Events at Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Almaden Quicksilver events

Living History Day, Casa Grande, 2/14/15, left to right: Mike Boulland, Mary Moran, Elaine Hill, Bridgett Orcutt, Doug Bergtholdt

See here for the County Parks' Upcoming Events.
See here for past events at Almaden Quicksilver and other parks.

Saturdays May 13, May 27, June 17, June 24, July 15, July 22, 2023, 10:00 am - 11:00 am. Tai Chi Qigong. Learn the oldest and most powerful type of Tai Chi - Lao Jia. Develop greater physical strength, balance, and coordination. Thse slow, gentle movements are perfect for all ages and physical abilities. Meet at the picnic benches behind the museum with comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, and layers.
Sundays May 28 and September 24, 2023, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and Saturdays June 24, July 23, August 26, and October 28, 2023, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Quicksilver History Hike. Join a Park Interpreter on a 3-4 mile hike in the Almaden Hills and discover how the processing of cinnabar into mercury was significant to the success of the California Gold Rush and the development of California. Best for ages 10 and up. Meet at the Wood Rd. Entrance on Hicks Rd. Reservations online. Questions? (408) 318-5332.
Saturday July 29, 2023, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Play Like a Miner. Casa Grande, Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, 21350 Almaden Road in New Almaden. Travel back in time to the bustling days of New Almaden's Quicksilver Mine. Join us for games, artisan demonstrations, museum tours, and crafts. Try your hand at panning for precious gems. A fun event for all. $2 per person suggested donation. Questions? (408) 918-7770.
Saturday, September 9, 2023. New Almaden Day, Jump-In Parade around New Almaden, followed by a celebration at the New Almaden Community Center. See above.
Saturday, October 14, 2023. NAQCPA's Pioneer Day, 11 am to 2 pm at the Casa Grande. See above.
Fridays-Sundays in March, 2024, 12:00-4:00 pm. Women's History Month Crafternoons. Casa Grande, Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Kick off Women’s History Month by discovering great pioneering women of New Almaden during crafternoons at the mining museum all March long! Follow in 19th century artist and writer Mary Halleck Foote’s footsteps by becoming an amateur journalist (3/1-31). Create a nourishing meal like the women of the Barraza family by sewing together a pretend pasty (3/8-31). Protect the great outdoors like 21st century preservationist Kitty Monahan by making an artistic rendition of a park (3/15-31).This is a free drop-in event. No registration required. Address: 21350 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95120
2024 Quicksilver History Hikes (see above): Sundays January 28, March 24, May 26, August 25, September 29, 2024 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Saturdays February 24, April 27, June 29, July 27, 2024 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays in May. Multicultural Crafternoons at the Mining Museum, 12 pm - 4pm at the Casa Grande. Did you know that mercury was once used to make dye for Chinese lacquerware and the communities of New Almaden were amongst the first to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Learn more and help us celebrate the multicultural communities of New Almaden, by joining a Crafternoon at Almaden Quicksilver County Park's Mining Museum at Casa Grande! (Address: 21350 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95120).Free drop in event, great for all ages. Questions? Email interp@prk.sccgov.org
Saturday, May 25, 2024. Communities of New Almaden History Day, 10 am to 3 pm at the Casa Grande. Who were the people whose hard work in and around the mercury mines made the New Almaden mines a success? Drop in between 12-4pm to discover how citizens of Spanishtown, Englishtown and the Chinese communities toiled and thrived above and below the earth’s surface during the heyday of mercury mining in the late 1880s – early 1900s. $2/person suggested donation. For more information call 408-918-7770 or email lynda.will@prk.sccgov.org.
Sundays, May 5, May 26, July 27, 2024. Qigong and Tai Chi, 10 - 11 am at the Casa Grande. Learn the oldest and most powerful type of Tai Chi – Lao Jia. Develop greater physical strength, balance and coordination. These slow gentle movements are perfect for all ages and physical abilities. Meet at the parking lot near the restrooms with comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen and layers. Reservations online or contact Carrie Grisenti (408) 355-2240.
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays in July. Mining Crafternoons at the Mining Museum, 12 pm - 4pm at the Casa Grande. Join us for July Crafternoon's at Almaden Quicksilver County Park's Mining Museum at Casa Grande! With our big event Play Like a Miner right around the corner (Jul 13th) this month's theme is mining crafts! Come by the museum any Friday, Saturday or Sunday 12-4pm and make a popsicle stick pickaxe or a paper mineral cube! This is a free drop in program, no reservations required. Address: 21350 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95120.Questions? Email interp@prk.sccgov.org
Saturday, July 13, 2024. Play Like a Miner, 11 am - 3pm. Where: Backyard of the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum (Casa Grande) located at 21350 Almaden Road, San Jose, CA 95120. What: Imagine a day in the life of a mercury miner and other 19th century residents of New Almaden at this fun family event featuring games, crafts, live music, demonstrations, and mining-era activities for all ages. Explore a replica mine tunnel or try your hand at panning for precious gemstones. There's something for everyone at this free event. No registration required, just come on by between 11am and 3pm! Food will be available for purchase. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the museum grounds (with the exception of service animals). Questions? Email Colter Cook, colter.cook@prk.sccgov.org.
Saturday, September 14, 2024. New Almaden Day, Jump-In Parade around New Almaden, followed by a celebration at the New Almaden Community Center. See above.
Saturday, October 12, 2024. NAQCPA's Pioneer Day, 11 am to 2 pm at the Casa Grande. Details to follow.

For more information about the organization and activities, send us an email at naqcpa.newalmaden@gmail.com.
For questions about the website, contact our webmaster, Ron Horii. Updated 7/9/24.