Holidays

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) will be 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.

Christmas in the Adobes 2023

 
12/9/23
 
$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.

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, made from scratch, 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, meet their friendly staff, and try it yourself. 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.

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!

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.

Holiday Book Sale at Monterey Public Library 2023

 
12/9/23
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is hosting a Holiday Book Sale Dec. 8 & 9, 10am-4pm, in the Community Room of the Library. You'll find gently used books across all genres. Proceeds will benefit Monterey Public Library.

Winter Specials at Spa on the Plaza

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street, is offering winter specials. To learn more and make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

Ice Skating by the Bay 2023

 
12/9/23
 
$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.

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.

Enjoy Christmas Dinner at Peter B's Brewpub

 
12/25/22
 
 
Peter B's Brewpub

All is merry and bright at Peter B's Brewpub with a Christmas dinner perfect for any size celebration! Wear your ugly sweater, throw on a holiday scarf, and join us at Peter B's Brewpub this Christmas.

1pm-8pm, our downtown...

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...

Enjoy New Year's Eve Dinner at Cella

 
12/31/23
 
$140
 
Cella Restaurant and Bar

Elevate your New Year’s Eve at Cella! Chef 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.

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...

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, December 21, 6pm-7:30pm, is a community event in which we come together to signal our support and solidarity with one another through times of grief, loss, waiting, and challenge. This is a donation-based event, with a suggested donation of $10, but there is no mandated cost. Please register here so we know how many people to expect.

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. On this special evening, 5pm-9pm, we're offering a 6-course tasting menu for $125 per person, with wine pairing available for an additional $55. To view the complete menu and...

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, December 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 at our Winter Solstice Celebration. 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

Yasss Monterey and Paradise present New Years at the Disco on Sunday, December 31, 8pm-2am. Ring in the New Year at Monterey's most exclusive venue, Compact Disco. Enjoy a two-hour open bar, 8pm-10pm, complimentary food all night, a champagne toast...

"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.