For such a small county, we sure do celebrate big! From Big Trees to big hearts, Calaveras loves the holidays! Read on for some of the fun things to do and charming ways to celebrate the holidays with us in Calaveras.
Holiday Events: Thursday, November 24th
Klassen Klassic Turkey Trot – 2.5 and 5 mile community race to benefit local charities
Murphys Community Park – Murphys, CA
Fun, family, friends, and a little bit of fitness on Thanksgiving morning! Show up at 8:00 AM to register if you think you’ll be in the top 10 finishers, otherwise just show up to this “free” event, ready to race at 9:00 AM. A donation of non-perishable/canned food in lieu of a registration fee will be given to the Murphys Senior Center Food Pantry. T-shirt sales will go to the New Melones Lake Friends Scholarship in memory CT Tutthill, beloved husband, father, son, and friend taken way too soon. The Klassen Klassic Turkey Trot is a family-friendly, annual community run held in Murphys on Thanksgiving morning. Kids and adults all race in non-sanctioned, zany, wonderful, small-town 2.6 and 5 mile events. Award categories are:
2.5 mile
Top Female, Top Male over aged 12
Top Girl, Top Boy 12 and under
5 mile
Top Female, Top Male over aged 12
Top Girl, Top Boy 12 and under
Come join the fun and be a part of a very, very good cause.
Calaveras Big Trees – Highway 4, just east of Arnold
While the park’s Visitors Center isn’t open Thanksgiving Day, the park is! Start Thanksgiving Day with an easy stroll or vigorous hike among the giant sequoias to work up your Thanksgiving appetite. Or, come back on Friday when the Visitors Center and Museum are open to find unique gifts and souvenirs of your time spent in one of the most serene and unique places on earth.
Holiday Events: Friday, November 25th
Anderson’s Christmas Tree Farm – OPENING DAY
How about cutting your own fresh Christmas Tree at Anderson Christmas Tree Farm this year? There are hundreds of trees to choose from spread out over several acres – Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, Cedar and Sequoia. Anderson’s also has fresh cut Noble Fir, Nordman Fir and Silver Tip Fir that they bring in from Oregon. The gift shop is stocked with beautiful handcrafted ornaments, decorations, woodcraft and gift items.
Christmas in White Pines Laser Light Show
Start time 8:00 pm
1965 Blagen Road to White Pines Park, Arnold CA 95223
Photos with Santa
Avery Christmas Tree Lighting – Happening right before the White Pines Laser Light Show
Start time 5:30 pm
CA- Highway 4, Avery, CA
“A Christmas Story” Presented by Fourth Wall Entertainment @ 7 PM. Get tickets HERE. Runs through December 18th
“It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” Presented by Murphys Creek Theatre @ 7:30 PM. Get tickets HERE. Runs through December 10th.
Holiday Events: Saturday, November 26th
Mountain Ranch Annual Christmas in the Country Craft Faire & Luncheon
Craft Fair: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Lunch: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Mountain Ranch Community Hall – Free Admission/Raffle Prizes
890 Washington Street, Mountain Ranch, CA
30th Annual Dorrington Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa
Saturday, November 26th at 5:00 PM at the Dorrington Hotel parking lot, 3431 Highway 4 in Dorrington.
Join the folks at the Dorrington Hotel, Lube Room, and Dorrington Realty on Saturday, November 26th to kick off the Christmas season with their Annual Dorrington Christmas Tree Lighting. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. — cookies, music & hot drinks! Tree illuminates at 6 p.m. Meet at the Dorrington Hotel for cookies, music, and something hot to drink. Get ready for Santa’s arrival on his favorite fire engine! This is a really great, old-fashioned, Christmas-in-the-pines, family-friendly event, so come celebrate with old friends and make some new ones!!
For more information, call Dorrington Realty at 209-795-4455.
Spirit of Winter Festival
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Spirit of Winter Marketplace at the Calaveras Fairgrounds in Angels Camp will be a great time for you to forget about the big box stores and go shopping for the holidays. Find a perfect gift for that special someone or a unique gift for yourself. Showcasing crafters, artisans, antiques, and collectible vendors, as well as mobile food and drink vendors to fill your belly with grub and suds. This event is indoors, so it’s happening rain or shine! Contacts: https://www.spiritofwinterfestival.com/ or faireteam@gmail.com
FREE Parking / $5 Entry Fee (12 yrs. and under FREE)
Holiday Events: Friday, December 2nd
Murphys Christmas Open House and Light Parade
Every year on the first Friday in December, Murphys celebrates the holiday season with a community Open House and Christmas Light Parade from 5 to 8 pm. Admission is free, the streets are closed, and we are ready to celebrate the season. Open House is a great time to peruse Murphys’ wonderful shops, tasting rooms and restaurants, see what’s new, visit with old friends, admire the community tree, and appreciate our small town spirit.
A favorite of locals, the annual event is an old-fashioned community celebration featuring a holiday parade, treats, and local wines hosted by Main Street merchants, restaurants, wineries and the Murphys Business Association. Musicians and carolers fill the streets with the sounds of the seasons.
Current information available at https://visitmurphys.com/murphys-open-house/
Mountain Ranch Hometown Christmas
8049 Washington Street, Mountain Ranch, CA
Gather at the town Christmas tree at 5:30 sharp for the tree-lighting that will kick-off the festivities. Afterwards, head over to the Community Club Potluck with a special performance by Mountain Melody.
Holiday Events: Saturday, December 3rd
40th Annual Valley Springs Christmas Craft Fair, Parade, and Christmas Tree Lighting
Come out for a fun-filled day of events in Valley Springs. Start the day at 9:00 AM at the craft fair at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 300 Daphne Street. Attend the parade at 10:00am and runs down Daphne Street, take a photo with Santa who will be available to meet at the craft fair and tree lighting ceremony, then celebrate while watching the Christmas tree light up at the train depot parking lot located at the intersection of Highways 4 and 26 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. For more information contact Gary Tofanelli at info@valleyspringsaba.org.
Copperopolis Old Fashioned Holiday at the Square and Tree Lighting
Celebrate Christmas time in the Town Square on December 3rd from 3pm to 8pm! Be sure to stop in at The Tipsy Frog wine bar to explore their ever-changing local, national, and international wine menu. Gold Dust Pizza, Griff’s BBQ, and Baldi’s Cafe will all be ready with a warm meal to keep the celebration going. There be horse and buggy rides, lots of activities for families, and of course, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Clause. We can’t wait to see everyone together to light the tree!
Mountain Ranch Christmas Parade
8049 Washington Street, Mountain Ranch – See this charming, small-town parade at 12:00 on December 3rd. Then, join everyone at Town Hall for music, refreshments, and Santa!
Holiday Events: Saturday, December 10th
Gold Country Christmas Lighted Parade & Downtown Open House
Sponsored by the Angels Camp Business Association, the Gold Country Christmas Lighted Parade & Downtown Open House keeps the holiday spirit going. Saturday December 10th, the parade will start at 5 pm by St. Patrick’s Church in Historic Downtown Angels Camp and head south towards Finnegan Lane. Meet & Greet with Santa Claus after the parade! Enjoy the additional food and vendors coming in for the celebration. For more information visit angelscampbusiness.com or call 209-736-1333.
Find all of Calaveras’ festivities on our Calendar of Events!
Holiday Meals: Thanksgiving
Baldi’s Cafe – 240 Town Square, Copperopolis
Thanksgiving Buffet served on Wednesday before Thanksgiving with reservations required. Also open Thanksgiving Day with regular menu.
Camps Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek – 711 McCauley Ranch Road, Angels Camp
Open the day before Thanksgiving serving their regular menu. Thanksgiving Day, Camp’s offers a buffet served at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM – Reservations Only.
Cascabel Restaurant – 1252 S. Main Street, Angels Camp 209-890-7336
Order a yummy, apple, pumpkin, and/or pecan pie for Thanksgiving Day. Pick up a freshly made pie the Wednesday before since they are closed on Thanksgiving. $18 for apple & pumpkin; $20 for pecan. Order early! She fills up fast!
Hotel Leger, Mokelumne Hill – 8304 Main Street, Mokelumne Hill, CA 95245
The night before Thanksgiving, the Hotel Leger is serving from their regular menu from 5:00 – 9:00 PM. On Thanksgiving Day, the Hotel will serve a plated Thanksgiving dinner from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.
Murphys Historic Hotel – 457 Main Street, Murphys, CA 95247
12:00 to 6:00 pm
Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday before Thanksgiving – Reservations Required
Limited menu selection served from the bar on Thanksgiving Day
The Red Apple – Highway 4 @ Darby Russell Road – about 3 miles east of Murphys
Amazing apple turnovers, pies, donuts, strudel, and so much more. Call them now at 209-728-8906 to order your holiday desserts!
Verona 18 at The Golf Club at Copper Valley – 1001 Saddle Creek Drive, Copperopolis, CA 95228
Thanksgiving Dinner served on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. They will also have to-go food ready with heating instructions included for Thanksgiving Day meals. Closed Thanksgiving Day.
Check our Calaveras Calendar of Events for Christmas and New Year celebrations! Or, give us a call at 209-736-0049 to help making plans in Calaveras!