Holidays

First Night Monterey 2024

 
12/31/23
 
 
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 2024! Featuring multiple performance venues. Purchase your admission button here.

Full Moon Mandarin Cuisine - Open for Christmas!

Full Moon Mandarin Cuisine, serving authentic, delicious Chinese food, is happy to celebrate our 8th anniversary! We thank the community for your overwhelming support throughout the years.

Our restaurant will be open on Christmas Day, so don't hesitate to...

Britannia Arms Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

 
12/24/23
 
 
Britannia Arms of Monterey

The Britannia Arms of Monterey will be open on Christmas Eve, 10am-5pm, playing the full NFL schedule on our big screen TVs. We'll also be open on Christmas Day, 10am-8:30pm. Don't miss the Raiders game at 10am and the 49ers...

Celebrating Kwanzaa and Community at the Stanton Center

 
12/31/23
 
$25/$30
 
Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center

Celebrate the sixth day of Kwanzaa, 6:30pm-8:30pm, at Stanton Center! Glodean Champion, in partnership with Black Leaders and Allies Collaborative and the Juneteenth Coalition, invites you to join us for an evening of soul-stirring food and conversation. Donation is $25 in advance , $30 at the door.

Enjoy Panettone from Paris Bakery

Paris Bakery is now offering freshly-made panettone. A sweet Italian yeast bread with raisins and dried fruit, panettone is traditionally enjoyed during the winter holiday season. Visit us at 271 Bonifacio Place to get yours.

New Year's Eve Bash at Cibo Ristorante 2024

 
12/31/23
 
no cover
 
Cibo Ristorante Italiano

Cibo Ristorante Italiano invites you to join us for our annual New Year's Eve Bash! We'll be celebrating 9pm-1:30am, no cover charge. Come ring in the new year and dance to the music of DJ Gil! Dress to impress. We'll have drink specials all night. Dinner will be served until 10pm - reservations recommended.

2024 Firefighter Calendar Release Party

 
12/19/23
 
 
Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill

Join the Monterey Firefighter Foundation, 3pm-6pm, in the beer garden of Alvarado Street Brewery for our 2024 Firefighter Calendar Release Party! Purchase a calendar and get a beer for half price. Calendar models will be on site to sign calendars. All proceeds will support the Monterey Firefighter Foundation's community outreach programs.

Holiday Gifts and Stocking Stuffers at Haute Beauty Guide

Haute Beauty Guide has a wonderful selection of gifts and stocking stuffers for the holidays, including hair clips, bath bombs, gemstone bracelets, candles, and Christmas ornaments.

The shop also has a fantastic sale on lucite games such as dominoes, checkers, tic-tac-toe, and more, all marked at only $50 (orig. $110-$325). Visit us at 71 Pearl Street - hours are listed here .

Closing Sale at Cha-ya Japanese Tea and Things

After 18 wonderful years of serving our community, it is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of Cha-ya Japanese Tea & Things. Starting December 6, all items (excluding tea and food) are 30% off. Please come say goodbye at 118 Webster Street and get your favorite Cha-ya items before they are gone!

We invite you to join us over the next couple of months. It's a chance to reminisce, grab some fantastic deals, and say goodbye in person.

Winter Specials at Spa on the Plaza

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering winter specials, including a Glisten and Glow Facial (60 min., $160) and a Cranberry Bliss Massage (80 min., $195). To learn more and make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

La Casa del Sazon Caters!

Great news for lovers of delicious Mexican food: La Casa del Sazon caters! Now you can enjoy their authentic family recipes at holiday celebrations, family gatherings, birthday parties, office lunches, corporate events, and weddings.

View their menu online or stop by the restaurant at 431 Tyler Street. You'll find a variety of traditional favorites as well as delicious vegetarian, gluten-free, and Blue Zones dishes. All tortillas are made fresh in-house. To book, email Dakota or call 831-595-5823.

Christmas Day at Old Capitol Books

 
12/25/23
 
free
 
Old Capitol Books

Old Capitol Books invites you to spend Christmas afternoon with us, 2pm-5pm. We'll have free gifts, warm drinks, and cookies. This is free and open to all - we want everyone to have a cozy and welcoming place to come and celebrate the holiday.

Holiday Stollen Now at Parker-Lusseau Pastries

Parker-Lusseau Pastries and Cafe, located at 539 Hartnell Street, has fresh stollen on our shelves from now until Christmas. This holiday favorite is so popular you should probably place your order in advance just to make sure it's there when you want it, 831-641-9188. Slice it, toast it, smother it with butter, eat it...repeat!

The Longest Night Run/Walk with Fleet Feet Monterey

 
12/21/23
 
 
Fleet Feet Monterey

Fleet Feet Monterey invites you to be part of a powerful community run/walk on the longest night of the year to honor grief, create togetherness, and celebrate resilience.

The Longest Night Run/Walk, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 6pm-7:30pm, is a community event in which we come together to support and show solidarity to one another through times of grief, loss, waiting, and challenge. There is a suggested donation of $10, but no mandated fee. Please register here .

Enjoy New Year's Eve Dinner at Cella

 
12/31/23
 
$140
 
Cella Restaurant and Bar

Elevate your New Year's Eve at Cella! Chefs Cal Stamenov and Ben Spungin are crafting a four-course delight to welcome 2024. Enhance your experience with optional wine pairings by Barnaby De Luna and exquisite cocktails by Joshua Perry.

Seatings begin at 5pm. Reserve your seat through our website . Price is $140+ per person, $70 for wine pairing.

Noon Year's Eve Party at MY Museum 2023

 
12/31/23
 
$10/$20
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

Ring in the New Year at a kid-friendly hour this year! Join MY Museum 10am-12:15pm for an unforgettable celebration complete with noisemakers, face painting, and party hats. Watch the Noon Year’s Ball light up as we countdown together. Reservations are required.

Enjoy Christmas Dinner 2023 at Esteban Restaurant

 
12/25/23
 
$89
 
Esteban Restaurant

Esteban Restaurant invites you to gather around the table on December 25, 2pm-8pm, to feast on a delicious 3-Course Christmas Dinner Menu. Choose from 2 starters (crab corn bisque, kale salad), 2 main course dishes (slow-roasted prime rib, crab crusted...

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Stokes Adobe 2023

 
12/31/23
 
 
Stokes Adobe

Stokes Adobe invites you to celebrate New Year's Eve with us. We're offering a 6-course tasting menu for $125 per person, with wine pairing available for an additional $55. Seatings available 5pm-9pm. To view the complete menu and make your reservations, please visit our website .

No Farmers Market on Dec. 26 & Jan. 2

 
12/26/23
 
free
 
Old Monterey District

The Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers' Market will be closed on December 26 and January 2. We wish you a very happy holidays and hope to see you on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 4pm-7pm.

Find Locally-Made Gifts at Alma del Mar

Alma del Mar is ready to help you with your holiday shopping! We have a wealth of locally-made gift items including soaps, bath bombs, shower steamers, keychains, cards, cutting boards, and more. We're open Tue, 4pm-7pm, and Wed-Sun, 11am-4pm, at 269 Bonifacio Place.

First Friday: Celebrate "Iluminado" at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/1/23
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join Monterey Museum of Art for free, after-hours access during this special edition of First Friday, 5pm-8pm, celebrating the opening of our new annual holiday exhibit, Iluminado . Revel in the fun and enjoy drinks, small-bites, art activities, and a live set by DJ Hanif Wondir. Wine and beer will be available to purchase.

Winter Solstice Celebration at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/22/23
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join Monterey Museum of Art on Friday, Dec. 22, 5:30pm-7:30pm, for an evening of merriment and reflection as the year comes to a close and we celebrate the fully transformed Iluminado exhibition. Enjoy food and drink, a live set by DJ Gwynneth, and a raffle of Miniatures. Admission is free.

Winter Art Market at Monterey Museum of Art

 
12/16/23
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join Monterey Museum of Art on Pacific Street for a cozy and creative shopping experience at our Winter Art Market on Saturday, December 16, 11am-2pm. Held inside the wondrous Iluminado exhibition, visitors are invited to participate in various art prompts, support local businesses, and find the perfect gifts for the holiday season! Admission is free.

New Years at the Disco 2024

 
12/31/23
 
$100/$140
 
Compact Disco

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Compact Disco, 8pm-2am. Enjoy a two-hour open bar, 8pm-10pm, complimentary food all night, a champagne toast at midnight, and a countdown to the New Year on a giant projection screen. DJs Kenny Summit, "The Juice," and Edison Tesla will provide the soundtrack. Tickets available here.

"A Few of My Favorite Things" at Venture Gallery, December 2023

Venture Gallery presents a group exhibit of local artists, A Few of My Favorite Things . The show will feature smaller, favorite works that have special meaning for the artists who made them.

Venture Gallery is open daily, 10am-6pm, at 260 Alvarado Street.

Winter Market at Stokes Adobe 2023

 
12/2/23
 
 
Stokes Adobe

Stokes Adobe is hosting 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.

Holiday Champagne Tasting at Hellam's

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

Hellam's Tobacco and Wine Shop presents a special holiday season champagne tasting on Thursday, December 7, 7pm-10pm. Participation fee is $40.