Experience the festive magic of Salinas, CA, this holiday season with a variety of delightful events for all ages. From the dazzling Holiday Parade of Lights that brings Main Street to life with elaborate floats and twinkling lights to the charming First City Festival Holiday Edition celebrating local heritage through crafts and music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Don't miss the unique Santa Fly-In at Salinas Municipal Airport, where Santa makes a grand entrance by air, adding a touch of aviation history to the celebrations. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Salinas offers a warm and inviting holiday atmosphere filled with cheer and community spirit.
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Salinas Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Salinas
See these and even more events listed below!Salinas Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Illuminated floats and vehicles parading through downtown
Description:
Twinkling lights transform Salinas' Main Street into a dazzling spectacle during the annual Holiday Parade of Lights. Elaborately decorated floats and vehicles glide through downtown, showcasing the creativity of local businesses and community groups. Spectators can warm up with hot cocoa while enjoying the parade's festive atmosphere. This beloved tradition dates back to the 1950s, originally started by local merchants to attract shoppers to the area. You'll marvel at the intricate light designs adorning everything from classic cars to farm equipment, reflecting Salinas' agricultural heritage.
Website:
Nearby Events
First City Festival Holiday Edition (Monterey)
What to Expect:
Celebration of Salinas as California's "First City"
Description:
Salinas embraces its historical significance as California's "First City" during the First City Festival Holiday Edition. This unique event blends holiday cheer with local heritage, featuring artisans showcasing traditional crafts and foods from the region's diverse cultures. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops to create their own California-inspired ornaments. The festival pays homage to Salinas' role in the state's early development, with exhibits highlighting the city's contributions to agriculture and literature. Live performances by local musicians fill the air with joyful melodies, creating a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates both the season and the city's rich history.
Website:
First City Festival Holiday Edition
Monterey Holiday Tree Lighting (Monterey)
What to Expect:
Tree lighting ceremony with a maritime twist
Description:
Monterey's Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony brings a coastal flair to the traditional event. A towering tree adorned with nautical-themed ornaments takes center stage in Custom House Plaza. The lighting ceremony features a procession of local fishermen carrying lanterns, honoring the city's maritime heritage. Visitors can join in caroling led by a choir dressed in period costumes from Monterey's Spanish colonial era. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in the historic waterfront district, where John Steinbeck once found inspiration for his novels. The illuminated tree serves as a beacon of holiday spirit for both land and sea.
Website:
Monterey Holiday Tree Lighting
Candy Cane Lane Light Display (Pacific Grove)
What to Expect:
Neighborhood-wide holiday light extravaganza
Description:
Candy Cane Lane transforms a quiet Salinas neighborhood into an electrifying holiday attraction. Residents of this close-knit community collaborate to create a stunning display of lights and decorations that stretch for blocks. Each home contributes its own unique theme, ranging from winter wonderlands to whimsical cartoon characters. Visitors can stroll through the illuminated streets, taking in the creative displays. This tradition began in the 1950s with just a few houses and has grown into a beloved local spectacle. You'll encounter everything from animatronic reindeer to elaborate nativity scenes, all set against a backdrop of thousands of twinkling lights.
Website:
Santa Fly-In (Carmel Valley)
What to Expect:
Santa arrives by airplane instead of sleigh
Description:
Santa trades his sleigh for a small aircraft at the annual Santa Fly-In event at Salinas Municipal Airport. Aviation enthusiasts and families gather to witness Santa's grand entrance as he touches down on the runway. Children can greet Santa on the tarmac and share their holiday wishes. This unique event combines the excitement of flight with holiday traditions, reflecting Salinas' connection to aviation history. Visitors can explore vintage aircraft on display and learn about the airport's role in training pilots during World War II. The sound of propellers mingles with holiday music, creating a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Website:
Christmas in the Adobes (Monterey)
What to Expect:
Holiday celebrations in historic adobe buildings
Description:
Christmas in the Adobes offers a glimpse into holiday celebrations of California's past. This event opens the doors to Monterey's historic adobe buildings, many dating back to the Spanish colonial era. Each adobe is decorated in period style, with docents in authentic costumes sharing stories of early California life. Visitors can try their hand at traditional crafts like candle-making or enjoy period music performances. The soft glow of candlelight illuminates these centuries-old structures, creating an intimate atmosphere. This event provides a unique opportunity to experience how the holidays were celebrated in early California, blending history with seasonal cheer.
Website:
Carmel Holiday Tree Lighting (Carmel-by-the-Sea)
What to Expect:
Tree lighting in a quaint, artistic village setting
Description:
Carmel-by-the-Sea's Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony captures the charm of this artistic village. The event takes place in Devendorf Park, where a majestic tree is adorned with handcrafted ornaments created by local artists. As the tree illuminates, the sweet voices of a children's choir fill the air with carols. Visitors can warm up with Carmel's famous hot chocolate while browsing pop-up art installations inspired by the season. This tradition dates back to the 1940s when Carmel was establishing itself as an artist's haven. You'll be surrounded by the village's unique fairy-tale cottages and cobblestone streets, adding to the event's picturesque ambiance.
Website:
Holiday Ice Rink (Monterey)
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in a mild California climate
Description:
Salinas' Holiday Ice Rink brings winter fun to the heart of California's balmy central coast. This outdoor rink offers the unique experience of gliding across the ice under palm trees and blue skies. Skaters can enjoy the contrast of cool ice beneath their blades while surrounded by Salinas' temperate climate. The rink hosts themed skating nights, including a tribute to John Steinbeck with literary-inspired costumes encouraged. Visitors can try their hand at curling during special sessions, introducing this winter sport to the region. The rink serves as a gathering place for the community, blending the traditions of colder climates with California's laid-back lifestyle.
Website:
“Nutcracker” Ballet (Monterey)
What to Expect:
Local production with a Salinas Valley agricultural twist
Description:
Salinas' Nutcracker Ballet infuses the classic holiday tale with elements of the region's agricultural heritage. This unique production features costume designs inspired by local crops, with dancers portraying artichokes, strawberries, and lettuce alongside the traditional characters. The set incorporates scenes from Salinas Valley's landscape, blending fantasy with familiar local sights. Audience members can participate in a pre-show workshop to learn about the ballet's history and its local adaptations. This performance celebrates both the timeless story and the community's connection to the land. You'll be transported to a world where sugar plum fairies dance alongside representations of Salinas' bountiful harvest.
Website:
Pacific Grove Victorian Christmas Walk (Pacific Grove)
What to Expect:
Christmas celebration in a historic Victorian seaside town
Description:
Pacific Grove's Victorian Christmas Walk transports visitors to a bygone era of holiday celebrations. The town's well-preserved Victorian architecture serves as the perfect backdrop for this event, with homes and businesses adorned in period-appropriate decorations. Costumed carolers stroll the streets, filling the air with traditional songs. Visitors can take a guided tour of historic homes, each showcasing different aspects of Victorian holiday traditions. This event pays homage to Pacific Grove's origins as a Methodist retreat in the late 1800s. You'll feel as though you've stepped into a living Christmas card as you wander the gas-lit streets, surrounded by the charm of a 19th-century seaside holiday.
Website:
Pacific Grove Victorian Christmas Walk