Christmas Events in Monterey County

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!

Click here for even more holiday events.

Ice Skating by the Bay

Wednesday, November 21 - Thursday, January 6

Celebrate the holidays amidst the scenic coastline at Ice Skating by the Bay’s seasonal ice skating rink located in Custom House Plaza behind Portola Hotel & Spa. The ice rink is open daily Monday-Saturday from 11am-10pm and Sunday from 12pm-8pm.

Cannery Row Holiday Tree Lighting

Friday, November 23, 5pm-9pm

Santa sleighs in for a full day of play along legendary Cannery Row. The festivities begin at Steinbeck Plaza overlooking Monterey Bay at 5pm with Christmas carolers and live reindeer. Stick around until 6pm when Santa flips the switch on a towering 25-foot holiday tree.

Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights

Sunday, November 25, 6pm

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 26, 5:30pm-6:30pm

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 Chautauqua Hall for refreshments, live entertainment and a dance show.

Christmas at the Inns

Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 28, 6pm-9pm

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! 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, November 29, 6pm-7pm

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.

Colton Hall Christmas Tree Lighting 

Friday, November 30, 5pm-6pm

Watch downtown Monterey flip the switch on the Christmas Tree at Colton Hall this afternoon. The tree lighting ceremony will be full of cheer including carols, candles, cookies and cider.

Smuin Ballet's The Christmas Ballet

Friday, November 30 at 7:30pm and Saturday, December 1 at 2pm

Light up the holiday season with a stellar performance from the Smuin Ballet at the Sunset Center! This holiday-themed program is filled with a stunning and original array of ballet, tap and jazz.

Stillwell's Fun in the Park

Saturday, December 1, 10am-4pm

Caledonia Park in downtown Pacific Grove behind the Post Office will be full of wintry fun for all! Fun in the Park features Santa's arrival on a shiny Pacific Grove fire truck, Frosty the Snowman, hayrides, a petting zoo & lots of entertainment.

Brighten the Harbor Boat Parade

Sunday, December 2, 5pm-7pm

Watch decked out boats cruise along Monterey Bay's scenic coastline during the Monterey Yacht Club's lighted boat parade. The boats will start at Old Fisherman's Wharf and turn around at Hopkins Point, just after the Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

Streets of Bethlehem

Wednesday, December 5 - Saturday, December 8, 6pm-8:30pm

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea Christmas Tree Lighting

Friday, December 7, 3pm-7pm

Carmel-by-the-Sea lights up the night with a special tree lighting ceremony at Devendorf Park. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 3pm in Devendorf Park with plenty of entertainment, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus! After the tree is lit at 5:45pm stop by Carmel Plaza for their annual open house with live entertainment and refreshments. 

Christmas in the Adobes

Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8, 5pm-9pm

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 $25 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-17 (must be accompanied by a paying adult), and free for children ages 5 and under. Buy tickets online. 

The Nutcracker

Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8 at 7pm and Sunday, December 9 at 2pm

Join the celebration as Dance Kids of Monterey County present its 25th anniversary of The Nutcracker featuring the live Monterey Pops! Orchestra.Performances at the Sunset Center. Tickets are $49 for adults and $35-$45 for children. 

Saturday, December 8, 8am-11am

Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce and the Arthritis Foundation introduce a festive Jingle Bell 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 8, 10:30am

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! Afterward, kids can head to the Carmel Valley Youth Center for a photo with jolly Old Saint Nick.

Seaside's Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting

Friday, December 7, 6pm-9pm

Celebrate the Christmas season in the City of Seaside! The annual Winter Wonderland Celebration and Tree Lighting Ceremony features ice skating, interactive crafts, hay rides, a petting zoo and a special visit from Santa.

Inns of Distinction

Sunday, December 9, 2pm-5pm

Several quaint inns and B&Bs in Carmel-by-the-Sea open their doors this afternoon for the Inns of Distinction tour. Stroll the streets of Carmel and visit charming inns while sampling tastings from some of the area's finest restaurants and wine tasting rooms. Visit the Carmel Heritage website for ticket information.

Christmas Dinners

Tuesday, December 25

Leave the stress of the holidays to the fabulous restaurants in Monterey County! Several eateries remain open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to serve up delicious seasonal meals. Click here to see the full list.