Monterey First Theater Fest 2025

Monterey State Historic Park presents the second annual First Theater Fest on Saturday, August 30, 11am-4pm, at California's First Theater and Casa del Oro Garden. Enjoy free entertainment, family-friendly activities, a Maker's Market featuring local vendors, and food trucks.

Activities & Entertainment

This year’s festival will include performances on First Theater's historic stage by the Monterey Peninsula Theatre Company and musician Katherine Lavin that can be enjoyed with free popcorn and cream soda.

Across the street from the theater, Casa del Oro Garden will host several state park activities for all ages.

Maker's Market

The festival’s Maker’s Market in the First Theater Garden will host local vendors North Coast Tintypes, Casey Starks Studio, Meninas Clothing, Jilly MP Nature Illustrations, and illustrator Maria Schoettler.

Dining

Feeling hungry? We'll be hosting food trucks by Silverstein’s Delicatessen and Foolhardy Coffee near Casa del Oro Garden. There's also a wide variety of delicious cafes and restaurants within walking distance in Downtown Old Monterey.

About First Theater

This adobe theater was built by Jack Swan in 1846-47 as a lodging house and tavern for sailors. It was used as a theater in 1850 when U.S. Army officers from Colonel Stevenson's 1st New York Volunteers produced plays as a money-making venture. Swan built a small stage and provided benches, whale-oil lamps, candles for footlights, and curtains made of red and blue blankets.

In later years, the First Theater was used as a lodging house for whalers but fell into disrepair after Swan's death in 1896. It was purchased in 1906 by California Historic Landmarks League and donated to the State of California. Beginning in 1937, the Troupers of the Gold Coast staged melodramas there. The theater was closed in 1999 for renovations, which were completed in 2024.