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Monterey Events
December 31-Jan. 1
First Night Monterey
Downtown Monterey Tel: 831-373-4778 Celebration of New Year's Eve through the arts. Music, dances, poetry, special installations and exhibits from 2pm to midnight indoors and out throughout historic downtown Monterey. Alcohol-free event for the entire family.
Mid-January
Monterey SwingFest
Monterey
Tel: 805-937-1574
Dance workshops feature past and present world and national champions, plus open dancing until 5am. Presented by Central Coast Swing Dance.
Early March
Dixieland Monterey
Monterey
Tel: 831-633-5053
Hotline: 888-349-6879
Three days of top-notch Dixieland and Swing in various venues in downtown Monterey. Featuring top national jazz bands, local youth bands, the Diva Show, gospel Sunday morning, and more.
March
National Marine Sanctuary Annual Symposium
Monterey
Tel: 831-647-4255
Special annual symposium features speakers from MBARI, Moss Landing Research Station, and more. This year's event focuses on health of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
April
Annual Sea Otter Classic
Laguna Seca, Monterey
Tel: 650-364-7612
The unabashed celebration of all things cycling, the Sea Otter Classic is a four-day bicycle circus. This massive event features fun rides, road racing, mountain bike racing, BMX, kids events, and a large expo that showcases the latest in cycling hardware, clothing and goods. Racers range from first timers to Olympic champions. All kids events are free of charge.
May-September
Historic Garden Tours
Monterey
Tel: 831-647-6204
Take a fascinating tour of Monterey's best-kept secret. Learn about plant lore, identification, and uses. Tours begin in the Cooper-Molera Adobe courtyard and then proceed to the Stevenson House and (if time) Larkin House gardens. Tuesdays at 1pm.
May
Month of Sundays at La Mirada
Tel: 831-649-7118
A month-long series of lighthearted social events at the Monterey Museum of Art's La Mirada Gallery.
June-July
Aquarium Adventures
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey
Aquarium Adventures introduce kids and their families to the fascinating world below the sea surface, including a chance to surface SCUBA dive in the Great Tide Pool of the Aquarium. Reservations are essential; check the website for details.
Late June
Monterey Bay Blues Festival
Monterey Fairgrounds
Tel: 831-394-2652
Three stages of matchless blues and R-and-B, presented by a festival dedicated to preserving this unique American art form. The Festival includes 56 acts during three days of music
Saturdays in July
Historical Walking Tours
Monterey
Tel: 831-372-2608, ext 11
Learn about Monterey's fishing heritage during a free one hour guided walk, starting at the Monterey Maritime Museum at 1:00pm.
Sundays in July
Summer Sunday Lecture Series
Monterey
Tel: 831-372-2608, ext 11
Drop by Monterey's Maritime Museum at 1:00pm for a free one-hour talk on an aspect of Historic Monterey, from architecture to the economy to the city's myriad cultures.
Early August
Annual Steinbeck Festival National Steinbeck Center
Salinas Tel: 831-775-4737 Four days of films, speakers, panels, theater, and bus or walking tours, all celebrating John Steinbeck.
August
Annual Scottish Games and Celtic Festival Toro Park
Monterey-Salinas Hwy Tel: 831-647-6311 A festival celebrating Scottish and Irish traditions and culture. Featuring a Celtic concert, clans, food, entertainment and competitions in dancing, bagpipe bands and athletics.
Early September
Annual Greek Festival
Monterey Tel: 831-424-4434 An ethnic festival featuring authentic Greek food, live music, traditional dancing, a taverna and crafts.
Mid-September
Festa Italia-Santa Rosalia Festival
Monterey Tel: 831-649-6544 Italian music, bocce competitions, arts and crafts, delicious Italian food.
Mid-September
Monterey Jazz Festival Monterey County Fairgrounds
Monterey Tel: 925-275-9255 Nonstop jazz at the oldest continuous jazz festival in the world. Top names in jazz, plus colorful gifts, food, jazz photo/art exhibits, jazz clinics/seminars and more.
Late November
10th Annual Cannery Row Christmas Tree Lighting
Monterey Tel: 831-649-6690 "Snow on the Row." Annual tree lighting, caroling and arrival of Santa Claus.
December
Monterey Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Monterey Tel: 831-646-5640 Gather on the lawn outside Town Hall to watch the lighting of the town's tree: caroling and good cheer abound!
December
Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival
Monterey Tel: 1-800-722-9652 The best cowboy poets and balladeers are featured in a 3-day weekend event also showcasing western artists and gear makers.
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