This gorgeous annual summer event founded in 1968 celebrates a wide-range of music genres and artistic styles. Want to attend an opera performed with a fully symphony orchestra, groove to 70’s disco inferno, or don your kilt for a lively jib to Highland bagpipes ? You can, and you can do it at a 7200-foot elevation in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains!

Located within an easy 3 hour drive from the San Francisco/San Jose Bay Area or a 2.5 hour drive from Sacramento, Bear Valley nestles along the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Highway 4 in the heart of the Stanislaus National Forest between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. Home to the Bear Valley Resort ski area, originally named Mt. Reba and the village of Bear Valley, the village has a small population of under 200 enjoying a low-key vibe away from the big city and crowds. Winter months provide great snow play and incredible downhill skiing, and the summer months give perfect temperatures to play outdoors in this stunning wonderland. Mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, and fishing opportunities abound and can be thoroughly enjoyed before the concerts begin. The festival organizers say “outdoor enthusiasts boast about the ability to hike a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail by day, and sit still in hiking shorts and boots with a glass of wine enjoying a world-class concert at night. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss”.

The festival begins July 18th this year with cover bands playing the hits from Queen, Neil Diamond, The Beatles, Billy Joel, and Elton John, mixed in with Homegrown Indie night featuring local musicians who have refined their craft to rival any household musical name. Singer/songwriters Grover Anderson, Nate Nathan, and Sarah Baumgartner make Calaveras proud with heartfelt songs of home. Soak up the mountain evening air under the stars several evenings with classical musicians performing Mozart and Rachmaninoff. The festival culminates August 2nd with an evening of mystery, adventure, and opulence as guests step into the golden age of The Orient Express. At this gala, guests don their finest glamour attire from the 1920’s and immerse themselves in the elegance and intrigue of this legendary train journey while listening to the sweeping melodies of the live orchestra.
Drawing an audience of about 4,000, the concerts are held in a tented concert hall, equipped with a stage large enough to hold a symphony orchestra. Check out the full line-up and/or buy Bear Valley Music Festival tickets now.

Find vacation cabins in nearby Arnold, Camp Connell and Dorrington at Cedar Creek Realty, Dorrington Realty, or Bear Valley Vacation Rentals. Local hotels in Arnold include Meadowmont Lodge, Timberline Lodge, and Arnold Black Bear Inn. Check here for more lodging options throughout Calaveras County.

Bear Valley is a destination that leaves an impression on its visitors for years to come. Bear Valley Music Festival is an experience you don’t want to miss.
