North Lake Tahoe takes its music outdoors with a variety of live concerts, festivals and headliner events – all part of the destination’s High Notes: North Lake Tahoe Summerlong Music series, running June through September. The lake’s live music campaign also has a designated website that covers all the free events and ticketed performances.
Free Weekly Summer Concerts
Visitors to the country’s largest alpine lake will find live, outdoor performances – free of charge – every night of the week, except Mondays. Sundays rock out at Tahoe City’s Concerts at Commons Beach, which begins June 24 with the Blues Monsters, Dad’s LPS, Downbeat and Jellybread. It’s Bluesdays every Tuesday at the Village at Squaw Valley starting with Chris Cain July 3, and live music every Wednesday with Music in the Park at the Truckee Regional Park beginning June 20. Head to Commercial Row as part of Truckee Thursdays beginning June 14 for live tunes. Kings Beach is lakeside Fridays with their 6th Annual Music on the Beach starting July 6. Visitors can also enjoy free live music every Friday and Saturday overlooking the lake at the scenic West Shore Café & Inn in Homewood.
Squaw Valley also plays host to the Art, Wine & Music Festival, July 14-15, which includes two performance stages offering up free live music in addition to fine art and libations. The resort’s 11th Annual Soaring Kites & Music Festival provides free live music as well at 8,200 feet along with high-flying kite stunts. Cable car ticket is required to attend. The Village at Northstar grooves to a DJ spinning songs from the 70s and 80s with Music and Retro Skate Nights beginning June 19. Bring your own roller skates (or pay just $10 for rentals) and the night, including skating games, are free.
In North Lake Tahoe’s historic casino corridor, the Crystal Bay Club offers a host of free concerts throughout the week, as well as ticketed bands from the Bay Area. What sets this venue apart is its intimate setting that gets guests up close to the performers.
Summer Headliner Events
There are also a number of exceptional ticketed musical events held throughout the North Lake Tahoe region. Namaste in North Lake Tahoe this summer with the ultimate in yoga throw downs as the popular Wanderlust Festival returns to the scenic valley of Squaw Valley July 26-29. In addition to yoga sessions and wellness programs, the event will also host the positive vibrations of Ziggy Marley and MC Yogi with its generous dose of hip-hop, reggae, dancehall and dub sounds. There will also be plenty of food and beverage vendors, art instillations and ambient performances.
News this year is Lake Tahoe SummerFest, July and August, which celebrates world-class music, fine arts, theatre and education. Set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe, nine concerts will comprise the festival and feature renowned soloists and a world-class orchestra of 38 instrumentalists from the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Seattle Symphony. The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival also falls under the Lake Tahoe SummerFest umbrella and will take place July 13-August 26 at Sand Harbor State Park with “The Two Gentleman of Verona” headlining the festival’s 40th season.
New in Truckee is Star Sessions: Northstar Concert Series beginning June 22 with JJ Grey & Mofro and their old school rhythm and blues and down home rock ‘n’ roll. Northstar California will also host its popular 5th Annual Beerfest and Bluegrass Festival July 14, featuring live music from the country’s top bluegrass bands in addition to more than 25 local and regional breweries on tap to taste.
Squaw Valley’s Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest is always a must-attend summer event and returns August 11-12 with a great selection of beer to sample and an incredible line-up of music, all benefitting the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
For general information about North Lake Tahoe’s activities and events, along with lodging and recreation opportunities, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus’ website at www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Click on the site’s Cool Deals tab to save on your next North Lake Tahoe vacation.
North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.