Nestled amidst the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe serves as the ultimate backdrop for an unforgettable Fourth of July celebration. Grab your crew and enjoy California sunshine, blue skies, and endless adventures. Here’s how we plan to celebrate:
Community Events | Parades, Fireworks, & SkyShows
July 4 | Downtown Truckee 4th of July Parade
Tip: Avid parade spectators put their folding chairs out at their favorite spot right at daybreak so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get the best spot!
| Time | Event | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 7am-10am | FREE Pancake Breakfast at Truckee Fire Station 92. | This station is right by the start of the parade route from Truckee High School. |
| 9:45am-10am | Firecracker Mile: 1-mile along the parade route for runners of all levels. | A great way to start your day! Register online and dress in red, white, and blue! |
| 10am | The parade starts near Truckee High School and progresses 1.5 miles down Donner Pass Road into historic Downtown Truckee, ending at around noon. | There is a free shuttle from Truckee neighborhoods starting at 8am! Avid spectators put their chairs out at their favorite spot right at daybreak so make sure you give yourself plenty of time in the morning! |
| 9:30pm | Fireworks Show Over Donner Lake | Make a plan ahead of time with your group to view the show from a house, beach, park, or dock around the lake. Consider carpooling, parking will be very limited. |
July 4 | Donner Lake West End Beach Celebration & Fireworks
A beloved, classic community celebration at West End Beach, includes games, music, BBQ’s, and Fireworks.
To enter and view from West End Beach, must show proof of Drivers License, Utility Bill, Car Registration, Tax Bill, or Lease Agreement with an address within the district to purchase $20 tickets from the Truckee-Donner Parks and Recreation District. Tickets will NOT be sold at the gate, final day to purchase at the Community Recreation Center will be July 3.
| Time | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 9am | Beach opens for all-day celebration. | Purchase tickets before July 3rd – they typically sell out! |
| 1pm-8pm | Live music and family fun complete with an Egg Toss, Tug of War, 3 Legged Races, and a Pie Eating Contest. | Bring your crew along, up to 8 tickets can be purchased at a time. |
| 9:30pm-10pm | Fireworks display over Donner Lake. | Show can be viewed from around Donner Lake. Consider carpooling, parking will be very limited. |
July 4 | Independence Day Celebration at Commons Beach
Check out the lineup of live music and family-friendly activities throughout the day, culminating in the Drone Show.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 12-2pm | Music with Lazar |
| 1-4pm | Face Painting & Temporary Tattoos |
| 2-4pm | Music with Disco Terrorist |
| 2-4pm | Bubble Show & Hula Hoops |
| 4-6pm | Music with Funksalot |
| 5-8pm | Facepainting |
| 6-8pm | Music with Zebuel |
| 8-10pm | Music with All Good Funk Alliance |
| 9:15pm | LED Laser and Glow Show |
| 9:30pm | Tahoe City Drone Show |
July 4 | Tahoe City Drone Shows
The largest drone light show over Lake Tahoe. This groundbreaking display will feature 300 drones above the water and visible from the shores or from a boat.
| Time | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 12pm-10pm | Festivities at Commons Beach with music, face painting, and fun! | Consider walking, biking, or taking public transportation to the event. There is a free late-night shuttle running every 30 minutes from 2:30pm-11:30pm.. |
| 9:30pm-10pm | Tahoe City Drone Show. | Viewing will also be available at various locations, including boat spots, restaurants throughout town, Bristlecone, and Skylandia. |
July 2-4 | Incline Village Local Heroes Celebration & Parade
A hometown parade, with spectacular floats, a bike parade, classic cars, Tahoe dogs, and lots of fire and rescue vehicles. This event brings special appreciation to those who help keep our lives safe: veterans, firefighters, Washoe County Sheriff Office peace officers, healthcare workers, educators, and service workers.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| July 2 | 8-10am | Free North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Flag Raising and Pancake Breakfast at Station 11 |
| July 2 | 10am | Local Heroes Parade and Kids Bike Parade |
| July 2 | 11am-3pm | Local Heroes Community Fair |
| July 2 | 11am-3pm | Highlander Pride Backyard BBQ |
| July 2 | 4-7pm | Incline-Tahoe Foundation presents SUMMERFEST! |
| July 3 | 9am | Highlander Pride Basketball Tournament |
| July 3 | 6pm | Veterans Recognition Reception |
| July 3 | 7pm-8:30pm | TOCCATA Red, White, & Tahoe Blue – Tribute to America |
| July 3 | Dusk | Flag Retirement Ceremony |
| July 4 | 8am-12pm | Veterans Club Pancake Breakfast |
July 4 | July 4th Fireworks presented by Red, White, & Tahoe Blue II
After a hiatus of five years, fireworks are back in North Lake Tahoe! Independence Day fireworks will return with an awe-inspiring display over Incline Village & Crystal Bay.
| Time | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30pm-10pm | Fireworks display over Incline Village & Crystal Bay | Please remember that beaches in Incline Village are exclusively for residents and their guests. Consider walking, biking, or taking public transportation to view the event from one of Lake Tahoe’s other nearby beaches. |
July 4 | South Lake Tahoe: Lights on the Lake
NBC’s Today Show recognizes this as one of the country’s top Fourth of July weekend Celebrations and The American Pyrotechnics Association rates this as one of the Top 5 displays in the nation.
| Time | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 9:45pm | Visible on the water via a variety of Cruise and Charter Options or view from Nevada Beach, Timber Cove Marina, Tallac Historic Site, or Lakeview Commons. Drive-in and walk-in viewing options fill up fast. | You can also find a vantage point from North Lake Tahoe and view the show from across the lake. While the display will be in the distance, it offers a unique perspective. |
Need a place to stay? Lodging is available in The Village at Palisades Tahoe with room types perfect for your group and accommodations that sleep up to 11 guests. You’ll be in the heart of the fun with easy access to hiking, biking, events, and lake activities.
Free Events | Palisades Tahoe
July 2-5 | The Village at Palisades Tahoe
| Date | Time | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2 | 6-8:30pm | Bluesdays | Free concert series featuring Chris Cain. Grab a cold drink, kick back, and enjoy the tunes. |
| July 3 | 5-6pm | First Street Yoga | Breathe and stretch with us this summer during our free outdoor yoga series. The complimentary classes kick off at 5pm, this week is led by Jessica Knotts. All levels are welcome, but please bring your own yoga mat. |
| July 5 | 5-7pm | Sunsets Music Series | After you’ve spent your day hiking or sightseeing from the Aerial Tram, relax and enjoy some the area’s most talented musicians. This week features Mighty Mike Schermer. |
Celebrate Responsibly
July 5 | 11th Annual Keep Tahoe Red, White and Blue Beach Cleanup
Following 4th of July, our beaches can become covered with trash. Each year, volunteers turn out for the largest cleanup of the year to remove this litter from Lake Tahoe’s shores. You can help Keep Tahoe Blue at one of six beach cleanup sites around the lake: Kiva Beach, Kings Beach, Nevada Beach, Lakeview Commons, Commons Beach, and Zephyr Cove. Click here to sign up, walk-ins are also welcome!
We’re all here to have a good time and want to keep these celebrations going for years to come. Please do what you can to be a responsible visitor and consider the impacts that these periods of high visitation have on our region. Here are a few tips on how you can help:
- Limit the traffic on our roadways, you can do this by walking, biking, carpooling, or utilizing our public transportation options during your time here.
- TART Connect is a FREE on-demand shuttle with service within the North Tahoe and Truckee areas. Download the app to request your ride.
- The TART Bus service is a great option to travel in and around North Tahoe and Truckee. Rides are FREE to all, check their website for complete details and routes.
- Plan to pack out your trash and waste. Oftentimes, trash receptacles at parks and beaches will become full – DO NOT leave your trash, this puts our ecosystem and wildlife at risk.
- All around Lake Tahoe will be busy with visitors for the holiday period. Please pack your patience, kindness, and remember that we are all celebrating together.
