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Jan. 1 – Feb. 16: Painting Merced County: Landmarks Immortalized by Artists
Local artists led by Jackie Anderson take a new look at some of our historic buildings, monuments, and sites. It does not matter if it is an old homestead that symbolizes the pioneer spirit or the tranquil Lake Yosemite tower where the Lady of the Lake resides; these creative artists have immortalized Merced County’s landmarks in their paintings.

Feb. 2: Merced County Historical Society Annual Meeting
The general membership meeting will be held this Sunday at the Merced Women’s Clubhouse at 2:00 p.m. with light refreshments. At the meeting, the past president will be honored, incoming board members will be installed, and awards and grants will be presented. This year’s keynote speaker is Yosemite Valley Railroad historian Jack Burgess, who will share some color photos of the railroad which ran between Merced and El Portal from 1907 to 1945.

March 13 – Aug. 31: Celebrations and Festivals Around Merced County
Festivals and vibrant celebrations bring people together, honor tradition, and offer a glimpse into different cultures. When we talk about Merced County traditions, Atwater’s 4th of July parade, Merced’s Hometown Christmas parade, and Los Banos’ May Day parade come to mind. In addition to these well-known events, this exhibit will explore other traditional observances, such as the Hmong New Year, Japanese Mochi Making, and Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which make Merced County special.

April 12: 28th Annual Tea Party in the Courtroom
On this Saturday, a traditional tea party will be held in the historic Superior Courtroom. “Springtime Flower Show” is the theme. Five table settings and floral arrangements will be decorated by our volunteers to showcase their creativity and their green thumbs. Tickets are available in March.

Oct. 4 – Feb. 15, 2026: Old Courthouse: 150 Years; 150 Stories
This year, Merced’s Old Courthouse is turning 150 years old. What better way to celebrate her 150th birthday than with 150 stories from our community? So, you are invited to send her a greeting. Please submit your story about the old Courthouse or Courthouse Museum with no more than 150 words and a photo for this special display. At the exhibition opening, we will have a community celebration in Courthouse Park to showcase the newly renovated Courthouse.

Canceled: Annual Bill Kirby’s Western BBQ and Auction
Our biggest event of the year is canceled this year. Instead, please join us for the Merced County Courthouse 150th Anniversary Banquet on October 4.

Oct. 4: Merced County Courthouse 150th Anniversary Banquet
Come join our once-in-a-lifetime event – a grand banquet marking the 150th anniversary of our old Courthouse. After seeing the newly renovated building at our community celebration in Courthouse Park, the party will be moved to the Pavilion Building at the County Fairgrounds for an unforgettable history-making night. Tickets are available in July.

Oct. 21: Eighth Annual Conference of Merced County Historical Societies 
This conference aims to bring together historical societies in Merced County to share ideas about historical preservation, documentation, and presentation. As a countywide organization, one of our goals is to support other local historical societies as they grow and thrive.

Dec. 7: Annual Christmas at the Courthouse Open House
On this Sunday, an annual open house created for and by the community will exhibit over 80 Christmas trees.  Join us for trees, treats, music, and traditional Courthouse Eggnog.