Nestled amidst the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe serves as the ultimate backdrop for an unforgettable Fourth of July celebration. Following a record-breaking winter, our peaks are still capped with snow and our waters are clearer than ever. Grab your crew and enjoy California sunshine, blue skies, and endless adventures. Here’s the inside scoop on how we’re celebrating:
In the Sky | Fireworks and SkyShows
July 4 | Tahoe City Drone Shows
The largest drone light show that has ever been done 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12-9pm | Festivities at Commons Beach with music, face painting, and fun (more details below). | Consider walking, biking, or taking public transportation to the event. |
| 9:30pm | Tahoe City Drone Show begins. | Viewing will also be available at various locations, including boat spots, restaurants throughout town, Bristlecone, and Skylandia. |
July 4 | Incline Village Crystal Bay SkyShow
Get ready to light up the night. This event is back for 2023, now bigger and more inclusive, featuring more activities and food drink vendors.
| Time | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 7pm | Seating opens with DJ, entertainment, activities, trivia, food trucks, and beer garden. | Seating is available on a first come, first served basis so get there early to secure your spot. |
| 9:30pm | Laser show begins, followed immediately by Drone Show. | Bring your own blankets, beach chair, picnic basket, and cooler. |
July 4 | Donner Lake Fireworks
A beloved, classic community celebration at West End Beach, includes games, music, BBQ’s, and Fireworks.
| Time | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| All-day celebration | 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 $10 tickets from the Truckee-Donner Parks and Recreation District. | Show can be viewed from around Donner Lake. Consider carpooling, parking will be very limited. |
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 | Show begins at 9:45pm. Can be viewed 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. |
At the Mountain | Skiing, Riding, & Apres Events
July 1 – 4 | Freedom Fest at Alpine
For the first time in more than a decade, Alpine will be open into the summertime, giving you the opportunity to carve unforgettable memories from July 1-4, 2023.
- Skiing and riding operations are scheduled for 8am – 2pm
- Each day will feature apres and live music guests on the Alpine Deck
| Date | Musical Artist |
|---|---|
| Saturday, July 1 | Surf Mesa |
| Sunday, July 2 | Forester |
| Monday, July 3 | Zebuel |
| Tuesday, July 4 | Wild Child |
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 8 guests. You’ll be in the heart of the fun with easy access to skiing, riding, biking, and lake activities.
Around the Community
July 2 | Incline Village Local Heroes Celebration
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 Sherrif Office peace officers, healthcare workers, educators, and service workers.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8-10am | Free North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Flag Raising and Pancake Breakfast at Station 11 |
| 10am | Local Heros Parade and Kids Bike Parade |
| 11am-3pm | Community Fair on the Village Green |
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 (more details above).
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 12-2pm | Music with Mark Sexton |
| 1-4pm | Face Painting with Brooke Wyrd |
| 2-4pm | Music with Reverend Rusty Reams |
| 4-6pm | Music with Disco Terrorist |
| 6-8pm | Music with Funksalot |
| 8-10pm | Music with All Good Funk Alliance |
| 9:30pm | Tahoe City Drone Show |
July 4 | Truckee 4th of July
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7am-10am | Pancake Breakfast at Truckee Fire Station 92 |
| 9:40am | Firecracker Mile: 1-mile along the parade route for runners of all levels |
| 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. This year’s theme is “There’s No Place Like Home”. |
| 9:30pm | Fireworks Show Over Donner Lake |
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!
July 5 | 10th 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!
Free Events & Activities Throughout the Week
| Date | Time | Event | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 27 | 6-8:30pm | Bluesdays | The Village at Palisades Tahoe | Free concert series featuring Too Slim and the Taildraggers. Grab a cold drink, kick back, and enjoy the tunes. |
| June 28 | 5-8:30pm | Truckee Thursdays | Historic Downtown Truckee | Annual, weekly summer street festival with artisan vendors, live music, food court, beer garden, and kids’ activities. |
| June 29 | 5-7pm | The Great Bingo Revival | 22 Bistro in The Village at Palisades Tahoe | A unique family-friendly experience, free to play, and prizes are available for each round. |
| June 30 | 5-7 | SunSets Music Series | Mid Village in The Village at Palisades Tahoe | After you’ve spent your day hiking or sightseeing from the Aerial Tram, relax and enjoy some the area’s most talented musicians. |
| July 4 | 6-8:30pm | Bluesdays | The Village at Palisades Tahoe | Free concert series featuring Mighty Mike Schermer Band. Grab a cold drink, kick back, and enjoy the tunes. |
| July 5 | 5-6pm | First Street Yoga | The Village at Palisades Tahoe | 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 Sherry McConkey. All levels are welcome, but please bring your own yoga mat. |
| July 6 | 5-7pm | The Great Bingo Revival | Rocker in The Village at Palisades Tahoe | A unique family-friendly experience, free to play, and prizes are available for each round. |
| July 6 | 5-8:30pm | Truckee Thursdays | Historic Downtown Truckee | Annual, weekly summer street festival with artisan vendors, live music, food court, beer garden, and kids’ activities. |
| July 6 | 5-7pm | Great Bingo Revival | Rocker in The Village at Palisades Tahoe | Each week on Thursdays from 5-7pm a new restaurant will host a fun & unique family-friendly bingo experience. It’s free to play and you could win prizes each round! |
| July 7 | 5-7pm | Sunsets Music Series | Events Plaza in The Village at Palisades Tahoe | 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 Peter DeMattei. |
Celebrate Responsibly
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.
