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Whalefest Monterey Returns April 11–12, 2026 Featuring 40+ Interactive Exhibits, an Engaging Two-Day Symposium and more
Whalefest Monterey Returns April 11–12, 2026 Featuring 40+ Interactive Exhibits, an Engaging Two-Day Symposium, Live Music, and a Variety of Family-Friendly Activities
April 6, 2026. Monterey, CA. The 16th Annual Whalefest Monterey is set for Saturday and Sunday, April 11–12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., taking place in and around Old Fisherman's Wharf and Custom House Plaza within Monterey State Historic Park. This free, family-friendly event invites attendees of all ages to explore and celebrate the remarkable marine life of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through a dynamic blend of science, education, history, art, and live entertainment.
The Whalefest Monterey 2-day Symposium, which will be held between 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. brings together top researchers, conservation leaders, and policy experts, held at the Monterey History & Art Stanton Center on Custom House Plaza adjacent to Old Fisherman's Wharf. The 2026 Whalefest Monterey Symposium presentations listed below are geared to be informative and engaging for ages 12 and up.
Whalefest Monterey also showcases over 40 engaging exhibits presented by local and national nonprofit organizations, all focused on marine science, environmental stewardship, and the sustainability of our oceans and coastal lands.
Whalefest Monterey Exhibitors include:
American Cetacean Society
California Coastal Commission
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Killer Whale Project
California Marine Sanctuary Foundation
California Ocean Alliance
California State Parks
Camp SEA Lab
Citizens' Climate Lobby Monterey Chapter
City of Monterey Library and Museums
City of Monterey, Sustainability Office
City of Monterey Open Space and Conservation Element Update
CSUMB - Ocean Predator Ecology Lab
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Hi'Ilani O Ke Kei OCC
Jilly Pfifferling
Joel Salinas
Marine Life Studies
MBARI
MBARI "Vampy" inflatable squid model
Mearth
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary MBNMS
Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club
Monterey Plein Air Painters
Monterey SEA
Monterey Waterkeeper
Moss Landing Marine Lab - Phycology Lab
Oceana
Ocean Conservation Waves of Freedom
O'Neill Sea Odyssey
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Paul Watson Foundation http://www.paulwatsonfoundation.org/
Sandbar Solar and Electric
Save Our Shores
Save the Whales with "Dee" the inflatable humpback whale model
Sea Otter Savvy
Seafloor Science ROV 2 spaces
Sea Scout Ship 831
Sprout Up (Monda Elementary School Santa Cruz)
Steinbeck Experience
Sunflower Star Lab
Surfrider Foundation
The Marine Mammal Center
Ventana Wildlife Society
Western Flyer Foundation
Whalefest Info Booth
Whalefest Merchandise
(Subject to change.)
Whalefest Symposium Schedule 2026
Note: Details at www.whalefest.org/symposium
Saturday, April 11
MC: Dan Haifley, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
11:00 Giovanna Sainz, MBARI
"FathomVerse: Where Gaming Meets Community Science to Explore our Ocean"
11:45 Ashley Kidd, Sunflower Star Laboratory
"Shooting for the Stars: Sunflower Star Laboratory's Community-based Approach to Sunflower Sea Star Conservation and Kelp Forest Recovery"
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch break
2:00 Stephanie Marcos, Marine Life Studies
"Whale Entanglement: Risks, Responses, and Prevention"
2:45 Geoff Shester, Ph.D., Oceana
"Panel Discussion: Collaborations to Develop Whale-Safe Pop-Up Gear to Catch Dungeness Crab: A Win-Win for Whales and Local Fishermen"
Sunday Apil 12
MC: Dan Haifley, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
11:00 Adam Ratner, The Marine Mammal Center
"Behind the Bark: 50 Years of Saving Seals and Sea Lions"
11:45 Matt Savoca, Ph/D. Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation
"From Watershed to Whales: Tracking Microplastics from Land to Sea in Monterey Bay"
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch break
2:00 Jack Barkowski, Ph.D. Candidate, Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University
"Whales Beneath the Waves: Insights into Whale Behavior from Video Camera Tags"
2:45 John Ryan, Ph.D., MBARI
"Creating Safer Habitat for Whales in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary"
3:30 (approximate) John Ryan and Lucy and Daniel Zhang
"Sonata in Whale Major"
Note: Schedule is subject to change.
Also, nearly 60 videos from prior Symposium presentations and more can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@whalefestmonterey9419/playlists
In addition to the fascinating 2-day Symposium, Whalefest Monterey features several research vessel tours; Plein Air painter demonstrations; over 40 ocean-themed exhibitors with educational, interactive and hands-on demonstrations; live music and dance performances; arts and crafts activities including gyotaku fish printing, whale origami, scrimshaw; Wharf history walks; and the almost world-famous Abalone Races; all designed to inform and inspire the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Whalefest Monterey is supported by the City of Monterey, Fisherman's Wharf Association, Monterey State Historic Park – Custom House Plaza, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Marine Life Studies, Save the Whales, Bay Federal Credit Union, Pacific Grove Animal Hospital, Monterey Bay Boatworks, Del Mar Seafoods, Mahoney & Associates, Pebble Beach Company, Monterey County Bank, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Nicora Law, Mechanics Bank, Russell Auria Pest Control, San Pedro Fish Market, Wecker Group, Fashion Streaks and many additional community sponsors.
Media partners include Monterey County NOW, Foolish Times, KMBY Radio, 90.3 FM KAZU Radio, 1240 AM/106.7 FM KMBY Radio and the Shag Bag Radio Show.
As a free public event, Whalefest Monterey relies on sponsorships and donations. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For sponsorship information contact:
Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis
More Information
For updated schedules, exhibitor lists, symposium information, and videos from previous events, visit:
Additional information:
Email: whalefestmonterey@gmail.com