Family Activities

Donate Gently Used Halloween Costumes to MY Museum

MY Museum is accepting gently used Halloween costumes in good condition for use in our theatre by little performers. Costumes can be dropped off at the museum during regular business hours, Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm. We're located at 425 Washington Street.

Brighten the Harbor Boat Parade 2024

 
12/8/24
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

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

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2024

 
12/6/24
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

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

Enjoy cookies, cider, live music and caroling, and the lighting of the tree to bring in the holiday season. KMBY 1240 AM / 95.9 FM will broadcast the event.

First Night Monterey 2025

 
12/31/24
 
 
Old Monterey District

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 2025! Featuring multiple performance venues. Purchase your admission button here.

Free Family Fun Day - Creative Collaborations

 
11/2/24
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Spend a fun-filled afternoon at Monterey Museum of Art creating art inspired by our current exhibitions. Enjoy free admission to the Museum and experience our exhibitions with the whole family!

This Free Family Fun Day, practice your storytelling with...

The Concert Truck at Old Monterey Farmers Market 

 
10/8/24
 
Free
 
Old Monterey

Enjoy a free classical piano concert in Downtown Old Monterey! The Concert Truck is coming to the Farmers Market at Old Monterey Marketplace (on the 300 block of Alvarado Street) on Tuesday, October 8, 4pm-7pm. Bring the whole family.

Impassioned by their love for music, pianists Nick Luby and Susan Zhang converted a 16-foot box truck into a fully functioning mobile concert hall, complete with lights, sound system, and piano.

Tickets on Sale for Christmas in the Adobes 2024

Tickets are now on sale online and in-person for Monterey's signature holiday event, Christmas in the Adobes, on December 13 & 14. Stroll the streets of Monterey and tour the many beautifully decorated adobes, listening to live music and stories of Monterey's history.

Tickets are $30 per night for adults and free for ages 17 and under. A two-night Gold Pass is $45. Discounts available for active military personnel. Proceeds benefit Monterey State Historic Park children's educational and school history programs.

Christmas in the Adobes 2024

 
12/13/24
 
$30/$45
 
Custom House Store

Christmas in the Adobes on December 13 & 14 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's K-12 educational history program.

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

Halloween Trunk-or-Treat and Movie in the Park 2024

 
10/19/24
 
free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

In honor of Halloween, the City of Monterey presents a free Trunk-or-Treat and Movie in the Park on the lawn of Colton Hall.

The walk-through trunk-or-treat will be held 5pm-6:30pm. Our feature film, Hotel Transylvania (2012), will begin at 6:30pm. Come dressed in costume.

Zines and Scenes: Your Voice, Your Art

 
10/5/24
 
Free
 
Youth Arts Collective

Attention, artists and storytellers! "Zines and Scenes:Your Voice, Your Art" is a fun-filled day of zine making, animation, & creative writing this Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Enjoy a day of free workshops, art projects, and special guest talks, culminating in a finished take-home zine presented by Youth Arts Collective, Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey Public Library, and California State Parks. View the schedule here.

Red Engine Rides at MY Museum

 
11/16/24
 
$25
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

MY Museum invites you and your children ages 3+ to join us on Saturday, Nov. 16 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.

Old Monterey Marketplace Fall and Winter Hours

The Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers' Market will be switching to our Fall/Winter hours soon. Beginning October 1, the market will be open every Tuesday, 4pm-7pm. Join us rain or shine on Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey!

Downtown Neighborhood Meet Up for Downtown Monterey Residents

 
9/21/24
 
free
 
East Village Cafe

Attention, local residents! Monterey's Downtown Neighborhood Association invites you to join us for a meet up on Saturday, September 21, 10am-12pm, in the plaza outside East Village Cafe. Meet fellow neighbors, discuss neighborhood issues and how to improve them, and enjoy free coffee and Red's donuts.

Movie in the Park: "Shrek"

 
9/14/24
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation presents a free screening of the film Shrek on the lawn of Colton Hall at 5:30pm. See fire engines up close, meet your local Monterey firefighters, and enjoy complimentary popcorn and cotton candy. Don't forget to bring chairs or a blanket to sit on!

YAC Exhibit at Casa Gutierrez: Animated Antics

Artists from Youth Arts Collective take center stage in Animated Antics , an exhibit of their lively animated and illustrated work at Casa Gutierrez, 590 Calle Principal. The gallery is free and open to the public Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-4pm, through October 20.

Dive into worlds where anthropomorphic animals sport braces with style, H.G. Wells-inspired extraterrestrials crash land, love blossoms between a wolf and a deer, and more.

Used Book Sale at Monterey Public Library

 
9/28/24
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is holding a Used Book Sale on Saturday, September 28, 10am-2pm, in the foyer of the Library. You'll find gently used books across all genres. Proceeds will benefit Monterey Public Library.

Celebrate PARK(ing) Day at Parklets in Old Monterey 2024

 
9/20/24
 
free
 
Old Monterey

The City of Monterey invites you to celebrate PARK(ing) Day, when we'll transform parking spaces into temporary parks on Alvarado Street. These parklets will feature green spaces, outdoor seating, and fun and educational booths from various City departments.

Exhibit Opening: Pat Hathaway's Historical Images of Monterey

 
8/29/24
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Museum

Join the City of Monterey in celebrating the opening of the Pat Hathaway Memorial Exhibition on Thursday, August 29, 5pm-7pm at Colton Hall Museum. Free and open to the public.

This exhibit celebrates the life and photo collection of the late Pat Hathaway, featuring historical images of Monterey, c.1870-1950, collected and preserved by Pat over the course of 50 years. The exhibit will run through Sept 29.

Monterey First Theatre Fest 2024

 
8/31/24
 
Free
 
California's First Theatre

Monterey State Historic Park Association presents the inaugural First Theatre Fest on Saturday, August 31, 11am-4pm.

This free event celebrates the summer with a full day of family-friendly festivities in California's First Theatre, the adjoining historic saloon, and gardens. Enjoy a day of music, poetry, family activities, locally made crafts, and refreshments.

School Supply Drive at Johnny Wicks Candle Studio

Through August 10, Johnny Wicks Candle Studio is holding a School Supply Drive for local foster kids.

We're seeking donations of: backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, markers, crayons, binders, folders, new clothing (all sizes), shoes and socks, personal hygiene products, and lunch pails.

Donations can be dropped off 12pm-5pm daily at Johnny Wicks Candle Studio, 499 Calle Principal, Suite H, or you can make a financial donation here.

Laserdisc Games at High Scores Arcade

High Scores Arcade has Laserdisc games on the floor ready to play at 459 Alvarado Street! A Laserdisc game is basically an interactive movie. These games are challenging because you have to execute perfect timing to move the story forward.

Each Laserdisc game has an instruction card and our pricing allows you to play an unlimited number of arcade games by the hour .

Turkish Arts and Culture Festival 2024

 
8/24/24
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

All are welcome to the Annual Turkish Arts and Culture Festival for a weekend of free family fun, August 24 and 25, 11am-7pm, at Custom House Plaza. We'll have live music and folk dancing performances, Turkish food and drinks, and special activities for children.

Kick-Off Race Car Show: Monterey Classic Car Week 2024

 
8/9/24
 
free
 
Old Monterey

Monterey Car Week is beginning with a remarkable display of historic race cars on Alvarado Street on Friday, August 9, 5pm-7pm! Come on down, see the cars up close, and meet the drivers. This is a family-friendly event.

Used Book Sale at Monterey Public Library

 
7/27/24
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is holding a Used Book Sale on July 27, 10am-2pm, in the foyer of the Library. You'll find gently used books across all genres. Proceeds will benefit Monterey Public Library.

Spoon Circus at MY Museum

 
6/13/24
 
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

The circus is coming to MY Museum! We're excited to host Spoon Circus on Thursday, June 13, 10am-12pm. Suitable for ages 3-8. Reserve your spot.

Spoon Circus is a vibrant, traveling social circus on a mission to bring joy and empowerment to communities through the magic of circus arts and physical education. They believe in the power of play.

Free Arts and Literature Tours in Monterey State Historic Park

 
6/13/24
 
free
 
Custom House Store

Monterey State Historic Park is celebrating California State Parks Week , June 12-16! Join us for free special tours departing daily at 12:30pm from Custom House in Downtown Old Monterey. Registration is recommended (search by date).

On Thursday (6/13) and Saturday (6/15), Monterey Stae Historic Park is offering a free Arts and Literature Tour, where we'll explore Monterey's historic cultural importance. In addition to hearing passages read aloud about the Monterey Bay area by notable writers, you'll be able to view some of the park’s impressive art pieces, especially when the tour makes its way inside Casa Soberanes.