Description

6th Annual Christmas on the Wharf Festivities to be held on weekends from December 2nd – December 18th, 2022 

During the upcoming holiday season, bring your family and friends to create wonderful memories at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf! Fisherman's Wharf Association is proud to sponsor and hold its “6th Annual Christmas on the Wharf” event festivities 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. 

When: Christmas on the Wharf performances will span three weekends from Friday, December 2nd through Sunday, December 18th. 

Festive holiday decorations and photo ops can be enjoyed daily in December through January 2, 2023. Santa 

Visits at his Santa House and musical and dance performances at various times during the weekend will be held on: Fridays (December 2nd, 9th, 16th) from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturdays (December 3rd, 10th, 18th) from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

 * Note: December 10th will be 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Sundays (December 4th, 11th, 18th) from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

The majestic 23-foot Christmas tree will be surrounded by illuminated sea creatures and beautiful decorations up and down Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Santa Claus will be on site for Santa Visits at his house next to Abalonetti’s Bar and Grill on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays. 

There will also be a special Holiday Safety Afternoon on the Wharf on Saturday, December 3rd 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: 

New this year during Christmas on the Wharf, the public is invited to come and sing Christmas carols during "Community Caroling on the Wharf" on Sunday, December 4th, 11th and 18th 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! 

The Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade will be held on Sunday, December 4th 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 around 6:15 pm as well. 

Talented performers of holiday music will be on site at various times. Currently scheduled are performances by The Dance Center’s Musical Performance Troupe, Carmel Presbyterian Church Choir, Watsonville Community Band Ensemble, Peninsula Harmony Company, Monterey Peninsula Gospel Community Choir and more performers to be announced! The schedule will be posted and updated on the Christmas on this Wharf event page. 

If you want, bring along a folding chair to kick back and enjoy these great performances.  

Available for purchase will be delicious holiday cookies, different types of hot cocoa and hot coffee and cider at various Wharf merchants. 

“Christmas on the Wharf” will feature holiday musical entertainment including choirs and community caroling, a dazzling array of beautiful holiday lights and decorations, a 23-foot Christmas tree, holiday-themed inflatables on display, silhouetted lit trees, tin soldiers, free Santa “meet and greet” visits, photo ops with Santa, and more. 

There will also be giant holiday-lighted sea life animals and holiday-themed inflatables on display. Families are encouraged to come meet Santa and his elves to create special memories. Enjoy free Santa visits at his “house” and have 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 and Water+Leaves near the end 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 sweet treats for purchase during December, too. 

There will also be great Christmas shopping, 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. The Wharf’s festive holiday decorations will stay up until January 2, 2023. 

There will be Ice Skating By the Bay nearby on the Custom House Plaza from November 25th – January 1, 2023. 

On Friday and Saturday evenings, December 9th and 10th, the Wharf will be a stop off site during the Christmas in the Adobes tours in Downtown Monterey. 

The Wharf is also a great place to view the Monterey Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade on Sunday, December 4th.  

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. Where: Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California. Directions: GPS to 202 Washington Street. 

Parking in the Waterfront Lot adjacent to Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Parking is also available in the nearby City of Monterey East and West Garages in Downtown Monterey off of Del Monte/Franklin/Tyler. It is also available in the Heritage Harbor Parking Lot off of Pacific and Scott Street. Rent a bicycle or ride your own, rent a Segway or simply stroll to the Wharf via Downtown Monterey or the Rec Trail. 

Directions: https://www.montereywharf.com/map.html Information: www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.