Family Activities

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.

Kids Hero Run 2025 at Custom House Plaza

 
3/30/25
 
Free
 
Custom House Plaza

Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation invites families to join local firefighters for a free Kids' Hero Run on Sunday March 30, 10am-2pm, at Custom House Plaza.

Kids ages 2-17 can come dressed as their favorite superhero and run through a series of inflatable obstacle courses. Come out and have a great time with the whole family!

Noon Year's Eve Party at MY Museum 2024

 
12/31/24
 
$10/$20
 
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.

Celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day on Colton Hall Lawn!

 
6/13/26
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Montery Public Library's Afternoon Stitch & Sip Club is joining forces with the Monterey Knitting Social Club to celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day on Colton Hall Lawn on Saturday, June 13, 12pm-4pm. Join us anytime!

This event welcomes everyone, from beginners to experts, and is inclusive of all fiber arts (not just knitting). Please bring something to sit on, protection from the sun or fog, a snack, and your latest project to work on.

Kids' Birthday Parties at MY Museum

Did you know you can hold your child's birthday party at MY Museum at 425 Washington Street? We were voted “Best Place for a Birthday Party” in the Monterey County Weekly 2025 Reader’s Poll.

Private parties at MY Museum include 2 hours exclusive playtime for up to 50 guests, a scavenger hunt, a photo op, and a goody bag for children under 12. Plus you can bring treats and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy in the party room. Learn more on MY Museum's website .

Latest Pokemon Cards at Mythic Games Monterey

The Pokemon adventure continues... Scarlet and Violet - Paldea Evolved has arrived at Mythic Games Monterey! We have boosters, booster boxes, tins, and elite trainer and toolbox kits here at 561 Tyler Street.

Watch "Finding Dory" at Monterey County Fairgrounds - Spanish Language

 
8/22/21
 
free
 
Monterey County Fairgrounds

Blue Zones Project Monterey County, which has its offices in Downtown Old Monterey, is sponsoring a free outdoor screening of the film "Finding Dory" at Monterey County Fairgrounds. There will be two screenings in English on Saturday, August 21 -...

Garden Art Walk at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
6/6/26
 
$8 suggested donation
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Join us in the Cooper-Molera Adobe gardens, 1pm-3pm, for our Garden Art Walk - an afternoon of creativity, community, and nature. Suggested donation is $8.

Stroll through our beautiful gardens and engage with hands-on art lessons for all ages by artist Kristen Burroughs, including color swatches of the garden, flower coloring pages, and drawing and painting of flowers.

Used Book Sale at Monterey Public Library

 
6/13/26
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is holding a Used Book Sale at the Library on Saturday, June 13, 10am-3pm. You'll find gently used books across all genres at great prices. Proceeds will benefit Monterey Public Library.

Community Craft Day at Monterey State Historic Park 2026

 
6/13/26
 
free
 
Memory Garden at Pacific House

Monterey State Historic Park hosts a free community craft day for all ages on Saturday, June 13, 10am-2pm. Visit the Memory Garden for leather stamping, candle making, and more!

Free Art and Literature Tours in Monterey State Historic Park 2026

 
6/10/26
 
free
 
Custom House Store

Monterey State Historic Park is celebrating California State Parks Week , June 10-14! Join us for free special tours departing daily at 12:30pm from Custom House. Registration recommended (search by date).

On June 10, 12 & 14, catch the Arts and Literature Tour. Hear readings about Monterey Bay by some of the world's most important writers and view work by California’s preeminent painters.

Stevenson House & Larkin House Open on Memorial Day

 
5/25/26
 
Free
 
Stevenson House

On Memorial Day, May 25, Monterey State Historic Park will open the Stevenson House (530 Houston St.) and Larkin House (464 Calle Principal) for the holiday. The Stevenson House will be open 10am-1pm , while Larkin House will be open 1:30pm-4:30pm . (Note the staggered times!)

Admission to both houses will be free and staff will be on-site to answer questions and provide information about the buildings to visitors.

Fleet Feet Monterey: The Big Run 5k 2026

 
6/6/26
 
$54
 
Fleet Feet Monterey

Fleet Feet Monterey invites all runners and walkers to join us on June 6 for the Big Run 5k in celebration of Global Running Day! Register online. Fee is $54. Military and student-athlete discounts available.

Celebrate Mother's Day at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
5/10/26
 
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Celebrate Mother's Day at Cooper-Molera Adobe, 10am-2pm on Sunday, May 10, with a beautiful Sunday focused on flowers, plants and handmade treasures.

Flower Bouquet Bar

Back by popular demand, our Flower Bouquet Bar invites you to create and wrap...

WeatherTech Raceway Throwback Block Party on Alvarado Street

 
4/29/26
 
Free
 
Old Monterey

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is kicking off race weekend with a free Throwback Block Party for all ages on Alvarado Street between Franklin and Del Monte on Wednesday, 5pm-7pm.

Get up close with IMSA cars, meet drivers, and enjoy a preview of the action before it hits the track this weekend for the StubHub Monterey Sports Car Championship.

Japanese American Citizens League Hall Centennial Celebration!

 
5/2/26
 
Free
 
Japanese American Citizens League Hall

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) of the Monterey Peninsula presents the JACL Hall Centennial Celebration on Saturday, May 2. This event is free and all are welcome!

Enjoy a day of Japanese cultural activities for all ages, 10am-3pm, followed by a swing dance with live music, 7pm-9pm. See the full schedule.

Garden Art Walk at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
5/2/26
 
$8 suggested donation
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Join us in the Cooper-Molera Adobe gardens, 1pm-3pm, for our Garden Art Walk - an afternoon of creativity, community, and nature. Suggested donation is $8.

Stroll through our beautiful gardens and engage with hands-on art lessons for all ages by artist Kristen Burroughs, including color swatches of the garden, flower coloring pages, and drawing and painting of flowers.

Mother's Day High Tea at Casa Serrano Adobe 2026

 
5/10/26
 
$90
 
Casa Serrano

Celebrate Mother’s Day with timeless elegance as Rosemary & Thyme High Teas invites guests to a beautifully curated Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Sunday, May 10, 3pm-4:30pm.

This special event offers a refined escape filled with delicate flavors, thoughtful presentation, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Tickets are $90 - purchase here .

The Big Weekend: Free Family Fun Day

 
6/6/26
 
Free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

Join the Museum for an afternoon of art and creativity for the whole family at our Family Fun Day on June 6, 11am-3pm. This is part of the Museum's weekend-long celebration of the Winter 2026 Exhibition Season! Free admission all weekend.

Monterey Peninsula LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Celebration 2026

 
6/27/26
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

Monterey's annual LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration and Parade returns on Saturday, June 27. The parade begins at 11am at Polk Street, continuing on toward Pearl Street and down Alvarado Street all the way to Custom House Plaza.

Afterwards, bring the whole family to Custom House Plaza, 12pm-3pm, to enjoy speakers and free entertainment for all ages, shopping and dining from local vendors, and info tables by local groups and agencies.

Cyanotype Garden Workshop at Cooper-Molera Adobe

 
4/11/26
 
Free
 
Cooper-Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

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...

Enjoy Six Different Art Activities at The Hot Spot!

The Hot Spot, Downtown Monterey's community art space, offers 6 different arts and crafts to enjoy with friends and family at 458 Alvarado Street.

Each person in your group can choose to paint pottery, paint a blank canvas, create a mosaic, make a candle, design a fairy garden, or mix slime (perfect for small children).

Walk-ins and reservations are welcome. Open Sun-Tue & Thu, 11am-7pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-8pm.