The Carmel Art Association is the oldest in Carmel and features local artists' work for sale, rotating exhibits, events, lectures, film series, and art demonstrations throughout the year.

Pacific Grove Art Walk and Salinas Art Walk: The towns of Pacific Grove and Salinas offer free monthly Art Walks for the community to socialize while viewing and supporting local artists and their works.

The Monterey History Fest is a multi-day festival celebrating the city's history with tours across various historic locations around town, films, storytelling, costumed reenactors, art, and museum exhibits.

The Feast of Lanterns is a unique celebration in Monterey over 100 years old. The parade of lanterns represents an ancient search for the Chinese emperor's lost daughter, and Monterey's celebration has added a Feast of Flavors food buffet, Feast of Lanterns Pet Parade, and a pageant day where middle and high school students are awarded scholarships.

The Monterey Jazz Festival is one of the longest running jazz fests in the country. Performers play all weekend long over 8 stages, and the festival is complete with food, exhibitions, and shopping at the Monterey County Fairgrounds.

Cannery Row is one of the most popular areas in Monterey for shopping, dining and nightlife, and recreational activities, all available in this waterfront area. It is well-known thanks to John Steinbeck's novel Cannery Row.