Get ready for a spectacular 4th of July at Lake Tahoe, on both the California and Nevada sides. Lake Tahoe’s 4th of July celebrations are packed with activities all day long, from community parades and pancake breakfasts to live music and so much more. Read on for all you can look forward to on your 4th of July trip to Lake Tahoe, covering events July 2 – July 4, 2024.
Travel Responsibly
The 4th of July is arguably one of the busiest times of the year in Lake Tahoe. With an influx of people in the area, it’s more important than ever to travel responsibly. A few tips to have fun, stay safe and remain conscious of the environment:
- Stay Fire Safe: Always follow proper burning guidelines for any outdoor fires and remember to ensure that the fire is fully extinguished before leaving a fire site unattended. An easy way to do this is to wet the ashes, stir them and feel them with your hands to be sure there are no leftover embers that could spark a forest fire. We ask that you leave the fireworks (and yes, even the sparklers) behind, as fireworks are absolutely prohibited in the Tahoe Basin.
- Be a Respectful Event Attendee: Adhere to all posted signage before, during and after the events. Park legally and in designated areas. Before you leave, make sure you’ve disposed of all your trash in designated trash receptacles.
- Be TART-Smart: Consider riding a bike or utilizing public transportation like TART Connect to get from your lodging property to the event grounds and help ease traffic around the area.
- Prepare & Pack Responsibly: Pack responsibly by bringing a hat, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated — and once you’re here, fill that reusable water bottle with Tahoe Tap. Packing applies to your leaving, as well: pack out everything you brought so you can leave the area exactly as you found it.
- Know Before You Go: Check weather conditions, road alerts and county announcements before your trip so you’re prepared for anything, including potential wildfire activity. Utilize our Know Before You Go page to stay up to date on all relevant travel information.
- Keep Wildlife Wild: Do not approach or feed any wild animals you come across. To avoid running into any bear issues, stay “Bear Aware”: remove any food from your car, and if you are staying somewhere where you’re near the wilderness, be sure to put away and seal all your food.
Want to give back? Each year on July 5, Lake Tahoe residents and visitors turn out for one of the largest cleanups of the year, hosted by Keep Tahoe Blue. Held at various locations around Lake Tahoe, you can participate in the Keep Tahoe Red, White and Blue Beach Cleanup, and do your part to remove litter from beaches to help protect the area’s wildlife and the lake’s clarity.
Local Heroes 4th of July Celebrations at Incline Village and Crystal Bay
July 2-4, 2024
From pancake breakfasts to orchestral performances, the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association (IVCBA) is showcasing Independence Day festivities for all ages — and they’re even kicking the Local Heroes 4th of July celebrations off two days early.
On July 2nd, kick things off bright and early. Join the North Lake Tahoe Fire Department as they raise the flag in celebration of America’s independence. They’ll also be serving up a delicious pancake breakfast from 8-10 AM, so you can dive into the rest of the day’s activities with a full belly. Right after breakfast, you’ll be able to watch the Local Heroes Parade, which also includes the Kid’s Bike Parade, from 10 AM to 11 AM.
Then, spend the afternoon playing carnival games and browsing the booths of local vendors at the Community Fair. At the Fair, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office vehicles will be on display for their annual meet-and-greet, which is sure to be a highlight of the day for any families with kids. The Fair runs from 11 AM to 3 PM and includes the Highlander Pride Backyard BBQ fundraiser. Support the athletics programs at the local high school, Incline High, with your purchase of some delicious barbecue and a refreshing beer.
The day’s festivities don’t end there. At 4 PM, Incline Tahoe Foundation’s Summerfest begins, and you won’t want to miss this beloved annual community event. Enjoy live music, a catering menu courtesy of Tunnel Creek Cafe, beer tasting with over 20 craft beer options, lawn games and much more.
On July 3rd, continue your Independence Day spirit by starting the day cheering on some local athletes at the Highlander Pride Basketball Tournament, starting at 9 AM. Later in the day, to honor the brave veterans of the community, Cornerstone Church is sponsoring a Veteran’s Recognition Luncheon where veterans eat free. This evening also features the 19th annual Red, White & Tahoe Blue performance by the incredibly talented Tahoe Symphony. Enjoy full orchestral performances of such patriotic classics as The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and audience members will even get a chance to participate in an auction that will allow them to come onstage and conduct The Stars and Stripes Forever. Veterans are offered free admission. The day winds to a close with a public flag retirement ceremony, where guests can bring old, worn-out American flags to be retired in a respectful way.
On the big day itself, July 4th, you’ll be able to show your support for local veterans one more time — and enjoy a great breakfast, too. From 8 AM to 12 PM, you can stop by the Aspen Grove Community Center and enjoy the IVCB Veterans Club Pancake Breakfast. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 6-11 (kids under 5 eat free), and those of drinking age can also enjoy Bloody Marys and mimosas.
Tahoe City 4th of July Celebrations
July 4, 2024 | 12-10 PM
Tahoe City is revving up for another lively Independence Day celebration. This completely free, family-friendly activity lasts from noon all the way until 10 PM, with tons of fun-filled activities packed into the day. Enjoy live music courtesy of some of Lake Tahoe’s most energetic DJs, fun booths offering activities such as face painting and so much more. The full list of activities is still being finalized, so keep an eye on the event’s website as more details arrive. Check out the full lineup of DJ talent you’ll be able to jam with below:
- 12-2 pm: Lazar
- 1-4 pm: Face Painting and Temporary Tattoos
- 2-4 pm: Disco Terrorist, Bubble Show and Hula Hoops
- 4-6 pm: Funksalot
- 5-8 pm: Face Paint
- 6-8 pm: Zebuel
- 8-10 pm: All Good Funk Alliance
- 9:15 pm: LED Laser and Glow Show
- 9:30 pm: Tahoe City Drone Show
- 9:45 pm: Closing DJ and Announcements
- 10 pm: 4th of July Celebrations Conclude
Join the jams from wherever you are – turn your radio to 101.5FM KTKE, listen online at TruckeeTahoeRadio.com or download the free Truckee Tahoe Radio mobile app.
The grand finale to a day of celebrating is the Tahoe City Drone Show at 9:30 PM. Prepare to be dazzled as the night sky lights up with 300 drones working together to create spectacular works of art, showcasing the innovation and creativity of Lake Tahoe in a display that’s visible from shore to shore. Whether you’re watching from a car, a boat, on the shore or anywhere else in Lake Tahoe, you’re sure to be amazed.
Organizers of the event are mindful of the impact the festivities can have on the beautiful Lake Tahoe area. Do your part to be kind to our environment by picking up your litter before your group departs the festivities. In addition, festivalgoers are encouraged to carpool, walk, bike or take public transportation to the event.
Stay Awhile in Lake Tahoe
The beautiful Lake Tahoe area – with its Sierra Nevada granite peaks and the largest alpine lake in North America – is a place everyone should see. Spend some time before and after the Lake Tahoe 4th of July activities and see what you’ve been missing. There are plenty of lodging options, restaurants, hiking and biking trails, beaches and many more summer activities. We’ll be jamming all season long – check out our guide to this year’s summer music events. We’ll see you there.
