Art of Rehabilitation
2025-12-17 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-18 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-19 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 8 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

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.

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 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.

ARIEL Theatrical presents A Charlie Brown Christmas at The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre in Oldtown Salinas
2025-12-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-30 19:00 - 21:00 | 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.
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I Cantori di Carmel present Handel's Messiah in Salinas
2025-12-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Sherwood Hall, 940 North Main, Salinas, CA, 93906, United States
Join us for a beloved holiday tradition and take an evening back from the rush. Music Director Daniel Henriks conducts I Cantori di Carmel’s chorus and orchestra with wonderful soloists Morgan Balfour, Gabriela Estephanie Solís, David Kurtenbach Rivera, and Ben Kazez. Come with friends and let the music set a kinder pace for the season. There’s nothing better than Handel’s Messiah to usher in the holidays.
$39 General Admission Ticket
Bring the kids — children 12 & under are $10; Under 5: free with an adult (lap seating; ticket required only if they need their own seat)

Arts and Healing: Sound Bath
2025-12-21 09:30 - 11:00 | 559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA, United States, California
Join us for the Iluminado Sound Bath. Led by Jordy May of Om Studios, this restorative experience invites you to relax, recharge, and connect through sound and stillness. Please bring warm, comfortable clothing, a yoga mat and blanket/pillow to assist you in comfort as you find stillness.
Open to all experience levels.
Advance registration is recommended due to limited space.

First Night Monterey 2026
2025-12-31 15:00 - 2026-01-01 01:00 | CA
First Night Monterey 2026: “We’ve Got the Beat!” Celebrate the arrival of 2026 in Historic Downtown Monterey at the region’s largest, family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration of the arts. Presented by First Night Monterey, this beloved annual festival offers nine hours of nonstop music, dance, theater, and hands-on art experiences in indoor and outdoor venues. From jazz and Latin rhythms to community art walls and children’s activities, First Night brings together diverse artists and audiences to ring in the new year creatively and alcohol-free. Festivities begin at 3 PM with the Twilight Procession on Alvarado Street, followed by live performances in the Conference Center, museums, and local churches. The celebration culminates in a rousing finale at midnight! Buttons—your admission to all events—go on sale in early December at local Safeway and Star Market stores, as well as online. Visit www.firstnightmonterey.org to learn more, view the lineup, and plan your night of art, joy, and community.

First Friday Salinas
2026-01-02 | Salinas City Center
Kick off the New Year at First Friday Salinas on January 2, starting at 5pm. Join the community in the Salinas City Center for an evening filled with art, live music, local shopping, and creative experiences.
Downtown businesses will be open late, including ArtWorks Salinas, Salinas Valley Art Gallery, Apotheca, XL Public House, La Gran Diabla, Brewjee Coffee, and The Beerded Bean. Enjoy live performances throughout the City Center, including street performances by Cross Carrasco and Proxima Movida, and the monthly Open Mic at The Beerded Bean.
Art lovers can explore the First Friday Artist Reception at ArtWorks Salinas featuring exhibitions by Peggy Hartman and Mark S. Bollwinkel, works by January Artist in Residence Edge (Edgar) Lorenzo, a special ceramics exhibition by students from Salinas High School and Everett Alvarez High School, plus a live piano performance by Andres Benito-Yanez. At Salinas Valley Art Gallery, watch a live painting demonstration by local artist Bob Selin.
Pop up vendors will be located throughout downtown, featuring Make It Dulce, Blue Heron Artistic Design, Lunova Mercantile, Britt’s Permanent Jewelry, Handmade by Brenda, Coastal Threads 831, Spiritual Bluejay, Meli Made It, Soy Tank Candle Company, Ry-Belle Loungefly Bags and More, and Art by Brija.
First Friday Salinas is a free, family-friendly monthly event celebrating creativity, community, and local businesses. Start the year downtown and discover something new.
Location
Salinas City Center
100–300 blocks of Main Street
Salinas, CA

First Friday Monterey Museum of Art
2026-01-02 17:00 - 19:00 | Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940
FREE after-hours access to the Museum on the First Friday of the month. Join us for an evening of art, music, and community gathering!

First Friday Opening Artist Reception at ArtWorks @Salinas
2026-01-02 17:00 - 20:00 | ArtWorks @Salinas, 262 Main Street, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
Celebrate the new year at ArtWorks during our First Friday Artist Reception. Meet the artists and explore new exhibitions featuring Peggy Hartman, Mark S. Bollwinkel, and January Artist in Residence Edge (Edgar) Lorenzo.
The evening also includes a special exhibition titled Ceramics, That’s Fire, showcasing ceramic works by students from Salinas High School and Everett Alvarez High School from the Salinas Union High School District. This exhibit honors the dedication, thoughtfulness, and determination required to transform clay from concept to creation.
Enjoy a welcoming evening of art, conversation, and community, with the opportunity to connect directly with artists and experience a wide range of creative work across mediums.
Ongoing Gallery Hours
Tuesday 11 AM to 2 PM
Friday through Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM

Night Market 831
2026-01-02 17:00 - 21:00 | sand city art park, 525 Ortiz Ave, Sand City, CA, 93955, United States
Inspired by the vibrant open-air street bazaars from around the world, Night Market 831 is a lively gathering where friends and families can sip, savor, socialize, dance, shop, and explore. Held in the colorful Sand City Art Park, surrounded by stunning murals, the market creates a unique and inviting atmosphere. We are committed to fostering a safe, fun, and inclusive community space, featuring a rotating lineup of local performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs who bring their talents to life each month.
