From epic vineyard amphitheaters with household names (such as Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Counting Crows, and the Goo Goo Dolls), to multiple Grammy award winning folk artists, to poolside blues or intimate park-side venues featuring indie artists galore–there are enough concert venues in Calaveras to explore for days. Read on to find the Calaveras summer concert venue that is just right for you.
1. Calaveras Concert Season – Backyard Blues and BBQ – Historic Hotel Léger
Blues? Check. Finger-licking good barbecue? Check. Enviably hidden venue? Check. Folks, if you like to be the first among your friends to find the next “It” thing, Hotel Leger’s Backyard Blues and BBQ just might be your chance. Imagine a rockin’ backyard BBQ-fueled pool party featuring live blues music with food and drinks flowing like magic from a beautiful haunted historic hotel. That’s right, we said it. But not just any haunted historic hotel, a haunted hotel nestled within a town that feels like it might just disappear into the fog of morning. We’re talking about Historic Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill–a lively, cute-as-a-button gold rush era town that comes fully to life Thursdays through Sundays. So get there quick, before this magic venue fades into the fog of the dawn. (See who’s playing during the week of your visit by checking out our on-line calendar of events here.)
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Explore Mokelumne Hill here.
Click play to get a sneak peek at the Backyard Blues and BBQ series thanks to Instagrammer @moke_hill_fig.
2. Calaveras Concert Season – Bear Valley Music Festival
Looking for high culture amidst the peaks of the Sierra Nevadas? Look no further than Bear Valley Music Festival. Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, the Bear Valley Music Festival began in 1968. The styles of music to be found here have diversified from classical to include Broadway show tunes, contemporary, country and opera; however, the core of the event remains rooted in classical. From the July 20th through the August 5th, this epic alpine festival brings national and international performers to delight audiences at 7,000 feet in the Sierras. Get a sneak peek at some of 2018’s featured lineup as well as previous years video coverage below. (See who’s playing during the week of your visit on our on-line calendar of events or view the full line up and buy Bear Valley Music Festival tickets here.)
- Beethoven’s glorious Ninth Symphony with full chorus
- Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with piano legend Olga Kern
- Broadway bluckbuster A Chorus Line
- Schumann’s Fourth Symphony
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Explore Bear Valley here.
Get a sneak peek of the Bear Valley Musical Festival by watching the video above.
3. Calaveras Concert Season – Brice Station Hilltop Concert Series
Calaveras is full of magical places, and Brice Station certainly is one of them. Brice Station Vineyards features the perfect blend of laid back, snob-free culture with award winning art and entertainment. Featuring not only our very own world class outdoor Shakespeare on the Vine performances, but also their annual Hilltop Concert Series. The annual Brice Station Hilltop Concert Series brings a summer full of deliciously eclectic live music in a venue overflowing with rustically earthy ambience. You can’t help but feel instantly at home while enjoying a glass of handcrafted wine, locally sourced food, and spirited music in this relaxing and beautiful environment. Nestled among towering trees on the open lawn; here is your chance to kick off your shoes, unplug, and enjoy live music kissed by a gorgeous sunset view. Find the full Brice Station Hill Top Concert Series 2018 schedule here.
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Explore Murphys here and nearby Arnold here.
Evening magic at Brice Station’s Hill Top Concert Series.
4. Calaveras Concert Season – Arnold Cedar Center
Have you heard the word? Arnold’s Bistro Espresso is going to be taking over the Arnold Cedar Center music scene. With food and beverages available for sale through Bistro Espresso, admission will be $5 for anyone 13 and over, and free for 12 year olds and younger. Ahh, to be young in the mountains. If you are a long time fan of this great series or have never visited before, you will enjoy the fresh life breathed in to this beloved classic Calaveras annual concert series. Enjoy a nice shaded outdoor venue, at an elevation that makes this annual concert season one of the coolest in the county.
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Explore Arnold or the nearby upper Highway 4 corridor here.
Cedar Center Summer Concerts | Lynn Glocker of Timeless Home Gallery
5. Calaveras Concert Season – Ironstone Amphitheatre Summer Concerts
Who says size doesn’t matter? If you’re looking to go BIG, you won’t want to miss your favorite household name artists playing at the expansive Ironstone Vineyards epically sweeping Ironstone Amphitheatre. Whether laughing with old friends or dancing with new ones–Ironstone Amphitheatre knows how to put on a show you’ll long remember. Featuring household names such as Willie Nelson, Goo Goo Dolls, Toby Keith, Counting Crows, Joan Jett, The Family Stone, ZZ Top, and more in the most epic venue Calaveras County has to offer. Pack some blankets and hit the vendor booths for good eats, great beer and gold-winning Ironstone Vineyards wine at this family owned and operated vineyard in the quaint and charming town of Murphys, California. View Ironstone Amphitheatre’s 2018 Schedule here or jump right to the Ironstone Ticketmaster page here.
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Explore Murphys here and nearby Angels Camp here.
Ironstone Aerial View:
Ironstone Amphitheatre
Ironstone Vineyards on the Ground:
Ironstone Amphitheater Courtesy of Instagrammer @____aldrich____
6. Calaveras Concert Season – Twisted Folk Summer Concert Series
Do you have a twisted sense of humor? Take a tour through the Rubber Chicken National Forest as you make your way to a breathtaking, canyon-view venue featuring Grammy award winning folk, country, and bluegrass music. Located in Vallecito, CA, Twisted Oak Vineyard doesn’t do “normal.” What do we mean by that? Well let’s just say Twisted Folk Summer Concert series is one playful venue that is not messing around. If you love gorgeous folk venues with festival style seating you do not want to miss another season of Twisted Oak Winery’s Twisted Folk Summer Concert Series. Plus, no need to pack a picnic; there’s dinner, snacks, and award winning Twisted Oak wine available for sale during each sunset performance. View the 2018 Twisted Oak Concert schedule here.
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Explore Vallecito and nearby Angels Camp here.
Twisted Oak VIneyard’s Twisted Folk Summer Concert I COurtesy of musicians Dust Bowl Revival
7. Calaveras Concert Season – Music in the Parks
Sponsored and organized by the Calaveras Arts Council (CAC), the annual Music in the Parks series is just one of the many amazing events the CAC puts on throughout the county each year, such as their annual Calaveras Artist Studio Tour. Each Wednesday at 6:30pm from June 14th to August 16th join locals, visitors and the Calaveras Arts Council alike at concerts at a different parks throughout the county each week. View the 2018 Calaveras Music in the Parks schedule here.
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Explore Calaveras County here.
Find Calaveras Arts Council’s annual Music in the Parks series featuring different artists and genres of music each week all over Calaveras County.
8. Calaveras Concert Season – Calaveras Farmers Markets
Find live music throughout the summer at any of our weekly farmers markets from outdoor parks to indoor venues, you can see which markets are available during the time of your visit by visiting our on-line calendar of events here.
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Explore Calaveras County here.
Utica Park Concert I Courtesy of Instagrammer @suziq.1977
9. Calaveras Concert Season – Intimate Venues Around the County
Did you know many of our local wineries, restaurants, hotels, and breweries host weekly intimate garden parties with great live music? From Renegade Winery in Mokelumne Hill to restaurants in Murphys and Vino Metate in Angels Camp, you can see who’s playing the week of your visit by checking out our on-line calendar of events or giving us a call 7 days a week at 1-800-225-3764.
Looking for more fun things to do in the area? Checkout our on-line calendar of Calaveras events to see what’s happening.
Twisted Oak Tasting Room Friday Night Music I Courtesy of Lynnie Woishnis
We’ll see you on the dance floor!
Need help finding something in particular? Give us a call 7 days a week at 1-800-225-3764 or send us an email at [email protected]
Happy travels!