North Lake Tahoe Summer Festival Guide
Mark your calendar! This summer in North Lake Tahoe is packed with can’t miss festivals and events. From the shores of Lake Tahoe to surrounding mountain summits and everywhere in between, summer is the ultimate time to embrace culture, music, dance, art and so much more. Starting in May and going through October, enjoy everything from week-long celebrations of life in the mountains and human-powered sports to summerlong theater and world-renowned yoga and wellness retreats.
Whether you’re a foodie, family, artist, athlete, or dog and wine lover, there is something for you this summer in North Lake Tahoe. For a full event lineup, visit GoTahoeNorth.com/events.
FESTIVAL & EVENT LINEUP
Bluesdays at The Village at Squaw Valley
Free Weekly Music & Events | All summer long, various locations
North Tahoe is home to an incredible lineup of free weekly events every Tuesday through Sunday night:
- Tuesdays: Bluesdays at The Village at Squaw Valley
- Wednesdays: Yoga Squaw’D at The Village at Squaw Valley
- Thursdays: Free Outdoor Summer Movie Series
- Fridays: Music on the Beach in Kings Beach
- Saturdays: Music at Northstar California
- Sundays: Concerts at Commons Beach & Music at Northstar California
City Solstice Festival | June 8–16, Tahoe City & West Shore
To celebrate the kick-off to summer, this four-day Solstice Festival will bring together artisan food and wine, acclaimed musicians and artists, and the celebrated shops, restaurants, and galleries that reside on Lake Tahoe’s west shore.
Broken Arrow Skyrace | June 21–23
The two-day event, held at world-famous Squaw Valley, consists of three iconic distances showcasing the beauty of Lake Tahoe, the Jewel of the Sierra Nevada. Designed in the vein of the classic European Skyraces, the Broken Arrow Skyrace represents a unique style of mountain running characterized by off-trail scrambling on steep terrain with massive amounts of vertical gain and loss at altitude. Check out the teaser video here.
Beerfest & Bluegrass at The Village at Northstar California
Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival | July 6, The Village at Northstar California
For the 11th consecutive year, The Village at Northstar comes alive with al fresco rotos jams and fresh brews at the Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival. This family-friendly event features live music across multiple stages, dozens of local and regional breweries, and special activities for kids.
Art, Wine & Music Festival | July 113-14, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., The Village at Squaw Valley
Bursting with color, taste, and sound, the Art, Wine & Music Festival brings together fine artists, crafts makers, performers and musicians in this fun, two-day annual event. Enjoy wine tasting, live performances across three stages, and walkways lined with fine art booths and exhibits. All proceeds benefit Achieve Tahoe, whose mission is to provide affordable and inclusive physical and recreational activities that build health and confidence.
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival | July 5-Aug. 26, Sand Harbor Beach
Showcasing live entertainment seven nights a week at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s 46th anniversary season is headlined by productions of The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare’s “uproarious battle of the sexes”, and Million Dollar Quartet, a Tony-winning rock’n’roll tribute written and adapted by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott. This stunning venue is a favorite among visitors and locals alike.
Wanderlust at Squaw Valley
Wanderlust Yoga Festival | July 18–21, Squaw Valley
This world-class wellness festival returns for its 8th year and brings together yoga-loving communities from all over the world to unplug, reconnect and experience the extraordinary. Wanderlust, a multi-day retreat, includes workshops in diverse yoga styles, top musical performers, farm-to-table dining, and a thought-provoking Speakeasy lecture series. Wanderlust takes place amid breathtaking scenery and is perfect for mindful adventurers.
Lake Tahoe Dance Festival | July 24–26, Gatekeeper’s Museum/William B. Layton Park
A highlight of summer in Tahoe City has become the Lake Tahoe Dance Festival, known for bringing its first-rate artists from around the world. A diverse program celebrating the innovators of dance – from classic works that helped shape the art form to the most promising choreographers of today. This outdoor event is not to be missed!
Classical Tahoe | July 26–Aug. 11, Incline Village
Experience a virtuoso orchestra of musicians from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, LA Phil, Reno Phil and more, in an intimate setting surrounded by the majesty of Lake Tahoe. Classical Tahoe’s 6th season brings together America’s greatest classical musicians for three weeks to perform nine stunning concerts under the direction of Maestro Joel Revzen.
Concours d’Elegance
48th Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance | August 9-10, Homewood
2019 will feature another outstanding Marque Class hosting the world’s best antique and classic Utility boats from various manufacturers at the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance.
Ta-Hoe Nalu Festival | August 10-11, Kings Beach
The Ta-Hoe Nalu Festival celebrates fun, family, friends and the Hawaiian spirit with the world’s oldest paddle festival. This event is for novice paddleboarders and experts alike, with races, clinics, demos, and a vendor village. Plus live music, food, and raffles each day.
Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest | August 10–11, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., The Village at Squaw Valley
The Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest will once again return to Squaw Valley. Festival-goers can sip on a wide array of tasty beers from 35 different breweries, as well as enjoy an incredible line-up of music both days. All proceeds from the event benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe Music Festival | August 20–25, West Shore & Tahoe City
The Lake Tahoe Music Festival 20-Piece Academy Orchestra is comprised of elite student musicians from across the United States under the direction of Maestro Timm Rolek. Joining the orchestra this year are violinist Michael Sutton and the Amaranth String Quartet. Enjoy five concerts consisting of music, ballet, food, and wine. Bring your picnic, low-back lawn chair, and wine for a wonderful evening of beautiful music and dance.
Tahoe City Fine Arts & Crafts Festival | August 16–18 & August 23–25, Boatworks Mall
Set on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, the 8th annual Tahoe City Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will give visitors a special opportunity to meet with more than 45 artisans and craftspeople showcasing a wide variety of arts and crafts including photography, oil paintings, ceramic vessels, jewelry and much more.
Autumn Food & Wine Festival at Northstar California
Autumn Food & Wine Festival | September 20–22, Northstar California
The Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival is considered one of Lake Tahoe’s premier gourmet events. Enjoy three full days of cooking seminars and demonstrations, culinary competitions, wine tastings, a Farm to Tahoe dinner, live music, a gourmet marketplace, and more.
World Concert for Peace | September 7, 6:30 p.m., Sand Harbor Beach
Take a trip around the world with Trails & Vistas World Concert, featuring the extraordinary Mumbo Gumbo – one of California’s top groups – whose “genre-bending Americana” combines a big musical stew of soul, zydeco, folk, blues, rock, Cajun, and country into a uniquely festive, roots-music sound. The World Concert for Peace will be the finale of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Encore Showcase Series.
Tahoe City Oktoberfest | September 28, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Tahoe City
Featuring craft beers from some of the region’s best microbreweries, live music and great food, traditional Bavarian themed games and local artisan vendor booths, the festive fall celebration of Tahoe City Oktoberfest is fun for all ages, and one not to miss!
For more information about events and festivals visit https://stage.gotahoenorth.com/events.