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Special Events in Monterey
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.
April
Monterey Wine Festival
Monterey
Tel: 800-656-4282 or 831-656-WINE
Enjoy some of California's finest wines at the 29th annual festival. Variety of tastings, educational seminars, and cooking demonstrations at various sites in Monterey.
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.
May
Red, White and a Little Blues - Some Rock and Latin, Too!
Monterey
Tel: 831-655-8070
A Memorial Day red-white-and-blue festival, with live blues, rock and Latin music from 11am-4pm, arts, crafts, and more, all filling Monterey's Alvarado Street.
May 15
Ed "Doc" Ricketts Birthday Party
Monterey
Tel: 831-372-8512
An evening celebration of the life and times of Ed Ricketts, held on his birthday at Kalisa's La Ida Cafe on Cannery Row.
May 15
Ed "Doc" Ricketts Lab Tours
Monterey
Tel: 831-372-8512
Once a year opportunity to tour the lab of Ed "Doc" Ricketts, revolutionary marine biologist and friend of John Steinbeck, on Cannery Row. Reservations strongly recommended for hourly tours (10am-4pm), donation.
May 19-21
Cooking for Solutions
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey
Tel: 831-644-7561
Notable chefs gather in a three-day extravaganza dedicated to sustainable seafood. Events include a reception, tasting gala, cooking demonstrations, and farm and vineyard tours.
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.
Late July
Turkish Festival
Custom House Plaza, Monterey
Tel: 831-655-7509
A celebration of Turkish culture and arts, featuring live music and folk dances, dance workshops, belly dancing, crafts, and delicious food.
July - August (Wednesdays only)
Musical Marketplace
Monterey: 831-373-2705
Wednesday evenings through high summer, enjoy live music and benefit food-and-wine tastings at Monterey's Del Monte Center, 5:30-8pm.
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.
Mid-August
Annual Monterey Sports Car Auction
Monterey Tel: 800-211-4371 One of the world's largest sports car auctions, featuring 180 classic sports and race cars. Viewing available over three days.
October 13
California Constitution Day
Monterey Tel: 831-646-5640 Re-enactment of California's first Constitutional Convention on the original site where it was drafted in 1849.
Mid-October
Big Sur Half Marathon & 5K Run
Monterey Tel: 831-625-6226 Two fun-filled events for runners at all levels. The Big Sur Half Marathon begins and ends in downtown Monterey, tak
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