by Noella Noelophile®
(Photo: Michael Troutman/www.dmtimaging.com, and courtesy of SeeMonterey.com.)
What might Christmas have been like, in downtown Monterey in the 18th century?
This Friday and Saturday, December 8th and 9th, you’ll get a chance to experience it.
Those are the dates of Historic Old Monterey’s 39th annual “Christmas in the Adobes”!
Co-hosted by Monterey State Historic Park Association and California State Parks, “Christmas in the Adobes” is an early-evening walking tour–and a once-a-year opportunity to explore more than twenty of downtown Monterey’s historic adobes.
Some of these community buildings are only open to the public for this particular event, according to Eventbrite.
(Photo: Michael Troutman/www.dmtimaging.com, and courtesy of SeeMonterey.com.)
Each venue will be decorated, with pathways lighted by luminarias (those are always beautiful!). Staff and volunteers, dressed in period attire, will be greeting visitors. A wide variety of music and entertainment will be offered, during the tour.
And at the heart of the event, will be storytelling–the kind that brings history to life.
Best of all, this is a special-event fundraiser for a great cause.
(Photo: Michael Troutman/www.dmtimaging.com, and courtesy of SeeMonterey.com.)
Christmas in the Adobes is an annual fundraiser for Monterey State Historic Park. Proceeds support both the State Park’s educational history programs for elementary students, and the restoration of California’s First Theatre!
A quick-research look at MSHP’s website, to find out more about the latter, reveals a colorful history that might make a great show, in and of itself.
(Royalty-free image by Sonder Quest on Unsplash.)
Since its construction in 1846, the building has served as a saloon, a boarding house, a highly-industrious community theatre, producing ten plays in less than two years, and a whaling station. Oh, and it was also a drugstore and a tea shop!
After closing in 1999 for restoration, the theatre opened for a community celebration, last month. MSHP’s goal is to have the historic building serve as a resource to the community, with a venue for performances, education and special events that honor and sustain Monterey’s history.
(Photo: Michael Troutman/www.dmtimaging.com, and courtesy of SeeMonterey.com.)
In other words, “Christmas in the Adobes” is a uniquely-“California Christmas” event–geared towards giving lasting gifts to the community.
Monterey’s 39th annual “Christmas in the Adobes” walking tour happens this Friday and Saturday, December 8th and 9th, from 5 pm to 9 pm in downtown Monterey. Tickets may be purchased here and–IMPORTANT–ticket holders purchasing tickets online MUST pick up a wristband and event map at one of three “will call” locations, which will be open beginning at 4 pm, Friday and Saturday, December 8th and 9th:
“Will call” locations are:
- Pacific House, 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey (Will call, Eventbrite ticket check-in, in-person sales via cash or credit card).
- Casa Gutierrez, 590 Calle Principal, Monterey (Will call only – no ticket sales)
- Stevenson House, 30 Houston Street, Monterey (Will call – not ticket sales)
(MSHPA members and members of the military, please purchase your tickets at the Custom House Store or Pacific House Store to receive a discount.)