Monterey County Signature Events

Whalefest Monterey January 23 - 24, 2016
Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey
Whalefest Monterey is held in January during the migration of the gray whales, although whales are spotted in the Monterey Bay year-round. The weekend features a wide array of fun activities at Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey near the Custom House.

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am February 8 - 14, 2016
Pebble Beach Resorts
Top PGA Tour professionals team up with Hollywood celebrities, world renowned musicians and the captains of industry as they compete for a $6.6 million purse. Foursomes rotate to MPCC Shore Course, Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach Golf Links Thursday through Saturday.

Relais & Chteaux GourmetFest February 25 - 28, 2016
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Relais & Chteaux GourmetFest is a four day foodie extravaganza featuring an exclusive roster of Relais & Chteaux Chefs and wine estates based at L'Auberge Carmel in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Jazz Bash by the Bay March 4 - 6, 2016
Monterey Conference Center
The Jazz Bash by the Bay has been a wall-to-wall weekend of traditional jazz and swing since 1980. The festival brings together the many colorful forms of the roots of early jazz: traditional jazz, swing, gypsy jazz, ragtime, blues, zydeco and big bands.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine March 31 - April 3, 2016
Pebble Beach Resorts
Enjoy four days of the best in food and wine with an epic epicurean event, Pebble Beach Food and Wine. 60 celebrity chefs and 250 wineries assemble at Pebble Beach to bring you the culinary experience of a lifetime. Enjoy lunches, dinners, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations.

Next Generation Jazz Festival April 8 - 10, 2016
Monterey Conference Center
Over 1,300 of the nation's top student musicians to play their hearts out at the Next Generation Jazz Festival (NGJF) in downtown Monterey. The event is free to the public.

Pacific Grove Good Old Days April 9 - 10, 2016
Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove
Home to the County's largest arts and crafts show, with over 225 art and food vendors in downtown, a parade down Pine Avenue, live entertainment on four stages, old-fashioned games and contests and lots of family fun.

Sea Otter Classic April 14 - 17, 2016
Laguna Seca Recreation Area
Sea Otter Classic is the largest cycling festival and consumer trade show in North America. Over four days, it includes a wide variety of bike races and fun rides for every kind, level and age of rider, an expo with more than 250 exhibitors, club zones, a product demo area, a ride zone, stunt shows and kids activities.

Big Sur International Marathon April 24, 2016
Big Sur
The Big Sur Marathon is 26.2 miles of the most beautiful coastline in the world - and, for runners, the most challenging. At the Expo, participants in the Marathon will pick up their race bibs, goody bags and check out fitness apparel and equipment.

Wildflower Triathlon April 29 - May 1, 2016
Lake San Antonio, Bradley
One of the premier triathlons nationally and internationally, this course will test the skills of the professional triathlete and the first-time long course competitor. Spectators and athletes can also enjoy live music, great food, race clinics and a peek at the latest gear at the Wildflower Triathlon Expo area.

Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix April 29 - May 1, 2016
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas
This new series created by the merger between the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the American Le Mans Series retains the very popular format of races within a race, providing plenty of on-track action and constant passing.

Winemakers' Celebration May 7, 2016
Dolores Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Celebrating the wines and winemakers of Monterey County's world class growing region, the event displays over 100 incredible wines on Dolores Street (between Ocean & 7th). Guests will also have the rare opportunity to ask questions and discuss the wines with the winemakers themselves.

Salinas Valley Fair May 12 - 15, 2016
Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, King City
Enjoy the atmosphere of an old-fashioned county fair, complete with carnival, bull-riding, craft and 4-H exhibit, music and more.

Carmel Art Festival May 14 – 15, 2016
Mission Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Gallery events, lectures, receptions and demonstrations take place at several art galleries in addition to a plein-air painting competition where final works are showcased on Mission Street.

California Roots Music & Arts Festival May 27 - 29, 2016
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
The California Roots Music and Arts Festival is a three-day event packed with live music, fantastic food, refreshing beverages, creative artwork and sustainable practices. Reggae acts from around the globe culminate at the Monterey County Fairgrounds for good vibes during the Memorial Day weekend.

Artichoke Festival June 4 - 5, 2016
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
The Artichoke Festival is a commemoration of all things artichoke. The event has artichoke cooking demos, artichoke-themed art, an artichoke parade, artichokes (and other vegetables) for sale at the farmers' market, and of course artichokes prepared in every way imaginable.

Monterey Wine Festival  June 4 - 5, 2016
Custom House Plaza, Monterey
With hundreds of wines offered for tasting, wine lovers will find an embarrassment of riches awaiting them at the Monterey Wine Festival. The event also includes the West Coast Clam Chowder Competition.

Triathlon at Pacific Grove June 10 - 12, 2016
Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove
Elite and amateur triathletes flock to Pacific Grove the second weekend in September to participate in one of the most scenic triathlons in the world. The Triathlon at Pacific Grove offers an Olympic distance triathlon, a sprint distance triathlon, and a 5K and 10K Fun Run.

Monterey Beer Festival June 11, 2016
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
The Monterey Beer Festival brings over 80 beers from dozens of breweries where you will have the chance to taste unusual offerings from major beer companies as well as fantastic beers from unknown brewing companies from around the world.

Carmel Valley Art & Wine Celebration June 18, 2016
Carmel Valley Village, Carmel Valley
The Art & Wine Celebration showcases over 60 artists, local wines and strolling musicians at restaurants, shops and galleries throughout Carmel Valley Village.

Monterey BaconFest June 25 - 26, 2016
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
It's bacon! The Monterey BaconFest showcases all things bacon at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center. The weekend event also includes plenty of live music and  Best of Bacon competition.

4th of July Events July 4, 2016
Monterey County
Celebrate Independence Day (and your day off) where California was first born! Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Spreckels each throw their own hometown bashes.
FIM Superbike World Championship
July 8 - 10, 2016
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas
The sounds of motorcycles will again roar through the central California hillsides as the FIM Superbike World Championship returns to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The FIM Superbike World Championship features riders, teams and manufacturers racing high-performance bikes very similar to the ones right off the showroom floor.

Carmel Bach Festival July 16 - 30, 2016
Carmel-by-the-Sea
The Carmel Bach Festival has a 75-year history where musicians from the around the world perform in various venues including the Sunset Center, Carmel Mission Basilica, Church in the Forest, Pebble Beach and All Saints Church.

California Rodeo Salinas July 21 - 24, 2016
Salinas Sports Complex, Salinas
Each July, the West comes alive in Salinas with the California Rodeo Salinas at the Salinas Sports Complex. Though the California Rodeo Salinas itself takes place for only four days, surrounding events such as the Rodeo Carnival, the Kiddie Kapers Parade and Cowboy Poetry provide a two-week long warm-up to the main event.

Feast of Lanterns July 27 - 31, 2016
Pacific Grove
A tradition lasting for over a century, the Pacific Grove Feast of Lanterns is a community celebration. This event in Pacific Grove includes a lantern pageant, children's activities, and a pet parade.

Moss Landing Antique Fair July 31, 2016
Moss Landing
The quaint fishing village of Moss Landing becomes the antique capital of the world where hundreds of antique booths set up on the streets for the Moss Landing Antique Street Fair, selling antique furniture and every kind of vintage item imaginable.
August

Salinas Valley Half Marathon August 6, 2016
Salinas Valley
Take in the fresh air and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the "Salad Bowl of the World" during the Salinas Valley Half Marathon. Runners and walkers will be delighted with stunning sights along Salinas Valley's Foothill and River Roads along the Santa Lucia mountain range.

Scottish Games & Celtic Festival August 6 - 7, 2016
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
This very popular Celtic celebration brings the music, dance and athletic events of the mystical lands of Scotland and Ireland to Monterey County and features events for the whole family.

Monterey Car Week August 15 - 21, 2016
Monterey County
Classic automobiles take over the Monterey Peninsula during Monterey Car Week and Concours d'Elegance. All over Monterey County, classic cars take to streets, golf courses, parks and the world-renowned Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, surrounding visitors with automobiles from yesteryear.

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 18 - 21, 2016
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas
Described as a museum springing to life, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is the largest event held during the famed Monterey Car Week, and is the only event where cars are doing what they were originally intended to do…race.

Concours d'Elegance August 21, 2016
Pebble Beach Resorts
A tradition going back over half a century, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is where the world's collector cars meet and compete. Only the 200 best collector cars in the world roll onto the legendary 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, and only a handful of those will receive official recognition for style, technical merit and historical accuracy.

Sand City West End Celebration August 26 - 28, 2016
Sand City
Sand City is known for its funky, independent and artistic atmosphere and nowhere is that more on display than the annual West End Celebration. The streets of Sand City shut down and become an open-air artists' fair, showcasing truly unique works from artists throughout Monterey County.

Monterey County Fair August 31 – September 5, 2016
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
The annual Monterey County Fair is always fun for all, with livestock exhibition, entertainment, live music, amusement and delicious food.
September
Monterey Greek Festival
September 3 - 5, 2016
Custom House Plaza, Monterey
Every Labor Day weekend, Monterey becomes a part of the Mediterranean as the Monterey Bay Greek Festival takes over Custom House Plaza. While you're munching on dolmades, you can watch traditional dance, listen to music, and even learn a little at a cultural lecture.

Festa Italia September 9 - 11, 2016
Custom House Plaza, Monterey
Embrace your inner Italian at Monterey's Festa Italia. Monterey transforms into a mecca for all things marinara as this Italian Festival takes over Custom House Plaza with Italian favorites like calamari, pizza, pasta, paninis and rice balls.

Mazda Road to Indy September 9 -11, 2016
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas
A full schedule of doubleheader open-wheel racing on three different competition levels will be on tap with the Mazda Road to Indy. Season champions will again be crowned at Mazda Raceway in all three classes of the driver developmental racing series which provides scholarships to the next level.

Monterey Jazz Festival September 16 – 18, 2016
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
The Monterey Jazz Festival attracts all of the top names in jazz, and boasts art exhibits, jazz clinics and seminars. The Festival features over 500 artists performing on eight stages spread over the Monterey County Fair and Event Center.

First Tee Open September 20 - 25, 2016
Pebble Beach Resorts
Junior golfers get the chance to play with champions like Ben Crenshaw, Isao Aoki, Tom Kite, Sandy Lyle, Tom Watson and Fuzzy Zoeller at the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. This competition, broadcast on The Golf Channel, earns money for The First Tee, a charity that gives disadvantaged youngsters the opportunity to play golf.

California International Airshow September 24 - 25, 2016
Salinas Municipal Airport
Watch jaw-dropping aeronautical acrobatics from the Patriots Jet Team, Metal Mulisha, the Pemberton's Wing Suit Jump, Robosaurus and more. There will also be military demos, military fly-bys and military/civilian aircraft displays.

Monterey Beach SportsFest September 24 - 25, 2016
Monterey
The Monterey Beach Sportsfest is a celebration of wellness both for people and for the ocean we love and enjoy so much. Join in on two exciting days of competitive events in the waters and along the shore of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Butterfly Parade & Bazaar October 1, 2016
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove celebrates its heritage every October with the Butterfly Parade and Bazaar which celebrates the return of the Monarch Butterfly.

Taste of Carmel October 6, 2016
Carmel Mission, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Over 30 outstanding Carmel restaurants provide enticing and varied selections of appetizers, main courses and desserts, along with fine wines from 20 area vineyards at the historic Carmel Mission.

Pirelli World Championship October 7 - 9, 2016
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas
One of North America's finest and longest running auto racing series, the Pirelli World Challenge, will crown their 2016 champions at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The popular Series boasts a paddock of more than 70 race cars and consists of six classes of vehicles.
History Fest  TBA
Monterey
The Monterey History Fest has grown into a festival that offers a variety of programs for both residents and visitors to experience Monterey's unique cultural heritage and historic resources. The plentiful schedule brings Monterey's past to life during this community-wide event.

Carmel International Film Festival October 19 - 23, 2016
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Contemporary art and independent film collide for five days in Carmel-by-the-Sea during the Carmel International Film Festival. The festival features art in almost every medium including music, fine art, photography and, of course, film. November

Big Sur Food and Wine November 3 - 5, 2016
Big Sur
Indulge in fantastic food, great wines and exquisite scenery at the Big Sur Food and Wine Festival. Local and visiting restaurateurs, resorts and wineries from all over will team up for dinners and tastings at unique Big Sur locations.

Big Sur Half Marathon November 13, 2016
Monterey
The Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay takes runners through historic downtown Monterey, over to Cannery Row, down the shore of Monterey Bay, into downtown Pacific Grove, and back along the coast to the grand finish at Custom House Plaza.

TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational November 17 - 20, 2016
Pebble Beach
The Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational attracts professional and amateur golfers of all stripes to Pebble Beach. The Invitational gives spectators a special chance to watch their favorite golfers in a more intimate and relaxed environment; viewers can even walk down the fairway right behind the golfers.

Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival November 18 - 20, 2016
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
Pack those chaps and spurs for a wranglin' good time with some of the nation's top balladeers and cowboy/girl poets featured during the Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival. The three-day event hosts several great shows, open mic sessions, a western art and gear sale, silent auction and "cowboy" church service among other festivities.

Christmas at the Inns December 6 - 7, 2016
Pacific Grove
It's Pacific Grove at its most picturesque, as ten of the town's bed and breakfasts and inns deck their halls and open their doors so you can share their holiday cheer in Victorian-era splendor.

Christmas in the Adobes December 9 - 10, 2016
Monterey
Step back into Monterey's past during Christmas in the Adobes. See the adobes by candlelight and enjoy refreshments and live performances as volunteers in period attire welcome you into historic homes decorated in historical style.

First Night Monterey December 31, 2016
Monterey
First Night Monterey celebrates the lively arts scene in Monterey County with its family-friendly celebration of the arts on New Years Eve. Over thirty venues hold concurrent performances and activities for both children and adults, culminating in a convergence on Custom House Plaza to ring in the New Year.