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 23rd
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. 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.
Holiday Events: Friday, November 24th
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 & Christmas Tree Lighting in Avery
Start with the Christmas tree lighting in Avery right on Highway 4 @ 5:30 pm. Then, head up to White Pines Lake a little past Arnold for the Laser Light Show @ 7:00 pm. 1965 Blagen Road, Arnold
Kids and kids-at-heart can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at 5pm and make sure to get their photo with the big guy! Don’t worry about making dinner that night because the food trucks and other vendors will be there, ready to start the festivities at 5:30pm.
“Babes in Toyland” Presented by Fourth Wall Entertainment @ 7 PM. Get tickets HERE. Runs through December 17th
Mistress Mary Quite Contrary has her heart set on marrying the heroic Alan. Alan’s uncle, the villainous Barnaby, is set on marrying her himself, threatening foreclosure on her mother if she refuses. Mary escapes to Toyland through the dangerous Spider Forest. Barnaby pursues Mary to Toyland.
“One Christmas Carol” Presented by Murphys Creek Theatre @ 7:30 PM. Get tickets HERE. Runs through December 23rd.
Experience the magic of One Christmas Carol at Murphys Creek Theatre, a heartwarming adaptation of the classic tale. This one-man tour de force features over 35 distinct characters, making it an intimate and spirited evening of theatre perfect for the whole family! Murphys Creek Theatre is offering “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 and make this performance accessible to all community members. Don’t miss this meaningful event – get your tickets now! Performances run from December 1-23, 2023.
Holiday Events: Saturday, November 25th
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 November 25th, 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.
Spirit of Winter Holiday Marketplace
November 25th & 26th – Forget about the big box stores and attend this family-friendly winter festival. 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! Nothing generates the spirit of giving than helping out our friends and neighbors. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots and/or canned goods that go directly to The Resource Connection to support local families during the holidays.
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 25th 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! Contact: https://www.spiritofwinterfestival.com/ or faireteam@gmail.com
FREE Parking / $5 Entry Fee (12 yrs. and under FREE)
Holiday Events: Friday, December 1st
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 2nd
Christmas Tree Lighting in Copperopolis – Celebrate An Old Fashioned Holiday in the Town Square
Celebrate Christmas time in the Town Square on December 2nd 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!
41st Annual Christmas Parade Valley Springs
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.
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!
Find all of Calaveras’ festivities on our Calendar of Events!
Holiday Events: Sunday, December 10th
Discover small town holiday cheer at Mokelumne Hill’s Annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 10th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. This quaint, historic, gold rush town comes to life with special activities for the entire family.
Holiday activities include:
- Hotel Leger: Photos with Santa, starting at 2:00 p.m.
- Specials and goodies from local businesses
- Street vendors with holiday gifts
- Carolers singing holiday favorites
- Renegade Winery: Tree lighting (5:00 p.m.)
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.
This event is sponsored by the Mokelumne Hill Community Historical Trust in collaboration with the Mokelumne Hill Merchants Association.
Holiday Meals: Christmas Eve
Camps Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek – 711 McCauley Ranch Road, Angels Camp
Serving on Christmas Eve, a special holiday menu everyone is sure to enjoy! Dinner reservations available from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM so call them now at 209-729-8181!
Cascabel Restaurant – 1252 S. Main Street, Angels Camp 209-890-7336
Order a yummy, apple, pumpkin, and/or pecan pie for Christmas or New Year’s celebrations. Order early! She fills up fast!
Hotel Leger, Mokelumne Hill – 8304 Main Street, Mokelumne Hill, CA 95245
Come be celebrate in Mokelumne Hill at the Hotel Leger! Serving Christmas Eve dinner by reservation ONLY from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Message the Hotel Leger on Facebook or call/text Michael at 408-910-7053 or Mila at 408-802-1646 to make your reservation.
Murphys Historic Hotel – 457 Main Street, Murphys, CA 95247
Call 209-728-3444 now for reservations at the Murphys Historic Hotel for an elegant
Christmas Eve meal 5:00 to 8:30 PM. No walk-ins, so make sure to call them now! Check out their menu here.
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!
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!