Monterey County's Top Holiday Events
Holiday celebrations in Monterey County bring back memories of a golden era and create new memories to last a lifetime. Here, the holiday season is centered around beautiful lights, the joy of sharing and simple pleasures like a cup of hot cocoa with an ocean view.
Late November and early December are packed with events that evoke the feelings these holidays were meant to engender. We could keep them all to ourselves, but in the spirit of holiday sharing, we invite you to join in the good cheer with us!
Holiday Marketplace at the Monterey County Fairgrounds
Saturday, November 12, 10:00am
Kick off the shopping season at the Monterey County Fairgrounds for the first annual Holiday Marketplace. There will be plenty of gifts, crafts, food, Christmas carols and a visit from Santa Claus. The festive atmosphere is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Admission is free.
Ice Skating at Northridge Mall
Sunday, November 13 - Sunday, January 8
Northridge Mall in Salinas welcomes the first ever ice skating rink located near Old Navy and JCPenney. The ice rink will remain open during mall holiday hours. Admission is $12 for children and $15 for adults.
Ice Skating by the Bay
Friday, November 18 - Sunday, January 8
Custom House Plaza transforms into a winter wonderland this season for Ice Skating by the Bay. Enjoy the outdoor ice rink well into the New Year! Admission is $10 for children and $12 for adults.
Tree Lighting at Del Monte Shopping Center
Saturday, November 19, 5:00pm
Get an early start on your Christmas shopping list at Del Monte Shopping Center. Locals and visitors are invited to attend a special tree lighting event on November 19th complete with live entertainment, cookies, hot cocoa and Santa!
17th Annual Cannery Row Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, November 25, 6:00pm
Santa sleighs in for a full day of play along legendary Cannery Row. The festivities begin at Steinbeck Plaza overlooking Monterey Bay when Santa flips the switch on a towering 25-foot holiday tree. He makes a return visit every weekend until Christmas Eve. Capture the moment with a free souvenir photograph. Admission is free.
Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights
Sunday, November 27, 6:00pm
Kick off your holidays at the annual Salinas family and community delight that attracts over 10,000 spectators. Parade entrants range from marching bands, floats and dancers to walking groups and classic cars. The route winds up South Main Street and through Oldtown to the National Steinbeck Center. Celebrity announcers keep you well informed during the festivities.
Pacific Grove Christmas Tree Lighting
Monday, November 28, 5:30pm
Come to Pacific Grove for an old-fashioned Christmas tree lighting! The town Christmas tree is located at Jewell Park, at the corner of Central and Forest Avenues. Don't forget to visit Santa's Christmas Party at Chautauaqua Hall for refreshments, live entertainment and a dance show.
Christmas at the Inns
Tuesday, November 29 and Wednesday, November 30
It's Pacific Grove at its most picturesque, as ten of the town's bed and breakfasts and inns deck their halls and open their doors so you can share their holiday cheer in Victorian-era splendor. Each and every location will have great live music and tasty holiday treats! On Tuesday, venues include Martine Inn, Pacific Grove Inn, Gosby House, Centrella Inn, Inn at 213 17 Mile Drive, Jabberwock and Asilomar's Phoebe Hearst Social Hall. Wednesday's events take place at Green Gables Inn, Old St. Angela Inn, Pacific Grove Inn, Old Monterey Inn, Inn at 213 17 Mile Drive, Jabberwock and Asilomar's Phoebe Hearst Social Hall. A limited number of tickets are available. Admission is $20. Please call 831-373-3304 or visit the official website to reserve your spot.
Holiday Parade of Lights
Thursday, December 1, 6:00pm
An annual tradition, Pacific Grove's Holiday Parade of Lights is a fun hometown parade down "Main Street, USA." This lighted parade includes floats, marching bands, dance troupes, equestrian performances and Santa Claus. After the parade, carolers will walk through the streets of downtown Pacific Grove as local businesses stay open well into the evening for the holiday celebration.
Carmel-by-the-Sea Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday, December 2, 4:30pm
Carmel-by-the-Sea lights up the night with a special tree lighting ceremony at Devendorf Park. There will be plenty of entertainment, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus!
Marina Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Friday, December 2, 6:00pm-7:30pm
This family fun celebration will include hot apple cider, holiday cookies, live entertainment and caroling around Marina's living Christmas Tree. Santa and Mrs. Claus might even stop by for a special appearance!The tree is located at the Vince DiMaggio Park at 3200 Del Monte Boulevard in Marina.
Lighted Boat Parade
Sunday, December 4
You've seen parades on land — now see one on the ocean! The boats of Monterey Bay will be brilliantly decked out as they sail from Coast Guard Pier past Cannery Row. The ships compete fiercely to win the coveted award for Best Decorations from the Yacht Club at the end of the evening. Check out this unique, can't-miss event from along the Monterey coastline.
13th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Musical Festival and Christmas Art and Gear Show
Friday, December 2- Sunday, December 4
Pack those chaps and spurs for a wranglin’ good time with some of the nation’s top balladeers and cowboy/girl poets featured in Monterey's three-day weekend event that also includes seven great shows over the three day event, a western art and gear sale, a Saturday night western hodown, silent auction and “cowboy” church service among other festivities. Call 800-722-9652 or visit the official website for more information.
Stillwell's Snow in the Park
Saturday, December 3, 10:00am-4:00pm
Caledonia Park in downtown Pacific Grove behind the Post Office will be covered in a blanket of snow and decorated with twinkling lights. Lots of wintry fun for all! Featuring Santa’s arrival on a shiny Pacific Grove Fire Truck, Frosty the Snowman, Snow Queen, hayrides, petting zoo & lots of entertainment.
Chateau Julien Wine Estate Holiday Spectacular
Sunday, December 4, 2:30—5:30pm
Sing for joy and celebrate the holiday season with a night of music, wine and good cheer at Chateau Julien Wine Estate. Come enjoy the music that is sure to put you in the spirit of the season, followed by a wine tasting and reception in the Great Hall. Tickets are $40 for the general public and $30 for club members. Visit the official website for ticketing information or call 831-624-2600.
Streets of Bethlehem
Wednesday, December 7 — Saturday, December 10
Step into the Nativity story, as 200 re-enactors, along with live animals and musical groups, recreate the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Volunteers from the First Baptist Church of Salinas recreate the entire town of Bethlehem to provide visitors with a truly immersive experience. Call 831-422-9872 for more information.
27th Annual Christmas in the Adobes
Thursday, December 8 and Saturday, December 10, 5:00—9:00pm
Step back into Monterey's past during Christmas in the Adobes. See the adobes by candlelight and enjoy refreshments and live performances as volunteers in period attire welcome you into historic homes decorated in historical style. The twenty 19th-century adobes, lit by luminaries and enhanced with period decorations, are within an easy walk of each other. Learn while you celebrate; docents and volunteers will be on hand to tell the story of each of these charming buildings, many of which are only open to the public during this celebration.
Tickets are $15 for adults through November 15, and $20 after. Tickets are $2 for children ages 6—17 (must be accompanied by a paying adult), and free for children ages 5 and under. Buy tickets now at the Cooper Museum Store every day between 10am and 4pm or click here for the ticket order form. Contact the Custom House Museum at 831-649-7120 for additional information.
Jingle Bell Run with Santa
Saturday, December 10, 8:00am
Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce and the Arthritis Foundation introduce a new 5K race (run or walk) at Lovers Point Park. Have fun with Santa, tie jingle bells to your shoes, and help raise funds to support the foundation.
Santa's Fly-In
Saturday, December 10, 10:00am
Santa and Mrs. Claus fly in by helicopter direct from the North Pole to Carmel Valley Village Airfield! There they'll board their sleigh and lead a parade through Carmel Valley Village. The parade is filled with horses, the Carmel Valley Kiwanis Club train, unique autos and more! Afterwards kids can head to the Carmel Valley Youth Center for a photo with jolly Old Saint Nick.
Christmas Tours at Wild Things
Through December, 6:30—8:30pm
Take a walk on the wild side with the holiday night time flashlight tour of Wild Things Wild Animal Park. Meet real, live reindeer! Santa's added his sleigh-pulling friends to the menagerie at Wild Things; you can view them along with the kangaroos, hyenas, lions, tigers, elephants and other animals Wild Things has on display. Rumor has it that Santa himself will be dropping by. Don't miss him! Warm refreshments and candy canes are served after the tour. Photos are available with live reindeer! Tickets are $15 for adults, and $13 for children ages 14 and under. Call 831-455-1901 ext. 3 or visit the official website for reservations.
Pebble Beach New Year's Championship
Friday, December 30 - Sunday, January 1, 2012
Golf in the New Year at Pebble Beach Golf Links and The Links at Spanish Bay during a 36-hole tournament. Registration includes tickets to the New Year's Eve Party at The Inn at Spanish Bay. For more information call(877) 853-5864.
First Night Monterey
Saturday, December 31
First Night Monterey celebrates the lively arts scene in Monterey County with its 19th annual family-friendly celebration of the arts. Over thirty venues hold concurrent performances and activities for both children and adults, culminating in a convergence on Custom House Plaza, Monterey State Historic Park to ring in the New Year. Live music ranges from classical to Irish traditional to experimental hip-hop. There will be dance performances, great food and lots of surprises! Admission Buttons are available for $22 for adults and $15 for children. Children five and under are admitted free. Special Family Packages will be available from the official website.
Beachside Boardwalk Ball: New Year's Eve 2011 at The Inn at Spanish Bay
Saturday, December 31
Ring in the New Year at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach during the Beachside Boardwalk Ball. Guests will enjoy live music, endless buffets and more throughout the night. Call (800) 654-9300 for reservations.
Rio Grill's Resolution Run
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Put on your sneackers and kick off 2012 with Rio Grill's Resolution Run. Participants will burn up several of their holiday calories during a 6.5 mile foot race or a 3 mile family fun run. The course begins at Crossroads Shopping Village in Carmel, and takes runners along trails and sandy beaches, all with views of the glorious Carmel coastline.
Sign up for
Order a Free Visitors Guide
Get Here
