www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 25-31, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 29 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR OUTREACH FUNDERS Harden Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, The Arts Council for Monterey County, Yellow Brick Road, The City of Greenfield, Pebble Beach Foundation THANKS TO YOU WHO BOUGHT A BUTTON! THANKS TO OUR BUSINESS CONTRIBUTORS TO FIRST NIGHT Your purchase directly contributes to the performing and visual arts fees for the activities you enjoyed at this year’s celebration. And the local retailers who sell them- Monterey County Safeway stores, Andronico’s, and Grove Market. VENUE HOSTS City of Monterey, Del Monte Center, Golden State Theatre, Monterey Center for Spiritual Living - Carleton Hall, Monterey Conference Center IN MEMORIAM- Sunny McCauley was a passionate supporter of First Night Monterey whose warmth, creativity, and generosity helped shape the spirit of the celebration. Her belief in the power of the arts to bring community together continues to inspire our work and lives on through First Night. Sunny was the first volunteer, the first admin staff and first in the lives of many at First Night. BUY BUTTONS TO ACCESS ALL THE FUN! Stu Reynolds brings over 50 years of jazz experience to the stage, playing various saxophones and clarinets. The ‘Saxtet’ presents their interpretation of well loved jazz standards & original compositions. White Hawk seeks to provide safe environments where youth can develop trust, to enhance the quality of life within their families and community and to develop a spiritual awareness through participation in traditional ceremonies and cultural arts. Stu Reynolds Saxtet | JZ White Hawk | DA Site 15: Monterey Center for Spiritual Living 6:30-7:00 | 7:15-7:45 | 8:00-8:30 Site 1: Serra Ballroom, Conference Center 3:00-3:15 | 3:45-4:00 (Open to All) Site 7: Alvarado Street Galleria 6:15-6:45 pm **NEW TO FNM** An indie alt-rock powerhouse; the grit of Nirvana and Foo Fighters with a modern, introspective edge. His guitar-driven anthems explode with distorted riffs, melodic hooks, and lyrics that unpack heartbreak, mental battles, and the wild ride of life on the road. Site 9: Bonifacio Stage, Alvarado Street 6:30-7:00 | 7:15-7:45 | 8:00-8:30 Zack Freitas | IND **NEW TO FNM** Wrockinfoose delivers a unique blend of original music and obscure covers, with sounds that are genrebending yet deeply rooted in American traditions. Band includes musicians Luca Fredericksen, Sam Nilsson, Joe Johnsson, Mike Shannon, Paul Tarantino, Brian Stock. Wrockinfoose | RB IND Site 11: Golden State Theater 10:15-11:00 | 11:15-Midnight **NEW TO FNM** ***FINALE BAND*** Sunset Centers Marjorie Evans Gallery presents “We’ve Got The Beat: Flowers Are the Music of the Earth” Join local ceramic artist Johanna Keefe and a team of Sunset Center volunteers for a hands-on creative experience. Sculpt a one-of-a-kind clay seed pod to take home and plant—an artwork that grows INTERACTIVE ART EXPERIENCE WITH SUNSET CENTER Site 8B: Sunset Center Make & Take, Alvarado Street 6:15-9:15 (Free Activity) Who can resist squishing and twisting bubble wrap? Jump, hop, stomp, do the electric slide or break dance your way to popping every single bubble! BUBBLE STOMP Site 2: Serra Ballroom, Conference Ctr 3:30‒5:00 PM(Free Activity) A collaborative public art project where First Night participants paint a shared art wall with vibrant images and inspiring words—color your resolution. PAINT IT! COLOR YOUR RESOLUTION Site 8A: Alvarado Street 6:15–10:00 (Free Activity) Creativity and fun go hand in hand at First Night! Create your own festive New Year’s top hat by transforming a paper grocery bag with tulle, beads, pipe cleaners, and imaginative details. A joyful, allages activity that adds instant First Night Style. CELEBRATION HATS / NEW YEAR’S EVE CROWNS Site 3: Serra Lobby Stn1, Conference Ctr. 3:15–5:00 (Free Activity) Site 19: Serra Lobby Stn 1, Conference Ctr. 6:30–9:15 (Button Venue) Carmel Sunset Rotary has got the beat! Join them to create colorful, one-of-a-kind drums—then grab your rhythm and jump right into the First Night fun! DRUM MAKING EXPERIENCE WITH CARMEL SUNSET ROTARY Site 4: Serra Lobby Stn 2, Conference Ctr. 3:30‒4:45 (Free Activity) Site 20: Serra Lobby Stn2, Conference Ctr. 6:15‒7:30 (Button Venue) EVENING PERFORMING ARTS HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026! (CONTINUED) • Seed Pod Sculpting • Hands-On All Ages • Shape clay • Shape hope • Shape the New Year Starbucks, Safeway, Costco, Red’s Donuts, Cardinale Moving, Grocery Outlet. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT 2026!
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