8th Annual Christmas on the Wharf Festivities to be held on weekends from December 6th – December 22nd, 2024

Live Entertainment and Dazzling Decorations on Display During December

Here is a holiday event for both locals and visitors that is well worth the drive or flight! Visitors from all over the state, nation and world come to Monterey and stop off at Old Fisherman's Wharf to enjoy the free 8th Annual Christmas on the Wharf festivities which will span four weekends this year. During the upcoming holiday season, bring your family and friends to create wonderful memories at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf with dazzling decorations on display all throughout the month of December.

Fisherman's Wharf Association is proud to sponsor and hold its 8th Annual Christmas on the Wharf event on Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California. In addition to beautiful decorations throughout the month of December, Christmas on the Wharf features free weekend live entertainment including holiday musical performances such as choirs, youth dancers, a variety of singers, and Santa visits at his Santa House on the Wharf. Check out the California sea lions, pelicans, otters, seagulls and other marine life surrounding Old Fisherman's Wharf while you stroll with family and friends.

When:
 
Festive holiday decorations and photo ops can be enjoyed daily during the month of December through January 2, 2025.

Christmas on the Wharf performances will span three weekends from Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 22, 2024.

Santa Visits plus some musical and dance performances at various times during the weekend will be held on:

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

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

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

Entertainment Schedule is HERE (subject to change).

Where:

Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA. (GPS to 201 Washington Street)

We're seeking many valued sponsors who can support this great annual event. For more details, please click HERE.

Information: 
For more information, go to www.montereywharf.com, call 831-238-0777 or email [email protected].

About:

Old Fisherman's Wharf will have its majestic 23-foot Christmas tree that is surrounded by giant illuminated sea creatures and beautiful decorations up and down Old Fisherman’s Wharf including silhouetted lit trees, tin soldiers, holiday-themed inflatables and much more.

Santa Claus will be on site for fun Santa Visits at his Santa house on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays starting on December 6th through December 22nd during the event hours described above.  

There will also be a special Holiday Safety Afternoon on the Wharf on Saturday, December 7th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Representatives from the Monterey Police Department will be on site with holiday safety information and giveaways. There will also be a fire engine and representatives from the Monterey Fire Department.

Co-hosted by Fisherman's Wharf Association, the very special Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade will be held on Sunday, December 8th from 5:15 pm - 7:00 and come and enjoy the beautiful lights on the boats that pass by Old Fisherman's Wharf at 5:30 pm and return to pass by on their way back, as well. Many of the lights on the boats will remain lit throughout the holiday season in the Monterey Harbor.

Talented performers of holiday music will be on site at various times. Currently scheduled are performances by The Dance Center’s Musical Performance Troupe (12/7/24), Watsonville Community Band (12/8/2024) Pacific Pop n' Jazz  (12/8/2024), Carmel Presbyterian Church Choir (12/14/2024), Folkorico Dancers and Katherine Lavin (12/22), and Peninsula Harmony Group (Friday and Saturday evenings - 12/6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21), with more performers to be announced.If a group would like to perform holiday-themed entertainment, please write to [email protected]. 
 
Many more performers will be announced! The schedule will be posted and updated on the Christmas on the Wharf event page.

If attendees want to do so they can bring along a folding chair to relax and enjoy these great performances. Well-behaved dogs are allowed on a leash.

Families are encouraged to come meet Santa and his elves with his popular "Meet and Greets" to create special holiday memories. Enjoy free Santa visits at his “house” with a photo op for kids and family.  

There will also be a Toy Drop at Santa’s house for Salvation Army - Monterey Peninsula Corps plus donations are encouraged in the red Salvation Army kettle at the head of the Wharf.

Each weekend of Christmas on the Wharf, there will be several different types of hot cocoa, coffee drinks, hot apple cider and cookies available for purchase at various Wharf merchants, including Old Fisherman's Grotto as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army. Dock Side Fish Market near the top of the Wharf will also have holiday treats,  among others. The three candy shops on the Wharf, Carousel Candies, Candy World and the Wharf Chocolate Factory, will offer an array of very special holiday-themed sweet treats for purchase during December, too.

There will also be great Christmas shopping for stocking stuffers and holiday gifts, al fresco and indoor dining, whale watching, fishing, sailing, glass bottom boat rides, strolling, watching marine life and more fun this holiday season on the Wharf. Many Christmas specials will be provided by Wharf merchants.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, December 13th and 14th, the Wharf will be a stop off site during the Christmas in the Adobes tours.  

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!

Ice Skating by the Bay is also available near the Waterfront Parking Lot in the Custom House Plaza through the month of December, typically starting after Thanksgiving.

There is lots of parking in the nearby Waterfront parking lot, too. Please prepay using the ParkMobile app or at one of the many Pay Stations in the parking lot.

The Wharf’s festive holiday decorations will stay up until January 2, 2025.

A HUGE Thank You to our Valued 2024 Christmas on the Wharf Sponsors:

Please support their organizations whenever possible!