NEVADA CITY, Calif. -   Summer Nights in Nevada City is an outdoor festival of art and music in one of the Northern Sierra’s most colorful and picturesque small towns.

The 2008 edition of Summer Nights will be held on Wednesday evenings, July 16, 23 and 30, in historic downtown Nevada City.

Located just 60 miles from Sacramento (80 miles from Reno), Nevada City is a convenient country getaway, with wide choices in lodging, dining and outdoor recreation.

During Summer Nights, the town’s landmark downtown historic district is closed to motorized traffic and filled with music, arts, crafts, classic cars, food, drink and more.  

Downtown specialty shops and restaurants are open for Summer Nights, with many offering special treats and surprises.  Leading Sierra foothills musicians perform on five outdoor stages throughout the downtown area.   Hours are 6-9 p.m.  There is no admission charge.

Special attractions this year are the Growers’ Market on Lower Broad Street, and “We Are Alive Dinosaurs,” a new dinosaur ride and photo opportunity for the youngsters.

Theme for the celebration is “Cool Music & Classic Cars.”

As one of Nevada City’s most popular gatherings, Summer Nights draws good crowds, so a shuttle service to the historic district is being made available.  Shuttles  run from free parking at the Nevada County Government Center at Highway 49 and Maidu Avenue.   Round trip fare is $2 for adults; children 12 and under ride free.  Shuttle hours are 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. each Wednesday.

Nevada City is located at the 2,500-foot elevation on the forested western slope of the Sierra Nevada.  Summer days and evenings are cooler than in the Sacramento Valley.  

From Sacramento, take eastbound Interstate 80 to Auburn and Highway 49 north to Nevada City.  It’s a one-hour drive from the capital.  From Marysville and the north valley, take eastbound Highway 20.  From Reno and Lake Tahoe, take westbound I-80 and state route 20.

The 18th Annual Summer Nights celebration is sponsored by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce.  For information, call (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-NJOY. 

Online information is available at Nevada City Chamber of Commerce website

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Entertainment Schedule
Summer Nights in Nevada City,  2008


July 16 
Masanga Marimba  •  Jim Lowe • Troupe Al Ama 
Holland/MacDonald • Joe Souza • David Ayala

July 23
Cool Heat • Women of Note • Troupe Al Ama  
Ivan Najera  • George Souza • David Ayala

July 30
Lorraine Gervais •  Dylan Guitar Trio •  Troupe Al Ama 
John Girton  •  Ludi Hinrichs • David Ayala