Why Calaveras County is Perfect for Festival Lovers
Planning a trip to the Arnold area? One of the best ways to make your visit even more memorable is by timing it around one of Calaveras County’s many beloved festivals. From wine weekends and small-town parades to music in the mountains and historic holiday celebrations, there’s something happening every season.
Whether you’re looking for festivals and events in Calaveras County or other exciting things to do in the area, our vacation rental cabins — Evergreen Dorrington Chalet and Pinecone Cottage — offer the perfect home base to explore the Arnold area. As seasoned vacation rental owners who have visited the area for years, we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing many of these events firsthand, and we’re excited to share our insights with you.
Additionally, we highlight these events to show some love to the mostly volunteer groups that work so hard to make them happen. While we’re not full-time residents or tourism experts (!!), we hope this guide—drawing mainly from information from the good people at the Calaveras County Visitor’s Bureau—will give you a sense of the best events and festivals in Calaveras County and what the area has to offer.
Winter Activities in Calaveras County
Even without large-scale festivals, Calaveras County offers a peaceful retreat during the winter months, with plenty of events and activities to enjoy. It’s a great time to enjoy the area’s natural beauty, historic sites, museums, restaurants, and award-winning wines, ciders, and spirits. With fewer crowds, it’s an excellent time to ski in Bear Valley and enjoy lower-elevation outdoor adventures. Check local event calendars for live music and theater performances.
- Murphys Open House & Christmas Celebration: From 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, enjoy shops, tasting rooms, restaurants, and a visit from Santa.
- Mokelumne Hill Holiday Open House: Featuring horse-drawn hayrides, photos with Santa, and other holiday activities.
- Angels Camp Gold Country Christmas: Celebrate with a lighted Christmas parade and Santa visits.
- Valley Springs Christmas Parade & Craft Fair: On the first Friday and Saturday of December, enjoy festive parades and crafts.
Spring Festivals and Things to Do in Calaveras County
March:
- Calaveras Celtic Faire: Held in early March at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds, this is the largest Celtic event on the West Coast, celebrating the cultures of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Great Britain. The rolling green hills provide a beautiful backdrop for this family-friendly festival.
- Murphys Irish Day: Celebrated on the third Saturday in March, Murphys’ Main Street is filled with booths, food, wine, and more, honoring its Celtic heritage. This popular event draws people from across Northern California. This is a family favorite of ours!
- Gem & Jewelry Show: Presented by the Calaveras Gem & Mineral Society on the last Saturday and Sunday in March. Fun for the entire family!
April:
- Spring Wine Weekend: The last weekend in April, Murphys hosts this event with barrel tastings, winemaker meet-and-greets, and more. Tickets include a commemorative wineglass, access to tasting flights at 19 tasting rooms, live music, vineyard tours, and a weekend guide. Advance ticketing is recommended.
- Ragin’ Cajun Festival: Held on the last Saturday of April, Main Street in San Andreas features live music, a crawfish boil, and food and craft booths. Proceeds benefit the Hospice of Amador and Calaveras.
May:
- Hot Copper Car Show: On the first Saturday in May, Copperopolis Town Square hosts classic and custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles against a historical backdrop.
- Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee: Held the third weekend in May, this world-renowned fair features the famous Jumping Frog Jubilee contest. People from all over the world compete to beat the frog jump record. Lodging and camping reservations should be made early.
- Spring Peddler’s Faire: Occurs over Memorial Day weekend, featuring 60+ booths of original art, crafts, antiques, and collectibles amidst the pines and redwoods.
Summer Events and Activities in Calaveras County
June:
- Ironstone Summer Concert Series: From June through October, enjoy concerts at Ironstone’s Amphitheater—a premier summer concert venue in Northern California.
- Fireworks Over Lake Hogan: The last Saturday in June offers a stunning fireworks display over Lake Hogan.
July:
- Arnold July 4th Parade & Sierra Nevada Arts & Crafts Festival: A parade on the Saturday closest to Independence Day in Arnold, accompanied by an arts & crafts festival.
- Ironstone 4th of July Fireworks Celebration: Enjoy fireworks, food, wine, and live music at Ironstone Vineyards. Bring blankets and low-rise chairs!
- Bear Valley Music Festival: Beginning on the second-to-last Friday in July, this festival offers music in the high Sierra.
Fall Festivals and Events in Calaveras County
September:
- Logging Jamboree: Held on Labor Day Saturday at the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum in Arnold. Enjoy logging competitions, museum tours, food, and games.
- Labor Day Weekend Arts & Crafts Fair: Arnold’s end-of-summer festival with arts, crafts, and antiques.
- Concours d’Elegance: A classic car show at Ironstone Vineyards. Proceeds benefit local high school scholarships.
- Hermitfest: A live music event in Bear Valley celebrating the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway.
October:
- Calaveras Grape Stomp: On the first Saturday in October, Murphys hosts a grape stomp competition and street faire.
- All Hallows Faire: A two-day Celtic New Year’s festival with live music, fire shows, and costume contests.
November:
- Dia De Los Muertos: Murphys’ Day of the Dead celebration with a folk art market, face painting, dance performances, and a community altar.
- Klassen’s Klassic Turkey Trot: A Thanksgiving morning community run in Murphys benefiting local charities.
Plan Your Visit
With so much to offer, Calaveras County provides year-round opportunities for fun and adventure. Our cabins are a great home base for exploring the area and enjoying some of these events. We hope this gives you a taste of what’s in store. Again, most of our information comes from the good people at the Calaveras County Visitor’s Bureau. For the most specific and up-to-date information, check their website, GoCalaveras.com. Be sure to make lodging and camping reservations in advance, especially during peak event times!
