Happenings 

The Big Sur International Marathon is a point-to-point course run on scenic CA Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel the last Sunday each April. Towering redwoods, crashing waves, coastal mountains and verdant pastures are featured on this bucket list course. The centerpiece of the course is the iconic Bixby Bridge, located at the halfway point of the race, where you’ll enjoy the unique site and sound of a tuxedo-wearing concert pianist playing a Yamaha Avant Guard N3 piano. 

The world’s most technologically advanced sports cars roar back to Monterey for another unforgettable weekend of racing action. The cutting-edge GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) class—featuring powerhouse manufacturers like Acura, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche—continues to push the limits of speed, innovation, and endurance.

Get ready for the Monterey Museum of Art's 4th Annual Block Party! This vibrant arts festival, free and open to all, transforms downtown Monterey into a bustling hub of art and creativity, 11am-4pm.

Celebrate Easter Sunday with one of the best family Easter brunches in Monterey at Portola Hotel & Spa. Enjoy a lavish brunch buffet in the grand ballroom featuring holiday favorites like Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bake, Wild King Salmon, Maple Glazed Pit Ham, and Apple Crisp, plus many more chef-crafted seasonal dishes.

Join us for a refined evening of exceptional wines and Italian-inspired flavors as we celebrate the artistry of Allegrini and Girlan. This exclusive six-course dinner features the finest locally sourced ingredients, expertly paired with a hand-selected portfolio of wines from these iconic Italian producers. Set in the elegant Club Room at Portola Hotel & Spa and accompanied by live music from the International Trio, this is a wine dinner you won’t want to miss.

The Jazz Bash By the Bay Monterey takes place in the Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa with 8 venues and 6 dance floors.

Enjoy the colorful forms of American Classic Jazz including: Traditional, Ragtime, Swing, Gypsy, and Blues.

A refined celebration of food, wine, and craftsmanship, guided by visionaries from kitchens and vineyards around the globe.

Whalefest Monterey is a free, family-friendly festival that combines science, the arts and history. It is a 2-day event set around Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the adjacent Custom House Plaza, designed to be enjoyed by attendees of all ages. It features exhibits from dozens of local and national non-profit organizations related to marine science, sustainability of land and sea, and the environment. In addition, Whalefest Monterey features a Symposium where world renowned scientists from local marine science research institutions share their latest research findings.

Good Old Days Street Festival is Pacific Grove’s premier community event. Each year this FREE event draws a great crowd of locals and visitors, rain or shine! Vendors from multiple states display their arts and crafts alongside a wide variety of food booths stretched down historic Lighthouse Avenue, the largest gathering of arts and crafts vendors in Monterey County!

The 33rd Annual Carmel Art Festival on May 15-17, 2026 held in Devendorf Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea, will once again bring together artists and art lovers, visitors, and residents to celebrate Carmel’s artistic heritage and legacy. Viewing of art is FREE.

Bold flavors, great drinks, and live music—Tuesdays are better at Peter B’s in downtown Monterey.