Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/06/2025
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
Location
Columbia State Historic Park
Categories
Columbia’s 40th Annual Lamplight Tours Return with A Miners’ Christmas Carol
Where: Columbia State Historic Park Museum, 11255 Jackson St, Columbia, CA 95310
Bringing Gold Rush Spirit and Holiday Magic to Columbia State Historic Park
Performance Tours: December 5 & 6, 2025 – A Festive Fundraiser Benefiting Friends of Columbia State Historic Park
The ghosts of Christmas are restless in California’s Gold Country this holiday season as the Friends of Columbia State Historic Park proudly present A Miners’ Christmas Carol, an original, laugh-out-loud, and heartwarming retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic tale—set in 1855 Columbia during the height of the Gold Rush.
Join us! Tours begin at 6:45 PM on Friday, December 5 and 5:30 PM on Saturday, December 6, as lanterns glow, fiddles play, and miners, merchants, and “spirits” roam the historic streets and buildings of Columbia to remind everyone—rich or poor—of the true meaning of Christmas.
This beloved annual performance transforms the park into an animated time capsule, where history, humor, and holiday magic combine for an unforgettable evening led by lantern carriers.
A Night of Ghosts, Greed, and Goodwill
Audiences can expect miners and townsfolk plotting to teach the greedy Water Company Board a lesson, ghostly visitations echoing through historic buildings, and a joyful finale filled with laughter, music, and redemption.
The evening features docent and volunteer performers, period costumes, and authentic Gold Rush charm—all illuminated by lantern light and overflowing with Christmas cheer.
When the performance concludes, guests are invited to enjoy refreshments, warm cider, and lively fiddle music and dancing, continuing one of Columbia’s most spirited holiday traditions.
Tickets sellout fast every year—don’t wait!
Experience A Miners’ Christmas Carol and help keep California’s Gold Rush history shining bright for generations to come.
Event Details
Friday & Saturday, December 5 – 6, 2025
Columbia State Historic Park – Columbia, California
Tickets on sale now! Seating is limited, and this event sells out every year.
Reserve your tickets today: https://friendsofcolumbiashp.com/events/columbia-state-historic-park-events/
Family Entertainment With a Cause
A Miners’ Christmas Carol is not just a show—it’s a vital fundraiser for Friends of Columbia State Historic Park, the nonprofit organization that supports preservation and education within the park.
Every dollar from every ticket sold stays right here in Columbia, funding:
Hands-on Gold Rush interpretive programs for visitors of all ages
Engaging activities and displays that bring the 1850s Gold Rush era to life
Educational field trips for thousands of fourth-grade students studying California history each year
Every laugh, every song, and every ghostly gasp helps keep Columbia’s history alive. This event helps fund things like exhibits, historical costuming, and living history experiences that make Columbia a truly immersive journey back in time.
About Friends of Columbia State Historic Park
The Friends of Columbia State Historic Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Columbia—California’s best-preserved Gold Rush town. Through fundraising events like Lamplight Tours, educational programming, and community partnerships, Friends of Columbia SHP’s funding ensures that future generations can experience the stories, spirit, and living history of the Mother Lode.
Category: Arts, Community, Educational, Family
