While Lake Tahoe resonates with travelers year-round, it is exceptionally charming over the holiday season. There are so many heartwarming holiday events in Lake Tahoe.
Christmas magic prevails at every turn – from ice carving demonstrations to breakfasts with Santa and ice skating, sleigh rides and world-renowned skiing are just a few of the holiday activities for visitors and residents alike to enjoy. The scenic landscape is out of a storybook – snow-capped mountains, twinkling lights, cozy fireplaces and holiday feasts will mark family memories for years to come.
Below is our roundup of not-to-miss Christmas activities happening during the holidays in Lake Tahoe. Be sure to keep checking as more events are added.
Want to join us for New Year’s Eve celebrations, too? Check out our top recommendations for New Year’s in Lake Tahoe.
Christmas Tree Lightings
Welcome to Winter – Sat, Nov. 30, 2024
Celebrate the start of the season in The Village at Palisades Tahoe from 12-5pm with a totally free, fun afternoon of holiday-themed events and activities for all ages, culminating with a tree lighting ceremony in the Tram Plaza at 4:45pm.
Holiday Tree Lighting – Fri, Dec. 6, 2024
Enjoy live music, free holiday crafts, free homemade soup, and free hot cocoa and coffee from 5-7pm, culminating in a festive holiday tree lighting at North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. If you’re hoping to take photos with Santa, be sure to register in advance.
Family Fun Activities
Tahoe City Farmers’ Markets – Every Thursday*, Thurs. Oct. 31 – Thurs. Dec. 19
Support local growers at the Tahoe City Farmers’ Markets, which run from Halloween to December 19, every Thursday except Thanksgiving from 9 AM – 1 PM now at the Boatworks Mall. Check out the Tahoe City Farmers’ Market Instagram for the latest on seasonal offerings.
Northern Lights Festival – Nov 2 – Dec. 25, 2024
Head to the charming mountain town of Incline Village, this winter season for the annual Northern Lights Festival. They’ll lighting up the community with holiday spirit from now until the year’s end with festive light displays, casting a warm glow on Tahoe Boulevard and at homes and businesses all around town.
Holiday Maker’s Market – Sat, Dec. 7, 2024
Shop from a dozen local vendors while you listen to holiday carolers. Then enjoy fresh food from Mountain Lotus Preserves, sip free hot cocoa at Chickadee Art Collective, get beer specials at Bear Belly Brewing Co. and so much more.
Kids Ornament Workshop – Mon, Dec. 9, 2024
Create Christmas treasures with children ages 4+ among several DIY ornament stations at this 2-hour event from 4 to 6 pm at Bear Belly Brewing Co. (Note: children ages 10 and under will need an adult present.)
Santa Ski Day – Sat, Dec. 14, 2024
Deck yourself out in full holiday wear and get a discounted lift ticket at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Just a Santa hat won’t do; you’ll need to go full-on festive at this event, which is all part of the fun. It starts at 10:00 am with a Mass Santa Ski Down at Lakeview Load and ends with an Ugly Sweater Contest at The Timbers restaurant.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Festive Program – Sun, Dec. 22 to Weds, Jan. 1
The lakeside Lake Tahoe resort will be transformed for the season and alive with activities for all ages. Families can enjoy edible Christmas crafts, story time with Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, a family New Year’s Eve party and so much more. Adults may also enjoy events like a mixology class, a polar bear plunge, holiday disco cardio drumming, a snow obstacle course, and so much more.
Santa and Penguin Pete Visit Diamond Peak – Tues, Dec. 24, 2024
Celebrate Christmas Eve with Santa and Penguin Pete! They’ll hanging around Diamond Peak Ski Resort from 10am-12pm handing out stickers and treats and visiting the kids and kids at heart. Come take a selfie with Santa and Penguin Pete! Look for them on the slopes and in the Base Area.
Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade – Tues, Dec. 24, 2024
Spend Christmas Eve under the stars at Granlibakken Tahoe’s historic ski hill as skiers and snowboarders illuminate the hill with torches, followed by Santa and his elves arriving on the vintage Tucker Sno Cat. Holiday gifts will be handed out to children and complimentary cookies and winter beverages will be served. Free to attend, so spread the word and bring your loved ones to be a part of this incredible tradition!
Christmas Day Ski with Santa – Weds, Dec. 25, 2024
Celebrate Christmas Day by hitting the slopes with Santa at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort in Truckee. Starts at 11:30am. Come out for the holly jolly fun all afternoon.
Northstar Winter Wonders – Dates Coming Soon
Head to The Village at Northstar for treasured moments. All day, the area will be full of festive offerings, including ice skating in their outdoor rink, activities, shopping and dining.
Live Holiday Music
Handel’s Messiah and Holiday Favorites – Fri, Dec. 20
Join renowned vocalists and musicians from the TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at any of their five performances in December as they perform Handel’s Messiah along with other holiday favorites. Each event will occur at a different church around Lake Tahoe, and children are welcome. The event in Truckee will occur Friday, December 20.
Tahoe Live w/ Lil Wayne and Diplo – Sat, Dec. 14 & Sun, Dec. 15, 2024
Kick off the 2024-25 winter season at Palisades Tahoe’s Tahoe Live event, with performances featuring Lil Wayne and Diplo.
Great Basin Carolers – Fri, Dec. 20 to Tues, Dec. 24, 2024
The Great Basin Carolers spread holiday cheer with live caroling from 4-7pm daily, between December 20th to the 24th in The Village at Palisades Tahoe.
Homestyle Christmas Dinners
Holiday Banquet and Buffet at the Everline Resort & Spa – Tues, Dec. 24 & Weds, Dec. 25, 2024
Enjoy a holiday banquet and buffet at Cascades Restaurant and Six Peaks Grille, located at the Everline Resort & Spa. To make reservations at either call 530-412-7034.
Christmas Dinner at Granlibakken – Wed, Dec. 25, 2024
Spend Christmas day surrounded by your loved ones and feast on a handcrafted buffet at Granlibakken Tahoe. Reserve your seat by calling 530-583-4242.
Holiday Entertainment for a Cause
Tahoe Film Fest – Thur, Dec. 5 through Sun, Dec. 8, 2024
This 10th annual international film festival benefits the preservation of Lake Tahoe and the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and features a wide variety of independent films.
Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series – Sat, Nov. 30 through Fri, Mar. 7, 2024
Come and see world-famous athletes talk about their inspirational mountain adventures at Palisades Tahoe’s Olympic Village Events Center. Put on by Alpenglow Sports and sponsored by the North Tahoe Community Alliance, the event is free and routinely welcomes 3,000 in-person and 50,000 online attendees. Each event benefits a local Tahoe area charity and to date has raised $1.35 million through giveaways, bar proceeds and anonymous donations.
Winter Safety in Lake Tahoe
It’s always a good idea to check the weather as well as road conditions if you’re planning on an outdoor adventure. Live webcams can also be a good resource to get a bird’s eye view of a location.
If you plan on hiking or snowshoeing in the winter, please help us keep wildlife wild. Be sure to pack out what you pack in, keep your distance from wildlife and never feed them. There are plenty of great sledding spots in Lake Tahoe. Please do practice slediquette, making sure to dispose of broken sleds properly. It’s also a good idea to rent sleds or snow tubes from local businesses to support the Lake Tahoe economy.
Stay in Lake Tahoe This Christmas
If you’re looking for a place to stay near the Christmas activities and events above, please visit our lodging page. There’s plenty of easily accessible options to choose from. Many hotels and resorts have even more holiday-themed activities to offer, as well as restaurants serving up Christmas Eve and Day meals.
If you’re looking for other wintery things to do, from sledding to ice skating or skiing and beyond, check out our full guide to Lake Tahoe winter activities.
