Enjoy Holiday Magic in Calaveras – Open Houses & More

Holiday magic in Calaveras County means you’ll be singing along with carolers, enjoying street musicians, munching on free goodies from downtown businesses and warming up with wine strolls. To top it all off, we’ve even got chestnuts roasting on an open fire. And it’s all happening from Thanksgiving weekend through to New Year. Read on for details.

Happy Holidays! Find what’s happening today, or on the day of your trip on our on-line calendar of events here.

Overview Holiday Parades, Open Houses & Craft Fairs

Looking for an overview of our biggest Holiday Open Houses, parades and more? Use the flyer below to save the date on the biggest Calaveras Holiday events (listed in chronological order), then read on through the rest of this article to learn more about each of these fabulous annual events below! 🎉

Calaveras Holiday Magic Overview 2019

Angels Camp Christmas Lighted Parade & Wine Hop 

WHERE: Historic downtown Angels Camp, CA
WHEN: Saturday November 30th 4:00pm to 7:00pm (parade at 5:00pm)
LEARN MORE: Contact event organizers through their event listing here.

The weekend of Thanksgiving brings the beloved 29th Annual Angels Camp Lighted Christmas Parade, Wine Hop & Holiday Market taking place on Saturday November 30th. While the main festivities of the event last from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, during and after the festivities, family owned Angels Camp historic downtown businesses serve up treats, discounts on merchandise and wine tasting.

Historic downtown Angels Camp in holiday finery | Lisa Boulton

Caroling and the Angels Camp wine hop begin at 4:00pm in historic downtown Angels Camp followed by the Parade of Lights at 5:00pm which concludes at the lighting of the Christmas tree. After the parade, little ones will have a chance to meet and greet Santa Claus.

Want to learn more about the Angels Camp wine hop? Featuring local wine poured by various downtown businesses, attendees 21+ and older can participate with the purchase of a $15 commemorative glass (finishing your tasting before exiting the building). Save money when you purchase two commemorative wine glasses for $25–a $5 savings!

Angels Camp Christmas Parade | Lisa Boulton

Food trucks will be selling delicious eats, hot chocolate and other toasty goodies for an evening’s entertainment of carols. It’s the kind of classic, small-town-America-celebration that will warm your heart and jump start your holiday spirit.

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Copper Valley Square – Tree Lighting & Stuff a Bus Toy Drive 

WHERE: The Square at Copper Valley in Copperopolis, CA
WHEN: Saturday December 7th 4:00pm to 7:00pm
LEARN MORE: Contact event organizers through their event listing here.

You can’t get much more old-time-Americana than horse-drawn carriage rides around The Square at Copper Valley (formerly known as Copperopolis Town Square). This fabulous free annual event offers that and much more. For one thing, those free carriage rides feature a special guest you’ll love to ride with… good old Santa Claus himself.

Santa arrives by carriage in Copperopolis Town Square | Charity Maness

Enjoy carolers, artisanal holiday food and goods for sale as well as a festive tree lighting and chance to spread the cheer with a Stuff the Bus Toy Drive benefiting local children. (Please note, all toys donated to the toy drive should be donated unwrapped.) A special shout out to the Mark Twain Union Elementary School District for donating the bus and to the Copper Hills 4-H Club for collecting the toys and stuffing the bus. What a wonderfully festive way to spread holiday cheer!

This is an event guaranteed to brighten the hearts of children and adults alike, and a perfect example of holiday hygge in Calaveras.

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at The Square in Copper Valley | Jack Forkner

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Arnold Area – Christmas in White Pines Parade of Lights

WHERE: White Pines Park in White Pines, CA (Arnold Area) 
WHEN: Friday November 29th at 6:00pm
LEARN MORE: Contact event organizers through their event listing here.

The day after Thanksgiving, don’t miss the 5th Annual Christmas in White Pines Parade of Lights (near White Pines Lake within walking distance of downtown Arnold, CA). Featuring a 75 foot Christmas tree lit up at White Pines park, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures and greeting children in the gazebo beginning at 6:00pm. At 7:00 pm the White Pines Parade of Lights will begin, lighting up Blagen Road. From people walking, dancing, and  singing to cars and floats, you can view previous parade entries (or submit an entry request for an idea of your own) by visiting the White Pines Parade of Lights Facebook page here.

Community-built floats in White Pines

Explore shopping in nearby Arnold here: Arnold Shopping

Valley Springs Holiday Cheer 2019 – Annual Valley Springs Christmas Parade, TWO Craft Fairs, Christmas Tree Lighting & Visit with Santa

WHERE: 189 Pine Street Valley Springs, CA  95252
WHEN: Saturday December 7th; times below
Veteran’s Hall Craft Fair Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Parade Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Terrace Plaza Tree Lighting & Craft Fair Time: 5:00pm to 8:00pm
LEARN MORE: Contact event organizers through their event listing here.

Looking for a little holiday spirit in the Valley Springs tri-lake area? Look no further than the Valley Springs Christmas Parade, Craft Fair and Christmas Tree Lighting this Saturday December 7th, 2019.

Members of Power Up Fitness’ Hip Hop Class Valley Springs Christmas Parade I Sean Thomas Courtesy of Calaveras Enterprise

Sponsored and organized by the Valley Springs Area Business Association, join the 37th annual Valley Springs Christmas Parade and Craft Fair hosted by the Valley Springs Area Business Association for a full day of holiday fun. Festivities kick off at 9am at the Valley Springs Christmas Craft Fair (located at the Jenny Lind Memorial Veteran’s Hall), with the annual Valley Springs Christmas Parade beginning at 10am in downtown Valley Springs. Featuring show horses, dance teams, floats and more, the Valley Springs Christmas Parade celebrates the holiday season with small town flare.

Courtesy of Valley Springs Christmas Parade Community

Before or after the parade, you’ll have a chance to shop for the perfect gift for that special someone at TWO different craft fairs: the Valley Springs Vet’s Hall Christmas Craft Fair and Santa meet and greet (open from 9am to 1pm) and the Terrace Plaza Craft Fair and Christmas Tree Lighting beginning at 5:00pm.

After enjoying the festive parade and Valley Springs Christmas Craft Fair, grab some lunch in Valley Springs or take a stroll along the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail or around one of the three lakes near Valley Springs before heading out to the Terrace Shopping Center for the annual Valley Springs Christmas Tree Lighting and Terrace Craft Fair from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Featuring vendors, hot chocolate, cookies, a cozy fire pit, live entertainment and much more, you’ll be glad you stopped by.

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Murphys Holiday Open House

WHERE: Historic downtown Murphys, CA
WHEN: RAIN OR SHINE Friday December 6th 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Murphys Holiday Open House and Parade takes place annually the first Friday in December, which this year falls on Friday December 6th from 5pm to 8 pm. This free annual event transforms Murphys Historic Downtown into a winter wonderland with an old-fashioned celebration featuring a lighted holiday parade, treats, and local wines hosted by Main Street merchants, restaurants, wineries and the Murphys Business Association.

Murphys Historic Hotel at Christmas | Maria Camillo

Musicians and carolers fill the streets of charming, historic Murphys with the sounds of the season. Santa arrives with the parade, lights the tree and stays for photos with the kids in the Native Sons Hall. We’ll even have chestnuts roasting on an open fire at Murphys Spice Tin.

Businesses stay open late so you can get a start on your holiday shopping during this magical evening.

Happening in tandem with this great annual event is an opportunity that extends the magic of Murphys Open House throughout the holiday season, with many Calaveras wineries and tasting rooms offering special tastings as well as holiday gift specials.

Not only will you receive discounts only available during the event, this event is also  a great opportunity to sip a glass of wine in a cozy tasting room while making a dent in your holiday gift list. Come shop, taste and catch up with old and new friends while Murphys is at its most festive and charming.

Want to scout out where to shop in Murphys? Explore the Murphys Shopping directory here.

Murphys Open House Parade | Calaveras Enterprise

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Mokelumne Hill Holiday Open House

WHERE: Historic downtown Mokelumne Hill, CA
WHEN: Sunday December 8th 1:00pm to 7:00pm

Discover small town holiday cheer at Mokelumne Hill’s Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 8th, from 1pm to 7pm. This quaint, historic, gold rush town comes to life with special free activities perfect for adults and children of all ages.  

Artist Takayuki Harada’s portrayal of the annual Mokelumne Hill Holiday Open House titled “The Joyful Day of our Town”

A chance for everyone to join in and celebrate the spirit of the season, Mokelumne Hill’s Holiday Open House occurs annually every December. Feel the warmth of small-town pride and the rich heritage of this historic gold rush community and you too will soon make it a holiday tradition among your friends and family, like a home away from home. 

All Mokelumne Hill Holiday Open House Activities are FREE! 

Petroglyphe Gallery exterior

Enjoy horse drawn hay rides down historic Main Street, photos with Santa, face painting by Leslie Vasquez at Petroglyphe Gallery, ornament making at the Mokelumne Hill Library, reindeer games at McHale’s Revival, gingerbread house decorating at Ed & Brenda’s, Calaveras Cody will be performing something magical at Moke Hill Nuts & Candies and on Main Street.

Complimentary holiday food and drinks will be on offer at The Hippie Closet, JPM Realty, Whoopsie Daisy and more, and Mountain Melody choir will be performing live at Renegade Winery with the tree lighting at 5:00pm.

Kids and those young at heart will also enjoy  a chance to mail their Santa Claus wish list at the charming historic Mokelumne Hill post office. Rounding out the day’s events from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at Petroglyphe Gallery, listen to Gordon Roland on guitar while sampling wine, cheese and holiday desserts. Closing out the event will be a fire breathing performance on Main Street which is sure to delight and amaze.

Wondering where to park for the Mokelumne Hill Holiday Open House?? There will be a free shuttle to this fabulous free family friendly annual event in the Wendell’s parking lot.

For more information on the Holiday Open House please contact the Mokelumne Hill Community Historical Trust at (209) 286-1387. Historic Mokelumne Hill is located between San Andreas and Jackson, located off Highway 49, just 10 minutes from Jackson and less than an hour from Sacramento in the heart of the Gold Country. We’ll see you there!

Want to scout out where to shop in Mokelumne Hill? Explore the Mokelumne Hill Shopping Directory here. 

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More 2019 Holiday Magic in Calaveras

Explore the on-line calendar of Calaveras events by day to find additional holiday events happening through January. Looking for something in particular? Feel free to shoot us an email at [email protected] or give us a call 7 days a week at 1-800-225-3764.

Winter snowshoeing at Calaveras Big Trees State Park | Dave Bunnell

Looking for lodging? We recommend booking early during the holiday season. You can explore available lodging and compare prices here:

Happy holidays from Calaveras County to you and your loved ones.