10th Annual Christmas on the Wharf
Visitors can stroll the wharf to take in festive decorations, including a 23-foot Christmas tree, a cascading ceiling of lights, holiday inflatables, and a classic wooden under-the-sea display. Free entertainment includes performances by choirs, bands, and dance troupes, alongside meet-and-greets with Santa and his elves at Santa's House. Guests can also spot local wildlife like sea lions and otters while browsing holiday treats and local shops.
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Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Tickets
Free celebration; free weekend entertainment; free Santa Meet-and-Greets and photo opportunities.
Hours
Event Date: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Peninsula Harmony Company: December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19, 6 pm–7 pm; Pacific Pop 'n Jazz and Saxophonia: December 5, 11 am–1 pm; Matsiko World Orphan Choir: December 12, Noon–1 pm; Carmel Dance's Musical Performance Troupe: December 5, 3 pm–5 pm, and December 12, 2 pm–4 pm. Santa visits: Fridays December 4, 11, 18, 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.; Saturdays December 5, 12, 19, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; Sundays December 6, 13, 20, 1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Old Fisherman's Wharf
Food & Drink
On event weekends, Wharf merchants sell hot cocoa, seasonal coffee drinks, and cookies; candy shops offer festive treats throughout December.
Parking
Parking is available in the nearby Waterfront parking lot. It may be prepaid using the ParkMobile app or paid at on-site pay stations.
Pets
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Bring a folding chair for the scheduled special performances, so you can sit comfortably while watching the entertainment.
- Keep dogs leashed and well behaved; the event welcomes them, and the Wharf’s walkways can be busy during performances.
- Use the nearby Waterfront parking lot, paying at an on-site station or prepaying with ParkMobile to simplify arrival.
- Check the event page’s updated entertainment schedule before choosing a visit, since performance details may change.
- Choose a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for Santa, and confirm that day’s hours because visit times differ by day.
Special Events & Promotions
- Free entry to the event.
- Free weekend entertainment and free Santa meet-and-greets and photo opportunities.
- Santa visits on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the event.
- Peninsula Harmony Company performs on selected Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Pacific Pop ’n Jazz and Saxophonia perform on December 5.
Links & Contact
Run by Fisherman's Wharf Association
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christmas on the Wharf suitable for children?
Yes. Families can visit Santa and his elves at Santa’s House, enjoy the holiday displays and watch the weekend performances.
What can I see and do besides viewing the lights?
You can browse Wharf shops, enjoy indoor or outdoor dining, watch sea lions and otters, and take part in free weekend entertainment.
Are food and drinks available?
Wharf merchants offer hot cocoa, seasonal coffee drinks and cookies on weekends. Candy shops have festive treats throughout December, and restaurants offer indoor and outdoor dining.
Can I bring a chair or a dog?
You may bring a folding chair to enjoy the performances. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.
Where can I park?
The nearby Waterfront parking lot has parking, with payment available through the ParkMobile app or at on-site pay stations.
Browse Christmas in Monterey
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.