Planning the Perfect Holiday Getaway in Monterey

Celebrate the holidays or escape for a weekend getaway before the New Year in beautiful Monterey, California. Situated along the breathtaking central California coast, Monterey is a magical destination for a family vacation, a romantic escape, or a winter adventure. Enjoy holiday shopping, dining, and the tree lighting on Cannery Row and in downtown Monterey. Tour the historic California adobes adorned with lights and go ice skating along the scenic bay. Experience these favorite holiday events and activities in Monterey. Share fun traditions, make new memories, and find surprises along the way.

Holiday and Christmas Events in Monterey

Ice Skating by the Bay

November 19, 2021 - January 2, 2022, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Celebrate the holidays at this magical winter wonderland on scenic Monterey Bay. Glide and spin on the ice-skating rink in the Custom House Plaza near Historic Old Fisherman's Wharf. The kids will love skating and making memories at this seasonal outdoor rink surrounded by glowing holiday lights.

Christmas Tree Lighting On Cannery Row

November 26, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
The Cannery Row Tree Lighting Ceremony is back, continuing this magical Monterey celebration. You can see the magnificent Christmas tree and the sparkling lights in Steinbeck Plaza - at the corner of Cannery Row and Prescott Avenue - throughout the holiday season. Enjoy shopping and dining along historic Cannery Row against a backdrop of festive decorations and Monterey Bay. #ChristmasOnCanneryRow

Christmas on the Wharf

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12/3 - 12/19
Head down to Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey for the annual Christmas on the Wharf celebration. Enjoy weekend festivities, live entertainment, twinkling lights, beautiful holiday decorations and a 23-foot Christmas tree surrounded by illuminated sea creatures. Meet Santa, enjoy holiday cookies and hot cocoa, and shop for holiday gifts at local waterfront shops on the Wharf. Fridays from 4 pm to 9 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Traditional Tree Lighting in Downtown Monterey

December 3, 2021, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Ignite your holiday season at Historic Downtown Monterey's Traditional Tree Lighting Celebration. Sing Christmas carols, enjoy live music and see the lighting of the beautiful tree on the lawn in front of Colton Hall.

Christmas in the Adobes at Monterey State Historic Park

December 10 -11, 05:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Enjoy evening walking tours of Monterey's historic adobes adorned in holiday décor and candle-lit luminarias. Christmas in the Adobes features festive music and entertainment, and self-guided tours of the magical adobes and Monterey's earliest buildings. Feel the warm spirit of the community of this beloved holiday event and a Monterey tradition.

The Nutcracker in Carmel by the Sea

December 3, 2021 - December 5, 2021
Experience a magical holiday tradition with the Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre. See The Nutcracker performed at the Sunset Center in Carmel by the Sea with more than 90 dancers and the music of Tchaikovsky.

Christmas Dinner at Estéban Restaurant in Old Monterey

December 25, 2021, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Gather with family and friends for a wonderful Christmas Dinner at Estéban Restaurant at the Casa Munras Hotel and Spa in downtown Monterey. Feast on a 3-course menu with prime rib, sides, and dessert for $85 per person. A wine pairing is also available, as well as the Esteban Menu. Estéban dishes up modern Spanish inspired cuisine, paellas, and house-made sangrias in the firelit dining room and on the heated outdoor patio. Call 831-375-0176 for Christmas Dinner reservations.

Holiday Getaways with Inns of Monterey

Get away this holiday season with Inns of Monterey. Relax, recharge, and rediscover the joy of the holidays in one of the most magical places on the California coast. Spend time with family or enjoy a romantic getaway at our charming boutique hotels in downtown Monterey and on Cannery Row. Walk to shopping and dining, beaches, holiday events, and Monterey's iconic attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail. Inns of Monterey offers a collection of hotel specials for easy holiday escapes. Whether you've been naughty or nice, everyone deserves a Monterey holiday vacation this year.

Monterey Hotels Specials for the Holidays

50/50 Special at Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa

• Book one room and get 50% off your second night stay – perfect for a holiday getaway
• Buy one dinner at Estéban Restaurant and get 50% off the second entrée.
• Available for travel through January 31, 2022
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Spindrift Inn

• 15% off rooms with views of Monterey Bay on select dates
• Rates as low as $169 on select dates for Cannery Row views
• Complimentary wine reception
• Complimentary silver tray breakfast in bed daily
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Monterey Bay Inn

• Ocean View Harbor Rooms with a balcony as low as $166 on select dates
• Views of San Carlos Beach and Monterey Harbor
• Wake up to complimentary breakfast delivered to your door daily
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Victorian Inn

• 15% off on all accommodations on select dates
• Complimentary wine hour
• Free breakfast served daily
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Wave Street Inn

• Receive 15% off with a 14-day advance purchase
• Complimentary welcome snack
• Steps from Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row
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