24 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2025-2026 week, fittingly known as Big Week in Salinas. Carnival rides, cotton candy, funnel cakes—it’s all there. 295 Sun Way, Salinas. (800) 5494989, carodeo.com Carmel Bach Festival July 12-26, 2025 This annual festival celebrates 17th-century composer Johann Sebastian Bach (and beyond) and it is now approaching its 90th season. It all happens at the Sunset Center in Carmel and various other nearby venues, subject to their availability. (831) 624-1521, bachfestival.org California Rodeo Salinas July 17-20, 2025 The California Rodeo Salinas features four action-packed days of bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling and more. The rodeo is a PRCA event, so that means the top cowboys and cowgirls will compete. Plus there’s music, a saloon and a lot more. Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., Salinas. (800) 549-4989, carodeo.com Monterey Wine Festival July 18-20, 2025 Wines from Monterey County and beyond are poured at this event, now in its 46th year. There are small bites and a souvenir glass included in the ticket, plus food for purchase. Set outdoors in Monterey’s historic center. Custom House Plaza, Monterey. montereywine.com Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey July 25-27, 2025 The Firestone Grand Prix brings stars of IndyCar, America’s top open wheel series, to the nation’s most iconic road course with championship points on the line. Indy race cars twisting through The Corkscrew? How could anything be better? WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas. (831) 242-8200, weathertechraceway.com Sand City Criterium July 27, 2025 Bike racing’s version of NASCAR on the streets of Sand City—fast, wheel-to-wheel and challenging, with 10 turns and a field so deep the pros must run qualifying heats. Pedal power all day, with food, music and plenty of beer to go along. The start/finish line is at 615 Ortiz Ave., Sand City. mbrt.bike/sand-city-crit Moss Landing Street Fair July 27, 2025 Imagine a street lined on both sides with booths selling antiques, collectibles, vintage goods, artisan crafted products—in other words, good stuff. In addition, there are vendors offering food and drink, so you can spend the day shopping and not drop. On the streets of Moss Landing. (831) 633-4501, mosslandingchamber.com Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Car Week Aug. 8-17, 2025 The world’s finest cars make for a bucket list event. Attendees can expect to see a juried lineup of beautiful and important cars at the Concours (also see and be seen by collecting’s who’s who). But there are modern supercars, classic muscle and so much more at events during the week. And bid on some one-of-akind beauties at auctions. The Pre-Reunion at Laguna Seca gives a taste of what is to come. And the Corkscrew Hillclimb gives the track a twist. The main event—the Concours d’Elegance—takes place Sunday, Aug. 17. Various locations. (831) 622-1700, pebblebeachconcours.net Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Aug. 13-16, 2025 This event brings historic race cars to the track at Laguna Seca as part of the broader Car Week happenings. Cars from the early 1900s to recent Formula 1 winners and everything in between take laps. Famous drivers appear, too. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas. (831) 2428200, weathertechraceway.com West End Celebration Aug. 23-24, 2025 Expect to see a whole host of artists and artisans in the performing arts, visual arts, live music on stage and more at this big, fun block party. This dynamic festival is a little bit different every year as it celebrates whatever local artists are making. Throughout Sand City. westendcelebration.com Winemakers’ Celebration Aug. 24, 2025 Each year for one afternoon, area winemakers and chefs take over Dolores Street in Carmel (and a bit of 7th Avenue, as well) and welcome guests. More than 100 different wines are poured. Best of all, the winemakers and chefs are on hand to answer your questions. Dolores Street, Carmel. (831) 375-9400, montereywines.org AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Monterey Jazz Festival
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