Murphys, CA…From incredible vineyard amphitheaters with household names to multiple Grammy award winning folk artists performing on hilltop stages, High Sierra classical, jazz, and rock concerts, and intimate park side venues featuring indie artists galore–there are enough concert venues and musical talent in Calaveras to completely satisfy your need for great live music. Read on to find the Calaveras summer concert venue that is just right.

1. Calaveras Concert Season – Ironstone Amphitheatre

• When:  July to September
• Where: Ironstone Amphitheater, 1894 Six Mile Rd., Murphys, CA 95247
• More Information: Learn more about the Ironstone Concerts here.

If you’re looking to go BIG, you won’t want to miss your favorite household name artists playing at the expansive Ironstone Vineyards Amphitheatre. Whether laughing with old friends or dancing with new ones–Ironstone Amphitheatre knows how to put on a show you’ll long remember. The 2024 line-up features household names such as Michael Franti, Switchfoot, Steve Miller Band, Allison Kraus, and Robert Plant showcased in the largest concert venue Calaveras County has to offer.  Pack some blankets and hit the vendor booths for good eats, great beer and award-winning Ironstone Vineyards wine at this family-owned and operated vineyard in the charming town of Murphys, California.

2. Calaveras Concert Season – Bear Valley Music Festival

• When: July 19 through August 4, 2024
• Where: Bear Valley, CA I Explore Bear Valley here.
• More Information: Visit the Bear Valley Music Festival here.

Get a sneak peek of the Bear Valley Musical Festival by watching the video above.

Looking for high culture in the serene the peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains? Look no further than Bear Valley Music Festival. With
concerts tucked inside a large tent that holds 500, this iconic annual event is a wonderful way to escape the heat and enjoy some music and fresh mountain air in the outdoor wonderland of Bear Valley, CA. This year marks the 56th anniversary of this iconic Highway 4 event.

The first weekend will include some really fun tribute bands: Skynnyn Lynnyrd, George Michael Reborn, and Garratt Wilkin & The Parrotheads (a Jimmy Buffett tribute). There will be a jazz night with the amazing Tuck & Patti duo, and then a singing group out of New York City (Disco Inferno) joining the festival orchestra for a night of 70’s disco music. Dancing will be encouraged! The summer’s classical series will take you on a musical journey to the Scottish Highlands, from Oklahoma to California on Route 66, and even to the stars and beyond. Soloists will include Bella Hristova playing the Prokofiev Violin Concerto, Amos Yang playing the Elgar Cello Concerto, bagpiper Ryan Murray performing Highland Cathedral, and local guitarist Scott Moughton playing Stairway to Heaven with the orchestra. The Sonora Community Choir will join the orchestra in a performance of the Faure Requiem, and the season will culminate in a moving mixture of opera and Broadway.

From late-July through early August, this epic alpine festival brings national and international performers to delight audiences at 7,000 feet in the Sierras. To get a glimpse of what Bear Valley Music Festival has to offer, make sure to watch the video above featuring the beauty of our little piece of heaven in the Sierras and the history of this truly wonderful music festival.

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.

3. Calaveras Concert Season – Brice Station Hilltop Concert Series

• When: Saturdays June through mid-September annually
• Where: 3353 CA-4, Murphys, CA 95247 Brice Station Vineyards in Murphys, CA
• More Information: Visit the Brice Station Hilltop Concert Series here.

Live Music: Brice Station’s Hill Top 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 culture with award winning art and entertainment. Featuring not only our very own, world-class, and 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.

4. Calaveras Concert Season – Twisted Oak Winery

• When: June to September
• Where: 4280 Red Hill Road, Vallecito, CA
• More Information: Visit Twisted Oak Winery

The concert venue at Twisted Oak Winery

Travel through the Rubber Chicken Forest to a beautiful winery with amazing views to sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best local musicians from right here in Gold Country and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Bring your blanket or low-back chair, then once you have your wristband, wander over to the stage area and choose your spot. Even for a full event there are no “bad seats” – there is a great view of the stage from all locations, not to mention a great view of the surrounding countryside! Note the different start times as they like to start the concerts at sundown, so you can enjoy the music under the stars. Well-behaved dogs on a leash whose owners pick up after them (if necessary), are welcome.

You are welcome to bring your own food, but, please, no outside alcoholic beverages (for licensing reasons). Specializing in wines that are a little different, made from Tempranillo, Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier, and more, Twisted Oak is serious about making the stuff, but once the wine is in the bottle, the fun begins!

5. Calaveras Concert Season – Music in the Parks

• When: Wednesdays and Fridays June through August
• Where: Wednesdays – Locations vary; First Fridays – Murphys Community Park
• More Information: Visit the Calaveras Arts Council for Wednesday lineup, Murphys Park for First Fridays lineup, or our Calendar of Events.

Utica Park Concert I Courtesy of Instagrammer @suziq.1977

Sponsored and organized by the Calaveras Arts Council (CAC), the annual Music in the Parks series on Wednesdays 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 to August, join locals, visitors and the Calaveras Arts Council alike at concerts at different parks throughout the county each week.

First Fridays is sponsored by the Murphys Community Club, a non-profit, all volunteer organization created in 1948.  Murphys Community Club is pledged to the improvement and benefit of the Murphys community, and maintains the Murphys Park entirely through donations, park rental, and volunteers! Join them on Fridays at 5:30 PM, the first Fridays June through September. Bring a chair or blanket or find the perfect picnic table by the creek!

6. Calaveras Concert Season – Live Music Everywhere!

Angels Camp Farmers Market – Photo Courtesy of Charity Maness Photography

Wineries like Renegade in Mokelumne Hill or Jazz Cellars in Murphys, restaurants like Snowshoe Brewing Company in Arnold and The Watering Hole in Murphys, and community parks and farmers markets offer opportunities to enjoy great live music in Calaveras County almost every weekend.

The Beer Garden at the Camp Connell Store is a family and dog-friendly venue offering live music every Saturday (and some Fridays) in the summer from June to August.

Forest Meadows Golf Course is having concerts this summer June through October – check out their line up here.

BONUS:

Blues and Bones I Blues Guitarist Eric Gales

Mark your calendars for the Blues and Bones Festival in September at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. Laid back and family-friendly, come enjoy some of the best traveling blues bands in the country and some award winning BBQ!

See who’s playing the week of your visit by checking out our online calendar of events or giving us a call 7 days a week at 1-209-736-0049.

Need help finding something in particular? Give us a call 7 days a week at 1-209-736-0049 or send us an email at info@gocalaveras.com.