Credit: Maks Ershov via Shutterstock.
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Staff Writer
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March 18, 2026
Bluegrass music has a way of carrying you straight into the past. With its lively strings, foot-stomping rhythms, and soulful harmonies, it evokes an era when towns were small, streets dusty, and life moved at a slower… If you’re in the mood to travel back in time, then this event might be exactly what you need.
A banjo-fueled spring celebration
Credit: Kevin Wheeler via Pexels.
Every spring, the Calico Ghost Town comes alive during the Spring Jam, a one-day festival blending live music, interactive animal experiences, and old-west charm. At the heart of the event is bluegrass music, as bands perform across outdoor stages delivering energetic sets that mix traditional tunes with modern twists.
For families and animal lovers, the festival also offers hands-on encounters with friendly animals, from petting areas to interactive exhibits. Visitors can also explore Calico’s historic shops, old-time games, food stalls, and demonstrations that make the past feel alive.
A ghost town abandoned over a century ago
Photo by Jerry Bauer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/landscape-photography-of-mountain-1314456/
Founded in 1881 deep in the Mojave Desert, Calico was once a thriving silver mining town that, during its peak in the mid-1880s, supported dozens of hotels, stores, and saloons, drawing thousands in search of silver and borate. When silver prices collapsed in the 1890s, the town emptied, becoming a true ghost town.
In the 1950s, Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm restored Calico to its 1880s appearance. Donated to San Bernardino County in 1966, today it’s a living history park and a favorite destination for those looking to step back into California’s Gold Rush era.
📆 When: May 9, 2026. 9 AM-5 PM
📍 Location: 36600 Ghost Town Road, Yermo, CA