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Events Events

Happenings in Monterey County

Whether you’re a car fanatic in town for Monterey Car Week or one of the many year-round races at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a melomaniac on your way to California Roots Festival and Monterey Jazz Festival or simply out on a spur-of-the-moment getaway and looking for things to do this weekend, there’s always something to celebrate in Monterey County.

For year-round entertainment, head to our Annual Events Calendar or download the Annual Events PDF. Want to keep up to date on what’s happening in Monterey County? Subscribe to our newsletter.

Annual Events

Jazz Bash By The Bay Monterey

3/6/2026 - 3/8/2026

Recurring daily

The Jazz Bash By the Bay Monterey takes place in eight venues and across six dance floors, featuring over 20 bands and more than 100 musicians. Enjoy the colorful forms of American Classic Jazz, including Traditional, Ragtime, Swing, Gypsy and Blues.

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Pebble Beach Food & Wine

4/9/2026 - 4/12/2026

Recurring daily

Pebble Beach Food & Wine is the West Coast’s premier epicurean lifestyle event, featuring four days of wine tastings, cooking demos and some of the most exclusive, unique dining opportunities available in the world. 250 acclaimed wineries and 100 celebrity chefs assemble to bring you the culinary experience of a lifetime on one of the most picturesque strips of coastline...

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Whalefest

4/11/2026 - 4/12/2026

The 16th Annual Whalefest Monterey will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 11–12, 2026, at and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Custom House Plaza – Monterey State Historic Park. This free, family-friendly festival features interactive exhibits, live music, research and rescue vessel tours, and educational activities for all ages. The popular Symposium, with renowned marine experts, is scheduled for both...

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Sea Otter Classic

4/16/2026 - 4/19/2026

A four-day "Celebration of Cycling," the Sea Otter Classic is regarded as the largest and most comprehensive gathering of cycling enthusiasts in the world. Part recreational biking, part competitive event, part festival, part expo and 100% fun. This action-packed cycling extravaganza features amateur and pro cycling events as well as family activities for all ages. New in 2026, the weekend will...

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Big Sur International Marathon

4/26/2026

The Big Sur Marathon is 26.2 miles of the most beautiful coastline in the world - and, for runners, the most challenging. The athletes who participate may draw inspiration from the spectacular views, but it takes major discipline to conquer the hills of Highway 1 on the way to the finish line. Named "Best Marathon in North America" by The Ultimate...

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Monterey SportsCar Championship

5/1/2026 - 5/3/2026

Recurring daily

The most technologically advanced sports cars in the world return to Monterey. Featuring the advanced GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) from such makes as Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche, they are setting new performance benchmarks and bringing highly contested racing excitement. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship showcases its top classes, familiar names and teams where fans of all ages can see,...

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Good Old Days Street Festival

5/2/2026 - 5/3/2026

Recurring daily

Good Old Days Street Festival is Pacific Grove’s premier community event. Each year, this FREE event draws a great crowd of locals and visitors, rain or shine! Vendors from multiple states display their arts and crafts alongside a wide variety of food booths, stretching down historic Lighthouse Avenue, for the largest gathering of arts and crafts vendors in Monterey County. ...

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Carmel Art Festival

5/15/2026 - 5/17/2026

Recurring daily

This will be the 33rd anniversary of the Carmel Art Festival, held in Carmel-by-the-Sea since 1993. 60 plein air artists, a veritable list of all-star winners of the past 30 years, arrive in Carmel on May 15 and will be painting all over the Monterey Peninsula for 2 days. Their paintings will be displayed, judged and sold on a "buy...

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California Roots Music & Art Festival

5/22/2026 - 5/24/2026

Recurring daily

Three days of reggae, roots, hip-hop and reggae-rock in one of the world’s most iconic music destinations. Known as one of the largest festivals of its kind, “Cali Roots” draws thousands of fans daily to experience live performances across multiple stages, vibrant art installations, local food and drink, and an atmosphere that celebrates community, culture and sustainability. Perfect for music...

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Spartan Race

5/30/2026 - 5/31/2026

Recurring daily

Welcome to beautiful Toro Park. Located only six miles from downtown Salinas near the town of Monterey, the park is a vast, sprawling venue covering almost 5,000 acres. With punishing hills, fields and prairies as well as many picturesque wooded areas, it’s easy to understand why this venue is a favorite amongst Spartans. The course covers a variety of trail...

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LET'S GET SPECIFIC

1 - 12 of 53 Results

All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Salsa Nights

Carmel Mission Inn

History on Tap: The Women who shaped the Central Coast

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Salsa and Bachata Nights

Carmel Mission Inn

Jazz Bash By The Bay Monterey

Portola Hotel & Spa

Rodney Crowell: Airline Highway Tour

Golden State Theatre

Craft & Cultura Art Market

The 200 Block of Oldtown Main Street, next to the Salinas Arch

Miss Salinas Valley Fair

Salinas Valley Fairgrounds

First Friday Salinas

Downtown Salinas

Five New Exhibits on display from March 6 - April 23, 2026

Pacific Grove Art Center

Wine Dinner with Francois

Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course

16th Anniversary Celebration of First Friday Pacific Grove

Artisana Gallery

Need some inspo?

What path do you take? Out here, it’s a whole world of paths….and each one takes you to something incredible. From the dramatic panoramas of Big Sur to the fairytale cottages of Carmel-by-the-Sea, these paths tie all of Monterey together, creating one big, epic journey. A visit to the iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium and a trip through time on historic Cannery Row merely scratch the surface of things to do on California’s central coast. No matter what path you take, it’s sure to lead to inspiration. For additional inspiration, stay in the know with our e-Newsletter.

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