Music along the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
For music lovers, Ebbetts Pass offers everything from classical to rock, from national headliners to local bands. The leading venues include Ironstone Vineyards' summer concert series and the annual Bear Valley Music Festival.
But it's hard to beat the relaxed fun of Cedar Center's Concert Series offered every summer in Arnold and the Hill Top Concert Series at Brice Station, both featuring a variety of local bands.
Enjoyable music is found elsewhere along Highway 4, including a summer concert series at Cameo Plaza in Arnold, Music in the Parks featuring concerts all over Calaveras County, and the annual Concert in the Park at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
Bear Valley Music Festival
July 19 - August 4, 2024
The Bear Valley Music Festival is held every summer in a capacious tent in Bear Valley. Begun in 1968 by orchestra conductor John Gosling, the Bear Valley Music Festival has grown to be the premier music event in the central Sierra and has been featured on NBC's Today Show. In 1984 the Sacramento Symphony's Maestro Carter Nice took over as conductor and conducted more than 200 performances. He was followed by Michael Morgan, Music Director and Conductor of the Oakland East Bay Symphony. In 2022 Alexander Mickelthwate was selected as the new music director. He has been the Music Director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.
Music ranges from orchestra, opera, and chamber music to Broadway show tunes. Some programs, such as the Teddy Bear Picnic or Disney Concert, are specially designed for children. Guest artists have included names such as Dave Mason, Olga Kern, Jose Feliciano, Gogi Grant, Roseanne Cash, and Glen Campbell. The festival draws more than 5,000 people over the course of two weeks into their free-span tent.
Start times vary, so check the website for performers and times: Bear Valley Music Festival
Hill Top Concert Series - 2024
Brice Station Vineyards
Brice Station is located on Highway 4, four miles east of Murphys. 7:00 PM
June 22 - Grover Andeson and the Lampoliers
June 29 - Deep Thicket Dwellers
July 6 - Sam Chase and the Untraditional
July 11 - Paint and Sip Night
July 13 - Coffis Brothers
July 20 - Patrie Pike Band
July 25 - August 17 Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
August 24 - Jimbo Scott and Yesterdays Biscuits
August 31 - Poor Man's Whiskey
Sept. 13-15 - Healing the Healers - The Icelandic Diaglogues
Sept. 14 - Cantamos
The Cameo Plaza Presents 2024 Summer Concert Series
Arnold, California
This summer the Cameo Plaza in Arnold brings talented musicians to their scenic mountain community for a free outdoor concert series. Check their Facebook page for dates and times of performANCES.
Cameo Plaza
Music in the Parks - 2024
Calaveras County Arts Council presents Music in the Parks. All concerts are from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. A family-friendly venue with no tickets needed.
See Calaveras County Arts Council for a complete listing of concerts.
Ironstone Vineyards Concert Series
2024
The Ironstone Vineyards present an annual concert series of headline performers at their amphitheater at the winery complex one mile south of Murphys off Six Mile Road. More expensive packages are available. Low beach chairs and blankets are allowed into the General Admission section.
2024 Concert Series
July 13, 2024 - CAKE
July 21, 2024 Son of the Mountains
August 9, 2024 - Michael Frant & Spearhead, Tromboneshorty & Orleans Aveneue with Citizen Cope
August 21, 2024 - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Ironstone Vineyards Concert Series