Events

Sunset Center, Carmel Mission Basilica and other Carmel venues · Two weeks in July. The 89th season ran July 11-25, 2026; opening night in 2027 is July 10

Carmel Bach Festival

One of the oldest music festivals in the U.S., begun in 1935 and led today by Grete Pedersen. Concerts range from Bach cantatas to new works, with an off-season program of recitals through the year.

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Devendorf Park, Ocean Avenue and Junipero Street · Three days in mid-May. The 34th festival is Friday to Sunday, May 14-16, 2027

Carmel Art Festival

About 60 plein air painters work around the Monterey Peninsula for two days, and the finished paintings are judged and sold in the park from Friday.

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Ocean Avenue · A Tuesday during Monterey Car Week. In 2026: August 11, 10 am to 4 pm

Concours for a Cause

A free celebration of classic automobiles, local culture and charitable giving, with funds going to local nonprofits.

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Forest Theater, Mountain View and Santa Rita, Carmel · Summer and fall. In 2026 A Midsummer Night’s Dream ran October 1-17

Forest Theater season

Outdoor theater in a wooded amphitheater built in 1910. Pacific Repertory Theatre now manages it and stages Shakespeare, musicals and films there.

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Tor House, Carmel Point and the Woman’s Club of Carmel · Mid-October. In 2026: October 16-18

Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation Fall Festival

Poetry seminars, a sunset celebration at Tor House, a reception and a Point Lobos poetry and geology walk. The 2026 theme is Jeffers’ poem “Shine, Perishing Republic.”

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Ocean Avenue between Santa Rita and Junipero Streets · Late October. In 2026: Saturday, October 24, 11 am to 1 pm

Annual Pumpkin Roll

A pumpkin-rolling contest down a course lined with hay bales, part of the city’s month-long birthday celebrations.

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Carmel Plaza · Late October. In 2026: Saturday, October 24, 2 to 5 pm

Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Contest and Parade

A pet parade and costume contest with photos, followed by Yappy Hour with the Plaza merchants. The first 50 pets registered get a treat bag.

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Downtown Carmel, from Mission Street and Sixth Avenue to Ocean Avenue · October 30. In 2026: 4:30 pm

City Halloween Parade

A free parade celebrating Halloween and the city’s birthday, followed by trick-or-treating in Devendorf Park.

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Devendorf Park, Ocean Avenue and Mission Street · Early December. In 2026: Friday, December 4, 3 to 7 pm

Holidays in the Park

The city’s tree and menorah lighting, with Santa arriving by fire truck and the Del Monte Brass, followed by the Carmel Plaza holiday open house.

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Historic inns across Carmel-by-the-Sea · Early December. In 2026: Sunday, December 6, 2 to 6 pm

Annual Inns of Distinction Tour

The Carmel Heritage Society’s self-guided walking tour of holiday-decorated inns, with food and wine along the way.

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Artist-owned galleries around the village · Second Saturday of every month, 4 to 7 pm

Carmel Art Walk

Visitors tour the galleries following blue lanterns and meet the artists who carry on the Carmel colony’s legacy.

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Mission Street and Sixth Avenue · Every Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm

Carmel Farmers’ Market

Certified organic produce, eggs, plants, cut flowers and specialty foods, run by Good Roots, Inc.

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Restaurants and venues across the village · Ten days in early June. In 2027: June 4-13

Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week

The 7th annual “Art of the Plate” with village-wide events, curated menus and offers at more than 30 restaurants.

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Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Country Club · Early February. In 2027: February 1-7

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

A PGA Tour event with an amateur field known for celebrities, all proceeds going to charities in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. The tournament began as Bing Crosby’s Clambake.

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Pebble Beach Resorts · Early April. In 2027: April 1-4

Pebble Beach Food & Wine

Four days with 125 global chefs and 150 wineries; the event bills itself as the nation’s premier food and wine event.

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