Events

2017 Holiday Events on the Monterey Peninsula

Posted on by Anne Thull
17
Oct

holidays at the lone cypress in Monterey

Headed to Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, or the surrounding region for the holidays in 2017? In addition to stopping by Anne Thull Fine Art Designs for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, there are a number of great holiday-themed activities to enjoy in the region. Below is an overview:

Monterey Peninsula Holiday Events

MallStars Breakfast With Santa

  • Northridge Mall, 796 Northridge Mall
  • Salinas, CA 93906
  • Nov 11, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Welcome Santa to the Monterey Peninsula with the Mallstar Kids Club. Enjoy breakfast, games, giveaways and a fun holiday art project. Admission requires only a $5 donation to Children’s Miracle Network per person. For more information visit https://www.shop-northridge-mall.com/events/mallstars-breakfast-santa.


Del Monte Shopping Center Christmas Tree Lighting

  • Del Monte Shopping Center, 1410 Del Monte Center
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Nov 18, 2017 from 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM

Kick off the holiday season with the lighting of the Del Monte
Christmas Tree by Santa & Mrs. Claus. A family favorite for years, enjoy live holiday music, free refreshments, and complimentary reindeer antlers for the kids! Get more information from the Del Monte Shopping Center


Ice Skating by the Bay

  • 4 Custom House Plaza
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Nov 20 – Jan 7, 2018

Enjoy the unique experience of ice skating by the ocean in Monterey near Fisherman’s Wharf and the Portola Hotel and Spa. Tickets are #13 for Adults, $11 for children 12 & under, and skate rental is $3 per person. Rink is open Mondays thru Saturdays from 11:00am to 10:00pm and on Sundays from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, including holidays. Visit http://www.iceskatingbythebay.com/ for more details.

Portola Hotel & Spa Thanksgiving

  • Portola Hotel & Spa, 2 Portola Plaza
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Nov 23, 2017 from 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Visit the Portola Hotel & Spa in thei grand ballroom for a traditional Thanksgiving feast the entire family will enjoy. “Indulge in a spectacular display of California cheeses and cured meats, peel and eat shrimp, carved to order turkey, prime rib and maple glazed country ham, whipped potatoes, candied garnet yams and more including a decadent dessert display with classic pecan and pumpkin pie.” Cost is $54.95 for adults, $39.95 for seniors 65 or older, $25.95 for children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free! Visit https://www.portolahotel.com/dining/thanksgiving-2017 for complete details.

Thanksgiving Day Buffet Brunch

  • TusCA Ristorante, 1 Old Golf Course Rd
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Nov 23, 2017 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

TusCA Ristorante will serve an incredible Thanksgiving Day Buffet and provide jazz entertainment for the evening. Reservations are available from 1:00pm-7:00pm. Jazz will be from 2:00pm-6:00pm. The buffet price includes one glass of champagne (or sparkling cider) for adults over age 21. Price is $58 for adults, $25 for children age 6-12 and children age 5 and under eat free. Reservations required. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/318347265305539/ for more event details.

Cannery Row Tree Lighting

  • 700 Cannery Row
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Nov 24, 2017 from 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM

Usher in the Christmas Season at the 23rd annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Cannery Row! This free event is a fun tradition for the whole family ? featuring Christmas Carolers, Santa?s Reindeer and of course, Santa Claus himself! Learn more at http://canneryrow.com/experience/events/

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree. . .

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Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights

  • One Main Street, Oldtown Salinas
  • Salinas, CA 93901
  • Nov 26, 2017 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Watch the spectacular Holiday Parade of Lights, a long-standing Salinas tradition. Every year, families from Salinas and the surrounding communities gather to see Santa and Mrs. Clause, giant helium balloons, festive floats, local dance groups and costumed characters.

Pacific Grove Christmas Tree Lighting

  • Jewell Park, Grand and Forest Avenues
  • Pacific Grove, CA 93950
  • Nov 27, 2017 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Festivities at Jewell Park include live entertainment by school bands and choruses, followed by caroling and refreshments at Jewell Park and Santa?s first visit at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History! The tree lighting begins at 5:30pm. Visit https://www.pacificgrove.org/events/community-events/christmas-tree-lighting/221 for complete details.

Christmas at the Inns

  • Various Locations
  • Pacific Grove, CA 93950
  • Nov 28 – Nov 29, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

A limited number of tickets are sold each here for a unique opportunity to visit 10 bed & breakfast inns decorated for the holidays in Victorian-era splendor. Entertainment and light refreshments served. The hours are 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Visit https://www.pacificgrove.org/register/events/chamber-events/christmas-at-the-inns/556 for more information and to purchase tickets.

16th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights

  • Lighthouse Avenue
  • Pacific Grove, CA 93950
  • Nov 30, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

The Pacific Grove Parade of Lights will feature marching bands, holiday floats, dance teams, equestrian groups, and of course, Santa Claus. Roughly 2,000 spectators attend each year. After the parade, stores will remain open for Holiday shopping & wagon rides, photos with Santa & carolers. Learn more about the event or register a float/vehicle for the parade at https://www.pacificgrove.org/events/community-events/16th-annual-holiday-parade-of-lights/223.

Downtown Monterey Tree Lighting Celebration

  • Colton Hall
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Dec 1, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Monterey’s traditional Community Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration takes place on Friday, December 2nd on the lawn in front of historic Colton Hall from 5:00 ? 6:00 pm, featuring carols, candles, cookies, cider, music and good cheer. Find more information at https://whatsupmonterey.com/events/holiday-events/downtown-monterey-tree-lighting-celebration/218.

Holiday Tree Lighting and Carmel Plaza Party

  • Devendorf Park, Ocean Avenue & Mission Street
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
  • Dec 1, 2017 from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM

The towering tree at the city’s major crossroads of Junipero Street and Ocean Avenue comes to life at the Carmel Holiday Tree Lighting, which features choirs from local schools, special singing guests, and appearances by city dignitaries, among other festivities. Full details available at https://www.carmelcalifornia.com/event-holiday-tree-lighting-and-carmel-plaza-party_10.htm.

Christmas on the Wharf

  • 4 Custom House Plaza
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Dec 1 – Dec 17, 2017

Monterey?s Old Fisherman?s Wharf! Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf Association is proud to sponsor and hold its popular ?Christmas on the Wharf? Weekend festivities on Old Fisherman?s Wharf in Monterey, California featuring great holiday entertainment, beautiful holiday lights, a 19-foot Christmas tree, sweet treats, free Santa ?meet and greet? visits, and much more! Complete details and schedule of all events can be found at https://www.montereywharf.com/event/christmas-on-the-wharf.html.

Annual Stillwell’s Fun in the Park

  • Caledonia Park, between Central and Jewell Avenues
  • Pacific Grove, CA 93950
  • Dec 2, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Caledonia Park in downtown Pacific Grove behind the Post Office will be the site of the 24th annual Stillwell’s Fun in the Park. Lots of wintry fun for all! Featuring Santa?s arrival on a shiny fire truck, Frosty the Snowman, Snow Queen, hayrides, petting zoo & lots of entertainment. For more info visit: https://www.pacificgrove.org/events/chamber-events/24th-annual-stillwells-fun-in-the-park/224

Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade

  • Monterey Bay Coastline
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Dec 3, 2017 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Watch an armada of creatively decorated boats sail from the Monterey Yacht Club to the Monterey Bay Aqaurium and back from 5:30pm-8pm. As the only lighted boat parade that leaves protected waters, entrants in this parade compete for prizes as well as annual bragging rights. Read about the 2016 event at http://www.montereyherald.com/article/NF/20161204/NEWS/161209910.

Candy Cane Lane

  • Morse Drive
  • Pacific Grove, CA 93950
  • Dec 3 – Dec 5, 2017

While many neighborhoods get into the holiday spirit an featured spectacularly-decorated homes each year, Morse Drive in Pacific Grove is in a class by itself. Magically transformed into “Candy Cane Lane” every year since the 1960’s, families travel from far and wide to see the spectacle of lights, cartoon characters and other custom made displays such as Santa, Elvis, and a famous giant Nutcracker. See reviews on Yelp at https://www.yelp.com/biz/candy-cane-lane-pacific-grove.

Carmel-By-The-Glass Winter Holiday Party

  • La Playa Hotel, Camino Real at Eighth Avenue
  • Carmel, CA 93921
  • Dec 8, 2017 at 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

A Carmel Holiday Tradition pairing local wines, local chefs and jazzy holiday music inside the grand ballrooms at the historic La Playa Hotel. P?pe and Galante team up to showcase Carmel as a wine oriented destination, contribute to the economic revitalization of the village, along with raising funds and awareness for the restoration of the Carmel Mission Basilica. Learn more at https://www.carmelbytheglass.com/.

Seaside?s Winter Wonderland at Seaside City Hall

  • Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcourt Avenue
  • Seaside, CA 93955
  • Dec 8, 2017 at 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Enjoy a winter wonderland and tree lighting ceremony hosted by the scenic city of Seaside. Find snow, arts & crafts, carnival games, jump houses, a petting zoo, a rock wall, air jumpers, visits from Santa, a photo booth, pony rides and more! Learn more at http://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/4367.

Christmas in the Adobes

  • Various Adobes in Monterey
  • Monterey, CA 93940
  • Dec 8 – Dec 9, 2017 at 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Stroll the streets of Historic Downtown Monterey and visit 19th CenturyMexican Era adobes decorated for the holidays. Enjoy fandango dance lessons at Custom House, treats at Fisherman’s Wharf or bagpipes and shortbread cookies at Robert Louis Stevenson House. Many adobes offer entertainments, refreshments, games, history and loads of fun. It’s a holiday event for the entire family! Tickets may be purchased after October 15, 2017 Custom House Gift Shop (#1 Custom House Plaza) or on event nights at Pacific House Museum (#20 Custom House Plaza) and Custom House Gift Shop.

Online sales are at www.mshpa.org after October 15, 2017. On-line sales go off-line Midnight, Wednesday, December 6, after which tickets can be purchased on event nights at Pacific House Museum or Custom House Gift Shop.

Prices: Adults $25 – Adult Two-Night Gold Pass $40 – Youth (Age 6-17) Only $2 – Children (age 5-and-under) Free

– $5 off adult one night ticket if purchased before midnight November 1, 2017

– $5 discount for one night tickets also applies to groups of 12 or more adults, active military, and Monterey State Historic Park Association Members

Anne Thull