June

12-14 Old Monterey Sidewalk Arts Festival. Downtown Alvarado Street is lined with booths, featuring hand-crafted sculpture, painting and ceramics. Also held in August. Monterey. 655-8070

20 Monterey Rock & Art Festival. A music and art festival featuring more than 30 bands from California and beyond. Many up-and-coming bands will be showcased at this diverse, cutting-edge event. Artists'' works are featured in booths and one of the buildings is converted into an art gallery. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey. Call 393-2787 for ticket information.

22-27 California Amateur Golf Championship. More than 200 amateur California golfers compete at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay, Bayonet, and Poppy Hills Golf Courses. The CGA Senior amateurs also play Aug. 24-26. 625-4653.

27-28 Monterey Bay Blues Festival. A celebration of that distinctive American art form known as the blues. This year, the festival will draw some of the biggest names in blues, including Robert Cray, Ruth Brown, and Joe Louis Walker, and locals Sista Monica and Storm Nilson. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey. 394-2652.

27-July 19 Monterey Bay TheatreFest. Fairy tales, live music, a human chess game, historical reenactments and classic comedies are presented each weekend at this admission-free theater festival. Custom House Plaza, Monterey. 622-0100.

27 National Steinbeck Center opens in Oldtown Salinas, 371 Main St. 753-6411.

July

2 Gem & Mineral Show. The California Federation of Mineralogical Societies presents more than 60 gem, jewelry, mineral and fossil dealers and artisans. You can watch gemcrafters at work, listen to lectures on the topic, and buy rare and unique items. Monterey Fairgrounds, Monterey. 422-0530. www.slip.net/ccox/cfms.

4 Colton Hall 4th of July Celebration. The city of Monterey pulls out all the stops with a parade, live music on the historic Colton Hall lawn, and fireworks that night. Pacific Street, Monterey. 646-3866

5 \Sesquicentennial Celebration. The 150th anniversary of the California Gold Rush is remembered with a Living History Festival, sponsored by California State Parks. Custom House Plaza, Monterey. 647-6226.

10 Big Hat Barbecue. This annual kickoff event for the California Rodeo, features a barbecued top sirloin dinner (with all the fixin''s) and music by The Smokin'' Armadillos. Sheriff''s Posse Grounds, Old Natividad Road, Salinas. 449-1463.

10-12 US World Superbike Championship Race. The only FIM motorcycling competition in the United States, held annually at the Laguna Seca Raceway, Highway 68. (800) 327-SECA.

11-12 Monterey World Cultures Festival. Presented by the One Earth, One People Peace Vision organization, the festival features musicians and dancers from around the world. 623-2379.

13-Aug. 17 Sunday Blues. Every Sunday, 1-4:30pm. Free, casual outdoor concerts of great blues bands, with food and arts as well. Laguna Grande Park, Seaside. Headliners for the series (in weekly order): Taylor P. Collins and Deanna Bogart, Brenda Boykin and Home Cookin'', Sonny Rhodes and his Blues Band, Red Archibald and the Internationals, Chris Cain, and Barbara Morrison. 899-6270.

16-19 California Rodeo. World champion cowboys and cowgirls compete for top prize money at this authentic and exciting, 88-year-old Western rodeo at the Salinas Rodeo Grounds. Main Street, Salinas. 757-2951.

18-19 Modern Rock Festival. Two-day festival with modern rock, blues, alternative music. Monterey Fairgrounds, Monterey. Info: 372-3161.

18-Aug. 9 Carmel Bach Festival. One of California''s premier classical music events plays host to numerous concerts, recitals, lectures and master classes, culminating in a candlelit concert at the Carmel Mission Basilica. Sunset Center Theater and Carmel Mission. 624-2046. www.bachfestival.org.

21-26 Pacific Grove Feast of Lanterns. Community activities culminate in day-long music and talent shows, followed by a pageant and fireworks at Lovers Point. Ocean View Boulevard, Pacific Grove. 372-7625.

24-26 Monterey National Horse Show. The Western riding portion of reining and trail competitions. The English riding competition, including hunters and jumpers, is held in October. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey. 372-5863.

24-26 Gilroy Garlic Festival. Enjoy this unique and sensory celebration in the Garlic Capital of the World. The 20th anniversary festival has 80 booths of garlicky food, 100 crafts booths, and three entertainment stages. Christmas Hill Park, Gilroy. 842-1625.

21-Aug. 2 Pebble Beach Equestrian Classic. A national competition on an obstacle course for hunters and jumpers. Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, 17 Mile Drive. 624-2756.

August

1-2 Scottish/Irish Festival and Highland Games. This festival celebrating the culture and traditions of the Celtic people features 10 bagpipe bands, competitions in Irish dancing, sheepdog trials, and sports. Traditional crafts and foods will also be available. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey. 455-9640.

6-9 Steinbeck Festival. "Travels with Charley: Beyond Steinbeck" will be the theme for the first festival in the new National Steinbeck Center, with lectures, films and a glimpse of Steinbeck''s truck from his travels. 371 S. Main St., Salinas. 753-6411.

16 Concours d''Elegance. The prestigious classic car show and competition at the Pebble Beach Lodge and Golf Course features pre-war and post-war cars, including Bentleys and Scagletti Ferraris, and this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of Porsche. The Lodge at Pebble Beach, 17 Mile Drive. 659-0663.

12-16 Blackhawk Classic Cars. This annual event features a vintage sports and classic car auction in Monterey, (510) 736-3444. Also, Aug. 14-16, the 25th annual Historic Automobile Races at Laguna Seca. Watch history in action as vintage cars compete and owners display their restored autos. Highway 68. (800) 327-SECA.

18-23 Monterey County Fair. This traditional county fair has plenty of rides, amusements, food, crafts, farm animals, and big-name entertainers to satisfy the entire family. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey. 372-5683.

20-Oct. 11 Carmel Shakespeare Festival. Celebrate the works of the Bard >(Much Ado About Nothing, Anthony and Cleopatra) and other theater classics >(The Wizard of Oz) at the historic outdoor amphitheater founded 86 years ago. Golden Bough Theater and Outdoor Forest Theater, Carmel. 622-0100.

September

5-7 Annual Greek Festival. This ethnic festival offers plenty of authentic Greek food, live music, traditional dancing, taverna and crafts. Custom House Plaza, Monterey. 424-4434.

5-6 Seaside Fun Festival. A Labor Day weekend party with a carnival, Bed Races, a Diaper Derby, food, music, and more. Saturday''s headliner is Latin jazz legend Pete Escovedo. Laguna Grande Park, Seaside. 899-6270.

11-13 Honda Grand Prix Champ Car World Series. The world''s fastest cars and drivers scream around the Laguna Seca Raceway in the final event of the touring Champ Car series. Highway 68. (800) 327-7322.

11 & 12 Festa Italia. Italian culture celebrated through great food, arts, a parade, a mass to Santa Rosalia, and more. Custom House Plaza, Monterey. 649-6544.

18-20 Monterey Jazz Festival. Celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of jazz at the world''s oldest continuous jazz festival. Clinics, seminars and art exhibits are highlighted, in addition to music performances by the jazz world''s biggest names, including Pat Metheny, Bobby Hutcherson, Dave Brubeck. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey. 373-3366.

25-27 18th Annual California International Airshow. The best military and civilian aerobatic performers are featured in this benefit for local charities. Salinas Airport, Salinas. 754-1983.