You’ll find California’s ghost towns hosting vibrant annual events that breathe life into historic ruins. Calico Ghost Town leads with five major festivals—from Civil War reenactments on Presidents Day weekend to October’s Ghost Haunt with costume contests and haunted attractions. Bodie State Historic Park offers moonlit night tours through 2,000 preserved structures, while Columbia specializes in paranormal investigations with professional equipment. Admission typically runs $8-10 for adults, with seasonal events commanding premium pricing. The festival calendar spans spring bluegrass celebrations through autumn heritage festivals, revealing deeper stories behind each weathered building.
Key Takeaways
- Calico Ghost Town hosts five annual festivals including Easter celebrations, Bluegrass in Spring, Ghost Haunt in October, and Civil War Days reenactments.
- Bodie State Historic Park offers specialized night tours exploring 2,000 preserved structures and ghost walks emphasizing authentic haunted history at 8,375 feet elevation.
- Columbia State Historic Park features paranormal investigations, ghost stories, and VIP research experiences using advanced equipment to support preservation efforts.
- General admission typically costs $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-11, with children 3 and under free at most locations.
- Events range from heritage celebrations like Danish Days and Civil War reenactments to Halloween festivities with trick-or-treating and costume contests.
Calico Ghost Town’s Year-Round Festival Calendar
Nestled in the Mojave Desert between Barstow and Yermo, Calico Ghost Town transforms its weathered mining camp into a hub of celebration throughout the year.
Where desert dust meets celebration, this authentic 1880s silver mining camp awakens with seasonal festivals that honor Old West heritage.
You’ll find authentic experiences woven through five distinct festivals that honor both heritage and seasons. Spring brings Easter egg hunts and Mother’s Day bluegrass performances, while wildflower bloom paints the desert backdrop for vintage photography opportunities.
October’s Ghost Haunt delivers trick-or-treating among authentic 1880s buildings, and November’s Holiday Fest lights up the historic main street. The festival features Wild West-style gunfight shows by the Calico Mountain Volunteer Gunfighters performing in front of Lils Saloon at three scheduled times throughout the day.
Calico Days stands out as the town’s signature event, commemorating its silver mining roots through competitions like the miner’s triathlon and burro races.
History enthusiasts can witness Civil War Days re-enactment each Presidents Day weekend, where Union and Confederate troops recreate historic battles in the Calico hills.
Each festival invites you to step beyond typical tourist experiences into genuine Old West culture.
Civil War Days Reenactment at Calico
Each February, President’s Day Weekend transforms Calico Ghost Town into a living Civil War battlefield where cannons boom across the desert and Confederate and Union troops clash at Artillery Point.
You’ll witness daily battles at 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., followed by Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address at 4 p.m.
Unlike medieval festivals or botanical gardens, this reenactment immerses you in authentic 1860s camp life—complete with musket fire, bugle calls, and hardcore participants eating hardtack rations.
Your kids can try period crafts while Civil War music echoes down Main Street at 10 a.m.
Evening brings the Blue and Gray Cotillion with brass bands and banjos.
The event is organized by the American Civil War Society, which brings together reenactors from across the region each year.
Re-enactors portray soldiers, civilians, and women in period costumes, with some even depicting a soldier resembling General Ulysses S. Grant.
Admission’s free for children three and under, and you’re encouraged to wear period attire for closer battlefield access during this historically immersive experience.
Bluegrass in the Spring Musical Celebration
Festival logistics remain straightforward: adults pay $15, youth (4-11) $10, with free admission for ages three and under.
Between sets, you’ll find pig races, gunfight shows, cloggers, and old-time games. Blacksmith demonstrations run throughout the day, offering visitors a glimpse into 1800s craftsmanship.
The festival runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, giving families plenty of time to explore the historic ghost town setting. Camping enthusiasts can stay at nearby Barstow/Calico KOA, making this a perfect weekend escape into California’s musical mining heritage.
California Days Heritage Festival
You’ll find Solvang’s 88th annual Danish Days celebration transforming this Central Coast village into an authentic Scandinavian time capsule each September, with the 2025 festival running Friday through Sunday, September 19-21.
The three-day schedule delivers immersive Viking encampments, living history demonstrations at Elverhoj Museum, and traditional æbleskiver breakfasts served from 8:30am to 12:30pm on weekend mornings.
From axe-throwing competitions to Danish folk performances and an Old World Artisans Marketplace opening at 9:00am, you’re experiencing California’s premier Danish heritage festival as envisioned by the founding families who established the Solvang Danish Days Foundation in 1995. The California Nature Art Museum hosts a free troll-making workshop on September 20th-21st from 11AM-2PM, where families can create Danish trolls inspired by Thomas Dambo using recycled materials and natural supplies. The festival features VIP Packages available for $100 for two people, offering enhanced access to the weekend’s cultural celebrations and entertainment.
Event Schedule and Timing
When planning your visit to California’s heritage festivals, timing becomes essential since these celebrations follow distinct seasonal patterns that reflect their cultural roots.
Key Festival Windows:
- Mid-Summer Pioneer Festivities – Camarillo Old Town Heritage Days spans five consecutive days from Wednesday through Sunday in mid-July, offering you extended flexibility to explore historic exhibits and haunted ghost stories without weekend-only constraints.
- Late Summer Cultural Celebrations – China Camp Heritage Day transforms San Rafael Bay’s former fishing village each August 23rd, with lion dances beginning sharply at 11 a.m. and activities running until 3 p.m.
- Autumn Danish Traditions – Solvang’s 88th annual Danish Days fills late September’s third weekend, letting you experience authentic Scandinavian culture as harvest season arrives. Multiple parades and folk dancers perform across town throughout the festival weekend, creating a vibrant atmosphere of Danish celebration.
Each festival’s duration varies from single-day experiences to multi-day explorations, giving you freedom to choose your ideal heritage adventure. The Camarillo celebration welcomes visitors with free admission throughout its entire five-day run, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious travelers.
Live Entertainment and Performances
Music fills every corner of California’s heritage festivals, transforming historic venues into stages where cultural traditions come alive through sound and movement.
You’ll find live music at Prospect Square starting at 10 AM, where the Arion Band kicks off Saturday’s entertainment, followed by Sam DeMartino and Briana Merkel’s afternoon set.
Meanwhile, the Sunken Gardens at Santa Barbara County Courthouse transforms into an intimate venue for Noches de Ronda‘s evening shows.
Dance performances captivate audiences throughout the celebration. Mexican Folklorico dancers showcase intricate footwork while Flamenco artists deliver passionate performances at both the Old Mission Santa Barbara and the Courthouse gardens.
Spanish classical numbers add elegance to the programming.
El Mercado de la Guerra keeps the energy flowing from morning until evening with mariachi bands, while Mackenzie Park‘s northern market pulses with continuous performances.
Historical Reenactments and Activities
At Calico Ghost Town, living history unfolds through authentic Old West encampments that line Main Street, where townspeople dressed in period attire recreate the gritty reality of California’s 1880s silver mining era. You’ll discover how miners actually lived, worked, and survived through interactive demonstrations of mining technology and daily frontier life.
Experience these immersive historical activities:
- Mining competitions – Test your mettle in the Miner’s Triathlon and Burro Run, experiencing firsthand how pack animals transported silver through treacherous mountain terrain.
- Historical fashion showcase – Participate in the Old West Character Costume Contest, celebrating authentic 1800s attire.
- Civil War reenactments – Watch Union and Confederate forces clash on Calico Mountain during Presidents’ Day weekend.
Educational displays covering California’s statehood, Butterfield Overland Trail, and traditional butter churning connect you directly to frontier heritage.
Ghost Haunt: October’s Spooky Spectacular
Every October, Calico Ghost Town transforms into a Halloween wonderland where you’ll find trick-or-treating through historic storefronts, costume contests under desert stars, and pumpkin carving competitions that bring families together for two spine-tingling weekends.
You’ll pay just $15 for adults and $10 for kids ages 4-11 to access daytime activities like the carnival tent and campfire ghost stories, while evenings shift to scare mode with roaming characters after dark.
If you’re camping, your reservation includes four free admission tickets—perfect for families who want to decorate their sites for the “Terror Under The Big Top” contest while enjoying everything from blacksmith demonstrations to Saturday night tribute concerts.
Family-Friendly Halloween Activities
When October arrives, Calico Ghost Town transforms into a Halloween haven where families can experience the Wild West with a spooky twist.
You’ll find activities that blend frontier authenticity with seasonal fun, creating memories without the manufactured scares of typical haunted houses.
Three Can’t-Miss Family Activities:
- Pumpkin Carving Contest – Three age categories (4-8, 9-13, 14+) ensure fair competition, with prizes awarded for first through third place finishes.
- Kids’ Carnival Tent – Balloon twisters, ring toss, and corn hole games provide entertainment while you explore blacksmith demonstrations and fast gun draws.
- Interactive Challenges – From the Rotten Egg Toss to “Are You Faster than a Marshal,” you’ll test skills in ways masquerade balls and antique scavenger hunts can’t match.
The event runs select weekends through late October.
Special October Event Pricing
Budget-conscious families will appreciate Calico’s straightforward pricing structure for Ghost Haunt, where adults pay $15 and kids ages 4-11 enter for $10—significantly less than Southern California’s major theme park Halloween events.
Children three and under get free admission, and if you’ve reserved a campsite, four people enter at no charge.
Your general admission authorize access to pumpkin carving stations, trick-or-treating through weathered buildings, costume contests, and live entertainment.
However, haunted attractions require separate tickets—including spine-tingling train rides, gold panning experiences, and haunted mine tours.
Check calicoattractions.com for these premium add-ons.
The event runs two weekends: October 24-26 and October 31-November 2, 2025.
With Friday evenings offering the most affordable entry window if you’re only seeking those after-dark thrills.
Ghost Town Alive! Interactive Experience at Knott’s Berry Farm
Since 2016, Ghost Town Alive! has transformed Knott’s Berry Farm’s historic Ghost Town section into a living, breathing Wild West experience where you’re not just a spectator—you’re an honorary citizen of Calico with a role to play.
Step into Calico as more than a visitor—become an active citizen shaping the Wild West story unfolding around you.
Running select days from June 12 through August 30, 2026, this seven-hour immersive adventure invites Guest Participation through:
- Secret missions and mind-bending puzzles that advance the annual storyline
- Interactive encounters with bandits, cowboys, and dozens of roaming characters throughout Ghost Town
- Fetch quests and stunt show creation at the Bird Cage Theater and normally closed buildings
Each summer brings fresh Wild West storylines building on previous years. You’ll dance with cowpokes, crack cases, and shape Calico’s fate before the experience culminates at 5:00 p.m., shifting into Knott’s Summer Nights.
Bodie State Historic Park Night Tours
While Knott’s Berry Farm offers scripted Wild West adventures, Bodie State Historic Park delivers something far more authentic—and perhaps more haunting. At 8,375 feet elevation, you’ll explore 2,000 preserved structures from a town that once housed 10,000 gold-seeking souls before becoming California’s most pristine ghost town.
Four annual Ghost Walks reveal Bodie after dark on June 28, July 19, August 30, and September 27. You’ll choose from three tour options each evening, wandering through empty streets where the final residents departed fifty years ago. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for kids under 18.
Historical preservation demands visitor safety awareness—no commercial facilities exist here, so pack everything you’ll need.
Members grab tickets March 15; public sales begin March 31. Book early—this isn’t another theme park.
Columbia State Historic Park Paranormal Adventures
Unlike Bodie’s windswept elevation, Columbia State Historic Park sits nestled in the Sierra foothills where Gold Rush buildings stand ready to reveal their darker secrets. You’ll experience haunted history through three distinct paranormal adventures that let you explore spirit communication on your terms:
- Ghost Stories Tour ($10, 3 PM) – A budget-friendly introduction starting at Columbia Museum, where you’ll hear tales of lingering spirits from the Gold Rush era.
- Paranormal Research Tour ($50, 8 PM-midnight) – You’ll investigate four historic buildings using Full Spectrum Paranormal’s equipment during hour-long sessions at each location.
- VIP Investigation (10-person limit) – You’ll access cutting-edge instruments and develop strategy with experienced researchers at Miners Hall.
The abandoned schoolhouse echoes with phantom footsteps, while City Hotel’s room 1 has driven guests to sleepless relocations. Your participation supports Friends of Columbia State Historic Park’s preservation efforts.
Ticket Prices and Admission Details for Ghost Town Events
Most California ghost town events follow a straightforward two-tier pricing structure that keeps family visits affordable: you’ll pay $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-11, while kids three and under explore free. This ticket pricing applies to Calico’s major festivals including Civil War Days, Bluegrass in the Spring, and Calico Days throughout the year.
Standard ghost town festival admission stays budget-friendly at $10 per adult and $5 per child, with toddlers entering free.
October brings premium admission policies—Ghost Haunt commands $15 for adults and $10 for youth during the season’s spookiest weekends.
Bodie operates differently, charging an $8 park entrance fee ($5 for minors) before you purchase separate Ghost Walk tour tickets through the Bodie Foundation.
Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town Alive! requires only standard park admission, letting you experience Wild West entertainment without additional charges.
Calico’s camping reservations smartly include event admission for four guests per site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pets Allowed at California Ghost Town Festival Events?
You’d think ghost towns would welcome living creatures, but pet policies remain mysteriously absent from California’s festival listings. Animal restrictions aren’t specified at Calico, Bodie, or Columbia events—you’ll need to contact each venue directly before bringing your furry companion.
What Lodging Options Are Available Near These Historic Ghost Towns?
You’ll find historic lodging like Benton’s 1940s B&B with private hot springs, Calico’s cabins and bunkhouses, or Brookdale Lodge’s resort-style rooms. Nearby accommodations around Bodie include June Lake rentals, offering freedom to explore these legendary sites.
Are the Ghost Town Events Wheelchair Accessible?
You’ll find mixed accessibility features at ghost town events. While Calico’s Main Street offers wheelchair friendly pathways for shops and shows, hilly terrain during reenactments and specialty events presents significant challenges requiring advance planning.
What Food and Beverage Options Are Available During the Events?
You’ll find local food vendors serving Old West-style barbecue, boysenberry pies, and funnel cakes at most events. Craft beverage stations offer themed drinks, though remote locations like Bodie require you to pack your own refreshments beforehand.
Can Visitors Take Photographs During the Reenactments and Tours?
You’ll capture gunfighters’ dusty showdowns and Victorian performers freely—no photography permits required at these ghost town reenactments. Camera restrictions aren’t mentioned, so you’re welcome to document your authentic Old West experience without bureaucratic interference.
References
- http://www.visitcalicoghosttown.com/festivals
- https://parks.sbcounty.gov/calico-days/
- https://www.sixflags.com/knotts/events/ghost-town-alive
- https://www.californiahauntedhouses.com/california-paranormal-events.aspx
- https://parks.sbcounty.gov/event/calico-california-days/
- https://www.bodiefoundation.org/bodie-ghost-walks
- https://friendsofcolumbiashp.com/events/columbia-state-historic-park-events
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27701
- https://kidsguidemagazine.com/event/annual-ghost-haunt-at-calico-ghost-town/2025-10-24/
- https://parks.sbcounty.gov/calico-holiday-fest/
