Upcoming Events

For upcoming conferences happening in Old Monterey, please see the Conference Calendar.

Ice Skating by the Bay 2023

 
11/28/23
 
$15/$13
 
Custom House Plaza

Celebrate the holidays at Ice Skating by the Bay's seasonal ice skating rink, open daily November 24 - December 31 . At Custom House Plaza, located behind Portola Hotel & Spa in Old Monterey, skaters can spend the day in a winter wonderland by the Bay.

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for children 12 & under. Skate rental fee is $5.

Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers Market

 
11/28/23
 
free
 
Old Monterey

The Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers Market is held on Alvarado Street every Tuesday, 4pm-8pm, featuring local produce, crafts, and food vendors. We're open rain or shine.

Play Kahoot! Trivia at Nacho Bizness

 
11/29/23
 
 
Nacho Bizness

Come on down to Nacho Bizness on Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm, for Kahoot! Trivia Night. Eat nachos, drink drinks, win prizes, and have fun.

Every Wednesday, there are 3 rounds of trivia followed by a speed round⁠. After each round, small prizes are awarded. At the end, all scores are added and the person with the most points wins the big prize⁠.

DJ Edison Tesla at Compact Disco

 
11/29/23
 
free
 
Compact Disco

Compact Disco presents a night of house music featuring DJ Edison Tesla of Las Vegaswith a musical journey featuring an eclectic mix of house sounds every Wednesday. Music begins at 7pm. No cover. Ages 21+ only.

Trivia Night at Sovino Wine Bar

 
11/29/23
 
 
Sovino Wine Bar and Merchant

Join Sovino Wine Bar for Trivia Night every Wednesday, 7pm-9pm, hosted by Miguel Silva. Prizes are awarded for first and second place. Team size is limited to 6 people or less. No reservations are required, but space is limited. Test your knowledge against other trivia geeks!

Housework Thursdays at Compact Disco

 
11/30/23
 
free
 
Compact Disco

Compact Disco presents Housework Thursdays! Enjoy some great DJs every Thursday in the month of November. No cover. Happy Hour is 4pm-7pm. Music begins at 7pm. Ages 21+ only.

Adults' Gingerbread House Extravaganza 2023 at MY Museum

 
11/30/23
 
$50
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

MY Museum invites adults ages 21 and over to our Gingerbread House Extravaganza. This is the perfect time to get together with friends and start the holiday season off right!

Tickets are $50 per person - advance reservations are required . Fee includes gingerbread house with frosting and candy to decorate, a complimentary beverage, and dessert bar.

First Friday at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/1/23
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Come celebrate the weekend with Monterey Museum of Art on Pacific Street with extended hours and free access to the galleries every First Friday of the month, 5pm-7pm. Enjoy an evening of art, music, and community gathering.

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2023

 
12/1/23
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

All are cordially invited to the Historic Downtown Monterey Traditional Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, December 1, 5pm-6pm. Join us on the lawn in front of Colton Hall to share in this much-loved holiday event.

Enjoy cookies, cider, live music and caroling, and the lighting of the tree to bring in the holiday season. Monterey's Mayor and members of the City Council will be present and KMBY 1240 AM / 95.9 FM will broadcast the event live.

Comedian Felipe Esparza at Golden State Theatre 2023

 
12/1/23
 
$29-$69
 
Golden State Theatre

Golden State Theatre presents comedian and actor Felipe Esparza on Friday, December 1 at 8pm. Tickets are $29-$69 - to purchase tickets, please click here .

Felipe Esparza has come a long way since winning NBC's "Last Comic Standing" in 2010. With three successful stand-up specials on Netflix and HBO, his "What's Up Fool?" podcast holding steady as one of the top comedy podcasts, and his sold-out tour dates across country, he's now appearing frequently as an actor in film and TV shows such as "Superstore" and "Gentefied."

Iluminado: Free Family Fun Day at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/2/23
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Monterey Museum of Art presents a Free Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 2, 11am-3pm. Drop by the Museum for a fun-filled afternoon with our interactive art installation, Iluminado .

Meet the artists behind the magical trees of the exhibit, exercise your creativity, and contribute to the evolving exhibition. Featured activities include: paper leaves with messages, mural painting, and pattern-making with wooden blocks.

Holiday Show Open House at Youth Arts Collective 2023

 
12/2/23
 
free
 
Youth Arts Collective

Youth Arts Collective invites you to view our artists' 2023 Holiday Show in person during our open house events on Nov. 18, Dec. 2, and Dec. 9, 12pm-4pm. Enjoy the artwork and don't miss the opportunity to take home a stunning piece right away if you decide to make a purchase.

YAC's Holiday Art Show will open online on November 18 and run through December. Can't make it to one of our open houses? View the show online here.

Winter Market at Stokes Adobe 2023

 
12/2/23
 
 
Stokes Adobe

Stokes Adobe invites you to a holiday market by local artisans and entrepreneurs on Saturday, Dec. 2, 1pm-7pm. This will be a unique holiday shopping experience featuring one-of-a-kind gifts.

Kids' Gingerbread House Extravaganza 2023 at MY Museum

 
12/2/23
 
$40/$45
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

MY Museum invites children to get festive and join us in decorating your own gingerbread houses. There will be lots of icing and candy canes, swirly twirly gum drops, and tons more candy to make your house look truly extraordinary. Reservations are required - register online here .

Winter Stanton Art Market

 
12/3/23
 
free
 
Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center

Immerse yourself in a captivating showcase of local talent and creativity at the Winter Stanton Art Market, where artists from our very own community come together to share their extraordinary work. Explore a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, crafts,...

Brighten the Harbor Boat Parade 2023

 
12/3/23
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

The Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club presents Brighten the Harbor , a lighted boat parade. Watch boats beautifully decorated for the holidays cruise along the Monterey Coast.

Pub Run with Fleet Feet and Fieldwork Brewing

 
12/4/23
 
 
Fieldwork Brewing Company

Fleet Feet Monterey hosts a Pub Run every Monday at 6:00pm. We'll begin and end at Fieldwork Brewing Company. All paces, levels, distances, and abilities are welcome. Post-run, we can grab a beer together!

Holiday Champagne Tasting at Hellam's

 
12/7/23
 
$40
 
Hellam's Tobacco and Wine Shop

Hellam's Tobacco and Wine Shop invites you to join us for a special holiday season champagne tasting on Thursday, December 7, 7pm-10pm. Participation fee is $40.

Holiday Book Sale at Monterey Public Library 2023

 
12/8/23
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is hosting their Holiday Book Sale December 8 & 9, 10am-4pm, in the Community Room of the Library. You'll find gently used books across all genres. Enjoy cookies while you cross a few gifts off your holiday shopping list! Proceeds will benefit Monterey Public Library.

Christmas in the Adobes 2023

 
12/8/23
 
$30/$45
 
Custom House Store

Christmas in the Adobes on December 8 & 9 is Monterey's signature holiday event! Stroll the streets of Monterey and stop in at any one of the many decorated adobes with soft holiday lights and entertainment. The event supports Monterey State Historic Park children's educational programs and the restoration of the historic First Theatre.

Tickets are $30 per night for adults and free for children and youth age 17 and under. A 2-night Gold Pass is available for $45. Reserve your tickets online today.

Poetry Workshop at Old Capitol Books

 
12/8/23
 
$10
 
Old Capitol Books

Every month, Old Capitol Books and Boukra Press host a poetry writing workshop. All levels are welcome. This is two hours of facilitated and structured poetry writing for only $10. Feedback given by trained and published poets.

Back Lot Poetry: A Monthly Open Mic at Old Capitol Books

 
12/8/23
 
 
Old Capitol Books

We know that some of you have been fantasizing about gathering in dark parking lots. With strangers. To read poetry. Let Old Capitol Books help you with that.

Our next monthly Poetry Open Mic Night will be held on Friday, November 10 at 9pm in the parking lot behind our building (at 499 Calle Principal).

Red Engine Rides at MY Museum

 
12/9/23
 
$25
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

MY Museum invites you and your children ages 3+ to join us on Saturday, December 9, as we partner with Red Engine Rides for a cruise around town. We're offering 15 minute rides in an open-air fire engine for $25 per person. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Rides depart every half hour, 10am-11:30am. Advance reservations required.

Winter Ceremony at Om Studios

 
12/9/23
 
$77
 
Om Studios

Om Studios invites you to join us for a transformative afternoon retreat to embrace the winter's shift with grace as we journey inward - nourishing mind, body, and spirit through movement, sound, and serenity on Saturday, December 9, 3pm-6pm. Fee...