Lake Tahoe Events

Summer

Free Sunday Evening Concerts – Late June through early September on Tahoe City's Commons Beach. Featuring local acts and regional artists. All ages welcome, picnics encouraged. www.visittahoecity.com

Thursdays' Farmers Market – California-certified farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and more. Late May through mid-October, 8am-1pm at Tahoe City's Commons Beach. www.visittahoecity.com

Summer Movie Series – New releases and family classics on the big screen in the Village at Squaw Valley Events Plaza. Thursday evenings, early July through August, weather permitting. www.thevillageatsquaw.com

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival – A longtime summer tradition at scenic Sand Harbor. Two productions full of laughter, love, scheming, scandal and dancing in the aisles. www.laketahoeshakespeare.com

Lake Tahoe Music Festival – Founded in 1982 and presenting six summer nights, over two and a half weeks, of Broadway and classical themes, well known Blues, Classic rock and Jazz.

Fourth of July Fireworks – Local donations and sponsorships fund this annual spectacle, starting at 9:30pm. Best views from Tahoe City's Commons Beach. (Come early.) www.visittahoecity.com

Fall

Annual Art Bark Fest – Animal art, wine tasting, animal-themed activities and free live music in the Village at Squaw Valley USA.

Tahoe City Harvest Festival – A week of fabulous family fun, featuring Scarecrows on Parade, Oktoberfest, a pumpkin patch...

Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival - a weekend of global food and wine, renowned chefs and presenters, music, entertainment and more at The Village at Northstar(TM). www.tahoefoodandwine.com

Winter

Tahoe City Town Tree Lighting – Early December holiday lighting festivities, refreshments and family activities at Heritage Plaza.

Family Winter Wonderland – Pictures with Santa, against a Lake Tahoe backdrop, at Heritage Plaza in early December.

Santa Sled Day – Free sledding and Santa Claus on Granlibakken's snowplay hill in mid-December.

Olympic Heritage Celebration – Commemorating 50th anniversary of 1960 Olympics at Squaw Valley and Cross-country races on the West Shore.

Spring

Snowfest – 10 fun-filled late winter/early spring days and nights at various North Tahoe locations on the snow and at the lake.

Earth Day Festival – Haute Trash fashion show, earth awareness and entertainment at the Village at Squaw Valley USA in mid-April.

Activities

Summer

Tahoe City Kayak – Rentals, sales, classes and guided tours from easy to strenuous. How about a casual 1.5-hour paddle at lunchtime? www.tahoecitykayak.com

North Tahoe Watersports – The latest in stay-dry parasailing with line lengths from 500 to 1400 feet for thrill-seekers of all ages and stages. www.northshoreparasail.com

Road and mountain bike rentals – Available on-site at Granlibakken and in Tahoe City at Olympic Bike Shop and The Back Country. Demos available at Cyclepaths in nearby Sunnyside.

Tahoe Sailing Charters – Peaceful and environmentally friendly, the 50-ft. sailing yacht, "Tahoe Cruz," departs from Tahoe City, May through October. www.tahoesail.com

Tahoe Gal – Scenic cruises, departing from Tahoe City, with a full galley and bar. Onboard Commodore Salon available for groups of up to 30. www.tahoegal.com

Tahoe City Golf Course – A nine-hole favorite of the "Rat Pack" in the 50s and popular with locals and visitors today. Sixth- and ninth-hole lakeviews. Breakfast and lunch at The Old Tahoe Country Kitchen and Par Bar. www.tahoecitygolf.com

Winter

Downhill skiing and snowboarding – Intimate hill at Granlibakken with lessons and rentals. Nearby at Homewood Mountain Resort, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing – Miles of trails, including Page Meadows and the Tahoe Rim Trail, with lift access at Granlibakken, the Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area two miles beyond Tahoe City, and Sugar Pine Point State Park a few miles to the south.

Tahoe Dave's – Ski and snowboard rentals, sales and gear in nearby Tahoe City.

Porter's Sports – Ski, snowboard and snowshoe rentals, plus sales and clothing in nearby Tahoe City.

Year-round

West Shore Sports - Seasonal Demos and Rentals on Tahoe's West Shore.

Tahoe Yoga Institute – Certified instructors in Kripalu, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Anusara-inspired, as well as meditation, Pilates, Tai Chi and Chi Gong. Serene space for all levels of practice in Tahoe City's Cobblestone Mall. 530.581.1005

Worship – Christ the King Lutheran Church, Tahoe City; Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Tahoe City, First Baptist Church, Tahoe City; North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation, Tahoe Vista; St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Tahoe City; Tahoe Christian Center, nondenominational, Tahoe City.

Lighthouse Spa - Massage, facials, waxing and more. (530) 583-8100. www.lighthousespa.com

Family Fun

Home Base – Granlibakken's suite, townhome and chalet lodging choices, with full-kitchen options and full, hot breakfast buffet included, are comfortable and affordable for families. There's fun for everyone on-site: outdoor heated pool and hot tub, miles of hiking and biking (rentals available) trails, wildlife viewing... And more possibilities nearby.

Nike Tennis Camp – www.ussportscamp.com/tennis/ - at Granlibakken, combining skill development and a Lake Tahoe mountain vacation for juniors and adults. Available with or without lodging.

Snowplay – at Granlibakken, machine-groomed area for "flying" saucers (rental included) and kids of all ages.

River Rafting – an easy walk to the Truckee River from Granlibakken with 2- to 20-person raft rentals, including paddles, vests and return shuttle, by Mountain Air Sports and Truckee River Raft Co..

Fishing - from the shore, on the Truckee River or Lake Tahoe on a lake charter. Visit North Lake Tahoe website at www.gotahoenorth.com for an overview. License required.

Squaw Valley USA Cable Car - www.squaw.com – a spectacular ride 2000 vertical feet to High Camp with access to numerous activities and five restaurants.

Olympic Ice Pavilion - www.squaw.com – Winter and summer at Squaw Valley's High Camp with spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Rentals and lessons.

Cobblestone Cinema – first-run movies in Tahoe City's distinctive shopping village. Call (530) 546-LAKE for show schedule.

Playground Equipment – on a large, lakefront grass and sand area at four-plus-acre Commons Beach Park in nearby Tahoe City. Picnic area available.

The Arts - Take in the rich artistic culture of North Lake Tahoe with art and music events. Visit TahoeCulture.com.