Savor the holidays with festive events, foods in Monterey area

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The winter holidays bring a cornucopia of sensory experiences to the Monterey Peninsula, including festive parades, tree-lighting ceremonies and music and refreshments in candlelit adobes and vintage inns. Taste is also one of the senses involved, thanks to holiday meals and treats you can take home, such as the mince pies from Café Carmel.

“Coming from England, mince pies are an essential part of Christmas,” explained chef-owner Sarah Cook, who grew up in an English village similar to Carmel. “They reach the supermarkets in early September. Our family always made our own with homemade mincemeat made from dried fruits, suet — I use vegetarian now — and spices, citrus fruit peel and brandy.”

The mincemeat needs to “mature for a few weeks, ideally,” she added, although it can sit for months or even years. Temptation will not allow you to wait that long to sample her pies once they’ve been baked in a rough puff pastry or a short crust, although they do freeze well, according to Cook. They’ll be available at Café Carmel starting in early December for $4.25 each or six for $22.

Here are some highlights of Monterey Peninsula holiday festivities, including a few Thanksgiving dining options:

Nov. 23: Thanksgiving dinner at Grasing’s Restaurant features a three-course prix fixe menu with choices, such as a forest mushroom tart, herbed turkey with trimmings and an apple and huckleberry crisp. (Noon to 9 p.m., Sixth Avenue and Mission Street, $98 adults, $48 ages 12 and younger, plus tax and tip. 831-624-6562)

Dec. 1: The free Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting begins at 3 p.m. with Santa’s arrival and music from the Del Monte Brass band, followed by the lighting of the menorah at 4 p.m. and the holiday tree at 5:30 p.m. Afterwards, the adjacent Carmel Plaza Holiday Open House will offer light bites, warm holiday drinks and children’s activities till 7 p.m. (Devendorf Park, Ocean Avenue and Mission Street. 831-620-2020)

Dec. 3: The Inns of Distinction Tour highlights seven boutique inns decorated for the holidays and will include appetizers and tastings of local wines as part of the Carmel Heritage Society’s annual event. (2 to 5 p.m., various sites, $35 advance, $40 day of, with optional hop-on, hop-off shuttle for $15. 831-624-4447)

Dec. 7-31: “The Art of Gifting” is an annual exhibition by Monterey Peninsula artists featuring petite pieces (4-by-4 to 9-by-12 inches) designed to be purchased as gifts. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, Carmel Art Association, Dolores Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 831-250-3347)

Nov. 23: Thanksgiving dinner at Sea Root includes a buffet with salads, breads, free-range Diestel turkey, honey-roasted ham, pan-roasted Pacific salmon and options for kids. (1 to 7 p.m., Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, 1 Old Golf Course Road, $79 per person. 831-657-6588)

Nov. 24: The Cannery Row Holiday Tree Lighting starts with free fire engine rides (noon to 5 p.m.), Christmas carolers (3:45 to 5:45 p.m.), a tree lighting (5:45 p.m.) and visits with Santa (6 to 9 p.m.) (Steinbeck Plaza, Cannery Row and Prescott Avenue)

Nov. 25-Dec. 22: Santa on Cannery Row lets children share their wish lists and take photos with Father Christmas in the festively decorated plaza. (Noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Steinbeck Plaza, Cannery Row and Prescott Avenue)

Dec. 1-23: Christmas on the Wharf features a 23-foot lighted tree, giant illuminated sea creatures and holiday shopping with hot drinks. Visit with Santa (from Dec. 8) from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 8 p.m. Sundays and enjoy music and dance performances at various times during those periods. Join in community caroling from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Bring a toy to Santa’s house to donate to Salvation Army. (10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Old Fisherman’s Wharf, 201 Washington St., 831-238-0777)

Dec. 3: Enjoy the Brighten the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade as boats strung with holiday lights and decor sail past Old Fisherman’s Wharf (at approximately 5:15 and 6:15 p.m.) toward Lovers Point and back. (5:15 to 7:30 p.m., Monterey Harbor, 831-238-0777)

Dec. 8-9: Christmas in the Adobes allows visitors to tour more than a dozen historic adobe buildings, including Casa Soberanes, Custom House, Robert Louis Stevenson House and Royal Presidio Chapel, all decorated for the holidays and marked by luminarias while enjoying live music, entertainment and refreshments. Ticket sales benefit Monterey State Historic Park education programs and renovation of the First Theater. (5 to 9 p.m., various locations downtown, $30 ages 18 and older, $45 for both nights; free for children 17 and younger. 831-718-7695)

Dec. 9: Holiday Safety Afternoon on the Wharf features Monterey Fire Department members offering safety information, giveaways and fire boat demonstrations in the harbor with a fire engine on hand. (1 to 4 p.m., Old Fisherman’s Wharf, 201 Washington St., 831-238-0777)

Nov. 23: Thanksgiving dinner at Asilomar has seating times from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and includes a buffet with carved to order entrees of free-range turkey, maple-glazed ham and prime rib. A bonfire with live music and optional s’mores kits follows from 6 to 9 p.m. (Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Ave., $85 adults, $35 ages 3 to 12, plus tax and service charge. 831-642-4248)

Nov. 30: “A Magical Holiday” Parade of Lights will have marching bands, illuminated floats and vehicles, horseback riders and costumed performers parading through downtown in the 20th annual event, which awards prizes to participants in various categories. (6 to 8 p.m., Lighthouse Avenue, 831-373-3304)

Dec. 2: Stillwell’s Holiday Fun in the Park lets children take part in free games and activities with a visit from Santa. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Caledonia Park, Caledonia and Central avenues, 831-373-3304)

Dec. 5: Holiday at the Inns offers a tour of seven Victorian-style inns, plus Phoebe Hearst Social Hall at Asilomar and St. Mary’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, that are fully decorated for the holidays with music and refreshments. (5 to 9 p.m., various locations, $25 per person. 831-373-3304)