12+ Exciting Things to do in Monterey County This Christmas (2023)

Grab the hot cocoa and cozy jackets, Christmas time is here, and that means a ton of fun events around Monterey County for all to enjoy.

If you decided traveling along the Pacific Coast Highway during the holidays was your version of fun, we’re there with you, especially with all these incredible events taking place along the coast.

Check out our favorite things to do in Monterey County this Christmas that you will not want to miss.

Christmas in Monterey

Ice Skating by the Bay

Address: Custom House Plaza, behind the Portola Hotel & Spa,
Dates: weekend before Thanksgiving through the New Year
Website

Nothing screams Christmas like a fun ice skating session, but Ice Skating by the Bay’s seasonal ice rink brings it up a notch for anyone missing the chilly weather that December brings to the rest of the United States.

The ice skating rink opens on Thanksgiving weekend and remains open through January 1.

Located in Custom House Plaza behind the Portola Hotel and Spa, your entire family will have the best time skating with views of the ocean and perhaps a marine mammal or two.

You can choose individual sessions or a season pass (great for locals), plus skate rentals are available.

Decorating the Christmas tree is just one of the Things to do in Monterey at Christmas

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Cannery Row

Address: Cannery Row in the New Monterey section
Date: Friday after Thanksgiving
Website

Cannery Row will kick off the holiday session with its annual tree-lighting event. The event will have family-friendly entertainment for children of all ages and Santa will most certainly be there.

After you’ve had your turkey, head to Cannery Row on the Friday after Thanksgiving for a free Red Engine Ride around Cannery Row, which kicks off at noon. The tree lighting will commence at 5:45 pm, with Santa arriving at 6 pm.

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at the Del Monte Shopping Center

Address: 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey, CA 93940
Date: The weekend prior to Thanksgiving
Website

Take the kids to see Mr. and Mrs Claus. at the Del Monte Shopping Center annual tree lighting. While there, you can sip on complimentary hot coco and nibble on cookies, plus there is live music and a chance to win gift cards.

The center will also hold a canned food drive for the Food Bank of Monterey County. The event is free, so be sure to check it out.

Christmas on the Wharf

Address: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, 1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940
Dates: Begins the first weekend of December
Website

Walk along the Wharf in Monterey and enjoy the stunning Christmas decor that surrounds you. The Wharf will also host various free weekend live events, and Santa will be sitting in his house waiting for visitors to come tell him what they would like for Christmas.

Christmas on the Wharf starts the first weekend in December and runs through the weekend before Christmas.

Historic Downtown Monterey’s Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn

Address: Colton Hall, 570 Pacific St, Monterey, CA 93940
Date: First Friday in December, 5pm-6pm
Website

On the first Friday in December at 5 pm, head down to Colton Hall Lawn to celebrate the holidays and enjoy a tree lighting ceremony. The celebration will have carols, music, and more for everyone to enjoy as you participate in this beloved annual tradition.

Christmas in the Adobes

Address: Historic Old Monterey (Various venues around Monterey, CA)
Date: Second weekend in December, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Website

Christmas in the Adobes is a nighttime event that allows you to visit 15 adobes on foot beginning the second week (usually) in December.

Staff will be dressed in period attire to greet visitors with music and entertainment. While kids are welcome, this is more of a grown up activity, so maybe treat the kids to a sitter the night you want to go.

The event raises money for the Monterey State Historic Park educational history programs. Tickets do sell out every year, so as soon as dates are announced, grab your tickets.

Brighten the Harbor Boat Parade

Address: 1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA
Date: First Weekend of December, 5:15 PM – 7:30 PM
Website

Monterey will hold its annual Brighten the Harbor boat show. The Monterey Yacht Club will parade decorated boats along the bay from 5:30pm to 8 pm, which is something you will not want to miss, especially if you LOVE Christmas lights.

Christmas in Seaside

Holiday Poinsettias for Sale

Address: 1349 Canyon Del Rey Blvd, Seaside CA

If you’re looking to help local charities this holiday season, grab a Poinsettia for yourself ad the ones you love.

All proceeds will go to families in need during the holidays, plus the Community Holiday Dinner at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and the Salvation Army.

The Monterey Ski and Social Club will begin selling poinsettias on December 1. If you buy more than 10, the 11th plant is free.

Christmas Pacific Grove

Christmas at the Inns

Address: Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (locations change every year)
Date: two weekdays in early December
Website

Grab your camera and head out to Christmas at the Inns. The halls are decked, and doors are open for holiday cheer. Each location has live music and tasty holiday goodies for everyone. This is another grown up kind of night. Children are welcome, but they may not be as excited to tour historic Victorian homes as the adults in their life.

Pacific Grove Holiday Tree Lighting

Address: Jewell Park, Pacific Grove CA
Date: Monday after Thanksgiving, 5:30pm (tree is lit at 6pm)

Head over to Jewell Park for live music starting at 5:30 pm. From there, you can enjoy caroling and refreshments while waiting for the tree-lighting event. The tree lighting will occur at 6 pm, and a visit by Santa will shortly follow.

Holiday Parade of Lights

Address: Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove Ca
Date: 1st Thursday in December

In early December, head out to Lighthouse Ave to stake our your spot to watch the annual Holiday Parade of Lights. The parade will feature a marching band, holiday floats, dance teams, and more.

The event begins at 6 pm, and after the parade ends, stores will remain open late for holiday shopping and photos with Santa.

Stillwell’s Fun in the Park

Address: Caledonia Park, Pacific Grove CA
Dates: First Saturday in December, 11am-3pm

Celebrate the holidays in Caledonia Park with winter fun for the entire family. Santa will arrive via fire truck to greet eager children, as well as Frosty the Snowman and the Snow Queen. There will be rides for the kids, bounce houses, and a petting zoo.

Christmas in Carmel

City Holiday Tree Lighting

Address: Devendorf Park, Carmel-by-the-Sea CA
Dates: First weekend in December at 4:30pm

Devendorf Park will hold a slew of fun events to welcome the holidays, starting with music in the park and photos with the holiday trees. Around 4:30 pm, Santa will make his appearance, and a countdown will begin to light the tree, the downtown median, and the park lights.

Check out More Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Carmel

Carmel Plaza Holiday Open House

Address: Ocean Ave and Mission St, Caramel-by-the-sea
Dates: First weekend in December, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Carmel Plaza will offer a holiday open house with the live music, Santa visits, delicious treats, and activities for the kids. Special promotions will also be offered at the nearby stores if you want to get some Christmas shopping done too.

The holidays are the best time to spend with the family. Heading out to one of these events throughout Monterey County will bring everyone a little closer during the holidays.