Welcome to Calaveras County for the holidays! Here are 8 things to do during Christmas vacation in Calaveras and fun ways to get in the holiday spirit in one of the most charming and rustic regions California has to offer!
1. Play in the Snow, of course!
In Calaveras, we LOVE the snow! And playing in the snow during the holidays creates magical Christmas memories, so break out the sleds, skis, snowboards, snowshoes, and snowmobiles because you can do it all here. Rent a snowmobile from Bear Valley Adventure Company, snowshoe at Calaveras Big Trees (limited free shoes at the park or rent some at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company), ski and board at Bear Valley Mountain or sled at one of the three California State SNO-parks in the area. Make sure to get your parking pass for the SNO-parks online or at Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods, Camp Connell Store, or Sierra Nevada Adventure Company. Daily passes are $15 or a season pass is $40 – Parking is first come, first serve. Or, rent a giant inner tube at Bear Valley Adventure Company and slide down the snow hills. It’s great fun!!
2. Make it a movie or live theatre night!
No holiday would be complete without a trip to the movies! Angels 6 Theater is the perfect place to top off your Calaveras holiday experience with the latest releases in this beautiful historic art-deco style building with its six state-of-the-art auditoriums. Built during the silent film era, this historic theater comes with all the modern perks–including comfy high back luxury reclining loveseats with flip-up armrests and the latest blockbuster releases. Angels 6 Theatres is a special treat. Small town friendliness, delicious GMO-free popcorn, (more affordable prices for tickets and concessions than the average California cinema), and a charming downtown atmosphere all make this a great place to create new memories with loved ones. Check current Angels Camp showtimes here.
Before you head out, grab a bite at Angels Creek Restaurant or Avellino Italian Market & Wine Bar just a few steps away. Or, relax afterwards at Crusco’s Ristorante right next door!
Live theatre your thing? Well, you’re in luck because Calaveras boasts TWO theatres featuring Christmas stories both familiar, yet unique.
Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe .
Murphys Creek Theatre presents “Over the River and Through the Woods” this holiday season, and family dinners have never been funnier!
Nick Cristano is a young professional from New Jersey who visits his four devoted (and slightly overbearing) Italian-American grandparents every Sunday. No excuses! When a job offer calls him across the country, his grandparents launch a hilarious campaign to keep him close with helpings of lasagna, faith, guilt, and unconditional love.
From Tony Award®–winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) comes a laugh-out-loud comedy that hits close to home. Over the River and Through the Woods reminds us, especially this time of year, that what keeps us grounded isn’t just family, but the chaos and connection we share around the table. Bring your loved ones and make some memories together this holiday season.
Murphys Creek Theatre offers “pay-what-you-can” tickets to ensure everyone in our community can enjoy this festive performance and in the spirit of the holidays is asking those who can consider “Pay it forward” by contributing a little extra when purchasing tickets to help support the theatre. Performances run Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees from November 21st through December 24th.
3. Stroll through Calaveras’ festive & historic downtowns
Experience the magic of the holidays in Calaveras County, where festive Christmas parades, charming tree lightings, and small-town celebrations fill our historic downtowns – Angels Camp, Mokelumne Hill, Murphys, and San Andreas, as well as the welcoming communities of Arnold, Copperopolis, and Valley Springs. From the Friday after Thanksgiving through mid-December, enjoy visits with Santa, explore unique local shops, and stroll our beautifully decorated streets for last-minute gift inspiration. Discover exceptional personal service in family-owned boutiques, enjoy the warmth of small-town hospitality, and feel good knowing your holiday shopping supports local businesses. Check our Calendar of Events for the full schedule of Christmas festivities and plan your Calaveras holiday getaway today.
4. Sleigh all day & ring in the New Year!
The Lube Room in Arnold, Camps Restaurant and The Miner’s Lounge in Angels Camp will all be having New Year’s Eve dinners, dancing, music and revelry this year to ring in 2026. Or head up the hill to Bear Valley‘s New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration on the mountain where the snow reflects the colorful light display in the sky. This year, Murphys Creek Theatre and Fourth Wall Entertainment will each be having a New Year’s Eve bash – Broadway Karaoke and Bash at the Speakeasy, respectively. Find tickets on their website, and find more ways to celebrate the New Year on our calendar of Calaveras events.
5. Treat yourself with Calaveras sweets
Nothing says Christmas vacation like holiday sweets. Surprise your loved ones with an early morning treat or bring a little something special to the holiday table from one of Calaveras’ local bakeries or sweet shops this Christmas vacation. Grab yummy apple donuts for game night from The Red Apple located between Murphys and Arnold, or if you happen to be on the west side of the county, stop into Mo’s Bakery or The Sweet Shop in Valley Springs for delicious holiday treats made from scratch. Ice cream in winter? Absolutely!! The Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Angels Camp makes artisan ice cream right there in their shop. YUM! For extra special chocolate-y goodness, make sure to stop in at Nelson’s Candy Kitchen in downtown Murphys. Using pure and fresh ingredients, cooked in bright copper kettles, and cooled on marble tables that are over 100 years old, the Nelson family has delighted visitors with handmade candies and confections for five generations!
6. Get cozy indoors
The holidays are a perfect time to get cozy with our loved ones indoors. Don your comfiest attire to snuggle in with some of those delicious baked treats, some nice warm beverages, and get ready to add some playful memories to the mix. If you love working a new puzzle or getting lively with a fun game, both are great ways to get cozy and bond with loved ones. Looking for a new fun game for the whole family? Pop into Murphys Village Toy Store in downtown Murphys for a peek at their offerings. Or, maybe create a new culinary masterpiece with olive oil from Marisolio Tasting Bar or new spices from The Spice Tin.
7. Explore Gold Rush History
You could spend hours soaking in all of the indigenous American and Gold Rush history artifacts located in the seven museums throughout Calaveras. Be sure to check out our Calaveras museum scavenger hunt where you can explore the county’s museums, find the hiding plush frog at each location, snap a picture and download it to win a small prize. Kids and kids-at-heart will love the 3 1/2 acre Angels Camp Museum where you can tour one of the largest covered wagon exhibits West of the Mississippi. Don’t miss seeing the largest gold leaf nugget ever found at Ironstone Vineyard’s Heritage Museum open Thursday – Sunday. Learn what sets each museum apart by clicking the links below:
- Angels Camp Museum & Carriage House – Angels Camp, CA
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park Museum – Arnold, CA
- Calaveras County Museum Complex – San Andreas, CA
- Red Barn Museum – San Andreas, CA
- Mokelumne Hill Historical Society – Mokelumne Hill, CA
8. Get a Taste of Calaveras
From the moment wine lovers enter Calaveras County, they can sense the difference in attitude. It’s a laid-back, easy-going, meet-the-winemaker kind of vibe with endless recreational opportunities to round out a memory-making trip. But don’t let our laid-back attitude fool you. Calaveras wineries also win big, prestigious awards. Calaveras wine country, with its Mediterranean climate and rolling foothills, is perfectly suited to growing Rhone, Spanish, and Italian varietals with big, bold flavor. The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance organized a easy-to-use maps of tasting rooms and vineyards showcasing the best of the best right here in Calaveras County.
Two fun wine experiences in Murphys – wine tasting and cheese pairings at Lavender Ridge and Pop the Bubbly Champagne Bar which, of course, showcases the sparkly stuff from around here and abroad. In Arnold, don’t miss the cozy Alpine-inspired Hinterhaus Distillery, where you can enjoy the most wonderful Old Fashioned. In Mokelumne Hill, don’t miss Posterity Ciderworks, and in Angels Camp, don’t miss the beautiful historic underground bar, Miner’s Lounge.
Looking for more fun things to explore in Calaveras County or need help finding something in particular? We’re here to help! Explore our website by town at www.gocalaveras.com, reach out via email at info@gocalaveras.com, give us a call at 1-209-736-0049, or visit us in person at 753 S. Main Street in Angels Camp, CA.
Happy vacation!
