Arts Council for Monterey County

Seas the Summer
2026-11-07 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-11-01 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-31 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-25 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-24 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-18 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-17 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
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.

Night Market 831
2026-11-06 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
2026-11-06 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
2026-11-06 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!

Miss Sarah Sunshine
2026-11-06 10:15 - 11:00, 2026-10-30 10:15 - 11:00, 2026-10-23 10:15 - 11:00, 2026-10-16 10:15 - 11:00 | 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.

Make & Take Crafts
2026-11-05 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-10-29 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-10-22 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-10-15 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
2026-11-04 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-10-28 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-10-21 10:15 - 10:45, 2026-10-14 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.

Creative Research Lab
2026-10-29 13:00 - 2026-12-19 14:00, 2026-10-27 13:00 - 2026-12-17 14:00, 2026-10-22 13:00 - 2026-12-12 14:00, 2026-10-20 13:00 - 2026-12-10 14:00, 2026-10-15 13:00 - 2026-12-05 14:00, 2026-10-13 13:00 - 2026-12-03 14:00 | 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

Sunset Center Launches “Century of Creativity”
2026-10-25 13:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Celebrate 60 Years of Chamber Music Monterey Bay
2026-10-22 17:00 - 19:30 | Carmel Woman’s Club, 9th Ave, Carmel, 93923
For 60 years, Chamber Music Monterey Bay has enriched the cultural life of the Monterey Peninsula through exceptional performances and unforgettable musical experiences.
Join us on Thursday, Oct. 22, for The Universe in Music, a special evening celebrating the launch of our 60th Anniversary Season at the Carmel Woman’s Club.
Tickets: $60
Reserve your tickets today at www.chambermusicmontereybay.org
