Columbia is an historic attraction set among the hills of California Gold Country. There's nearly always something going on in this thriving Gold Rush town near Sonora, CA.

2015 EVENT INFORMATION

January 2015

Gold Rush Days Saturday, January 10, 2015, 1-4 p.m.

Special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon at Columbia.

February 2015

Gold Rush Days Saturday, February 14, 1-4 p.m.

Special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon at Columbia.

March 2015

Gold Rush Days – Saturday, March 14, 1-4 p.m.

Special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon at Columbia.

Columbia's Birthday Celebration Friday, March 27, 2015, 11:30 a.m. -4 p.m.

Join the commemoration of the founders of Columbia, Gem of the Southern Mines. At 12 Noon on Main and State Street near the Columbia Museum. The celebration includes costumed volunteers, speeches about the founding of town, free birthday cake and venues around town will be open until 4 p.m. with costumed volunteers.

April 2015

Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 Egg hunt, parade, festivities at Columbia State Historic Park

Gold Rush Days Saturday, April 11, 2015, 1-4 p.m. Many special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon at Columbia.

MAY 2015

Gold Rush Days – Saturday, May 9, 2015, 1-4 p.m. Many special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon at Columbia.

Columbia Diggins, Tent Town 1852 – May 28 – 31st, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Step back in time to the early days of Columbia. Experience Mining demonstrations, theater performances, bakery and laundry "businesses," boarding house and lots more. Over 100 costumed volunteers and re-enactors recreate life in 1852 Columbia. Entrance is for adults, for children.

JUNE 2015

Gold Rush Days – Saturday, June 13, 1-4 p.m. Many special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon at Columbia.

Ghost Tours – Saturdays, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, and October 24, 3pm Walk through town with a costumed guide and hear stories of people from the past. Stop in at the hotels and other buildings throughout the park while listening for some residents who may still remain! Sign up atthe museum, 209-532-3184. /person.

JULY 2015

Glorious 4th of July – Saturday, July 4, 11 a.m. Celebrate our nation's birthday the old-fashioned way! Come to Columbia State Historic Park on the 4th of July and participate in the parade up Main Street at noon. During the day dance to the Great Mother Lode Brass & Reed Band concert, climb the greased pole, hunt for a needle in the haystack, participate in the bucket brigade and the cake walk. This event is sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. For more information, 536-1672.

Gold Rush Days – Saturday, July 11, 1-4 p.m. Many special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon in Columbia.

Big Band Street Dance – Saturday, July 18, 7:00pmCome enjoy the sounds of the Columbia Kicks Big Band right in downtown Columbia! Bring you dancing shoes and a chair while we celebrate the year Columbia became a State Historic Park.

History's Mysteries – Saturday, July 25 and August 1, 15, & 29

Solve an actual crime that occurred in Columbia in the 1800s. You will witness the event, interview key members to the crime and get a chance to subpoena them in court. Then you will select one person from your group to question people on the stand. At the end, you will determine the outcome of the crime. adults, children. Meets at 10 a.m. at the museum.

AUGUST 2015

Gold Rush Days – Saturday, August 8, 2015, 1-4 p.m. Many special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon in Columbia

SEPTEMBER 2015

California Admission Day Parade – Saturday, September 5, 2015

The Native Sons of the Golden West, Columbia Parlor #258, sponsors a California Admissions Day Parade in Historic Columbia. The Native Sons have a tradition of preserving California History. The parade was started in 1876 and was revived in 2008. There are many other events held on Admissions Day in Historic Columbia. For more information 588-1565.

Gold Rush Days – Saturday, September 12, 2015, 1-4 p.m.

Many special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon in Columbia.

Back to School 1861 – Saturday, September 19, 4- 6:30 p.m. Experience a beautiful evening at the historic schoolhouse. During this reminiscent event, take a tour of the upstairs, sit in on a lesson taught by a docent dressed as an 1860s school teacher, play games of long ago, listen to music, and help make hand-cranked ice cream.

Stories in Stone – Friday, September 25 & 26 & October 2 & 3, 2015, 6:30pm

Costumed docents guide guests through Columbia's historic cemetery by lamplight. At each gravestone a costumed volunteer will tell about the person's life in Columbia and how they came to rest in Columbia Cemetery. Be prepared to walk on uneven ground after dark for about an hour in the cemetery. 5 per person. 532-3184 for reservation.

OCTOBER 2015

Gold Rush Days – Saturday, October 10, 2015, 1-4 p.m. Many special exhibits are open and hands-on activities are led by volunteers in period attire throughout the afternoon in Columbia.

Harvest Festifall – Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2015, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Country crafts, comestibles, demonstrations of skills, and music and dancing on the streets, decorated for the harvest season. Sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. 536-1772 or visitcolumbiacalifornia .

Illumination of the Jack-o'-Lanterns – Saturday, October 24, 2015, 5:30 p.m.

Carve your pumpkins, then take your carved gourds to the Columbia Museum on Main Street at State Street for judging, and enjoy the live musical entertainment. Prizes will be awarded for the most original, most gruesome, most entertaining, etc. At dusk the jack-o'-lanterns will be illuminated. Sponsored by Columbia Chamber of Commerce. 536-1672 or visit columbiacalifornia

DECEMBER 2015

Lamplight Tours – Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5, 2015

A nighttime walking play through the streets of Columbia and ends with music, dance, and refreshments. Make this an annual holiday event for you and your family and learn more about the Christmastime of years past.

A Miner's Christmas – Saturdays & Sundays, December 12 & 13 and 20 & 21, 2015

Sit around a campfire drinking hot cider or coffee and join conversations with miners as they roast chestnuts. Children crafts and stories inside the museum.