TWELVE TAHOE EVENTS WORTH PLANNING FOR
Lake Tahoe is known for gorgeous summers with perfectly moderate temperatures and all the outdoor activities you could hope for. From the seemingly infinite hiking and biking trails to lake activities like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating to family days on sandy beaches, the options are endless. Now, add in a long list of events you’ll want to take note of, and you’ll see why it makes sense to plan in advance. Here are our favorite summer events (and a few fall events for good measure) that are worth planning your travels around.
1. July 3-4 – Fourth of July Celebrations – Around the Lake
Everyone knows Fourth of July in Tahoe can’t be beat, with two nights of fireworks (Kings Beach celebrates on July 3rd) and locations around the lake viewable from boats, beaches, or your favorite restaurant deck. From the water, you may even catch multiple shows on the 4th since Tahoe City, Incline Village, and South Lake Tahoe each have their own celebration. Truckee fireworks display over Donner Lake, so you’ll have options based on where you are staying or where you want to be. This year though, things are really getting exciting in Incline Village, with, for the first time ever, the fireworks set to a live performance by the Reno Philharmonic! Under the baton of Music Director Laura Jackson, the orchestra will present a concert on the Village Green in tandem with the fireworks, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner. View nearby vacation rentals.
2. July 12-13 - Art, Wine & Music Festival – Squaw Valley
Fine art, crafts, performers and musicians come out to participate in this two-day annual event. Two stages of music and sidewalks lined with artists’ booths make for a fun day of strolling the village and stocking up on local style. Oh, and for $25 you get unlimited wine tastings (benefitting Disabled Sports USA Far West). Not a bad way to spend the day! View nearby vacation rentals.
3. July 17–20 - Wanderlust - Squaw Valley
This is most certainly a one-of-a-kind festival, bringing together the world's leading yoga teachers, top musical acts and DJs, renowned speakers, top chefs and winemakers, and much, much more - all in the breathtaking setting of our own Squaw Valley. We're talking about fun in the sun and dancing under the stars, and as much yoga as you can handle. Mix in sipping poolside cocktails with your friends, tasty farm-to-table dinner with views of the surrounding mountain peaks, and hiking the peaceful trails, and you have what is Wanderlust. Early morning meditations and all-night chakra spinning musical performances -- it's an all-out ecstatic celebration. View nearby vacation rentals.
4. August 8-9 - 42nd Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d’ Elegance - Homewood
This famed classic events for boat lovers hosts a compilation of the best vintage boats from North America competing in 13 specialized classes for top honors and bragging rights in what is considered to be the premier judged wooden boat show in the nation. If you enjoy the art of restoration to "as delivered from the factory standards" and classic beauty on the water, then this is an event you'll want to attend. Even if you are not a wooden boat connoisseur, you will surely appreciate the beauty of these spectacular boats. Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation hosts the annual boat show again at Obexer's Boat Company in Homewood, CA on Tahoe's scenic west shore. As one of the most highly acclaimed wooden boat celebrations in the United States, Tahoe Luxury Properties is thrilled to be returning as the presenting sponsor. And we most certainly look forward to seeing you there! View nearby vacation rentals.
5. August 15-19 Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddleboard Festival – Kings Beach
Take the most beautiful Lake in the world, gather the best SUP athletes on the planet, mix in a little Aloha, and you have the perfect recipe known as the Ta-Hoe Nalu. With races to spectate, food trucks and shopping booths lining the beach, and tons of paddleboards to demo, this is most certainly a way to spend a day at the beach. There will even be an attempt at breaking the world record for most people doing paddleboard yoga, so be sure to come out and participate. View nearby vacation rentals.
6. August 30 – 25th Annual Foam Fest – Squaw Valley
Who doesn’t love a craft brew festival? Ad some blues and you get one of the most highly anticipated festivals in the Tahoe area, with more than 50 craft beers available for tasting. View nearby vacation rentals.
7. August 31- September 7 - 29th Annual Autumn Food and Wine Festival – Northstar Village
Enjoy A week-long celebration of winemaker dinners, food and wine pairing dinners, wine walks, grape stomp, annual fundraisers, restaurant specials, luncheons, and special speaker events. Participate in cooking seminars and demonstrations, culinary competitions, and of course, wine tastings at the Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival, recognized as the premier food, wine, brew and spirits festival in Northern California and the Sierra Nevada. View nearby vacation rentals.
8. September 21 - Iron Man – North Lake Tahoe
One of the newest North American events on the IRONMAN race circuit, Lake Tahoe is a can't-miss destination for triathletes. With over 8,000 feet of climbing on the bike course, added to the normal challenges of 2.4-mile swim and marathon run, IRONMAN Lake Tahoe is arguably the world’s toughest course. Combine our elevation at 6,000 feet, and you have an IRONMAN that attracts the best of the best triathletes and makes for absolutely inspiring spectating. And this year, for the first time in the US, the half IRONMAN will be taking place simultaneously. In summary, athletes everywhere. View nearby vacation rentals.
Not everything fun is short-lived. Here are a few ongoing summer events you won't want to miss:
9. Truckee Thursdays - June 12-August 21
Most neighborhoods have an annual street fair, Truckee, however, celebrates weekly. Every Thursday from mid-June through August, the street closes down and Truckee sets up with a farmers market, food vendors, artists booths, a stage for a rocking band and a beer garden, and children’s activities. Historic downtown Truckee literally turns into an all ages street party highlighting almost all of our local businesses. This is truly a community event, enjoyable for locals and visitors alike. View nearby vacation rentals.
10. Concerts at Commons Beach - June 22-September 7
Free weekly concerts on the beach in the heart of Tahoe City...yes please! Now in its 10th anniversary year, this 12 week series brings Sunday afternoon concerts to commons beach. Bring chairs and set up to picnic, or head over in your boat and watch from the water. Local food and drink vendors sell beer, wine, soft drinks, ice cream, sushi, barbeque, salads and more. View nearby vacation rentals.
11. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival - July 11-August 24
Imagine your toes in the sand, a fantastic bottle of wine nearby, a gourmet meal in hand and first-class entertainment with your friends and family before you...all while basking in a perfect Lake Tahoe sunset. You’re not dreaming, you’re experiencing the enchantment of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor State Park. The 2014 season features Shaekespeare’s enchanting romantic comedy, As You Like It. View nearby vacation rentals.
12. Tahoe SummerFest - August 1-17
Tahoe SummerFest is fast becoming one of Tahoe's must-do events, as an inimate musical experience under the Pines on the Sierra Nevada campus. Under the mastery of Maestro Joel Revzen, top players from the nations best symphonies gather to create the magic of SummerFest. This season features Metropolitan Opera Star Matthew Polenzani and U.S. Billboard Classical Chart best-selling pianist Simone Dinnerstein. View nearby vacation rentals.