Updates for Christmas on the Wharf - Dec 1-23, 2023
7th Annual Christmas on the Wharf Festivities to be held on weekends from December 1st – December 23rd, 2023
Live Entertainment and Dazzling Decorations on Display During December
November, 2023. Monterey, CA. 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 7th 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 “7th 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, 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, 2024.
Christmas on the Wharf performances will span four weekends from Friday, December 1st through Sunday, December 23rd, 2023.
Musical and dance performances at various times during the weekend will be held on:
Fridays (December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd) from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturdays (December 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd) from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sundays (December 3rd, 10th, 17th) from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where:
Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA. (GPS to 201 Washington Street)
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 8th – December 23rd during the event hours described above. NEW this year, Santa will be on site on Saturday, December 2nd disembarking from a Princess Monterey Whale Watching boat at 1 pm and then on site at his Santa House near the Crab House Restaurant from 1:15 pm - 5:00 pm that day. A free Candy Cane will be given to the first 100 visitors to see Santa on that day. Santa will return on weekends on December 8-23, 2023.
There will also be a special Holiday Safety Afternoon on the Wharf on Saturday, December 9th 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, Monterey Fire Boat demonstrations in the Monterey Harbor and representatives from the Monterey Fire Department.
Caroling on the Wharf in December: During Christmas on the Wharf, the public is invited to come and sing Christmas carols during "Community Caroling on the Wharf" on Sunday, December 3rd, 10th and 17th from 5 pm - 6:30 pm at the head of the Wharf near the majestic Christmas tree. This fun caroling event each Sunday will be coordinated by members of His Grace Ministries International Church. Bundle up, bring friends and family and join us in celebrating the holiday season!
Co-hosted by Fisherman's Wharf Association, the very special Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade will be held on Sunday, December 3rd 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,and there will also be Community Caroling on the Wharf coordinated by His Grace Ministries on Sunday, December 3rd, 10th and 17th at 6 - 8 pm so attendees can come and sing along with them.
Many entertainment groups are being scheduled during Christmas on the Wharf and can be seen on the event page on montereywharf.com or at the link below.
Here is the holiday entertainment schedule subject to change. Click Here.
Many more performers will be announced! The schedule will be posted and updated on the Christmas on this Wharf event page as soon as more performers are booked at https://www.montereywharf.com/
If attendees want, 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 Dock Side Fish Market near the top of the Wharf, 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 8th and 9th, the Wharf will be a stop off site during the Christmas in the Adobes tours in Downtown Monterey. there is also ice skating in the adjacent Custom House Plaza through the month of December.
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.
There is lots of parking in the nearby Waterfront parking lot, too.
The Wharf’s festive holiday decorations will stay up until January 2, 2024.
For more information, go to www.montereywharf.com, call 831-238-0777 or email [email protected].
Thank you to our initial valued 2023 Christmas on the Wharf Sponsors:
A Tool Shed
American Supply Company
Anthony Lombardo & Associates
Central Coast Federal Credit Union
Crane Pest Control
Mar Seafoods
Doctors on Duty
Foolish Times
ITN Monterey
KOTR My 11 TV
KSBW TV
McGilloway, Ray, Brown and Kaufman, CPA
Mission Linen
Monika Campbell, Realtor
Monterey Airport
Monterey County Bank
Monterey County Weekly
Monterey Fish
Monterey Herald
Monterey Herald
Monterey Kiwanis
Monterey on Tonight TV Program
Monterey Signs
Ocean Mist
Ortiz Produce
Pasta Palate
Steve Keller/Morgan Stanley
Susie Boutonnet
Vivere Drip Therapy
Wecker Group