The 2025 holiday season is packed with community celebrations across the Monterey Bay area. From long-standing tree lightings and neighborhood parades to new winter festivals and light displays, there’s something for every family to enjoy. Our list has events from across the Monterey Bay including Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Marina, Seaside, Salinas, Watsonville, Capitola, and Santa Cruz. Whether you’re looking for a hometown favorite or a new tradition to try, these local events are a great way to celebrate the season.
Holiday Lights in the Plaza
Dates: November 21, 2025 | 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: City Plaza, 385 Main Street, Watsonville
Details: Join Santa for a festive evening of tree lighting and performances in downtown Watsonville.
Ice Skating by the Bay
Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Location: Custom House Plaza, Monterey
Details: Glide across the outdoor ice skating rink near Old Fisherman’s Wharf, surrounded by festive decorations and holiday cheer.
Del Monte Shopping Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Dates: November 22, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Del Monte Shopping Center, 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey
Details: This family-favorite event kicks off the holiday season and culminates with the lighting of the Del Monte Christmas Tree by Santa & Mrs. Claus. Enjoy free refreshments and reindeer antlers for children. Bring three cans of food for the Food Bank for Monterey County and receive raffle tickets.
Winter Wonderfest Monterey
Dates: Select Weekends, November 22 – December 28, 2025 | 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey
Details: Experience a magical evening of lights and holiday displays at the fairgrounds. Children 5 and under are free.
Winter Wonderland at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Details: Festive holiday decorations, sparkling lights, and photos with Santa. Special seasonal events are planned throughout the season.
Sparky’s Holiday Lights
Dates: November 28 – December 24, 2025
Location: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Watsonville
Details: Drive through a three-quarter-mile light experience every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tickets available online or at the gate.
Roaring Camp Holiday Lights Train
Dates: November 28 – 29; December 6 – 7 & 13 – 23, 2025
Location: Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
Details: Ride vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights through the streets of Santa Cruz. Enjoy hot apple cider, caroling, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Seabright: Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
Dates: November 28 – December 31, 2025 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: Midtown Santa Cruz
Details: A beloved walk-in Christmas display featuring decorated trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, a fairy grotto, and even “California snow” on special nights.
Holiday Parade of Lights
Dates: November 30, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Downtown Salinas
Details: A free community parade featuring dazzling lighted floats, marching groups, and festive music. The parade begins at Acacia & S. Main St. and travels toward Salinas City Center.
Pacific Grove Christmas Tree Lighting
Dates: December 1, 2025 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM
Location: Jewell Park, Grand & Forest Avenues, Pacific Grove
Details: Enjoy live school performances, caroling, and refreshments. Tree lighting at 6:00 PM followed by a visit from Santa at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
Pacific Grove Parade of Lights
Dates: December 4, 2025 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove
Details: The parade features marching bands, holiday floats, dance teams, animal groups, and of course, Santa Claus!
Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn
Dates: December 5, 2025 | 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: 570 Pacific Street, Monterey
Details: Celebrate the season with cookies, cider, and caroling on the historic Colton Hall Lawn.
Holidays in the Park
Dates: December 5, 2025 | 3:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Downtown Carmel
Details: Annual tree and Menorah lighting celebration at Devendorf Park and Ocean Avenue in Carmel.
Seaside’s Winter Wonderland
Dates: December 5, 2025 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: 440 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside
Details: Enjoy ice skating, arts & crafts, carnival games, jump houses, hay rides, and a visit from Santa.
Christmas on Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Dates: December 5, 2025 – January 5, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Location: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
Details: Free weekend entertainment featuring choirs, youth dancers, singers, and Santa visits at his Santa House on the Wharf.
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
Dates: December 6, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Downtown Santa Cruz
Details: The official kickoff to the Santa Cruz holiday season! The parade travels along Pacific Avenue from Laurel Street to Water Street.
Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Show
Dates: December 7, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
Details: View beautifully decorated boats from the Monterey Yacht Club as they light up the harbor.
Country Christmas
Dates: December 11, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Salinas Sports Complex, Salinas
Details: A free event hosted by California Rodeo Salinas. Enjoy tree lighting, cocoa, candy canes, pictures with Santa, and more.
Christmas in the Adobes
Dates: December 12 – 13, 2025 | 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Various Adobes, Monterey
Details: Step back into Alta California’s past as historic adobes glow with candle-lit luminarias, music, and living history portrayals.
Winter on the Wharf
Dates: December 20, 2025 | 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz
Details: See Santa arrive by vintage fire engine, play in the snow area with Elsa and Anna, and enjoy photos with Santa and balloon art.
Leave a Reply