Activities
FUN for all ages
Whalefest Monterey 2026 Activities
Activities like Gyotaku, Scrimshaw, Whale Origami, and Abalone Races. Live performances by numerous local bands and orchestras. Local historian will conduct informative historical Wharf Walks. Boat Displays and so much more.
Don’t miss the fun on both days. Come learn and be inspired!
April 11 & 12 at Old Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA
Art
📆Learn about Scrimshaw, Gyotaku & Origami art
📍Located at Custom House Plaza.
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Gyotaku was a way for Japanese fishermen to remember their catch. This art form dates to the mid-19th century before everyone had a camera. It was really used to document “trophy catches” or anything big or unusual. After printing the fish, the fisherman would wash off the ink so it would be presentable to sell at the market. These early fish prints were not considered to be an art form but rather as a way to record their catch. Prior to World War II, most of the businesses on Fisherman's Wharf were owned by Japanese. We are honoring our Japanese history with this activity.
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Origami is believed that the art of origami was invented by the Japanese over a thousand years ago and is an art form as old as paper itself! There are different styles of origami, ceremonial, girei (formal folded ornaments) and recreational. Perhaps the most famous use of origami was told in the classic book, “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr. The Monterey Japanese community first arrived before the turn of the 20th century, and it was fishing that brought them here, abalone and salmon. It can be said that abalone built the Monterey Wharf, prior to WWII, most of the business on the Wharf were owned and operated by Japanese, fish markets and abalone processors.
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MBPAPA Statement Founded in 2005 by some of the area’s leading plein air landscape painters, we have been active in all things plein air. We have assisted various organizations, held member workshops as well as hosted several of our own juried art exhibits annually. In celebrating the awe-inspiring beauty of our area, our hope is to preserve and pass on that beauty into the future.
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Scrimshaw is a form of Portuguese and Basque sailor’s art that dates to the very early part of the 19 th century. Created by sailors serving aboard whaling ships, they would carve scenes, usually of their life at sea, onto whale teeth, whale bone and walrus tusks. Often these intricately carved pieces would be gifted to the sailor’s sweetheart or wife upon returning from a long voyage at sea. Whaling was a way of life in Monterey. The streets were paved with whale bones. We are honoring our Portuguese and Basque whalers' history with this activity.
Painting
📆Watch live as talented artist paint throughout the Wharf starting at ____
📍Located throughout the Wharf.
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MBPAPA Statement Founded in 2005 by some of the area’s leading plein air landscape painters, we have been active in all things plein air. We have assisted various organizations, held member workshops as well as hosted several of our own juried art exhibits annually. In celebrating the awe-inspiring beauty of our area, our hope is to preserve and pass on that beauty into the future.
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Coming Soon
Abalone Races
The “Almost Famous” Abalone Races is brought by Monterey Abalone Company. Who would have thought such a thing existed? This quirky event, held at the end of the wharf, always draws a crowd of spectators, young and old alike.
📆Abalone Races on ______at _____
📍Race location at the end of the Wharf.
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From our Monterey Bay Farm to Your Table
In-Ocean and Sustainably-Raised California Red Abalone
Learn more at www.MontereyAbalone.com
Historical Wharf Walk
Local historian Tim Thomas will conduct his informative historical Wharf Walks.
📆Wharf walk on _______ at _____
📍Location of meet and greet at ___________.
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Wharf History Walks with Historian Tim Thomas
Tim Thomas is a fisheries historian and author who has researched the fisheries and cultural history of Monterey for over forty years. For sixteen years he was the Historian/Curator for the Monterey Maritime Museum. Tim is the co-author of Monterey’s Waterfront, author of the Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula, and author of The Abalone King of Monterey: “Pop” Ernest Doelter, Pioneering Japanese Fishermen & The Culinary Classic that Saved an Industry and co-author of Diving Abalone along the California Coast
Tim has been a historical consultant for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and has worked and developed programs for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks. Tim has been featured on PBS, BBC and on C-span
In 2023, The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary awarded Tim the Ed Ricketts Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Field of Historical Ecology
He is on the board of directors of the Monterey Japanese American Citizens League and curator of Japanese American Heritage Center. He has traveled and lectured extensively on the Monterey Japanese community both in the United States and in Japan.
Boat Tour & Display
📆Boats include a research vessel, a famous historic ship, fireboat, and more. Boats on display at end of Wharf the duration of the festival starting at _______ am to ____
📍Located at the end of the Wharf to the right side dock.
🚢SATURDAY, April 11, 2026
R/V Current'Sea (43') - Marine Life Studies
R/V Sheila B (30') - Moss Landing Marine Labs
General Pershing Boat (60') - Monterey Boat Heritage
⛴️SUNDAY, April 12, 2026
R/V Current'Sea (43') - Marine Life Studies
Western Flyer (77') - Western Flyer Foundation
🧑🏻🚒Demonstration by Fire Boat {unknown day}
Possibly Hopkins (owned by Cascadia) “Musculus” inflatable with a platform to tag whales
Get to know the Boats & Vessals
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Current'Sea: Marine Life Studies' 40-foot research vessel (R/V) Current'Sea is used for conducting research on whales and dolphins along the California coast and responding to entangled whales. It also serves as a platform for Whale Entanglement Team (WET)® members to train and gain experience. R/V Current'Sea is described as a "whale disentanglement ambulance", the only one of its kind on the West Coast, that responds to entangled whale emergencies. The vessel is equipped with specialized gear needed for a complete disentanglement response. Additionally, there is an inflatable boat specifically designed for whale disentanglement on a custom davit system that can be deployed from the back of the vessel.
🔗 https://www.marinelifestudies.org/about-our-research-vessel.html
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RV Sheila B: The R/V Sheila B is a research vessel operated by Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, supporting oceanographic research, biological sampling, and hands-on marine science training along the Central California coast. The vessel is routinely used for nearshore and shelf studies, including plankton tows, CTD casts, water quality sampling, benthic surveys, and marine mammal observations. Serving as a critical teaching platform, the Sheila B enables students and researchers to gain practical experience in field methods, data collection, and interdisciplinary marine research, contributing to long-term monitoring and a deeper understanding of regional ocean processes and ecosystems.
🔗 Schedule & Request: https://mlml.sjsu.edu/marineops/rv-sheila-b/
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The General Pershing: The General Pershing is a historic fishing vessel and an iconic example of Monterey Bay’s maritime heritage, originally built by the Italian master boatbuilders of the Monterey Boat Works in the early 20th century. Designed for commercial fishing, the vessel reflects the craftsmanship, durability, and functional design that supported generations of fishermen working the Bay. Today, the General Pershing is undergoing careful restoration by Monterey Boat Heritage, serving as both a living artifact and an educational platform. Through its restoration, the boat continues to connect the community to Monterey’s fishing history, traditional boatbuilding techniques, and the cultural legacy of the waterfront.
🔗Monterey Boat Heritage: https://www.montereyboatheritage.org/
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The Pearl: The Monterey Fire Department works hand in hand with the US Coast Guard and State Parks to protect the waterways. This includes 90,000 sq. feet of commercial buildings on the city's two wharves and nearly 600 boats in the harbor. The 34-foot aluminum fire boat, The Pearl, has an enclosed cabin and a combined pump and engine.
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6HMkBDrn9s
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The Western Flyer: The Western Flyer is a historic fishing vessel best known for its 1940 expedition to the Sea of Cortez, when author John Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts sailed aboard to study marine life along the Gulf of California. Their six-week journey blended scientific research, observation, and philosophy, helping shape early ecological thinking and inspiring Steinbeck’s The Log from the Sea of Cortez. After decades of working life and years of decline, the Western Flyer was rescued and carefully restored. Today, it sails once again as a floating classroom and research platform, continuing Steinbeck and Ricketts’ legacy by bringing together science, education, and storytelling to inspire curiosity and ocean stewardship.
Cooking Demo {placeholder}
Cooking demonstration by ____________ {Blue Zone}.
📆Live demo on _______ at _______
📍Located in front of _______________________
Symposium
📆Symposium is open to public the duration of the festival starting at ______ am to ____. Full schedule will be available closer to the event.
📍Located at Custom House Plaza, _______ Center
Exhibitors
📆Exhibitor booths start at _______ am to 5pm
📍Exhibitors and booths are located at the Custom House Plaza open space area.
Music
📆Live music and talented artists throughout the duration of the festival stating _______. Full schedule will be available below when ready.
📍Located at the beginning of the Wharf.
Visit Wharf Shops, Restaurants & Whale Watching
Stroll down the Old Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf to visit all of the delightful shops and delicious restaurants.
A variety of whale watching companies are available at the wharf. Best to book in advance. No trip to Monterey is complete without seeing our amazing National Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.
📍Old Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf
🗺️ 1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA
AND SO MUCH MORE!