Arts Council for Monterey County

ARIEL Theatrical presents A Charlie Brown Christmas at The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre in Oldtown Salinas
2025-12-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-05 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre – Home of ARIEL Theatrical, 320 Main Street, Salinas, 93901
Gather your family and friends and make plans to catch A Charlie Brown Christmas this December at ARIEL Theatrical. Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang share their usual wit and wisdom as they work together to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Your favorite Charles Schulz characters can’t wait to see you! Make new memories this Christmas and bask in the warmth of nostalgia and holiday cheer at ARIEL Theatrical. This production is graciously supported by our 2025 Presenting Partner, the Sally Hughes Church Foundation.
Performances: December 5, 6, 11, 12 & 13 at 7 pm on all dates with additional 2 pm shows on Saturdays
Location: The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre – Home of ARIEL Theatrical, 320 Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
Tickets: Adults – $12, Students/Seniors/Military – $11, Children 3-12 – $10, Under age 3 – FREE
Tickets may be purchased online (www.arieltheatrical.org), over the phone (831-775-0976), and at the ARIEL box office (advance purchase or at the door until sold out).
Located in the beautifully renovated Oldtown neighborhood of Salinas, ARIEL Theatrical provides opportunities for children to explore the stage and learn valuable lessons about Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Leadership – A-R-I-E-L. ARIEL is a safe and nurturing gathering place for young people where engaging programs and family-friendly entertainment take center stage.
ARIEL is honored to acknowledge the Sally Hughes Church Foundation as the 2025 Presenting Partner. ARIEL is also grateful to local individuals and businesses for their generous support, including 2025 Season Sponsors, Taylor Farms, Cardinale Moving & Storage, and Aladin Properties, and our show sponsors, Hastie Financial Group and Pathfinder Content Marketing.
For more information, visit ARIEL in the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main Street, online at www.arieltheatrical.org or call 831-775-0976.
#####

MMA's Winter Solstice Celebration
2025-12-20 18:30 - 20:30 | 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA, United States, California
Celebrate the season of light at the Winter Solstice Party! Experience how this year’s Iluminado exhibition—featuring the works of Hanif Wondir and Joe Ramos—evolved through the artistic and personal contributions of our community.
Enjoy an evening of art, music, and connection with beats by DJ Atmos, delicious food from Ad Astra, wine from Scheid Vineyards and craft beer from Other Brother Beer Co. Gather with friends and fellow art lovers as we honor creativity, reflection, and the bright spirit of the solstice.

Merry TubaChristmas Monterey Bay
2025-12-20 15:00 - 16:30 | Mello Center for the Performing Arts, 250 E. Beach St, Watsonville, 95076
Celebrate the holidays with the glorious sound of dozens of tubas playing Christmas and Hanukah music at this festive FREE concert! Santa will pay a visit, and the audience is encouraged to sing along. It’s jolly holiday fun for the whole family! Visit TubaChristmasMontereyBay.com or e-mail TubaChristmasMB@gmail.com for all the details.

MMA's Winter Art Market
2025-12-20 11:00 - 14:00 | 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA, United States, California
Enjoy FREE admission to the Museum and join us for a creative and cozy shopping experience at our Winter Art Market! Held inside the wondrous Iluminado exhibition, visitors are invited to participate in our interactive art installation, support local artists and vendors, and find the perfect gifts for the holiday season!
Featured Vendors
Asli Chai – Handcrafted chai and tea blends, chai-making essentials, and chai-themed goods.
Boho Expressions – Colorful, hand-painted bohemian art, jewelry, and décor inspired by 70s and Moroccan design.
Café Guaraní – Traditional Paraguayan empanadas, pastries, and beverages.
Eva Boynton Art – Original artwork and easy-to-grab prints of artwork that range from the humorous illustrations to charcoal and pastel figurative drawings.
Foolhardy Coffee – Coffee catering in the Monterey Bay.
Seamaid Glass – Handmade, locally sourced, one-of-a-kind jewelry inspired by the ocean and crafted in Pacific Grove, California.
Shimmer by the Sea – Unique, eclectic, handmade jewelry, inspired by all things that shimmer, colors, nature, adventures, and daydreams.
The Yolk Marketplace – Creative tools for your kitchen.
Preview our next season of Artist Workshops with instructor demonstrations by Nada Abdelshahid, Sean Mohoot, and Lydia Nakashima Degarrod.

Art of Rehabilitation
2025-12-19 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-18 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-17 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-16 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-15 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-12 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-11 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-10 08:00 - 17:00 and 2 more dates | County of Monterey Building, 168 West Alisal Street, Salinas, 93901
What if art could change lives?
A powerful new exhibit at the County of Monterey Administration building in Salinas proves it can. The installation showcases work by inmates from Soledad Correctional Training Facility—videos, audio, poetry and visual pieces that reveal the transformative potential of creativity and rehabilitation behind bars.
Created through the Life on Art’s – Rehabilitation program, these works are more than art—they’re part of a proven strategy to reduce recidivism and prepare inmates for successful reentry into society. The program complements existing education and mental health services, giving incarcerated individuals a vital tool for self-expression and healing.
Each piece tells a story. Hear directly from the artists themselves as they share the thoughts, struggles, and hopes that shaped their work. This isn’t just an art show—it’s a window into the humanity of people often unseen, and a testament to the rehabilitative power of creative expression.

THE BAYSIDE ROUNDERS WITH OTTER OPRY AT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2025-12-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Wow!! Welcome The Bayside Rounders, a new assembly of some of the hottest bluegrass pickers in the Bay Area! Here’s who you’ll get to see and hear on Wednesday, December 17th, when these awesome musicians bring their charm and talent to the Otter Opry stage at Monterey United Methodist Church.
Jesse Appelman on mandolin leads the West Coast Stringband Project, which features his singing and original compositions, and he has performed with Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Keith Little and Scott Nygaard. Hailing from the heartland of Indiana, and former member of Audie Blaylock and Redline, banjo player Evan Ward embodies the tone and timing of the banjo masters and offers heartfelt vocals. Inspired by Bill Monroe, who his father took him to see at age thirteen in his native Ohio, Mike Wilhoyte honed his bluegrass skills over the next 45 years to become a force on rhythm and lead guitar and as a lead singer.
Los Angeles native Mike Witcher cut his teeth with his family band and has gone on to become one of the most sought-after dobro players for both session work and touring with artists such as Peter Rowan, Dolly Parton, Dwight Yoakam and Laurie Lewis. Leading the band and holding down the bottom is legendary upright bass player Mark Schatz, who has toured and recorded with a Who’s Who of the bluegrass world including Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, Nickel Creek, Tim O’Brien and Claire Lynch. He always livens up a show with some Southern Appalachian clog dancing!
This promises to be one of the best shows ever, and you can make the evening even more special with a delicious ham dinner before the show ($15 in advance, $20 after December 13th). Online sales will end at 11am the day of the performance.
7pm. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free). www.otteropry.org

Creative Grounds: Morning Coffee with Edi Matsumoto
2025-12-14 09:30 - 11:00 | 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA, United States, California
Start your morning with Creative Grounds: Morning Coffee with Edi Matsumoto! Enjoy fresh brews from The Coffee Corner while learning how to paint watercolors with coffee, led by local artist Edi Matsumoto.
It’s the perfect blend of caffeination and creativity—a relaxed, artful start to your day surrounded by community and inspiration.
Open to all experience levels!

Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium
2025-12-13 17:30 - 18:30 | Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, United States
Pacific Grove Public Library hosts a monthly reading by poets from Central California and beyond, organized by the Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium. Enjoy all styles of poetry, created fresh by local poets. Sept. 13: Avery Burns and Lee Knight Jr.; Oct. 11: Chrissy Hernandez and Brandi Kary.

Carmel Art Walk
2025-12-13 16:00 - 19:00 | Throughout Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921, United States
Founded and run by local artists, the Carmel Art Walk is a free and family-friendly event. Support our local artists and keep the HEART of Carmel beating strong! Carmel Art Walk is the second Saturday every month from 4pm-7pm and is open to the public. Tour artist-owned galleries and meet the artists who carry on the Carmel-by-the-Sea artist colony legacy. Follow the blue lanterns at each gallery.

Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL) Presents a FREE Winter Concert
2025-12-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Sherwood Hall, Salinas, 940 N. Main St., Salinas, 93906
YOSAL presents a free winter concert Friday, December 12 at 7 PM at Sherwood Hall in Salinas. Under the direction of Music Director Jeff De Seriere and Program Director Diana Ramirez-Rosales, this concert will showcase the incredible achievement of over 200 YOSAL students.
Featuring students in grades 1-12, YOSAL offers choir, basic instrument instruction, beginning and intermediate orchestra, and mariachi banda. All groups will be featured during this special evening.
Highlights will include selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and No Me Se Rajar by José Carmen Frayle Castañon, featuring YOSAL’s mariachi banda.
Now celebrating its 15th year, YOSAL is committed to social change in our youth and communities through the inspiration, discipline, and performance of classical and ensemble music.
About the YOSAL: YOSAL serves students from 39 area schools, five days a week at Vineyard Church on East Alisal. For more information and to support, please visit: https://www.yosal.org/
# # #

Beloved holiday tradition Christmas in the Adobes returns for its 41st year, Dec. 12-13, in the heart of historic Monterey
2025-12-12 17:00 - 2025-12-13 21:00 | Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Monterey State Historic Park Association and California State Parks invite community members and visitors alike to step back in time for a beloved holiday tradition — the 41st annual Christmas in the Adobes.
The event takes place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12–13, from 5-9 p.m., in the heart of Historic Old Monterey.
For two enchanting nights, the city’s historic adobes glow with the warmth of brightly lit luminarias, adding holiday décor, festive music and refreshments to the mix. Guests will stroll through more than a dozen historic buildings, many of which are open exclusively for this event, and experience the stories of California’s earliest days.
This annual walking tour has become a seasonal favorite for families, history enthusiasts and anyone looking to capture the true spirit of Monterey at Christmastime.
“Christmas in the Adobes is more than just a holiday outing — it’s a chance to walk through history, to step inside buildings that are rarely open to the public, and to experience Monterey as it was in Alta California,” said Nicollette Eason-Trottier. “Tickets often sell quickly, so we encourage guests to secure theirs early and not miss this one-of-a-kind celebration.”
A charitable tradition
Proceeds from the event directly support Monterey State Historic Park’s educational programs for elementary students, and the restoration of California’s First Theatre. Guest participation helps preserve history while creating new memories with family and friends.
Ticket information
On sale beginning Friday, Oct. 10:
$25 — Adult One-Night Pass (Early Bird: purchase before Nov. 1)
$30 — Adult One-Night Pass
$45 — Adult Two-Night Gold Pass
Free — Children 17 and under
Tickets may be purchased in person at the Custom House Store or Pacific House Store, online, or at the Pacific House Store on event nights. Military personnel and MSHPA members receive special in-store discounts.
For online purchases, guests must pick up wristbands and programs at designated will call locations on event nights beginning at 4 p.m.: Stanton Center (Custom House Plaza); Casa Gutierrez (590 Calle Principal); or Stevenson House (530 Houston St.). Wristbands are required for adobe entry.
Participating historic buildings include: California’s First Theater; Casa Serrano; Cooper-Molera Adobe; Colton Hall; Pacific House; Robert Louis Stevenson House; Royal Presidio Chapel/San Carlos Cathedral; and many more. The Pacheco Adobe will be open Saturday only.
A rain-or-shine celebration
The event will be held regardless of weather. Select adobes will also offer refreshments to add to the festive spirit.
For more information, visit here.

Shop, Eat & Enjoy — Bring Your Four-Legged Friend Paws & Presents Holiday Market Benefiting Peace of Mind Dog Rescue
2025-12-07 13:00 - 17:00 | The Club at Pasadera, 100 Pasadera Dr, Monterey, 93940
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon where holiday cheer meets meaningful giving. Bring your four-legged friend and experience shopping, dining, music, and community spirit — all while supporting Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (POMDR). Every partner is contributing in their own way, and between 10–30% of every purchase goes directly back to POMDR to help senior dogs and senior people live their best lives.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The Club at Pasadera | 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Entertainment & Holiday Memories
DJ Entertainment — Central Coast Entertainment (CCE)
Festive holiday beats to keep the spirit alive throughout the afternoon.
Holiday Photo Booth — Richard Green Photography
Capture a seasonal keepsake with your pup for a $10 donation to POMDR.
Shop Curated Vendors
Discover unique artisan gifts, holiday treasures, and one-of-a-kind finds from local makers and boutiques.
Chezze Jewelry | Handcrafted jewelry that makes memorable gifts.
Lynette Cederquist Handmade Jewelry | Unique handmade jewelry for the season.
Paw Print Portraits | Custom pet portraits and local landscape photography.
BAD Photography | Fine art photography and seasonal prints.
Meninas Co. | Boutique-style fashion with modern flair.
Happy Nest | Clothing and charming gift selections.
POMDR Benefit Shop | Higher-end lightly used merchandise, with all sales benefiting POMDR.
Ami Carmel | High-end gifts, artisan pieces, and festive cookie samples.
In Bloom Salon & Spa | Aveda products and wellness offerings.
Pasadera Pro Shop | Golf apparel, accessories, and premium merchandise.
Eat, Sip & Indulge
This year’s foodie and beverage partners bring holiday flavors, tastings, and festive packs for gifting and entertaining.
Complimentary Hot Chocolate Bar — The Club at Pasadera
Warm up with rich cocoa and holiday toppings.
Espresso Bar & Holiday Coffee Packs — Bean Brigade
Fresh espresso drinks, holiday gift packs, and Pupuccinos for dogs with a $5 donation to POMDR.
Charcuterie Boxes & Holiday Boards — Platter Perfection
Artfully prepared boxes and gift-ready charcuterie packs.
Complimentary Paella — Paella LLC
Delicious paella with kid-friendly portions, plus holiday kits available to go.
Wine & Sparkling Holiday Packs — Nicholas Ruiz, Twisted Roots Winery
Fine wines and bubbles served by the glass, by the bottle, or in special holiday gift sets.
Community Partners & Sponsors
CCS Designs | Donating all event signage.
Gavilan Printers | Printing sponsor.
Mechanics Bank | Event sponsor.
Tickets
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
$25 per person — 100% donated to POMDR
Includes admission, a complimentary bowl of paella, and access to the hot chocolate bar
Additional food and drinks available for purchase
$10 for children 12 & under
Free for children under 5
Silent Auction
We are currently collecting silent auction items. Each donation helps raise critical funds for POMDR.
Celebrate the holidays in style, shop for unique gifts, enjoy delicious food and drink, and create lasting memories — all while making a difference for senior dogs and the people who love them.

Creative Grounds: Morning Coffee with Peninsula Potters
2025-12-07 09:30 - 11:00 | 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA, United States, California
Introducing a new Iluminado program, Creative Grounds: Morning Coffee with the Peninsula Potters! Enjoy fresh brews from local favorite The Coffee Corner while getting hands-on with a pottery activity led by the Peninsula Potters collective.
It’s the perfect blend of caffeination and creativity—a relaxed, artful start to your day surrounded by community and inspiration.
Open to all experience levels!

Free Family Fun Day: Iluminado
2025-12-06 11:00 - 15:00 | 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA, United States, California
Bring the whole family to Monterey Museum of Art for Free Family Fun Day! From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, enjoy hands-on, Iluminado-inspired art activities designed for all ages. Explore creativity together, discover new ways to make and play, and experience the museum’s interactive and immersive Iluminado exhibition!

Breakthrough Men's Community 2025 Fall Fundraiser Dinner Dance
2025-12-05 17:30 - 21:30 | Monterey Moose Lodge, 555 Canyon Del Rey Boulevard, Del Rey Oaks, 93940
Holiday parties can come with their own challenges.
Even in communities where we have connection, often times the holiday party dynamic can bring a slight discomfort to an otherwise beautiful event.
In the Breakthrough environment many report a sense of feeling at ease and connected in a way they just don’t experience at other gatherings.
The word we hear over and over again is “safe”. This is a gathering like no other. Come show your support and experience what the Breakthrough community creates together.
Tickets and sponsorships directly fund scholarships, so no man is turned away for lack of money. It’s a party with a purpose.
👉 Reserve Tickets | Secure a Sponsorship
The Mission at the Core
To help men move from fear and reaction, to action and choice from a sense of self value. That is one of the pillars of Breakthrough — and why your participation matters now.
Your attendance supports this mission and allows more men to bring Breakthrough into their lives and to their loved ones.
Learn More / Register
Can you help us fulfill our Mission? Your generous donation ensures men in need can access our workshops. Your tax-deductible donations are a lifeline. Breakthrough Men’s community is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit
Donate to Breakthrough
MISSION STATEMENT
Healing men, healing the world.
In community, Breakthrough offers proven tools and resources to men who are hurting, stuck, or longing for more.
Because everyone deserves a fulfilling life.
