eve Bash at Cibo Ristorante 2024

 
12/31/23
 
no cover
 
Cibo Ristorante Italiano - CLOSED

Cibo Ristorante Italiano invites you to join us for our annual New Year's Eve Bash! We'll be celebrating 9pm-1:30am, no cover charge. Come ring in the new year and dance to the music of DJ Gil! Dress to impress. We'll have drink specials all night. Dinner will be served until 10pm - reservations recommended.

2024 Firefighter Calendar Release Party

 
12/19/23
 
 
Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill

Join the Monterey Firefighter Foundation, 3pm-6pm, in the beer garden of Alvarado Street Brewery for our 2024 Firefighter Calendar Release Party! Purchase a calendar and get a beer for half price. Calendar models will be on site to sign calendars. All proceeds will support the Monterey Firefighter Foundation's community outreach programs.

Holiday Gifts and Stocking Stuffers at Haute Beauty Guide

Monterey, CA

Haute Beauty Guide has a wonderful selection of gifts and stocking stuffers for the holidays, including hair clips, bath bombs, gemstone bracelets, candles, and Christmas ornaments.

The shop also has a fantastic sale on lucite games such as dominoes, checkers, tic-tac-toe, and more, all marked at only $50 (orig. $110-$325). Visit us at 71 Pearl Street - hours are listed here .

Closing Sale at Cha-ya Japanese Tea and Things

Monterey, CA

After 18 wonderful years of serving our community, it is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of Cha-ya Japanese Tea & Things. Starting December 6, all items (excluding tea and food) are 30% off. Please come say goodbye at 118 Webster Street and get your favorite Cha-ya items before they are gone!

We invite you to join us over the next couple of months. It's a chance to reminisce, grab some fantastic deals, and say goodbye in person.

Winter Specials at Spa on the Plaza

Monterey, CA

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering winter specials, including a Glisten and Glow Facial (60 min., $160) and a Cranberry Bliss Massage (80 min., $195). To learn more and make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.