Boat Parade, A Wine Festival & A Parade Of Lights Along The Central California Coast
Beautiful Carmel and Monterey along the Central California coastline doesn’t go dormant in the winter. Both places in Monterey Bay have several events for the holidays and here’s the top ones along with dates and descriptions.
• 22nd Annual Cannery Row Holiday Tree Lighting, Monterey
Friday, Nov. 25, 5-6 p.m.
Santa arrives in Steinbeck Plaza, delivered by the Monterey Fire Department at the City Holiday Tree Lighting. Beforehand, there’s a toast to the beginning of the holiday season at the Sunset Center with a celebration in the theater library. Also, happening that Friday evening is Historic Downtown Monterey’s Traditional Christmas Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn with caroling.
• Holiday Parade of Lights, Salinas
Sunday, Nov. 27, 6 p.m.
More than 70 entrants in the big annual event in Salinas. The route is primarily along South Main Street between Acacia and Gabalin streets. If you go and take your wine, be sure it’s in a concealed plastic beverage holder.
Website: www.salinasparade.com
• Christmas at the Inns
Tuesday & Wednesday, Nov. 29 & 30, Pacific Grove, $20
A walk-through tour of 10 Victorian-era houses with live music and “light” refreshments. PubClub has not been to this event and can’t say if they serve wine, but it would seem to make sense in this area. This is a ticketed event and you can get tickets through the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce.
• 15th Annual Holiday Parade Of Lights, Pacific Grove
Thursday, Dec. 1, 6-7 p.m., along Lighthouse Ave.
A lighted parade featuring marching bands, holiday floats, dance teams, equestrian groups, and of naturally, Santa Claus. After the parade, the stores remain open for Holiday shopping, wagon rides, photos with Santa & carolers.
• Holiday Open House, Carmel-By-The-Sea
Friday, Dec. 2, 5-7 p.m., Carmel Plaza
This holiday happening starts with a tree lighting, then there’s snacks, music and some stores may be serving wine; if it’s anything like the Manhattan Beach Holiday Open House then this is a don’t-miss event. The location is downtown Carmel at the corner of Ocean Ave., and Mission Street.
• Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade
Sunday, Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m., Monterey Harbor by Fisherman’s Wharf
Put on by the Monterey Yacht Club, this features primarily sailboats filled with holiday lights in a parade up and down Monterey Bay.
Viewing spots include the pier at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, the wooden pier next to the Yacht Club and along the walkway from Fisherman’s Wharf to Canner Row. If you know someone with a boat in the parade or even belong to any yacht club in California, you can watch it and party at the host club.
• Carmel-By-The-Glass Wine Event
Friday, Dec, 9, 5-8 p.m. La Playa Hotel, Carmel, $75
The winter version of the popular summertime wine festival. This is a ticketed event, $75, and includes all wine and food.
Link: Tickets & Review
• 58th Annual Carmel Valley Santa’s Fly-In
Saturday, Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Carmel Valley Airfield
Santa and Mrs. Clause fly in on a helicopter and this kicks off a parade. Then the cool people go wine tasting at the many tasting rooms of Carmel wineries along Carmel Valley Road.
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