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.

Hot Chocolate Candle Making Workshop at Johnny Wicks Studio

 
12/20/25
 
$70
 
Johnny Wicks Candle Studio

The sweetest Johnny Wicks tradition is back - our Hot Chocolate Candle Making Workshop on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6pm.

Get cozy, pour a hot-chocolate-themed candle, enjoy drinking hot chocolate with all the goodies, and decorate your own gingerbread house. Register here .

November Special on Massage Therapy at I & I Healing Arts

I & I Healing Arts, an independent, locally-owned studio offering nutrition and lifestyle coaching and integrative bodywork, is now offering a special on massage therapy.

Now through November 30, 2025, when you buy 2 integrative massage therapy sessions, get...

Small Business Saturday in Downtown Old Monterey 2025

 
11/29/25
 
 
Old Monterey

This holiday season, Downtown Old Monterey invites you to Shop Small and support locally-owned businesses. Your gifts warm the hearts of loved ones near and far and those purchases help our community remain vibrant.

Throughout the district on Saturday, November 29, there will be special offers and fun things to do. See the full list here .

Christmas Dinner at Esteban Restaurant 2024

 
12/25/24
 
 
Esteban Restaurant

Esteban Restaurant invites you to celebrate your Christmas Day meal with us, 2pm-8pm. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. We'll offer a three-course dinner special as well as a selection of regular menu items and a children's menu. Call to reserve your table, 831-375-0176.

New Cookbook from Rosine's Restaurant

Ever wish you could recreate the wonderful flavors of Rosine's Restaurant at home? Here's your chance! Rosine's Cuisine , the Culcasi Family's recently redesigned cookbook with all new recipes, is now available at 434 Alvarado Street and online .

Featuring a treasure trove of recipes from Monterey's legendary family restaurant, the cookbook makes a great holiday gift. Treat yourself or friends and family!

Preorder Thanksgiving Desserts and Fresh Bread from Paris Bakery

This Thanksgiving, Paris Bakery is offering a beautiful selection of pies - pumpkin, pecan, apple, blueberry, cherry, key lime, lemon meringue, peach, and mincemeat - in addition to special themed cookies and a full assortment of fresh breads and baked goods.

Preorder your Thanksgiving delights by Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2pm for pick-up on Wednesday, Nov. 22 - call us at 831-646-1620. We're located at 271 Bonifacio Place.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Esteban Restaurant 2023: Dine-In or To-Go

 
11/23/23
 
 
Esteban Restaurant

This Thanksgiving, gather around the table and dine together at Esteban Restaurant or pick-up our delicious three-course turkey meal to-go, which gives you the option to eat in the comfort of your own home.

Dine-In
To eat dinner at our restaurant on Nov. 24, 2pm-8pm, please phone 831-375-0176 for a reservation. Both our three-course turkey meal and a special Thanksgiving a la carte menu will be available.

To-Go
To order our three-course turkey meal to-go, please phone 831-375-0176 by Nov. 21 at 5pm. Pick up your meal on Nov. 23, 1pm-5pm. Fee is $78 per person plus tax.

"A Few of My Favorite Things" at Venture Gallery, December 2024

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

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

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.

Christmas Dinner Buffet at Portola Hotel & Spa

 
12/25/22
 
 
Portola Hotel & Spa

Tis’ the season to celebrate the holidays in Monterey, with a spectacular Christmas dinner buffet at the Portola Hotel & Spa on December 25, 1pm-7pm. Dine in the newly refreshed event space, The Club Room, and enjoy a holiday buffet...

Winter Market at Stokes Adobe 2024

 
12/7/24
 
 
Stokes Adobe

Stokes Adobe is hosting a holiday market by local artisans and entrepreneurs on Saturday, Dec. 7, 12pm-5pm. This will be a unique holiday shopping experience featuring one-of-a-kind gifts.

Yacht Rock: New Year's Eve Party at Portola Hotel & Spa 2026

 
12/31/25
 
$220-250
 
Portola Hotel & Spa

Portola Hotel & Spa presents Yacht Rock: A New Year's Eve Party. Tickets available here .

Step aboard for an unforgettable evening as the De Anza Ballroom transforms into a nautical-chic escape filled with casual sophistication, smooth Yacht Rock vibes, and nonstop celebration.

Yule Log Cake and Dessert Board from Freedom Bakery

Freedom Bakery is offering Yule Log Cake for the holidays! This traditional Christmas treat, shaped like a wooden log, is made with our melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chiffon cake rolled with a layer whipped cream, iced with chocolate truffle, and decorated with a bright red frosting poinsettia.

Want to go a step further for a larger gathering? Order our Yule Log Dessert Board for pickup at our Monterey boutique at 305 Webster Street, Tue-Sun, 10am-1pm.

Christmas Dinner at Esteban Restaurant 2025

 
12/25/25
 
 
Esteban Restaurant

Esteban Restaurant invites you to celebrate Christmas Dinner with us, 4pm-8pm. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. We'll offer a three-course dinner special as well as a selection of regular menu items and a children's menu. Call to reserve your table, 831-375-0176.

Holiday Sale at Old Capitol Books 2025

It's out with the old and in with the new! Old Capitol Books is hosting our annual holiday sale, featuring 25% off everything in the store the entire month of December. Come check out what we have on the shelves at 482 Alvarado Street. We're open Fri-Sun, 12pm-6pm.

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 we recommend placing your order in advance at 831-641-9188. Slice it, toast it, smother it with butter, eat it...repeat!

Foster's Fosters Holiday Gift Drive at Johnny Wicks 2025

Johnny Wicks Candle Studio is hosting our 5th annual holiday gift drive for foster children to bring joy, laughter, and a sense of belonging to kids who don't have the opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas like most of us do.

We welcome financial donations here and donations of gifts or gift cards dropped off by appointment at our studio on Franklin Street (call 831-224-0269).

Weekend Special at I Heart You Candles

 
12/13/25
 
 
I Heart You Candles and Gifts

I Heart You Candles and Gifts is offering a limited time holiday special! On Saturday, 12/13, 11am-2pm only, buy two candles and get the third free. On Sunday, 12/14, 11am-2pm, buy one candle and get one free.

Christmas Eve Sound Journey at Om Studios

 
12/24/25
 
$30
 
Om Studios

Join Om Studios for a Christmas Eve Sound Journey on Wednesday, December 24, 11am-12pm. Fee is $30 - register here .

Immerse yourself in a blissful fusion of gentle yoga postures and soothing vibrations with sounds of crystal bowls, gongs, and other healing instruments.

No Farmers Market on Dec. 23 & 30

 
12/23/25
 
free
 
Old Monterey District

The Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers Market will be closed on December 23 and December 30. We wish you a very happy holidays and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, January 6, 4pm-7pm.

MY Museum Holiday Extravaganza 2025

 
12/14/25
 
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

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.

Noon Year's Eve Party at MY Museum 2025

 
12/31/25
 
$15/$25
 
MY Museum (Monterey County Youth Museum)

Ring in the New Year at a kid-friendly hour this year! Join MY Museum 10am-12pm 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.

Holiday Raffle at BoldJewelers

Get ready for BoldJewelers' holiday raffle on December 24. Anyone can enter - no purchase is necessary. All you have to do is follow BoldJewelers on Facebook and Instagram . Don’t miss out! We're located at 408 Alvarado Street.

Slowfiber Holiday Craft Bazaar 2025

Slowfiber presents our annual Holiday Craft Bazaar opening Nov. 28 and running through Dec. 20. Featuring handmade fiber arts, accessories, and jewelry by local artisans, it's perfect for holiday shopping!

Slowfiber is located at 517A Hartnell Street. Our Holiday Craft Bazaar is open Wed - Fri, 11:30am-5pm, and Sat, 12:30pm-5pm.

Winter Musings: Venture Gallery's Group Show, December 2025 & January 2026

Venture Gallery presents a group show entitled Winter Musings . Come enjoy a diverse array of interpretations of the season by the gallery's talented local artists. All paintings are smaller works, priced reasonably for holiday gift giving. We also have an array of beautiful handmade jewelry.

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