Check out the list below for
Santa Sightings and Holiday Fun
in and
around the Monterey Bay Area. If you know of an
event not
listed here contact us! |
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Hey, Kids! Track Santa via the NORAD Santa Website
December 1- 24 ~
www.noradsanta.org
You can track Santa on his way to you.
You will also find some fun games to play and
interesting facts and information. |
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 Santa at Del Monte Shopping Center
Weekends through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24)
Santa's Hours - Click here
Hwy 1 at Munras Ave., Monterey
(831) 373-2705 ~ www.shopdelmonte.com
Santa will be available to hear wishes and pose for professional photos at Santa's Workshop November 19th through Christmas Eve.
Santa's Workshop is located near Chicos and Champs Sports. Santa will be available Fridays from 10 am - 6 pm, Saturdays from 10 am - 8 pm, Sundays from 10 am - 6 pm. Beginning the week of December 12, Santa will also be available Mondays thru Fridays from 10 am - 6 pm.
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Santa at Northridge Shopping Center
Santa visits through December 24
Mondays - Saturdays: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sundays: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Christmas Eve 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
796 Northridge Mall, Salinas
(831) 449-7227 ~ www.shop-northridge-mall.com
Come take your picture with Santa at the Northridge Mall and tell him what you want for Christmas! |
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Ice Skating by the Bay
Daily thru Sunday, January 8, 2012
Open daily Mon-Sat 11 am - 10 pm; Sundays 12 noon - 8 pm
(831)) 649-4511 ~ www.iceskatingbythebay.com
Celebrate the holidays amidst the scenic coastline at Monterey on Ice’s seasonal ice skating rink located in Custom House Plaza behind Portola Hotel & Spa. The rink is open Mon-Sat, 11 am - 10 pm; Sun. 12 noon - 8 pm. Special hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Admission: Adults $15 ($12 entry + $3 skate rental); Children ages 12 and under $13 ($10 entry + $3 skate rental).
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Ice Skating at Northridge Shopping Center
Daily thru Sunday, January 8, 2012
Hours of operation same as Northridge Mall hours
796 Northridge Mall, Salinas
(831) 449-7227 ~ www.salinasiceskating.com
Visit the only ice rink in the Salinas Valley. Take your family photo with Santa, grab your skates and have fun on a real ice rink with family and friends this holiday season. Experience the only ice rink in the Salinas Valley! Pricing for 1 hour of skating (skate rental Included): $12 for children 11 and under;
$15 for kids/adults 12 years and older.
Groups of 50 or more will receive discounts of up to 20%. |
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Wiley Tree Farm & Christmas Boutique
Mon. - Fri. 10:00 am to dark, Sat. & Sun. 9:00 am to dark
36770 Elm Avenue, Greenfield
(831) 674-5371 ~ www.wileytreefarm.com
Come and enjoy a fun family day while picking out and cutting down your Christmas tree (saws are provided). Go on a hayride, enjoy free hot chocolate and apple cider, bring a picnic, and browse through the Christmas Boutique filled with wreaths, ornaments, Yule logs, and Christmas decorations. The trees are Monterey Pines. Dogs are welcome. |
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Jenkinson & Sala Family Christmas Trees
Open daily through December 24
9:00 am to 9:00 pm
1400 North Main St., Salinas
(831)) 809-1156
100's of beautiful Noble, Douglas, Grand Firs, Silver Tip, and Nordman & Fraiser Firs. 2 ft. and up, flocking & fire retardant, fresh wreaths & garland. Come slide down their giant slide. Santa appearances! |
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Bourdet's Choose & Cut Trees
Open daily through December 24
9:00 am to 8:00 pm
1271 Los Viboras Road, Hollister
(831)) 636-1971 Bourdet on Facebook
Weekend petting zoo & Santa Visits from 10 am - 3 pm. Kid's playground, sleigh rides and food concessions. |
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A Year With Frog & Toad presented by ARIEL Theatre
Saturday afternoon, December 17 ~ 2:00 pm
Saturday evening, December 17 ~ 7:00 pm
Wilson Children's Theatre, 320 Main St., Salinas
(831) 775-0976 or www.arieltheatrical.org
This delightful production highlights the two amphibians friends' adventured collected from Arnold Lobel's classic, award winning series of Children's books. Charming Frog and "worry-wart" toad leap onto the stage, along with Snail, Turtle, Mouse, and the rest of the animal gang for some kite-flying, sled-racing, cookie munching fun. Tickets are $10 adults, $ 8 students and $3 seniors, active duty military and children ages 3 - 12, kids under 3 are free. |
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Wild Things Holiday Animal Show
"The Magic Telephone"
December 17, 23 ~ 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
400 River Road, Salinas ~ www.wildthingsinc.com
(831) 455-1901, ext. 3
Join in for this Holiday Themed Animal Show "The Magic Telephone". Holiday light Spectacular in the Wild Things animal Neighborhood and a visit with Santa. Complimentary refreshments will be served. Tickets are $20/adults and ages 14 and younger are $14. |
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The Nutcracker Presented by Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre
Saturday and Sunday, December 17 & 18 at 1:00 pm & 4:30 pm
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz
(831) 420-5260 ~ www.scbt.org
Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet starring Houston Ballet's Melody mennite & pacific Northwest Ballet's Lucien Postlewaite. Maestro John Larry Granger conducts the Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier and other costumed characters! Receive a cookie, compliments of Pacific Cookie Company and a Nutracker ornament to commemorate this special holiday tradition. |
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Holiday Performance & Auction by SpectorDance
Saturday, December 17 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 18 at 2:00 pm
3343 Paul Davis Dr., Marina
(831) 384-1050 ~ www.spectordance.org
Come enjoy the Holiday Performance by Spector Dance. There will also be a Holiday auction with fabulous gifts and delicious holiday desserts. |
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Steinbeck Center Santa Paws Pet Walk
Saturday, December 17 ~ 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
One Main Street, Salinas
(831) 775-4735 ~ Learn more
Celebrate the holiday with a pet walk along the 100-300 blocks ending at the National Steinbeck Center. There will be pet pictures with Santa Claus (or Claws). Pets and owners are encouraged to wear holiday attire. The SPCA will be outside with adoptable pets. Pet and people food are being accepted in collection bins at of the National Steinbeck Center. Weather permitting. |
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Monterey Bay Symphony Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 17 ~ 2:00 pm
Golden State Theatre, 415 Alvarado, Monterey
www.montereybaysymphony.org
Kids, friends and Family fun for everyone! The Military Color Guard will be on hand for your enjoyment. Come out and meet Santa and remember to bring your singing voice for the Christmas sing a long. The Dance Kids of Monterey County will give a special performance for all to enjoy. This event is free! |
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Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Saturday, December 17 ~ 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Destination Salinas 222 Main Street, Salinas
To celebrate this holiday season, Destination Salinas is hosting Mrs. Claus on Saturday, December 17 from 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm. Bring your kids for free Story Time with Mrs. Claus! This is your chance to avoid the crowds and take advantage of the Holiday Stroll in Oldtown Salinas - with specials from local merchants and festive carolers roaming the streets!
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Roaring Camp Holiday Tree Walk
Saturday, December 17 & Sunday, December 18
(831) 335-4484 ~ www.roaringcamp.com
Ring in the holiday season at Roaring Camp’s Holiday Tree Walk. Passengers riding the steam train will delight in the tree-lined walk of festive holiday trees displayed atop Bear Mountain. Guests may sip hot cider and view beautifully adorned trees decorated by area businesses and organizations as they raise funds for their respective organizations. Story-telling for children in the General Store Annex. |
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Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
December 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
(831) 335-4484 ~ www.roaringcamp.com
Ride vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, as they roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Sing seasonal carols while sipping hot-spiced cider and enjoy a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The fun continues at Santa’s Kingdom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Choice of “Holiday” miniature golf, laser tag, or arcade games is included with train ticket price. Reservations recommended. |
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We Have our Savior - Christmas Musical
Sunday, December 18 at 10:30 am
Echoes from Calvary Church ~ 1025 Post Dr., Salinas
(831) 422-2873 ~ www.echoesfromcalvary.org
Echoes from Calvary Church presents this Christmas Musical. The first 100 children, under age 12, will receive a free filled stocking. |
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Snappy's Wonderland & Open House
Sunday, December 18 at 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
John Steinbeck Library, 350 Lincoln Ave., Salinas
(831) 758-7311
Join Snappy, the library's leopard-spotted tortoise, in an official house-warming, with plenty of holiday cheer, cookies, punch and free toys while they last. |
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Critical Christmas Bike Ride - Fun, Family Bike Ride
Sunday, December 18
5:45 pm Set up/Socialize; 6:00 pm Bike Ride Begins
Custom House Plaza, Monterey
(831) 633-1819 ~ www.vcmonterey.org
Decorate yourself and your bike with lights, garland, ornaments, Santa hats, Elf stuff, and anything else you can think of. It's not the bike ride but the decorations that count! Then ride leisurely around Monterey (about 4 to 6 miles) while singing Christmas carols, and end up back at the Custom House Plaza. After the ride participants are invited to join in libations and food at a local establishment. Rain cancels the ride. |
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Holiday out with Thomas
Saturdays and Sundays, through December 18
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
(831) 423-5590
Combine the magic of the season with your favorite storybook engine!
Take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine®, meet Sir Topham Hat, and take a spin on the Boardwalk's historic carousel.
Santa and his elves will be there with carolers and candy and there's also your choice of mini golf, laser tag, or arcade games, and tons more Thomas and Friends activities! For more info click here. |
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Hidden Valley Music Seminars Presents
"The Gift of the Magi"
Sunday, December 18 at 2:00 pm & 3:45 pm
Monday, December 19 & Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 5:30 pm & 7:15 pm
88 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
(831) 659-3115 ~ www.hiddenvalleymusic.org
The Hidden Valley Opera Ensemble Orchestra presents this musical version of the heartwarming story by O. Henry. It is the perfect Holiday treat. Tickets are $20 per person. |
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Santa & Mrs. Claus visit Salinas
Friday, December 23 ~ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
California Welcome Center Salinas, 1213 North Davis Road, Salinas
(831) 757-TOUR ~ Learn more!
The California Welcome Center Salinas welcomes one of our most world-renowned guests to our fair city on Friday, December 23, from 12 pm-2 pm.
Santa Claus brings little gifts for young CWC visitors - he's making a list and checking it twice for our guests. So whether you've been naughty or nice, this is a great way to take care of holiday shopping and entertain the kids, too!
Every visitor will have a chance to enter a free drawing for fabulous prizes, including 2 Adult buttons for First Night Monterey, and 2 Passes to the National Steinbeck Center. |
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Story Time with Mrs. Claus in Salinas
Saturday, December 24 ~ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
California Welcome Center Salinas, 1213 North Davis Road, Salinas
(831) 757-TOUR ~ Learn more!
Santa's best helper joins us on Christmas Eve to take those last-minute gift wishes and tells holiday stories for kids of all ages! Since Santa is busy getting ready to deliver gifts on Saturday, Mrs. Claus has graciously agreed to appear in his stead.
Mrs. Claus will treat your little ones to heart-warming stories and a small gift on Christmas Eve between 1pm and 4pm, so make Merry and join the California Welcome Center in greeting our special guest.Don't miss this opportunity to meet Santa's better half and have fun! Enter to win First Night Monterey Buttons and recieve a free gift just for stopping in! See you on Christmas Eve! |
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Annual Holiday Community Dinner
Sunday, December 25 ~ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey
Monterey Room near Gate 4
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(831) 899-2357
Dinner is served free to the public. Donations & volunteers are sought to help proivde, prepare and serve food. Toy, clothing and cash donations are also welcome. Santa Claus will be at the dinner to hand out toys to the children. To make a turkey, toy or cash donation, contact Rich at (831) 757-5709. For clothing donations, contact Doug at (831) 333-1988. |
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First Night Monterey
Saturday, December 31 ~ 3:00 pm through Midnight
Historic Downtown Monterey
Activities begin at 3:00 pm on Colton Hall Lawn, Pacific Street. Kids Night Out! begins at 3:30 pm with interactive art activities face painting, henna tattoo artists, puppet art theater, folk music and magic show will entertain children of all ages. Bring the entire family to a very special party and see the transformed streetscapes, buildings, theaters, churches and concert halls throughout Historic Downtown Monterey. Join in for the Twilight Procession at 5:30 as the crowd processes down Alvarado Street. Commit your New Year's resolution at the interactive resolution sculpture. From Classical to Hip Hop, Jazz to Reggae, Dance Venues to the Written Word and a whole lot of art. Grand Finale starts at 11:15 pm. For program and complete details www.firstnightmonterey.org. |
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Annual Noon Years Eve ~ My Museum
Friday, December 31 ~ 10:00 pm - 12:00 pm
425 Washington St, Monterey 649-6444
The countdown to the Noon Year begins at MY Museum! Join in for the celebration, members are free, $10 non-members and guests. Call for reservations 649-6444.
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Families Helping Families
MBayKids encourages your family to brighten the holidays for other local children & their families this holiday season! |
 "Adopt-a Family" The Boys & Girls Club of Monterey
As the holiday season approaches, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County once again invites you to Adopt-a-Family for Christmas. Our staff has selected over 100 in-need children and their immediate family to be a part of this special holiday program. Each family is carefully selected on need and is personally contacted by a Boys & Girls Club staff member. Shopping lists are created and prioritized ,including age, gender, sizes and gift preferences. Each gift is then wrapped with love by BGCMC volunteers, matched with the child, and grouped by family. to keep with the spirit of the season and to maintain anonymity, all gifts are labeled "from Santa Claus."Call (831) 394-5171 or email info@bgcmc.org for more information.
 “One Warm Coat” & Girl Scouts Warming Communities…One Coat at a Time
Winter is fast approaching, and no one should ever go without such a basic necessity as a coat! Del Monte Shopping Center is again hosting the Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay’s “One Warm Coat” community service project this holiday season. Gently used coats will be collected in front of Macy’s at Del Monte Shopping Center every Saturday, from November 26 through Saturday,
December 31, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. All coats will be cleaned and repaired by Country Club Cleaners at Del Monte Center before being given to a local child or adult in need. Coats of all sizes are welcome, but children's sizes are needed most. One Warm Coat is a community service effort assisting in the collection of clean, reusable coats and jackets for donation to local individuals free of charge. Since its inception in 1992, One Warm Coat “Warming Communities…One Coat at a Time” has provided 150,000 coats to those in need at no cost. For more information click here or visit their website at www.onewarmcoat.org.
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Dates and times subject to change. Some events may not be appropriate
for young children. Entry fees may apply.
Contact the event provider for
details prior to attending any event listed here. |
