4th Annual Christmas on the Wharf

Be sure to bring your family and friends this holiday season to create wonderful memories at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf!

What:

Fisherman's Wharf Association is proud to sponsor and hold its “4th Annual Christmas on the Wharf” weekend festivities on Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California.

“Christmas on the Wharf” will feature holiday musical entertainment including choirs and community caroling, a dazzling array of beautiful holiday lights and decorations, a 23-foot Christmas tree, silhouetted lit trees, tin soldiers, free sweet treats, free Santa “meet and greet” visits, photo ops with Santa, lovely holiday princesses and much more. There will also be giant holiday-lighted sea life animals and holiday-themed inflatables on display.

Families are encouraged to come meet Santa and his elves to create special memories. Enjoy free Santa visits at his “house” and have a photo op for kids and family. Christmas holiday princesses will also be on hand to greet the children and for photo ops. There will also be a toy drop at Santa’s house for Salvation Army - Monterey Peninsula Corps plus donations to the kettle at the head of the Wharf.

Each weekend of Christmas on the Wharf, there will be complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, hot apple cider and cookies (Friday, Saturday and Sundays – specific hours below) at the Wharf tent courtesy of Fisherman’s Wharf Association.

There will be free drawings for a dinner for two and more. Christmas carolers and other live entertainment will be featured each weekend (schedule to be posted on montereywharf.com). There will also be great Christmas shopping, dining, whale watching, fishing, watching marine life and more fun this holiday season on the Wharf.

The Wharf businesses will be beautifully decorated with hundreds of colorful holiday lights and a majestic lit Christmas tree. There will also be many Christmas specials provided by Wharf merchants.

On Saturday, December 7th there will be Holiday Safety Afternoon during Christmas on the Wharf with representatives and a fire truck from the Monterey Fire Department and representatives from the Monterey Police Department. Free children’s fire hats will be handed out, too! Also on site during the day will be representatives of the Be Smart public education program focused on protecting children from injuries and death resulting from unsecured guns in the home. Be Smart is accomplishing this by making presentations to parents, physicians, community leaders, school boards and other groups with a vital interest in advancing the cause of protecting children from preventable harm as a result of unsecured guns in the home. All of its educational materials are available in both English and Spanish. Operating under the umbrella of Moms Demand Action, one of the most successful organizations of volunteers focused on reducing gun violence, Be Smart has recently kicked off the program in Monterey County.

On December 13th and 14th, the Wharf will be a stop off during the Christmas in the Adobes tours in Downtown Monterey. The Wharf is also a great place to view the Monterey Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade on Sunday, December 8th. Subject to confirmation -- Ice Skating by the Bay will be available at the adjacent Custom House Plaza from November 27th until January 6th.

Many of the restaurants, stores and other businesses are open 365 days a year and everyone is invited to enjoy their special celebrations at the Wharf.

Talented performers of holiday music will be booked and the schedule will be posted and updated on this Christmas on the Wharf event page on www.monterywharf.com

Meet and greets with many local authors, too. (Schedule to be posted soon)

When:

Christmas on the Wharf will span Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 22nd including free weekend entertainment, Santa visits, Holiday Princesses and more

Friday evenings (December 6th, December 13th, December 20th) from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Free cookies, cocoa, coffee and cider at the Wharf Tent from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Saturdays (December 7th, 14th, 21st) from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Free cookies, cocoa, coffee and cider at the Wharf Tent from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Sundays (December 8th, 15th and 22nd) from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Free cookies, cocoa, coffee and cider from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Where:

Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California. Directions: GPS to 101 Washington Street. Parking in the Waterfront Lot adjacent to Old Fisherman’s Wharf is available and locals with Monterey County ID can park free for 2 hours daily from November 29th - December 24th courtesy of the City of Monterey. There will be the free MST Trolley available at the East Garage that takes you right to the head of the Wharf daily from 10 am - 7 pm (except Christmas).

Parking is also available in the nearby City of Monterey East and West Garages in Downtown Monterey. Take the convenient MST Trolley to the Wharf on Saturdays and Sundays from the Garages. Rent a bicycle or ride your own, rent a Segway or simply stroll to the Wharf via Downtown Monterey or the Rec Trail. Directions: https://www.montereywharf.com/map.html

A big thank you to our media sponsors: KSBW TV, Central Coast ABC, Estrella TV Costa Central and the Monterey Herald.

Information: www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.

About Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf

Recently shown in the HBO hit TV series, Big Little Lies, Season 1, Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf is open 365 days a year including during the holidays (holiday schedule is on the events page onwww.montereywharf.com). Visitors to Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf will want to plan their visit to include lunch or dinner at one of the many Wharf restaurants.

A visit to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula just isn’t complete without a rendezvous with Old Fisherman’s Wharf in downtown Monterey that was built in 1845 for regular passenger and freight service. Known as the “Monterey Bay Whale Watching Capital of the World™” and a top destination of visitors from around the world, Monterey’s Old Fisherman's Wharf provides a wide array of award-winning dining, shopping, special events, theatre, whale watching, bay cruises, a glass bottom boat, marine life, fishing and sailing, and strolling leisurely in a gorgeous setting overlooking the Monterey Bay.

Savor delicious cuisine at a myriad of fabulous restaurants featuring stunning views and award-winning Italian food, sustainable seafood, grass-fed steaks, including the region’s famous clam chowder and calamari. Enjoy salt water taffy, homemade chocolates, caramel apples, cotton candy and many other yummy treats. View sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins, whales, sea birds and other wildlife “up close and personal” that also share the Wharf. Watch people who have gone out and caught their own fish on the local and chartered fishing boats return with their own “catch of the day”.

Celebrate the first location in Monterey County where tender abalone was cooked and served in a restaurant. Check out the many fun shops to find the perfect memento of your visit and a variety of unique gifts. Enjoy the exquisite views and the “best place to walk and people watch” in Monterey County!

Situated near downtown Monterey, Old Fisherman’s Wharf is conveniently located along the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail and has plenty of nearby parking. Anyone with Monterey County ID (939) can receive 2 hours of free parking in the Fisherman’s Wharf parking lot Monday through Thursday (and from November 23-December 24 – seven days a week).

For more information about Old Fisherman’s Wharf, go to www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.