Angels Camp, CA…What better way to say goodbye to the lazy days of summer than to take advantage of all that Calaveras has to offer? From an exhilarating hike to sun-drenched lake fun to relaxing with a glass of wine and some great music, Calaveras has what you have been looking for! Make sure to check our Calendar of Events to make the most of your time in Calaveras!

First and foremost – FREE FISHING – Labor Day Weekend Saturday AUGUST 31, 2024!! No license is needed for this day ONLY. All Fish and Wildlife laws are still in effect. Have a great day fishing on our Highway 4 corridor and beautiful tri-lake areas. Learn more on the CDFW website here.

• Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods (Calaveras High Sierra) Fishing Report
• Lake Camanche Recreation
• Explore Valley Springs tri-lake area and more with our Calaveras Lakes and Swimming Holes Guide

– Angels Camp

ANGELS CAMP FRESH FRIDAY CERTIFIED FARMER’S MARKET
Friday, August 30th | 5:00pm to Dusk |Angels Camp Museum
Free admission. Set in the well-shaded and walkable Angels Camp Museum, the Angels Camp Farmers Market features live music and a different highlighted winery attending each week. Includes produce vendors, unique crafts, artisan foods, and local food trucks.

Staying for the weekend? Find more fun things to do in Angels Camp here.

– Arnold & Ebbetts Pass Corridor

Labor Day Weekend Event: Sierra Nevada Logging Jamboree | Cindy Micheli

ANNUAL SIERRA NEVADA LOGGING JAMBOREE
Saturday, August 31st |  9:00 am – 5:00 pm | Sierra Nevada Logging Museum
Looking for entertainment with a sense of adventure? Catch the Logging Jamboree action live with logging competitions including axe throwing, choke setting and hot sawing, concessions, family friendly activities and more. Children under 12 are free; Adults, $8 each. Looking to cool off? Don’t forget to duck into the air conditioned Logging Museum for spectacular displays of the region’s rich timber industry. Afterwards, swing by the annual Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival (details below) and then take a dip in White Pines Lake (within walking distance of both events). You can even rent stand up paddle boards and other gear at the nearby Sierra Nevada Adventure Company, or hop on the trail to hike among giant sequoias on the Arnold Rim Trail or just up the road at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Looking for more lumberjack fun? Don’t miss West Point’s Lumberjack Day, the first Saturday in October, each year.

ANNUAL LABOR DAY ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL
Saturday & Sunday, August 31st and September 1st | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday and 4:00 pm Sunday
Free admission. Arnold’s popular 45th annual Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival is an end-of-summer celebration featuring over 50 vendors offering original crafts, antiques, and art of all kinds; not to mention gourmet foods as well as activities for kids and adults alike, all set to a backdrop of live music. The Arnold Lion’s Club will also be holding their all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast of ham, eggs, & pancakes both days from 7:30 am – 11:00 am.

Labor Day Weekend Arts and Crafts Festival. Photo courtesy: Kim Patillo, After The Gold Rush

SUMMER SWEETNESS – CALAVERAS BIG TREES ASSOCIATION
Saturday, Sunday, & Monday August 31st, September 1st & 2nd I 9:00am – 4:00pm I Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Big Stump, Calaveras Big Trees State Park | Menka Belgal

Guided hikes through the North Grove are offered Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. This 1.5 to 2 hour hike is free with your paid admission to the park. Grab some water and meet near the Warming Hut. Please use the restrooms at the trailhead as there are none on the trail.

Campfire Programs are typically offered after June 15 through Labor Day weekend, Friday – Saturday each week. Programs begin just before sunset.

Pop-up Park Programs like puppet shows, scavenger hunts, and activity stations may occur throughout the summer season.

For program dates and times, please check park announcement boards or ask at the Visitor Center upon arrival. For more information about programs at the park, please call the visitor center at (209) 795-3840 or follow them on Facebook. The Calaveras Big Trees Association (CBTA) supports all educational programs in the park. Their event calendar includes all California State Park events and programs.

What a nice way to begin or end an adventure among the ancient giant sequoias.

BONUS: HERMITFEST

Saturday September 7th I Hermit Valley
From the event organizers: “The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association (EPSBA) is excited to invite you to join us for our 14th annual celebration on the pass, fondly known as Hermitfest. This year we will be celebrating in the ballfield at Bear Valley with an all-day music festival on Saturday, September 10th from noon-8 pm (but you know the music will likely continue on a bit later)”. Visitors should definitely make a weekend of it and spend some time checking out the entire Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway from Arnold to Bear Valley and beyond all the way to Markleevile, CA.”

– Mokelumne Hill

MUSIC in the PARK
Saturday, August 31st  5:30 pm – 7:30 pm   Shutter Tree Park

Music in the Park is the Darcel Trio from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Renegade Winery will be open during the music, and can offer food to go, as well as dine in. Or, join the Hotel Leger for dinner in their newly renovated dining room and live music in the saloon this Labor Day weekend.

Staying the weekend? Find more fun things to do in Mokelumne Hill here.

– Murphys

Brice Station Hill Top Concert Series

HILL TOP CONCERT SERIES
Saturday, August 31st | Sunday, September 4th | Doors Open 5:30 pm I Music 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Brice Station Vineyards
Saturday showcases Poor Man’s Whiskey, an American band originating in the San Francisco Bay Area rooted around the songwriting talents of Josh Brough and Jason Beard. PMWs live show and sound is a blend of high-octane old-time/bluegrass music and a more psychedelic blues/jam rock style that calls upon their earlier influences.

Admission to this family friendly event under the stars is $35.  No physical ticket is needed, just give your name at the door. Kids under 12 are free. Dogs welcome on leash. Food by local vendors available on site or bring your own food or drink, but strictly no outside alcohol. Seating is an open lawn, bring low-back chairs or a picnic blanket.

LIVE THEATRE @ MURPHYS CREEK THEATRE
Murphys Creek Theatre presents The Cake, a touching and topical dramatic comedy. The beautiful, intimate theater boasts a great view from every seat.  Located across from Murphys Park in the heart of downtown. Easy walking distance from restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms. Doors open at 7:00 pm.

Staying the weekend? Find more fun things to do in Murphys here.

Looking for more fun with wine? Don’t miss the 31st Annual Calaveras Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Street Faire, the first Saturday in October, each year. In fact, if you’re feeling some ‘Lucy and Ethel’ vibes, bring your team of two dressed up, ready to stomp some grapes! Register to stomp at calaveraswines.org.

– Outdoor Recreation all over Calaveras

There are so many lakes in Calaveras to choose to spend your three-day weekend. Lake Camanche and New Hogan Lake have great campgrounds, boat launches, and fun activities all summer.

Labor Day Family Fun on Calaveras Lakes I Courtesy of Instagrammer @tomandthe_t

Calaveras’ outdoor wonderland fills the adventure enthusiast’s heart with delight! In California, September doesn’t always signal Mother Nature to start cooling things down, so head to higher elevations and check out the Arnold Rim Trail for biking, hiking, and equestrian trails. Dogs with good recall talents are welcome to join you off leash for an end-of-summer adventure.

Cougar Rock | Photo: Arnold Rim Trail Association

New Melones Lake Marina rents boats and watercraft for all levels of outdoor fun, and SNAC (Sierra Nevada Adventure Company) has paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes to rent and take over to White Pines Lake or up to Lake Alpine for a peaceful, cooler end to summer vacation. On the Lake Kayak will bring the kayak to you at New Melones Lake, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy some lake time.

California Cavern Tour I Courtesy of Instagrammer @emformdesign

California Cavern, Mercer Cavern, and Moaning Cavern all offer wonderful family adventures. Call or click to book your next cave adventure!

Give us a call or drop us an email at the Calaveras Visitors Bureau. We would love to hear from you and help plan your visit to our beautiful county!