Motherlode Area Calendar of Events
Explore Tuolumne & Calaveras Counties
The weather is great, time to get outside. Take a drive; get out of the city and live a little. See the sights, hear the sounds and play in the snow. These family friendly motherlode area activities will be a big hit with your family. Don't waste another minute, pack up the kids and hit the road. Share an adventure today!
Below you will find family friendly events, many of which are free and appropriate for most children. Parental discretion advised.
(Submit your event for inclusion on this page.)
January 2017 Events
Soroptimist of Twain Harte Annual Crab Feed
Saturday, January 14, 2017 — 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tuolumne Veterans Memorial hall, Tuolumne City. Menu includes, salad, rolls, clam chowder, pasta, and all you can eat crab. Doors will open at 4:30 and dinner will be served at 5:30. Box raffle and door prize. Call 928-1616 for more information.
National Parks Free Admission Day
January 16, 2017 — In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Visit one of the scores of national parks with a direct connection to a president, including birthplaces, homes, monuments, memorials, and historic sites. One national park, the White House, has been the residence of every United States president except George Washington.
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February 2017 Events
National Parks Free Admission Day
February 20, 2017 — In honor of Presidents Day! Visit one of the scores of national parks with a direct connection to a president, including birthplaces, homes, monuments, memorials, and historic sites. One national park, the White House, has been the residence of every United States president except George Washington.
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March 2017 Events
29th Annual Sonora Celtic Faire
Friday, March 10-12, 2017 — Enjoy Scottish Knights, jousting, clans highland games, a Celtic marketplace, bagpipes, storytellers, a Celtic village, historical reenactments, archery for the kids, ethnic foods and drinks. Living History Village: Living History is a walk through the life and time of the Celtic people and their neighbors in trade and war (Friday is Family Day: No Alcohol & No Risque' Clothing!) Call (209) 532-8375 for details.
Murphys Irish Day
Saturday, March 18, 2017 — Admission is Free. A daylong family celebration of historic Murphys and its Irish heritage. Festivities include old fashioned hometown parade, silent auction, live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, pony rides, and a wide variety of foods and beverages.
Columbia Day Celebration
Thursday, March 27, 2017 — A birthday celebration of the day Johnny Walker of the famed Hildreth Party discovered gold and brought life to the area, which started the town of Columbia! Enjoy music and activities put on by the town as they dress up and celebrate. Hours: 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., (give or take).
Dodge Ridge Annual Spring Fling Golden Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 2017 — Join us for The Annual Spring Fling Golden Egg Hunt. Be the lucky one to find the Golden Egg and win a Youth Season Pass for the 2014-15 Season. Fun for children up to age 11.
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April 2017 Events
Moccasin Trout Festival!
Saturday, April 8, 2017 - Touch a fish, Feed a fish, Catch Fish, Taste a fish! All activities are free and all gear is provided. Learn to tie, cast, clean and cook! Fun for everyone! Call (559)765-4824.
Oakdale Rodeo 2017!
Saturday, April 8th & 9th, 2017 - Join the rodeo for local team roping, Miss Oakdale Rodeo Coronation, Women's Barrel Racing, Rodeo Parade and much more. Don't miss out on the fun. Call for details: (209) 847-7049.
National Parks Free Admission Day
April 15 & 16, 22-23 2017 — Opening weekend of National Park Week. Visit one of the scores of national parks with a direct connection to a president, including birthplaces, homes, monuments, memorials, and historic sites. One national park, the White House, has been the residence of every United States president except George Washington.
Groveland Rotary Childrens' Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 15, 2017 - 10:00 am at Mary Laveroni Community Park. Bring your Easter basket. Free candy eggs and prizes, meet the Easter Bunny too, dress warm for the cool spring morning weather! Get ready set go to pick up over 3,000 Easter eggs. For the past 27 years the Groveland Rotary sponsors the annual Easter Egg Hunt for the community of Groveland and the Highway 120 corridor. 18950 State Highway 120, Groveland, CA. Phone: 209-962-0429.
Twain Harte Easter Egg Hunt!
Sunday, April 16, 2017 - Come join the fun at Eproson Ballfield, 22929 Twain Harte Drive, Twain Harte, CA for an Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children beginning at 1:00 p.m., games to follow. Age groups will include 1 and 2, preschool, kindergarten and grades 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6. Children should bring their own Easter baskets. For more information, call Eric Carlson at (209) 532-5171.
Columbia's Victorian Easter Celebration!
Sunday, April 16, 2017 — Dress up in your Victorian Easter finery and march in the Victorian Easter Parade. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m., and the parade is at 12:30. Children will enjoy Columbia's popular Easter Egg Hunts. The Small Fry Egg Search at noon is for ages 3 to 5; and after the Easter Parade, the Junior Egg Poachers (ages 6 to 8) will try their luck at 1 p.m., and finally the Great Egg Scramblers (ages 9 to 12) at 1:30 pm. Find the golden egg and win a prize! These free events are sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Call 209-536-1672
60th Annual Mother Lode Round-Up 2017
Saturday, April 22, 2017 — Lot of events - Break out your boots and Stetsons and celebrate Mother's Day weekend with us Round-Up style! Now in its 57th year, the Mother Lode Round-Up is like a hometown reunion. It begins with "The Great Steak Barbeque" on Saturday. Then "saddle up" for a week-long experience of Cowboy and Small Town tradition that winds up with the Round-Up Parade and Rodeo on Mother's Day weekend.
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May 2017 Events
Birding Walks in Groveland
Wednesday, May 2017 — (Highway 120 near Yosemite) Birding Walks on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Jeanne Ridgley leads a birding walk at GCSD property on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meet at 18966 Ferretti Road parking lot at 8am, bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Plan on a 2 hour walk on an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with 3 ponds and 131 species of bird sighted since 2007. Rain will cancel the walk. Call Jeanne 209-962-7598 for more info.
33rd Annual Columbia Diggins
May 2017 - Date TBA — 1852 Gold Camp recreation for the public. Step back in time to the year 1852 and discover what life was like in a gold diggings encampment! Over 150 volunteers help recreate this time in history by living the life of a miner, merchant, actor/actress, and more. School tours are led Thursday and Friday by reservation. Sponsored by the Columbia State Historic Park and Friends of Columbia State Historic Park. Call 209-588-9128 for more information.
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June 2017 Events
Birding Walks in Groveland
Wednesday, June 2017 — (Highway 120 near Yosemite) Birding Walks on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Jeanne Ridgley leads a birding walk at GCSD property on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meet at 18966 Ferretti Road parking lot at 8am, bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Plan on a 2 hour walk on an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with 3 ponds and 131 species of bird sighted since 2007. Rain will cancel the walk. Call Jeanne 209-962-7598 for more info.
33rd Annual Columbia Diggins
2017 - Date TBA — 1852 Gold Camp recreation for the public. Step back in time to the year 1852 and discover what life was like in a gold diggings encampment! Over 150 volunteers help recreate this time in history by living the life of a miner, merchant, actor/actress, and more. School tours are led Thursday and Friday by reservation. Sponsored by the Columbia State Historic Park and Friends of Columbia State Historic Park. Call 209-588-9128 for more information.
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July 2017 Events
Birding Walks in Groveland
Wednesday, July 2017 — (Highway 120 near Yosemite) Birding Walks on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Jeanne Ridgley leads a birding walk at GCSD property on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meet at 18966 Ferretti Road parking lot at 8am, bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Plan on a 2 hour walk on an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with 3 ponds and 131 species of bird sighted since 2007. Rain will cancel the walk. Call Jeanne 209-962-7598 for more info.
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August 2017 Events
Birding Walks in Groveland
Wednesday, August 2017 — (Highway 120 near Yosemite) Birding Walks on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Jeanne Ridgley leads a birding walk at GCSD property on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meet at 18966 Ferretti Road parking lot at 8am, bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Plan on a 2 hour walk on an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with 3 ponds and 131 species of bird sighted since 2007. Rain will cancel the walk. Call Jeanne 209-962-7598 for more info.
National Parks Free Admission Day
August 25, 2017 — In honor of National Park Service Birthday! Visit one of the scores of national parks with a direct connection to a president, including birthplaces, homes, monuments, memorials, and historic sites.
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September 2017 Events
Birding Walks in Groveland
Wednesday, September 2017 — (Highway 120 near Yosemite) Birding Walks on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Jeanne Ridgley leads a birding walk at GCSD property on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meet at 18966 Ferretti Road parking lot at 8am, bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Plan on a 2 hour walk on an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with 3 ponds and 131 species of bird sighted since 2007. Rain will cancel the walk. Call Jeanne 209-962-7598 for more info.
National Parks Free Admission Day
September 30, 2017 — In honor of National Public Lands Day! Visit one of the scores of national parks with a direct connection to a president, including birthplaces, homes, monuments, memorials, and historic sites.
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October 2017 Events
Birding Walks in Groveland
Wednesday, October 2017 — (Highway 120 near Yosemite) Birding Walks on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Jeanne Ridgley leads a birding walk at GCSD property on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meet at 18966 Ferretti Road parking lot at 8am, bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Plan on a 2 hour walk on an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with 3 ponds and 131 species of bird sighted since 2007. Rain will cancel the walk. Call Jeanne 209-962-7598 for more info.
Twain Harte OktoberFest
October 2017 - Enjoy the works of many talented crafters and graphic artists. There will be great German food, music, and family entertainment. The ATCAA Motorcycle Canned Food Run will be held on Saturday to help the needy in the area. Admission is free.
All Hallows Fantasy Faire
October 2017 - All Hallows is a two day all inclusive costume play event keeping in the All-Hallows tradition this year, the dead will be celebrated like never before! The Faire is deeply rooted in the beliefs of the Celtic people, but combined with all the fun and excitement of a costume play in the spirit of modern Halloween. So get ready to walk through some imaginative mythical-Sci-Fi, time and space like you never have before.
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November 2017 Events
Birding Walks in Groveland
Wednesday, November 2017 — (Highway 120 near Yosemite) Birding Walks on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Jeanne Ridgley leads a birding walk at GCSD property on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meet at 18966 Ferretti Road parking lot at 8am, bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Plan on a 2 hour walk on an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with 3 ponds and 131 species of bird sighted since 2007. Rain will cancel the walk. Call Jeanne 209-962-7598 for more info.
National Parks Free Admission Day
November 11 & 12, 2017 — In honor of Veterans Day! Visit one of the scores of national parks with a direct connection to a president, including birthplaces, homes, monuments, memorials, and historic sites.
36th Annual Sonora Christmas Craft and Music Festival
November, 2017 - Located at Sonora's Mother Lode Fairgrounds, come see over 200 great quality craft artists, up tempo and varied music, street performers, costumed elves and twinkle trees, carolers, a wide selection of home-cooking style festival kitchens and bake shops, all in festive, brightly colored craft halls. Don't miss the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Sonora on Friday November 26th at 5:30 p.m.
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December 2017 Events
Merry Christmas!
Birding Walks in Groveland
Wednesday, December 2017 — (Highway 120 near Yosemite) Birding Walks on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Jeanne Ridgley leads a birding walk at GCSD property on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Meet at 18966 Ferretti Road parking lot at 8am, bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Plan on a 2 hour walk on an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with 3 ponds and 131 species of bird sighted since 2007. Rain will cancel the walk. Call Jeanne 209-962-7598 for more info.
5th Annual Winter Wonderland Carnival
December 2017 - Your family will enjoy their trip to the North Pole while listening to the original soundtrack and an entertaining reading of "The Polar Express". Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will greet the children and each child who believes (just like in the movie) will receive his or her own sleigh bell. Train Departure Times: 4:00pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
Angels Camp Historic Downtown Tour
December 2017 - Travel the streets of Historic downtown Angels Camp and explore the past and present of an historic gold rush treasure. Your entertaining guide will take you back in time to understand how Angels Camp began, when and why the buildings were constructed, and how they evolved over the years. This tour will also introduce you to the present day shopkeepers and their wares. Enjoy a tour of then and now! Tour times: 10:30am; 12:30pm & 3:30pm.
A Miners Christmas
December 2017 - Sit around a campfire drinking hot cider or coffee and join in conversations with miners as they roast chestnuts. Children can make some favorite crafts of the 1850s and keep an eye out for Father Christmas as he wanders the streets looking for good boys and girls! Contact Columbia State Historic Park at 209-588-9128.
Community Christmas Eve Dinner
December 2017 - At the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Call (209) 586-4802.
Jamestown Christian Fellowship Christmas Dinner
December 2017 - Christmas dinner with Turkey, Ham and all the fixings including pumpkin pie! Bring yourself and a friend and come celebrate with us! The Jamestown Christian Fellowship would love to share their meal with you. 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Location: Jamestown Elementary School
5th Annual Winter Wonderland Carnival
December 2017 - 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Calaveras Big Trees. Events include a scenic wagon ride, games, music and many more fun activities! Come and enjoy hot cocoa, hot apple cider, popcorn, cookies and other surprises.
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Get Involved -- Get Outside -- Have some Fun!
Cave & Mine Adventures
Caves are different from the world above ground. It is like stepping onto another planet. Come walk through the underground caverns that will meet all your adventure needs from mild to wild!
- ► Moaning Caverns- Vallecito, CA - Take a guide tour through the largest vertical chamber in a public cavern that you can see in California. The chamber is so big it will hold the entire Statue of Liberty. Descend down 165 feet below ground and learn the history and geology of these marble passageways. [Adventure Zip Lines]
- ► Mercer Caverns - Murphy's, CA - Take a walk through these caves and see delicate crystalline, mineral and other rock formations. The aragonite formations at Mercer Caverns are the largest arrays found anywhere in world.
- ► Black Chasm Caverns - Volcano, CA - Become enchanted by the beauty of a wide variety of formations including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and vast arrays of rare helictite crystals.
- ► Boyden Caverns - Kings Canyon National Park, CA - Visit the caverns that lie beneath a massive 2,000 foot marble wall. The caverns have many varieties of natural formations including some that are rare.
- ► California Caverns - Mountain Ranch, CA - Go spelunking in the first caves that were open to the public for walk through tours in California. See the large arrays of crystalline "vines" covering the walls and ceilings of the caverns.
Leland Snowplay
If you haven't been here before, we invite you to come up and see for yourself why we're the Biggest & Best Snow Play Facility in the Sierra. Come and play during the week to take advantage of our discounted mid-week rates and fewer snowplayers! So take a break from work, pack up the kids and come play in the snow with us! Were open from when the first snow falls to about mid-April. Remember, Leland Snowplay is at 6300 ft elevation where weather can vary from hour to hour. It is always best to give us a call at (209) 965-4719 for the most accurate weather conditions!
Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions
Join one of California's original most experienced whitewater rafting outfitters for a day down the river. You can raft on the Tuolumne River, Kings River, Merced River, and American River. It does not matter what your experience level is, there is a river for you. You can choose to go for just a day trip down the river or a 3-day trip with camping along the river. This adventure is great for families, first-time rafters, and for the advanced thrill seeker.
Cover's Apple Ranch
There is something for everyone at Cover's Apple Ranch in Tuolumne, CA. See the animals in the barnyard or go play in The Playground with the roaming chickens. Take a ride on The Cover Express and see the bakery, barnyard, and go through the two tunnels in the orchard.
Gold Prospecting Adventure
This is an exciting, educational, and fun group adventure. Pan for gold at a real gold mining camp located on a shady, gold bearing creek in the heart of the Motherlode in Jamestown, CA. Meet us at the old livery in historic Jamestown. You can't miss the claim jumper hanging in front of our store.
Tuolumne City Memorial Museum
Tuolumne City Memorial Museum open Saturday & Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Admission and parking is free.
Historic Landmarks
- Murphys - California State Historic Landmark #275
- Angels Camp - California State Historic Landmark #287
- More California Historical Landmarks
Updated: January 13, 2017
