Special Events in Murphys

Click to check out the complete Murphys Events Calendar!

Nearly every month, you will find some type of special event happening in Murphys, be it an old-fashioned street fair, a community-wide open house, winery and art gallery tours, concerts and live theatre festivals. Here are a few of the events that are very popular in Murphys.

Murphys Irish Day - A Celebration of the Irish

One of the premiere annual events in the Mother Lode is Murphys Irish Day.  Each year on the third Saturday in March, thousands of people from Northern California and beyond gather in the historic gold rush town of Murphys to honor its Celtic heritage and to celebrate as only the Irish can. Its picturesque Main Street is filled with booths offering hand crafted items, original art, photographs, tasty food, wine, and other beverages.

The day begins with a pancake breakfast.  At 11 a.m. the swirl of bagpipes heralds a parade of marching bands, classic cars, horses, community organizations, novelty entries, and some of the finest children in the land.

Throughout the day, there is continuous entertainment featuring singers, dancers, musicians, and jugglers.  There are pony rides for the young ones and Renaissance actors encamped in the park.  And some lucky raffle ticket buyer will win an exciting trip for two to Ireland.

All this in addition to the charming shops, fine restaurants, and tasting rooms that line historic Main Street and help create what is nationally recognized as one of the finest small towns in America.

The Murphys Business Association creates Irish Day each year with the knowledge that if you visit Murphys once you will return again and again.

Sponsored by the Murphys Business Association, Murphys Irish Day is a fundraiser for many community projects and non-profit organizations. For more information, contact info@visitmurphys.com or visit www.murphysirishdays.org.

Press Releases and Media Photos Available Here!

Calaveras Grape Stomp and Street Faire

Who, in their right mind, would dress up like Bacchus or Lucy Ricardo and jump up and down like a banshee in a wine barrel with 25 pounds of grapes? Answer: No one in his or her right mind.

Gold Rush Day gives everyone the rare pleasure of getting un-serious in a serious world. Every first Saturday in October the historic town of Murphys transforms into a frenzy of activity with two renowned events - the Calaveras Grape Stomp and the Gold Rush Street Faire. Both events run simultaneously between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and benefit Feeney Community Park on Highway 4 in Murphys.

Organized by the Calaveras Wine Association, the Annual Calaveras Grape Stomp takes place in picturesque Murphys Park. The day's events include energetic stomp competitions every half hour, live music in the gazebo, silent auction, BBQ, team costume contest, back and neck massage, children's games and face painting, belly dancing performances, and wine tasting.

Teams of two, one stomper and one swabber who collects the juice, stomp 25 pounds of grapes for three minutes. Out of the eight teams each half hour, the team that collects the most juice wins the heat and is eligible for the 4 p.m. finals. Cash awards and prizes are given to the first, second, and third place teams.

Competitions are highly encouraged between businesses, organizations, friends, and schools, and pre-registration is strongly recommended as stomp competitions sell out well before the event.

Just half a block away, shopping is to "live for" at the Annual Gold Rush Street Faire, as Main Street fills with over 100 booths of quality arts and crafts, antiques, handcrafted goods, jewelry, clothing, collectibles, and food booths, in addition to Murphys' multitude of one-of-a-kind specialty shops. The event is hosted by the Feeney Park Foundation, and has been a valued tradition in Murphys for many years.

One of Calaveras County's most popular pair of events, the Grape Stomp and Street Faire guarantee a good time for all ages, and general admission is free.

Day of The Dead

Each year on the last weekend in October or the first weekend in November, Murphys celebrates the Day of the Dead from 12 to 5pm. Participating businesses offer authentic cultural art, food, sugar skulls, face painting and live music as well as displaying altars celebrating the lives of those who have passed on but are with us in heart and spirit on the Day of the Dead.

This Mexican holiday traces it's roots back to the indigenous cultures of Mexico and Latin America but has become inextricably intertwined with the Catholic observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day over time. Although this celebration is associated with the dead, it is not a morbid or depressing time, but a time full of life, happiness, color, food, family and fun.

For more information....click here.

Murphys Open House

Every year on the first Friday in December, Murphys celebrates the holiday season with a community Open House 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, Santa arrives with the parade, lights the tree and stays for photos with the kids in the Native Sons Hall and a good time is had by all. 
Local photographer Lana Shartles will be on hand to take professional

Santa photos and will be providing a free 4x6 print which can be picked up at her studio the following day.  Additional prints will be available for order after the event. 

Chestnuts will again be roasting on an open fire at the Spice Tin...make sure to stop by and try one so you can tell everybody you've actually tasted a chestnut roasted on an open fire.

The Murphys Congregational Church will be participating again this year with carolers on Main Street as well as music and treats at their Church on Church Street just one block off of Main Street.

Those folks wishing to participate in the parade this year should contact Jenny Baxter at 209-736-0567 or Linda Strangio at 209-743-4512.  Everybody is welcome and we'd love to see your organization, musical group or children's group participate.  Carolers are welcome to join us on the street throughout the event.  We traditionally pass out lighted wands to parade participants so make sure you get there early to get yours.

Come experience the holiday spirit of Murphys for an evening of pure enchantment.

Would you like to participate in Murphys Open House?

Click here for more info and fill out and return an entry form to join in the fun!
There is no entry fee.