Hot Picks 11.27.25

 Friday, Nov. 28

Tree Time

Join Santa Claus overseeing the 30-plus-year holiday tree lighting tradition on Cannery Row and giving a signal to the community that ’tis the season. The actual deed will be preceded by balloon artists, an elf performance, holiday music and carolers from I Cantori di Carmel. Following the tree-lighting ceremony, children will be able to meet Santa in his toy factory. Bring a camera to get a free photo. Visits with Santa in the toy factory will continue noon-3pm every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 21. If you haven’t sent your wish list yet, it’s your chance to negotiate presents in-person. [AP]

2pm festivities start; 5:45pm tree lighting Friday, Nov. 28. Steinbeck Plaza, 685 Cannery Row, Monterey. Free. (831) 649-6690, canneryrow.com.

Moon Shot

For those who have ever wondered just what K-pop is all about, you have an opportunity to find out, live. Before going on, K-pop stands for Korean pop music. The group ARTMS – Artemis, get it? – was formed last year with members of the group Loona, and they are already K-pop stars. Indeed, ARTMS’ first album featured “Virtual Angel,” named by Billboard as one of the 25 best K-pop songs of 2024, and “Birth,” tagged by the British magazine Dazed as one of the 50 best K-pop songs of 2024. So the group has really lifted off. Now they have an EP out and are on their second world tour. [DF]

7:30pm Friday, Nov. 28. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $60-$131. (831) 649-1070, goldenstatetheatre.com.

Dance Feast

Delight comes in different forms. For Pearlesque, a regular show at Pearl Hour, it comes in the form of burlesque shows that have become a local institution from the troupe Carmel Delights. The group is now experimenting with the format, trying something new on Black Friday: Monterey Men. Viewers will enjoy two performances, featuring female- and male-led troupes. The “boylesque” will debut with group and solo acts dancing to catchy, popular songs, such as “Candy Shop” by 50 Cent and “Jealous” by Chromeo. Expect the usual props (yes, there’s a pole), and costumes with flair. [CJ]

9pm Friday, Nov. 28. Pearl Hour, 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. $20-$35. (831) 657-9447, carmeldelights.com.

 Friday, Nov. 28-Sunday, Nov. 30

Gift Forage

For more than 45 years, the Big Sur Grange has hosted an antidote to the mass consumerism of Black Friday. It’s a three-day, post-Thanksgiving Harvest Fair. Rain or shine, the Grange hosts anywhere from 20 to 35 vendors – mainly local, with some from across California – offering small-batch goods ranging from apothecary items and handmade silver jewelry to ceramics and paintings. The Big Sur Historical Society will be selling books. Amber Young will be there with Ragged Thistle, a mix of thrifted and hand-dyed clothing. Bitter Ginger will offer shrubs and gift boxes, and the Henry Miller Library has tote bags. What better place to shop for unique goodies than among the Big Sur redwoods? If you’re hungry, Captain Cooper School sells coffee, pozole and tamales as a school fundraiser. [KR]

2-5pm Friday, Nov. 28; 10am-5pm, Saturday, Nov. 29; 10am-4pm Sunday, Nov. 30. Big Sur Grange, 47090 Highway 1, Big Sur. (831) 667-2956, bigsurgrange.org.

 Friday, Nov. 28-Saturday, Nov. 29

Haunting Tunes

It isn’t often when newlyweds and nearly-deads that Pacific Grove is infamous for get to come together for a night of awesome music. Mephistopheles Music Co. is known to take advantage of whenever the fog descends by presenting a collection of local musicians for what is now their third annual event: the Ghostland Music Festival. Genres spanning from folk and singer-songwriter to Latin-fusion, rock, punk, metal and hardcore will be heard. They’re keeping both spooky and indie spirits alive as their festival continues to grow each year. There’s even a discount offered for those who show up in a costume. This time, 26 bands will take the stage, shaking the dust off of what may be the new cool spot on the Peninsula. [SC]

5pm Friday, Nov. 28, 6pm Saturday, Nov. 29. Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $30-$40. (831) 375-2208, pgartcenter.org.

 Saturday, Nov. 29

Card Sharks

Millennials who grew up in the 1990s and early aughts probably have a few Pokemon cards laying around. Did any child actually play with the cards as they were intended, or did they keep them just to collect and admire the artwork? Most did the latter, including this author. Flash forward to now, and card collecting is a big deal, and sometimes an even more lucrative deal. That early Charizard card could be worth tens of thousands of dollars. You never know what you’ll find at the Monterey Bay Card Show that is set to make its debut. Expect to find numerous vintage and modern cards from sports to Pokemon and more of varying degrees of rarity, across 200-plus tables. It’ll be a collector’s dream. [EC]

10am-6pm Saturday, Nov. 29. Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. $5. bit.ly/MBCardShow2025.

Sew Creatures

Colors, textures and fabrics are some of the elements people will find at the creative arts space Play Full Ground, with an emphasis on sea creatures. Mai Ryuno will offer a live sewing demo of her Happy Monterey Sardine pillows (think brightly patterned fish). There is also be an array of ocean-themed artwork for sale, including prints, more sardine pillows and the sewing pattern to make your own. [CJ]

1-3pm Saturday, Nov. 29. Play Full Ground, 550 Lighthouse Ave., Suite E, Monterey. Free demo. playfullground.com.

In the House

After all the turkey, stuffing and potatoes there’s a lot of pressure to go develop a new fitness routine. But you don’t need to wear spandex to break a sweat. Get dolled up and put on your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor – trust us, it’s more fun (and more fashionable) than any other way to work off the calories. Compact Disco’s free, outdoor, all-ages Sundown Series wraps up for the season this weekend. You may see 5-year-olds grooving alongside 80-year-olds, and everyone in between. (A 21-and-up after-party follows at the downtown club, with free entry before 9pm.) DJs include husband-wife duo Loloh & Ed.E, Paul Wylde of Carmel and Kenny Summit. [SR]

3-8pm Sundown Series, 8pm-2am after party, Saturday, Nov. 29. Breakwater Cove (behind Osteria Al Mare, 32 Cannery Row), followed by after-party at Compact Disco, 420 Tyler St., Monterey. Free. compactdisco.org.

 Saturday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Nov. 30

It’s That Time

When you hear the name “Clara,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? It depends on the time of the year. If it’s during November or December, you’re likely thinking of the girl who receives a Nutcracker doll for Christmas. The protagonist of the classic ballet joins the toy soldiers, Mouse King and other iconic characters when The Nutcracker returns to the stage. This production is by Salinas-based Jeanne Robinson Dance Arts and the Monterey County Ballet Company. By this time, the Thanksgiving leftovers will probably be gone, so it’s the perfect opportunity to welcome the next holiday season. [EC]

2pm and 7pm Saturday, Nov. 29; 2pm Sunday, Nov. 30. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. $30; $15/children ages 11 and under. jeannerobinsondancearts.com.

Run, Run, Rudolph

Are you at least 4 years old? If yes, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Musical is a perfect holiday entertainment choice for you. Who can not help but empathize with the story of a bullied little reindeer who becomes a hero and saves Christmas Eve? This beloved holiday story is coming back to Carmel, courtesy of PacRep, adapted from the story by Robert L. May (based on the book by Robert Penola), and based on music and lyrics by Johnny Marks; the director and choreographer is Christiana Meeks and the musical director is Janice Per. Fun fact: Rudolph became a star in 1939 after becoming a mascot of a department store in Illinois. [AP]

3pm Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 29-Dec. 21. Outdoor Forest Theater, Mountain View and Santa Rita. $31; $16/student; $11 child. (831) 622-0100, pacrep.org.

 Sunday, Nov. 30

Sing Along

Earth, Wind and Fire said it best: “If you sing a song today/ You will make a better way.” I Cantori di Carmel gives us all a chance to sing a song that is sure to lift our spirits at the start of the holiday season through the return of the Messiah Sing-Along. This holiday tradition brings the community together to belt out the iconic Handel’s Messiah, including the famous “Hallelujah” chorus, led by the I Cantori di Carmel singers and musicians. The event begins with holiday drinks and includes a meet-and-greet with Santa. Holiday attire is encouraged, everything from ugly Christmas sweaters to Santa hats. This sing-along is sure to make your day, if not your holiday season. [PM]

3-6pm Sunday, Nov. 30. Asilomar Conference Grounds, 800 Asilomar Drive, Pacific Grove. $25; $10/children under 18. (831) 644-8012, icantori.org.

 Monday, Dec. 1

String Along

There’s something about a string ensemble. Without the trill of woodwinds or the power of brass, the strings resonate – soaring or rumbling, rising and plummeting with so much depth. The Monterey Peninsula College String Ensemble provides a demonstration of this in a program featuring soloist Olivia Bartle with Haydn’s “Cello Concerto #1,” followed by the full orchestra performing Max Bruch’s “Serenade on Swedish Fold Melodies” and Alan Hebert’s “The Orchestra and the Orchard,” as well as a piece by some guy named Beethoven called “String Quartet in C Minor Opus 18 #4.” Catchy title, that one, by a composer that maybe you’ve heard of. [DF]

7:30pm Monday, Dec. 1. First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, 501 Eldorado St., Monterey. $10; $5/students, military. (831) 373-3031, mpc.edu.

 Tuesday, Dec. 2

Santa Paws

Was your dog naughty or nice this year? If we’re being honest, we know you don’t care – even the naughty pooches can expect a visit from Santa. The season for pups gets started at the Tuesday night dog bar at Carmel Mission Inn, where there is live music by singer/songwriter FRESHoUR, prize drawings and free pet photos with Santa Paws himself. You can shop for holiday gifts (probably for humans, but maybe your canine companion would prefer a beautiful handmade wooden water bowl, we’re not judging) from 10 artisan booths, and purchase food and drink from Shearwater Tavern. Donations to support the nonprofit Animal Friends Rescue Project are encouraged to truly get in on the holiday spirit. [SR]

5-7pm Tuesday, Dec. 2. Carmel Mission Inn, 3665 Rio Road, Carmel. Free. (831) 333-0722, animalfriendsrescue.org.

HOT PICKS by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez and Sara Rubin.