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 special and unique ways to celebrate the holidays with us in Calaveras.
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28th
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. Proceeds of T-shirt sales go to community food banks and other non-profit organizations. The Klassen Klassic Turkey Trot is a family-friendly, annual community run held in Murphys on Thanksgiving morning. Think Gilmore Girls or your favorite Hallmark movie!
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 12 years
Top Girl, Top Boy 12 years and under
5 mile
Top Female, Top Male over 12 years
Top Girl, Top Boy 12 years 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.
Thanksgiving Day Meals
Verona 18 (209-783-9500, Camps @ Greenhorn Creek Resort (209-729-8181), and Murphys Historic Hotel (209-728-3444) all have some sort of Thanksgiving Day meal planned, so be sure to call and get reservations now. Just need help with dessert? Call Mo’s Bakery (209-584-4106) or The Red Apple (209-728-8906) – you will not be disappointed!
Friday, November 29th through Sunday, December 1st
Winterfest @ Bear Valley
Kick off the winter season with Winterfest Weekend! Celebrate the start of Winter with festive activities, live music, exclusive prizes, and so much more! Friday’s highlights include the launch of the new Cub Chair, live music by Nathan Ignacio, special Hinterhaus cocktails available exclusively at Maury’s Mustang Bar this weekend only, and more live music by Kiana Chanelle in the Cathedral Lounge. Saturday, Bear Valley is hosting a kids’ hot chocolate station lots of vendors to get you all set for a full season of winter fun, holiday gift wrapping, visits with Santa, the annual Christmas tree lighting at 5:30 followed by a family-friendly Christmas movie in the Cathedral Lounge. Wrapping up the winter fun, meet Beary the Bear and friends, enjoy more food and drink specials, and just enjoy being on the mountain! Don’t miss out on this celebration of the beginning of Winter!
Friday, November 29th
Anderson’s Christmas Tree Farm – OPENING DAY
Do you love absolutely love an old fashioned Christmas? Should your name be Holly or Merry or Nick? Then you will be SURE to get into the holiday spirit at Anderson Christmas Tree Farm just a mile and a half down Pennsylvania Gulch Road off of Highway 4 in Murphys. Cut your own tree, or choose from hundreds of beautiful pre-cut Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, Cedars, Noble Fir, and Silver Tip. Shop their country rustic gift shop and revel in your love of all things red and green!
Saturday, November 30th & Sunday, December 1st
Spirit of Winter Holiday Marketplace
Forget about the big box stores and attend this family-friendly winter festival. The Spirit of Winter Marketplace at the Calaveras Fairgrounds in Angels Camp from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day will be a great time for you to forget about the big box stores and go shopping for the holidays. Get into the holiday season browsing beautiful, one-of-a-kind crafts, strolling along to live, festive music, and, of course, let Santa know what you’d like him to bring you this year! This event is indoors, so it’s happening rain or shine! FREE Parking / $5 Entry Fee (12 yrs. and under FREE)
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!