CHRISTMAS ON THE
MONTEREY PENINSULATis the season for holiday activities and no one celebrates the holidays like the Monterey Peninsula. First of all, if you're coming to Carmel or Monterey for the "most wonderful time of the year", the RV Park in the Laguna Seca Recreation Area is right in the middle of all the action and makes a brilliant spot to set up your headquarters.
Here is a list of this years special events!
Cannery Row Tree Lighting - November 27, 2015 5pm-9pm
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is the day after Thanksgiving. Family fun to get you into the holiday spirit. The tree is located on the Steinbeck Plaza by Bubba Gump's restaurant on Cannery Row.
Pacific Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony - November 30, 2015
Festivities are from
5:30pm to 6:30pm on Forest Avenue in downtown Pacific Grove.
Salinas Holiday
Parade of Lights
November 29, 2015
Stop by downtown Salinas for their Annual Holiday Parade of Lights event. There are over 70 lighted floats and marching bands. The parade starts at 6pm. From 3:30pm-5:30pm visit the Kid Zone in front of the Maya Cinemas (153 Main Street) for crafts and fun including a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus direct from the North Pole. Parade Route:
http://parade.gowebsitedemo.com/parade-route
DECEMBER 2015
Christmas at the Inns - December 1 & 2, 2015
A fun holiday tradition in Pacific Grove is "Christmas in the Inns". Ten of the town's most beautiful bed and breakfast inns are dressed to the hilt in Victorian Christmas fashion. You visit five inns each night. One ticket gets to access to both nights. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at 831-373-330 or on the website.
https://www.pacificgrove.org/events/community-events/christmas-at-the-inns/222
Pacific Grove Para
de of Lights December 3, 2015 6pm-7pm
Holiday floats, dance teams and marching bands accompany Santa through the streets of America's Home Town. There will be wagon rides, pictures with Santa and carolers. Local merchants will keep their stores open late. The parade begins at 584 Central Avenue in Pacific Grove.
Christmas Night at The Farm - December 4, 2015 - 6pm-9pm
Carols, cookies, hot apple cider and moonlit hayrides. Weather permitting.
Take a left onto Highway 68 as you exit Laguna Seca Recreation Area. Take the Spreckles exit. At the stop sign, take a left and go under the bridge then follow the sign to "The Farm."
http://thefarm-salinasvalley.com/Stillwell's Fun in the Park - December 5, 2015 10am-4pm
Stop by downtown Pacific Grove for the 22nd Annual Stillwell's Fun in the Park event. It's a huge holiday party with Santa, Frosty the Snowman and a full day of other fun, family-friendly activities. Location: 171 Caledonia S. Pacific Grove (between Central and Jewell Avenues) Caledonia Park is an open-space free-play area, tots' play area, ADA compliant playground and climbing equipment for older children, a baseball field, basketball court, picnic tables, and restrooms.
20th Annual Streets of Bethlehem December 2-5, 2015 - 6pm-8:30pm
http://streetsofbethlehem.com/This free community event is at the First Baptist Church in Salinas. It's from 6:00pm to 8:30pm each night.
Location: First Baptist Church at 1130 San Vincente Avenue, Salinas
Free shuttle parking is available at the Quadrangle/Valley Center parking lots
(800, 900, 1000 blocks of South Main Street) Free courtesy buses will leave every few minutes. The streets immediately near the event will be closed so this is the best option for parking.
Annual Tree Lighting & Carmel Plaza Party - December 4, 2015 - 5:45pm
Entertainment and refreshments begin at 3:30pm. The mayor will light the tree at around 5:45pm, rain or shine. Located on Ocean Avenue as you enter town. Local schools sing and play music. The Carmel Plaza is ablaze with holiday lights.
http://www.carmelcalifornia.com/event-holiday-tree-lighting-and-carmel-plaza-party_10.htm
Brighten The Harbor - Sunday, December 6, 2015 - 5:30pm-8pm
The Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club presents
Brighten the Harbor, a lighted boat parade.
The boats of Monterey Bay will be dressed in brilliant lights as they sail from Coast Guard Pier past Cannery Row to Lover’s Point, all competing for the coveted title of “Best Decorated Boat.”
Christmas in the Adobes:- December 11 & 12, 2015 - Downtown Old Monterey
A truly historical event. See the adobes by candlelight while enjoying refreshments and live entertainment. Fun activities for the entire family.
Buy tickets online or at the Cooper Museum Store
http://www.mshpa.org/news-events.html#2015cita
Carmel Inns of Distinction Tour - December 6, 2015 2pm-5pm
This annual event takes you through seven unique, historic inns in downtown Carmel. Each one opens up a few rooms to the public for you to see.
https://www.carmelheritage.org/event-inns-of-distinction-tour_2.htm
Jingle Bell Run/Walk - December 12, 2015 - Lover's Point
Join other runners and walkers in Pacific Grove for the 2015 Jingle Bell Run/Walk. This annual event starts at Lover's Point Park. Registration starts at 7:30am with the official 5k run starting at 9am.
Carmel Valley Santa's Fly-In:
Saturday, December 14, 2015
Santa Claus makes his annual Carmel Valley Fly-in at the Carmel Valley Airfield. His helicopter will make an appearance in the sky starting around 10:30am. After Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrive, they will hop in their sleigh and join other local community organizations in a parade. After the parade, stay for the holiday picnic with food, drinks, holiday activities, and more.
First Night Monterey: - December 31, 2015 Downtown Old Monterey
This New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Monterey is an alcohol-free event for the entire family. The celebration includes art, live music, and other fun holiday activities. Festivities start at 3pm and last until shortly after midnight. Information about tickets can be found here:
http://www.firstnightmonterey.org/FNM/FastFacts.htm
JANUARY 2016
Rio Grill's Resolution Run:
January 1, 2016
Crossroads Shopping Center - Carmel
Start the New Year out right at the 26th annual Rio Grill's Resolution Run. It includes both a 5k and a 10k. Dogs and strollers are welcome.
http://www.riogrillsresolutionrun.com/
Directions To The Areas Where These Events Take Place:
Any of these events are so easy to get to from the RV Park in the Laguna Seca Recreation Area. Since the RV Park is right in the middle of everything, no destination should take more than 10-15 minutes.
Salinas: Take a left onto highway 68 as you exit the recreation area. Follow about 8 miles to downtown Salinas.
Carmel: Take a right onto Highway 68 as you exit the recreation area. Follow until it merges onto Highway 1. Follow for about 4 miles. Take a right on Ocean Avenue and follow it to downtown Carmel.
Monterey: Take a right onto Highway 68 as you exit the recreation area. Travel 4 miles to Highway 218. Take a left on Del Monte Blvd and follow to Monterey.
Pacific Grove: Take a right onto Highway 68 as you exit the recreation area. Travel 4 miles and travel 4 miles to Highway 218. Take a left on Del Monte Blvd and follow to Monterey. Del Monte will split to the right and turn into Lighthouse Blvd. Follow into Pacific Grove. Take a left on Forest Avenue to get to downtown.
Carmel Valley Village: Take a left onto Highway 68 as you exit the RV Park at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area. Go one block and at the light, take a left onto the Los Lorelos Grade. This will take you to Carmel Valley Road. Take a left on Carmel Valley Road and follow it to the village.