Arts Council for Monterey County

Miss Sarah Sunshine
2026-09-11 10:15 - 11:00, 2026-09-04 10:15 - 11:00, 2026-08-28 10:15 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MY Museum, 425 Washington Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Please join our very own local celebrity, Miss Sarah Sunshine from It’s Circle Time, every Friday from 10:15 to 11:00 at MY Museum.
This educational and fun program will include singing, dancing, stories, and much more.
It’s Circle Time is a playful learning space where songs, stories, and meaningful connections come together. Designed for young children and the adults who love them, their content supports early literacy, emotional growth, and joyful learning—one circle at a time.
Fee: Included with daily admission, free admission for members.

Poetry in the Park: California Biodiversity Week
2026-09-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Custom House Plaza by Fisherman’s Wharf 20 Custom House Plaza Monterey, CA 93942
Attend an evening of live poetry readings and light refreshments in celebration of California Biodiversity Week at The Memory Garden (behind the Pacific House Museum).
Monterey State Historic Park presents a special biodiversity themed “Poetry in the Park” on Thursday, September 10th from 6-8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm and seating is limited- arrive early to secure a spot! This free event will feature an assortment of local poets. Celebrate our regions special connection of nature and art Monterey County’s literary community in this verdant venue!

Creative Research Lab
2026-09-10 13:00 - 2026-10-31 15:00, 2026-09-08 13:00 - 2026-10-29 15:00 | Play Full Ground, 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Creative Research Lab is an 8-week studio residency for teens ages 13–19 at Play Full Ground’s Dream Lab in Monterey.
Through guided inquiry, creative experimentation, group critique, and one-on-one mentorship, participants develop an original project rooted in their own interests, questions, and artistic practices. The program supports emerging artists, makers, and creative thinkers in deepening their research process while building confidence, critical thinking skills, and a sustainable creative practice.
The residency culminates in a public showcase of participant work.
Dates: September 8–October 29, 2026
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00–3:00 PM
Location: Play Full Ground Dream Lab, Monterey
Tuition: $850 (sliding scale available)
Registration Deadline: September 1, 2026
Enrollment: Limited to 3–5 participants
For more information or to schedule a studio visit:
hello@playfullground.com

Make & Take Crafts
2026-09-10 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-09-03 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-08-27 10:15 - 10:45 | MY Museum, 425 Washington Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Get crafty with us on Thursday mornings!
Art making plays a central role in cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional development. Enjoy creative exploration and make something fun to take home, too.
Recommended for children ages 2 and older.
Fee: Included with daily admission. free admission for members.

Toddler Gymnastics
2026-09-09 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-09-02 10:15 - 10:45 | MY Museum, 425 Washington Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Join us on Wednesdays as we partner with Shea’s Gymnastics
Toddlers will learn about the basics of gymnastics through games and movement in this fun and engaging Caregiver & Me program.
Recommended for children ages 2-5.
Fee: Included with daily admission.

Seas the Summer
2026-09-06 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-05 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-30 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-29 11:00 - 15:00
Join the Western Flyer Foundation for Seas the Summer, a free community event series taking place every Saturday and Sunday from August 1 through September 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along the Moss Landing waterfront.
Enjoy a variety of hands-on art and science activities, free docked tours of the historic Western Flyer and Sunflower Star Laboratory, Saturday seminars with local experts, community outreach booths, local artists and vendors, and family-friendly activities celebrating the unique marine environment of Monterey Bay.
A special celebration featuring the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories will take place on Sunday, August 30, including a free uni tasting for guests 18 and older.
Location: Woodward Marine Market, 10932 Clam Way, Moss Landing, CA 95039
Admission is free. For the full event lineup and to learn more visit www.westernflyer.org/events or follow @westernflyerfoundation on Instagram.

Dracula A Comedy Of Terrors
2026-09-05 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-09-04 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-08-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-08-28 19:30 - 21:30 | Paper Wing Theatre 711 Cannery Row Suite I Monterey, Ca. 93940, 711 Canner Row Suite I, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a lightning-fast, laugh-out-loud re-imagining of the classic gothic tale that turns horror on its head.
This madcap comedy delivers a fresh, wildly theatrical twist on Bram Stoker’s classic novel, packed with quick changes, clever wordplay, and nonstop hilarity.
When the mysterious Count Dracula arrives from Transylvania, his dark intentions are no match for a cast of eccentric characters, including the determined Jonathan Harker, the delightfully unhinged Renfield, and a host of others, each brought to life in a whirlwind of comedic chaos. With actors dashing between roles and genders, this story is a high-energy romp full of outrageous surprises and inventive staging.
Perfect for fans of spooky season fun and over-the-top comedy, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a theatrical experience equal parts campy, clever, and completely unforgettable. Whether you’re here for the thrills or the laughs, you’re in for a fang-tastic night at the theatre!

19th Annual Seaside Artist Tour
2026-09-05 11:00 - 2026-09-06 16:00 | Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside, CA, 93955, United States
It’s time for the 19th annual Seaside Artist Tour! This is your chance to see artwork your neighbors have created this year! It is being held at the Oldemeyer Center and in artist studios all over town. You can easily see many types of artwork during a relaxing afternoon, without ever leaving Seaside. You gain insight into the why and how of each piece, while speaking directly to the artists. Purchase local art before it hits the galleries! Scan the QR code on the picture. That will take you to our Facebook group page. After Aug. 12th, the tour booklet will be available, to guide you from stop to stop! Stop in at Oldemeyer Center or City Hall to pic one up, or go to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/5411921848889018.

Night Market 831
2026-09-04 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.

First Friday Salinas
2026-09-04 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Salinas, 100-300 Blocks Main Street, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
First Friday Salinas is a monthly tradition designed to transform Downtown into a consistent, positive space for community and culture to thrive.
Come and enjoy an evening of local art, live entertainment, delicious food, and shops open late. Bring your friends and family to Salinas City Center and discover something new every First Friday of the month — you won’t want to miss it!
When & Where:
Every First Friday of the Month
Starting at 5:00 PM
Location: Downtown Salinas in 100 – 300 Blocks of Main Street
Opening Ceremony: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, at the One Main Street Stage (in front of the Steinbeck Center).

First Friday Monterey Museum of Art
2026-09-04 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!

Coastal Conversations: Between Tide and Paper
2026-08-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Play Full Ground, 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Suite E, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
What happens when art, ecology, and curiosity meet?
Coastal Conversations is an evolving series of studio gatherings exploring connections between art, creativity, place, and different ways of seeing the world.
Our first gathering, Between Tide and Paper, is created in collaboration with ecologist/artist Emily Gottlieb.
Together, we will explore the coastal environment through seaweed pressing, observation, conversation, and creative making.
Rather than a traditional class or lecture, Coastal Conversations is an open space for sharing perspectives, asking questions, and exploring what can emerge when different ways of knowing come together.
Through hands-on experimentation and conversation, we will consider how paying attention to the natural world can inspire new ideas, creative processes, and ways of seeing our surroundings.
Whether you are an artist, educator, scientist, student, nature lover, or simply curious, you are welcome to join us.
Thursday, August 20, 5:00–7:00 PM
Sunday, August 30, 2:00–4:00 PM
Free and walk-in welcome.
RSVP: https://www.playfullground.com/#events
No previous art or science experience is needed.
Come curious.

Art Show Fundraiser
2026-08-30 11:00 - 14:00
Local Artist Gerry Vea is having a Art Show at the Steinbeck House in Salinas

Art Show: Birds in the Landscape
2026-08-29 16:30 - 2026-10-11 16:00 | The Ship’s Store, 7501 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, 95039
Come see new paintings from local artist Morgan Lewis aka Ripple in the Wild, on display at The Ship’s Store in Moss Landing from August 29th through October 11th. Birds in the Landscape is a fundraiser art show for Monterey Audubon Society, featuring original paintings exploring the dynamic between birds and local coastal habitats.
Join us for an opening reception on August 29th, 4:30-6:30pm
See https://www.rippleinthewild.com/birdsinthelandscape for more info

Art Show Opening Reception: Birds in the Landscape
2026-08-29 16:30 - 18:30 | The Ship’s Store, 7501 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, 95039
Join local artist Morgan Lewis aka Ripple in the Wild alongside Monterey Audubon Society at The Ship’s Store in Moss Landing to celebrate the opening of Birds in the Landscape, a fundraiser art show featuring original paintings exploring the dynamic between birds and local coastal habitats.
​Meet the artist, enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres, partake in a fundraiser raffle and more! 40% of painting profits donated to Monterey Audubon Society. A limited selection of prints will also be available for purchase.
Free, drop-in event.
​Can’t make it to the opening? The paintings will be on display at The Ship’s Store during business hours through October 11th 2026.

CHARLIE TORCH WITH OTTER OPRY
2026-08-29 15:00 - 17:00 | Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
You honestly will not believe this lineup: Charlie Torch brings together siblings Jasper Manning on mandolin and Jayna Manning on guitar, with their father, Chad Manning (an alum of Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, the David Grisman Sextet, and the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience) on fiddle, Tyler Stegall on banjo, and 2-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year Mark Schatz on (yep) bass. That’s a mighty long sentence, but the point is you don’t want to miss Charlie and his band when they hit the Otter Opry stage on Saturday, August 29th. Period.
Charlie Torch represents a compelling blend of musical heritage and fresh talent in the bluegrass tradition. The band unites two generations of musicians, creating a sound that honors traditional roots while carving its own distinctive path through bluegrass, country, and mountain music. Check out this writeup from one of their earliest performances: “Charlie Torch walks the line between angelic harmonies and gutbucket truth, playing at the crossroads where even angels sing the blues. The band draws its listeners in close, engaging with the old music straight from the heart.”
Charlie Torch’s music draws deeply from traditional roots, offering a grounded sound shaped by decades of collective experience but unpretentious in delivery. The band blends elements of bluegrass, country, and mountain music into an honest, well-crafted expression that respects the past while quietly forging its own path forward. And you don’t even have to drive at night to catch this incredible performance. See you there! Online sales end at 9am the day of the show. Tickets will be available at the door.
3pm. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free). www.otteropry.org

OSAT Artist Reception
2026-08-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside, CA, 93955, United States
Join us for a special evening to meet the participating OSAT artists in person!
This reception is your opportunity to chat directly with local creators and view their work all in one place. The event is held alongside our Special OSAT Exhibit (on display from August 3 to October 1). It is the perfect hub to see the art and plan your studio visits before or after the tour weekends!
Artist Reception Details:
• When: Friday, August 28 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Where: Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave, Seaside
• Admission: Free

Special Exhibit Details:
• Dates: August 3 – October 1
• Regular Viewing Hours: Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
All OSAT events and exhibits are FREE to the public. Join us!

Sunset Center Launches “Century of Creativity”
2026-08-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 93921
Sunset Center Launches “Century of Creativity,” a Five-Year Journey to Its Theater’s Centennial in 2031 Carmel-by-the-Sea landmark marks the 100th anniversary of its original 1926 building with an August 26 ribbon-cutting, followed by a free community celebration on October 25
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, CA — Sunset Center, a cornerstone of arts and culture on the Monterey Peninsula, will launch Century of Creativity — a five-year community campaign (2026–2031) honoring the Center’s remarkable evolution from schoolhouse to performing arts landmark — with a series of events beginning this fall. Sunset Center, together with the Carmel Chamber of Commerce, will host a press conference and ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 1 to 2 p.m., officially opening the campaign. Century of Creativity honors two milestones on one beloved campus. In 2026, the Center celebrates the 100th anniversary of its original 1926 building, the home of the former Sunset School, where generations of local families learned, grew, and — for many — stepped onto a stage for the very first time. In 2031, the campaign culminates with 100 years of live performance in the theater, whose landmark auditorium first opened its doors in 1931. Between now and then, every performance, exhibition, and gathering becomes part of one larger community story.
From its beginnings as a neighborhood school to its role today as a vibrant center for arts, culture, learning, and community, Sunset Center has been woven into the fabric of Carmel life for a century — and Century of Creativity invites the whole community to help write its next chapter.
“For 100 years, Sunset has brought people together. From its beginnings as a neighborhood school to the community gathering place it is today, generations have learned, performed, celebrated, and made lasting memories here. Our centennial is a chance to celebrate everyone who has been part of that story and to look forward to the next 100 years of creativity, connection, and community,” said Beth Bowman, Executive Director of Sunset Cultural Center.
The celebration continues with a free, family-friendly Centennial Community Celebration on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Sunset Center campus. Marking the first chapter of Century of Creativity, the afternoon will feature performances by resident companies, an open gallery, tenant open houses, and a photographic exhibit honoring the people and stories that have shaped the Center. Community members are invited to be part of Century of Creativity — by attending events, sharing a memory or photograph for the centennial archive, or volunteering. To RSVP for the August press conference, please email info@thebuzzpr.net or call (831) 747-7455. Follow the journey at sunsetcenter.org and join the conversation with #CenturyOfCreativity.
ABOUT SUNSET CULTURAL CENTER
Sunset Cultural Center is the Central Coast’s premier performing arts organization, located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Housed on the historic campus of the former Sunset School, the Center is home to a landmark theater and to resident and resident companies and partners including the Monterey Symphony, the Carmel Bach Festival, and the Center for Photographic Art. As a nonprofit cultural center, Sunset Center presents world-class performances and serves as a gathering place for learning, creativity, and community on the Monterey Peninsula.
