A Musical Summer: Monterey Jazz & Carmel Bach Festivals Kick Off This Weekend

Let’s be honest—when most people hear “jazz festival” or “Bach festival,” their first thought isn’t exactly “I can’t wait.” But here on the Monterey Peninsula, these two annual traditions are far more than formal concert listings—they’re living, breathing reflections of our community’s creativity, history, and charm. And whether you’re a seasoned music lover or just someone who appreciates a good excuse to explore something new, this weekend offers a surprisingly rich and enjoyable way to kick off the heart of summer.

With the launch of the brand-new Monterey Bay “Future Is Now” Jazz Festival and the beloved return of the 88th annual Carmel Bach Festival, the Peninsula is humming with activity. Think of it less as two music events, and more as a choose-your-own-adventure celebration of sound, culture, and summer soul.

Monterey Bay “Future Is Now” Jazz Festival

When: July 10–13
Where: Multiple venues in Monterey, Marina & Carmel

This isn’t your typical jazz fest. A fresh take on Monterey’s storied musical legacy, the “Future Is Now” Jazz Festival is all about discovery. Designed to showcase emerging artists under 40, it’s bold, experimental, and completely plugged into the next generation of jazz.

Expect four days of performances across intimate, community venues—from tucked-away clubs to outdoor pop-ups and late-night jam sessions. You won’t find big stadium crowds here, but you will find musical moments that feel personal, electric, and alive.

What to Expect

• Four days, six stages, over 20 performers
• Focus on young, up-and-coming talent from around the U.S.
• Improvisation-heavy sets, unique collaborations, and surprise guests
• A relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere

Why It’s Worth Your Time

There’s something magical about hearing a future star before they become a household name. Whether you're a diehard jazzhead or just someone who loves a good groove, this festival brings energy, soul, and spontaneity to the Peninsula like few other events do.

Carmel Bach Festival – 88th Season: “Dialogues”

When: July 12–26
Where: Sunset Center, Carmel Mission Basilica, Church in the Forest, All Saints’, and more

Now in its 88th season, the Carmel Bach Festival is as much a part of the town’s identity as its cypress trees and cobblestone streets. Founded in 1935, the festival was originally created to honor the 250th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birth. Nearly nine decades later, it has grown into a world-class celebration of not just Baroque music, but the power of classical music to connect generations.

This year’s theme – “Dialogues” – emphasizes conversation across centuries and cultures, with an ambitious program that includes Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and modern interpretations inspired by Nordic folklore.

Festival Highlights:

• Opening concerts begin Sunday, July 12 and continue through July 26
• Programs range from Bach’s Mass in B Minor to chamber works and symphonic concerts
• Performances in historic venues like the Carmel Mission and Sunset Center
• Community events include lectures, open rehearsals, and family-friendly programming

What Makes It Unique

The Bach Festival isn’t just about music—it’s about atmosphere. You might hear a 300-year-old piece performed in a centuries-old mission, then walk a few blocks to find a quartet rehearsing in a sun-drenched courtyard. It’s elegant, yes, but also surprisingly accessible and full of personality.

A Tale of Two Styles – Jazz vs. Baroque

Together, they offer a musical yin and yang—one expressive and modern, the other timeless and deeply rooted.

History, Fun Facts & Local Flavor

• The original Monterey Jazz Festival, launched in 1958, is the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world. This new “Future Is Now” event pays homage to that tradition while reinventing it for the next generation.
• The Carmel Bach Festival began as a grassroots effort by two visionary locals—Hazel Watrous and Dene Denny—who saw a future where classical music would thrive in a small seaside village. They weren’t wrong.
• This year’s Bach Festival marks the first full season under Artistic Director Grete Pedersen—the first woman to lead the festival in its 88-year history.
• The venues themselves are part of the experience: think soaring basilicas, candlelit chapels, and acoustics that make you forget the modern world just outside the door.

Make the Most of the Weekend

• Pair a morning coffee in Carmel with an afternoon Bach rehearsal at Sunset Center
• End the day with a cocktail and late-night jazz jam in Monterey
• Bring a friend who “doesn’t like this kind of music” and watch them change their mind
• Ditch the expectation that these events are “too serious”—they’re more welcoming than

Encore! Fun Nuggets & Noteworthy Moments

From Festivals Past

• In 1960, a young Louis Armstrong gave an impromptu backstage trumpet solo at the Monterey Jazz Festival that still gets talked about among longtime attendees.
• In the 1980s, the Carmel Bach Festival hosted candlelit concerts in the Carmel Mission where the power occasionally went out—but the music never stopped.
• Jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie once described the Monterey crowd as “the most polite jazz freaks I’ve ever seen,” in the best way.

Did You Know?

• Carmel once banned live music in bars to preserve its “peaceful village” vibe—until locals rallied to loosen restrictions for events like the Bach Festival.
• The Monterey Jazz Festival has hosted over 2,000 artists in its 60+ year history, including legends like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Norah Jones.
• The Sunset Center, home base for the Bach Festival, was originally a public school built in 1926 and repurposed into an arts venue in the 2000s.
• In the early days, Bach Festival musicians stayed with local Carmel families—and many of those relationships turned into lifelong friendships.

Local Tip: How the Locals Do It

• Jazzheads often stake out their favorite venues early and make a whole day of it, hopping from morning sets to wine tastings to evening jam sessions.
• Bach-goers tend to pack a picnic, attend a matinee concert, then enjoy a glass of wine in Devendorf Park before an evening performance at the Mission.
• Want a hidden gem? Many rehearsals and lectures are open to the public and offer deeper insight—and fewer crowds—than the main performances.
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Final Thoughts

Even if neither jazz nor classical is your go-to playlist, both festivals offer something deeper—connection, creativity, and a sense of place. They remind us that the Monterey Peninsula isn’t just a backdrop for natural beauty; it’s also a stage for some of the most exciting and enduring cultural experiences around.

So whether you’re clapping along to a smoky bass solo or lost in the reverence of a Baroque symphony, you’re doing more than just listening to music—you’re becoming part of a living tradition that’s still writing its next chapter.