Family Activities

On Saturday, April 11 from 12pm-2pm , Cooper-Adobe Museum will participate in the Monterey Museum of Art's Block Party as a Historic Hotspot. Local Scientific Illustrator/Educator Kristen Burroughs will lead curious artists in a Cyanotype Garden Workshop using flowers...

The City of Monterey's Big 4th of July Celebration and Backyard Food Fest will be held on the historic grounds of Colton Hall, 10:45am-4:30pm. Featuring live music and food for sale, this is a free event!

Every Friday. April 3 - May 29, Miss Sarah Sunshine of It's Circle Time will be at MY Museum, 10:15am-11am, with a fun and educational program for little ones including singing, dancing, stories, and more. Included with museum admission.

Youth Arts Collective and Art Abilities present a dynamic pop-up art show of student work in honor of Neurodiversity and Disabilities Awareness Month celebrating visibility, belonging, and creative expression at the Art Abilities Studio in Pacific Grove. Everyone's welcome to the opening reception on Friday, March 13, 5pm-7pm.

Can't make it to the reception? The exhibit can be seen at Art Abilities through April 16 - more info here .

Monterey Parks Division presents the 69th Annual Cutting Day and Horticultural Fair at Friendly Plaza next to Colton Hall, held rain or shine. In addition to a bounty of cuttings, exhibits this year will include information on drought resistant plants, propagation, and more. Free tree seedlings will be given away!

Wintertime evokes early evenings, hot beverages, cozy blankets, and PUZZLES! On Saturday, January 31, 10am-1pm, bring your gently used puzzles to Monterey Public Library's Community Room and exchange them for another. What's old to you will be new to someone...

Join Monterey County Youth Museum for a Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 14. Enjoy a holiday musical theater performance by the Dance Center, 10am-10:30am, followed by Little Sense Makers in our party room hosting sensory play, 10:30am-12pm. Reserve your spot now.

Join Monterey Museum of Art, 5pm-8pm, as we kick-off Iluminado , a captivating new exhibition featuring the works of Hanif Wondir, Domini Anne, and Joe Ramos. Free admission.

Enjoy an inspired atmosphere with music by DJ Luna, delicious bites from Ad Astra, wine from Scheid Vineyards, and craft beer from Other Brother Beer Co. Gather with friends, artists, and art lovers alike as the museum comes alive with creativity and celebration.

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is holding a Used Book Sale at the Library on Thu (12/4), 3pm-6pm, and Fri & Sat (12/5 & 12/6), 10am-4pm. Find gently used books in popular genres for adults and children and enjoy seasonal nibbles. Proceeds will benefit Monterey Public Library.

Celebrate the holidays at Ice Skating by the Bay's seasonal ice skating rink, open daily November 21 - January 4 . 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.

A community celebration of the arts, First Night Monterey is an affordable, alcohol-free family celebration held on New Year’s Eve, 3pm-midnight, in the heart of Downtown Old Monterey. Join us as we dance, play, act, perform, create and sing our way into 2026! Featuring multiple performance venues. Purchase your admission button here.

Update 12/30: Even with some showers in the forecast, First Night Monterey 2026 is very much on and full of ways to celebrate. Your First Night button gets you into the premier indoor venues all evening - music, dance, and hands-on art - so there’s plenty to enjoy while staying warm and dry. (85% of performances are indoors!)