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.

Holiday Book Sale at Monterey Public Library 2023

 
12/8/23
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is hosting a Holiday Book Sale Dec. 8 & 9, 10am-4pm, in the Community Room of the Library. You'll find gently used books across all genres. Proceeds will benefit Monterey Public Library.

Monterey County SantaCon 2023 at Compact Disco

 
12/24/23
 
 
Compact Disco

Compact Disco presents Monterey County SantaCon, a fundraiser for CalFire, on Christmas Eve. Costumes are suggested - a $500 Santa costume contest will be held at 10pm. Admission is free, but donations online or at the door are encouraged.

Holiday Cookies at The Perfect Crumb

Monterey, CA

Holiday cookies are in full production at The Perfect Crumb! Stop by the bakery at 301 Lighthouse Avenue to see our selection. Better yet, phone us at 831-241-6269 to place your order. (Call now to avoid disappointment!)

Christmas Dinner Buffet at Portola Hotel & Spa

 
12/25/22
 
 
Portola Hotel & Spa

Tis’ the season to celebrate the holidays in Monterey, with a spectacular Christmas dinner buffet at the Portola Hotel & Spa on December 25, 1pm-7pm. Dine in the newly refreshed event space, The Club Room, and enjoy a holiday buffet...

Monterey Firefighters Holiday Toy Drive 2025

Monterey, CA

Monterey Firefighters and Pacific Grove Kiwanis are teaming up to provide presents to families in need this holiday season and they need your help! They are seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys.

You can make your donation at Fire Stations #11-15 , including the fire station at 582 Hawthorne Street. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 18.

Christmas Eve Holiday Lunch Buffet at Namaste

 
12/24/25
 
 
Namaste India Bistro

Celebrate Christmas Eve with us at Namaste India Bistro. Enjoy our special Holiday Lunch Buffet with a delicious variety of authentic Indian dishes, 11am-3pm. Price is $24.95 per adult, $16.95 per child. Call to reserve your table, 831-641-0130.

2025 Lighthouse District Holiday Display Contest Winners

Monterey, CA

The New Monterey Business Association congratulates the winners of our 2025 Lighthouse District Holiday Display Contest!

**Best Holiday Display with Lighting**
InSight Eyewear
490 Lighthouse Ave

Honorable Mention
Carpets & Floors, Inc.
471 Lighthouse Ave

**Best Holiday Display, Minimally Lit**
On The Beach Surf Shop
693 Lighthouse Ave

Honorable Mention
The Leather Company
638 Lighthouse Ave

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

Yule Log Cake and Dessert Board from Freedom Bakery

Monterey, CA

Freedom Bakery is offering Yule Log Cake for the holidays! This traditional Christmas treat, shaped like a wooden log, is made with our melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chiffon cake rolled with a layer whipped cream, iced with chocolate truffle, and decorated with a bright red frosting poinsettia.

Want to go a step further for a larger gathering? Order our Yule Log Dessert Board for pickup at our Monterey boutique at 305 Webster Street, Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm.

Christmas Dinner at Esteban Restaurant 2025

 
12/25/25
 
 
Esteban Restaurant

Esteban Restaurant invites you to celebrate Christmas Dinner with us, 4pm-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.

Holiday Sale at Old Capitol Books 2025

Monterey, CA

It's out with the old and in with the new! Old Capitol Books is hosting our annual holiday sale, featuring 25% off everything in the store the entire month of December. Come check out what we have on the shelves at 482 Alvarado Street. We're open Fri-Sun, 12pm-6pm.

Holiday Stollen Now at Parker-Lusseau Pastries

Monterey, CA

Parker-Lusseau Pastries and Cafe, located at 539 Hartnell Street, has fresh stollen on our shelves from now until Christmas.

This holiday favorite is so popular we recommend placing your order in advance at 831-641-9188. Slice it, toast it, smother it with butter, eat it...repeat!

Hot Chocolate Candle Making Workshop at Johnny Wicks Studio

 
12/20/25
 
$70
 
Johnny Wicks Candle Studio

The sweetest Johnny Wicks tradition is back - our Hot Chocolate Candle Making Workshop on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6pm.

Get cozy, pour a hot-chocolate-themed candle, enjoy drinking hot chocolate with all the goodies, and decorate your own gingerbread house. Register here .

Weekend Special at I Heart You Candles

 
12/13/25
 
 
I Heart You Candles and Gifts

I Heart You Candles and Gifts is offering a limited time holiday special! On Saturday, 12/13, 11am-2pm only, buy two candles and get the third free. On Sunday, 12/14, 11am-2pm, buy one candle and get one free.

Christmas Eve Sound Journey at Om Studios

 
12/24/25
 
$30
 
Om Studios

Join Om Studios for a Christmas Eve Sound Journey on Wednesday, December 24, 11am-12pm. Fee is $30 - register here .

Immerse yourself in a blissful fusion of gentle yoga postures and soothing vibrations with sounds of crystal bowls, gongs, and other healing instruments.

No Farmers Market on Dec. 23 & 30

 
12/23/25
 
free
 
Old Monterey District

The Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers Market will be closed on December 23 and December 30. We wish you a very happy holidays and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, January 6, 4pm-7pm.

MY Museum Holiday Extravaganza 2025

 
12/14/25
 
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

Join Monterey County Youth Museum for a Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 14. Enjoy a holiday musical theater performance by the Dance Center, 10am-10:30am, followed by Little Sense Makers in our party room hosting sensory play, 10:30am-12pm. Reserve your spot now.

Noon Year's Eve Party at MY Museum 2025

 
12/31/25
 
$15/$25
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

Ring in the New Year at a kid-friendly hour this year! Join MY Museum 10am-12pm 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.

Yacht Rock: New Year's Eve Party at Portola Hotel & Spa 2026

 
12/31/25
 
$220-250
 
Portola Hotel & Spa

Portola Hotel & Spa presents Yacht Rock: A New Year's Eve Party. Tickets available here .

Step aboard for an unforgettable evening as the De Anza Ballroom transforms into a nautical-chic escape filled with casual sophistication, smooth Yacht Rock vibes, and nonstop celebration.

Holiday Card Printmaking Demo & Open House

 
12/13/25
 
 
Play Full Ground

Play Full Ground, a creativity-centered microschool and learning lab, is hosting a free holiday card printmaking demonstration and open house on Saturday, December 13, 1pm-3pm. All are welcome! Learn more.

New Year's Eve Oyster Party at Oystertown 2025

 
12/31/25
 
 
Oystertown

The early bird gets the oysters, caviar, and bubbles! Join Oystertown for a New Year's Eve twilight celebration with plenty of good food and good vibes, 4pm-9:30pm. No reservations.

Fisherman's Feast at Oystertown

 
12/24/25
 
 
Oystertown

Oystertown presents a delicious Christmas Eve 5-course prix fixe dinner, Fisherman's Feast - a delight for any seafood lover. Seatings available between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Price is $115 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Learn more.