When the summer crowds fade and Tahoe’s mountains start turning gold, you know that fall is on its way! This season brings lively Oktoberfest gatherings and cultural festivals to family-friendly harvest events and world-class races, making autumn the perfect time to experience the community spirit of the Sierra!
Whether you’re planning a cozy couple’s getaway or a family adventure, make your fall getaway unforgettable and book a North Lake Tahoe vacation rental today and enjoy these fall events that highlight the very best of Tahoe!
Fall Events in North Lake Tahoe Menu
Top Events This Fall in North Lake Tahoe
September Events in North Lake Tahoe 2025
October Events in North Lake Tahoe 2025
November Events in North Lake Tahoe 2025
Event Tips from Locals
What to Wear and How to Prepare
Projected Open Dates for Ski Resorts in North Lake Tahoe
Where to Stay in North Lake Tahoe
Top Events This Fall in North Lake Tahoe
Oktoberfest Celebrations
Sep 20th and Sep 27th, 2025 | William B. Layton Park, Tahoe City & The Village at Palisades Tahoe
Raise a stein and celebrate Bavarian style with brats, pretzels, live music, and craft beer at these lively festivals!
Concerts at Commons Beach
Sep 7th, 2025 | Commons Beach, Tahoe City
The popular summer series closes out with a final lakeside concert. Bring a blanket and picnic for the perfect Sunday evening.
Great Trail Race
Sep 27th, 2025 | Truckee to Tahoe City
Runners and cyclists take on this challenging endurance race across iconic mountain terrain. A fall favorite for athletes and spectators alike.
Made in Tahoe Festival – Fall Edition
Oct 11th–12th, 2025 | The Village at Palisades Tahoe
Celebrate local artisans, performers, and makers with a weekend of Tahoe-made art, food, and entertainment.
Downtown Trick-or-Treat
Oct 31st, 2025 | Downtown Tahoe City
A family-friendly Halloween tradition where local businesses open their doors for safe trick-or-treating in a festive setting!
Thanksgiving in Tahoe
Nov 27th, 2025 | Kings Beach and Palisades Tahoe
Choose from a warm community Thanksgiving meal at the North Tahoe Event Center or indulge in a chef-prepared holiday feast at Palisades Tahoe. Get your tickets early for the perfect way to celebrate the season!
September Events in North Lake Tahoe 2025
Food & Drink Festivals
Tahoe City Oktoberfest
Quick Look
Date: Sep 20th, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: William B. Layton Park, Tahoe City
Cost: Free admission, beer and food for purchase
Good For: Adults, groups, festival lovers
Why We Love It
Celebrate autumn Bavarian-style! This lively family-friendly Oktoberfest pairs Bavarian food, craft beer, live music, and games with kid favorites like pumpkin painting and balloon twisting. Enjoy the vendor village, festive costumes, and even the Lederhosen 5K, all with easy transit and bike valet services!
Oktoberfest: The Village at Palisades Tahoe
Quick Look
Date: Sep 27th, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: The Village at Palisades Tahoe
Cost: Free entry, food and drinks available for purchase
Good For: Couples, groups, beer enthusiasts
Why We Love It
Come and celebrate the 18th Oktoberfest at Palisades Tahoe! The Village turns into a bustling Bavarian street fair with German beer, traditional eats, and crowd-pleasing contests like stein-holding and keg rolling!
Summer Wine Tasting Series at Six Peaks Grille
Quick Look
Dates: Sep 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Location: Six Peaks Grille, Olympic Valley
Cost: Ticketed tastings
Good For: Wine lovers, couples
Why We Love It
Elevate an evening in the mountains and sip curated wines in a refined mountain setting at the base of Palisades Tahoe. Each week features new selections and expert commentary in an intimate tasting format! Get your tickets today!
Guitar Strings vs. Chicken Wings
Quick Look
Date: Sep 5th, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Location: The Village at Palisades Tahoe
Cost: Ticketed tasting & entry
Good For: Foodies, music lovers, groups
Why We Love It
This is the ultimate, fun-filled competition for any chicken-wing-lover! Join us for live bands and delicious wings as local restaurants go toe-to-toe for bragging rights! Sample wings, vote for your favorites, and dance the night away!
Music & Performance
Tunes on Tap Sunset Concert Series
Quick Look
Dates: Sep 4th, 11th, 18th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Alibi Ale Works Amphitheater, Incline Village
Cost: Free
Good For: All ages, music lovers
Why We Love It
Enjoy live bands JeNes N The Juice, Tahoe Tribe and Dirty Cello under the stars at Alibi’s outdoor amphitheater. With craft beer on tap and Tahoe sunsets as the backdrop, it’s the perfect Thursday night vibe!
Concerts at Commons Beach
Quick Look
Date: Sep 7, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Commons Beach, Tahoe City
Cost: Free
Good For: Families, couples, groups
Why We Love It
The long-running summer series closes out with live music right on the lake! Bring a blanket, a picnic, and soak up the last golden hours of summer.
Tahoe Music Alive Series: Haruka Fujii with the Musubi Trio – Marimba, Flute, Violin, Percussion
Quick Look
Date: Sep 13th, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Fox Cultural Hall, Kings Beach, CA
Cost: Ticketed
Good For: Classical music lovers, culture enthusiasts
Why We Love It
World-class chamber music comes to Tahoe through intimate performances, featuring renowned musicians in unique local venues!
Fruition at Crystal Bay Club
Quick Look
Date: Sep 26, 2025
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Crystal Bay Club
Cost: Ticketed
Good For: Live music fans, nightlife
Why We Love It
Catch this Portland-based Americana band at one of Tahoe’s most iconic live music venues! The Crystal Bay Club delivers an up-close concert experience with serious local energy.
Family-Friendly & Community
11th Annual Labor Day Cleanup
Quick Look
Date: Sep 1st, 2025
Time: 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Location: Kings Beach State Recreation Area
Cost: Free, volunteer event
Good For: Families, groups, eco-minded travelers
Why We Love It
Start September with a community effort to keep Tahoe beautiful! Volunteers gather to clean up beaches and trails, protecting the lake’s pristine environment.
Mexican Heritage Festival
Quick Look
Dates: Sep 14th to 20th, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Truckee River Regional Park
Cost: Free
Good For: Families, cultural experiences, groups
Why We Love It
Celebrate Latinx culture with music, dance, authentic food, and community spirit! This multi-day festival is one of the largest cultural events in the region!
Adventure Van Expo
Quick Look
Dates: Sep 20–21, 2025
Times: Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: The Village at Palisades Tahoe
Cost: Tickets required for entry and camping, vendor spaces available
Good For: Outdoor adventurers, families, van-life enthusiasts
Why We Love It
This two-day expo showcases custom-built vans, 4×4 rigs, and gear for every adventurer! Guests can meet builders, explore DIY van buildouts, shop accessories, and enjoy expert talks, live music, food trucks, and a lively community vibe. Camping options and a DIY contest make it a full weekend experience!
Outdoor & Sports
Full Moon Kayak Tours
Quick Look
Dates: Sep 6th & 7th, 2025 (Full Corn Moon), Oct 6th & 7th, 2025 (Full Hunter’s Moon)
Times: Sep 6th, 5:30–8:30 pm; Sep 7th, 6:00–9:00 pm; Oct 6th & 7th, 5:00–8:00 pm
Locations: Tahoe Vista Recreation Area & Commons Beach
Cost: $80 per person (ages 8+, swimming ability required)
Good For: Couples, groups, nature enthusiasts
Why We Love It
There’s nothing quite like watching the sun set and the full moon rise over the largest alpine lake in North America! With these tours, you can paddle across calm evening waters, learn about constellations, and end the night with hot drinks and snacks on the beach. There is no doubt that these guided tours are one of the most magical ways to experience Lake Tahoe!
Great Trail Race
Quick Look
Date: Sep 27, 2025
Time: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Truckee to Tahoe City | Classic Route | Elite Route
Cost: Entry fee required
Good For: Trail runners, cyclists, outdoor athletes
Why We Love It
This point-to-point endurance race links Truckee and Tahoe City across rugged Sierra trails. Participants can choose between gravel or mountain biking or trail running, with both Classic and Elite courses offering different levels of challenge. Whether you’re racing hard or just soaking up the scenery, it’s one of Tahoe’s most exciting fall events.
October Events in North Lake Tahoe 2025
Festivals & Culture
Tahoe Literary Festival
Quick Look
Dates: Oct 10th & 11th, 2025
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Tahoe City
Cost: Ticketed events
Good For: Readers, writers, culture seekers
Why We Love It
This two-day celebration of storytelling brings acclaimed novelists, poets, and thought leaders to Tahoe City for author talks, readings, and workshops. With a lineup featuring Katy Hays, Jill Shalvis, Michael Branch, and more, it’s an inspiring weekend for book lovers, aspiring writers, and anyone who appreciates the art of the written word!
Made in Tahoe Festival – Fall Edition
Quick Look
Dates: Oct 11th & 12th, 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: The Village at Palisades Tahoe
Cost: Free
Good For: Families, shoppers, culture enthusiasts
Why We Love It
Highlighting all things local, this festival showcases Tahoe-made art, food, drink, and performances! It’s the perfect place to pick up handcrafted goods and celebrate Tahoe pride.
Tahoe City Harvest Fest
Quick Look
Date: Oct 19, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Tahoe City Community Center
Cost: Free entry, $20 wristbands for unlimited games and hay rides; food sold separately
Good For: Families, kids, fall lovers
Why We Love It
This family-friendly festival returns with carnival-style games, bounce houses, a rock wall, hay rides, and more seasonal fun. It’s the perfect way to celebrate autumn in Tahoe City with kids of all ages!
Music & Performance
Tahoe Music Alive Series
Quick Look
Date: Oct 10, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation
Cost: Ticketed
Good For: Classical music lovers
Why We Love It
This chamber music concert brings intimate performances from accomplished musicians, creating a cozy cultural evening in the mountains.
Tahoe Music Alive Presents Yamazalde Trio
Quick Look
Date: Oct 11, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Olympic Valley Chapel
Cost: Ticketed
Good For: Music enthusiasts, couples
Why We Love It
Violinist Sandy Yamamoto, cellist Matthew Zalkind, and pianist Julio Elizalde come together for a program featuring Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Schoenfeld. Praised by the New York Times for their “explosive vigor and technical finesse,” this world-class trio promises an unforgettable evening of chamber music in an intimate mountain setting.
Family-Friendly & Seasonal
A Liar’s Cruise
Quick Look
Date: Oct 4, 2025
Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: 952 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City
Cost: Ticketed cruise
Good For: Adults, couples & groups
Why We Love It
Now in its 11th year, this annual fundraising cruise welcomes fall with spellbinding storytelling, complimentary wine from Highway 12 Winery, endless appetizers, and a lively auction benefiting the Sierra State Parks Foundation! Guests sail into the sunset while deciding which tales are fact and which are fiction, all aboard the charming Tahoe Gal.
Downtown Trick-or-Treat
Quick Look
Date: Oct 24, 2025
Time: parade starts at 6:00 pm
Location: Downtown Truckee
Cost: Free
Good For: Families, kids
Why We Love It
This long-standing Truckee tradition brings families together the Friday before Halloween. The parade marches through downtown to the Community Arts Center
Downtown Trick-or-Treat
Quick Look
Date: Oct 31, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Downtown Tahoe City, Heritage Plaza
Cost: Free
Good For: Families, kids
Why We Love It
Tahoe City’s downtown comes alive with festive decorations as local businesses welcome families for a safe and fun trick-or-treating experience! Kids can also join the Huntin’ for Pumpkins game! Find a hidden pumpkin and bring it to the TCPUD booth at Heritage Plaza to win a prize!
Talks & Learning
What Are Bees Thinking? Cognition in Captive and Wild Bumblebees
Quick Look
Date: Oct 23, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge
Cost: Free, registration may be required
Good For: Nature lovers, families, curious minds
Why We Love It
A fascinating evening lecture exploring the intelligence of bees, set at one of Tahoe’s most scenic lakefront spots.
November Events in North Lake Tahoe 2025
Sports & Outdoors
Annual Cross-Country and Backcountry Ski Swap
Quick Look
Date: Nov 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Tahoe XC
Cost: $10 suggested donation for entry; gear for sale (20% of sales support TCCSEA Youth Programs)
Good For: Skiers, snowboarders, outdoor enthusiasts
Why We Love It
This long-running ski swap is more than just a bargain hunt, it’s a major fundraiser for the Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Education Association! Shoppers can score new and used gear for human-powered sports like skiing, snowshoeing, and splitboarding, while proceeds support youth programs that promote outdoor recreation. It’s the perfect way to get winter-ready and give back to the local community!
Holiday & Family
Community Thanksgiving at North Tahoe Event Center
Quick Look
Date: Nov 27, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: North Tahoe Event Center, Kings Beach
Cost: Free, donations encouraged
Good For: Families, groups, community-minded travelers
Why We Love It
Share a holiday meal with the community in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving Tahoe-style.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Palisades Tahoe
Quick Look
Date: Nov 27, 2025
Time: 2:30 pm – 8:00 pm (seating at 2:30 pm or 5:30 pm)
Location: Olympic House, Palisades Tahoe
Cost: Adults (13+) $95+, Kids (5–12) $29+, Children 4 and under free (seat required)
Good For: Families, couples, food lovers
Why We Love It
Skip the cooking and enjoy a festive grand buffet with carving stations, seasonal sides, and decadent desserts at the Olympic House! Guests are welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne, and IKON pass holders receive a discount. With mountain views, a cozy holiday atmosphere, and all ages welcome, this special dinner is one of the most memorable ways to spend Thanksgiving in Tahoe!
Event Tips from Locals
Arrive Early: Popular events get busy quickly! Whether you’re heading to the Made in Tahoe Festival or taking the kids out Trick or Treating Downtown Truckee, arriving early means easier parking and better seating!
Get Your Tickets in Advance: It’s always a good idea to get you tickets as early as possible, especially for popular events like Oktoberfest!
Bring cash: Many smaller vendors and food stalls still prefer cash, especially at outdoor festivals!
Pack for variety: You could be on a hot, sunny trail in the afternoon and bundled up for a chilly evening concert just hours later so make sure to pack layers!
Check local schedules: Events may have multiple dates or venues. Always confirm the latest updates before heading out!
Combine events with outdoor fun: Fall is a great time to hike, bike, or kayak so be sure to get out there and enjoy the region’s natural beauty!
What to Wear and How to Prepare
Fall in Tahoe is all about layers.
September is usually still warm and sunny for the most part but evenings can get cooler as the month progresses. October and November are often sunny and many days will be warm but you will find that the temperature dips as the weeks progress. Evenings in October and November can be especially chilly so be sure to check the temperature while you’re packing and be prepared for the weather and even some snow!
- Layer up: Bring a light jacket with a fleece insert or an extra fleece layer plus, cozy hats, gloves and sunglasses for sunny days!
- Comfortable shoes: Many festivals are outdoors with uneven ground or grassy areas so make sure to pack shoes that will see you through the day from trails to events!
- Sun protection: Even in the fall, Tahoe’s high elevation means strong sun. Sunglasses and sunscreen are still essential!
- Evening extras: If you’re driving to North Lake Tahoe, packing some extra outdoor blankets or low-back chairs makes outdoor events even more comfortable!
Projected Open Dates for Ski Resorts in North Lake Tahoe
If you’re planning to ski or ride after fall festivals wrap up, mark these projected resort opening dates for 2025!
Northstar California – November 21
Palisades Tahoe – November 21
Tahoe Donner – December 12
Donner Ski Ranch – November 29 (2024 date, typically late November opening each year)
Sugar Bowl Resort – November 22
Boreal Mountain Resort – November 21
Diamond Peak – December 5
Soda Springs – November 28
Homewood Mountain Resort – December 5
Tip: Opening days can shift depending on snowfall, so check conditions before booking your trip!
Where to Stay in North Lake Tahoe
With so many exciting fall events happening in Tahoe City, Truckee, and Olympic Valley, the right home base makes all the difference! With Tahoe Signature Properties you will find a curated collection of beautiful North Lake Tahoe vacation rentals across the region, from Truckee and Tahoe Donner to Northstar and Palisades Tahoe!
Whether you’re looking for a cozy cabin perfect for a romantic weekend, spacious family-friendly homes close to festivals and downtown fun, or luxury estates with room for everyone to gather for Thanksgiving, we’ve got it! Many homes feature hot tubs, fireplaces, gourmet kitchens, game rooms, and expansive decks where you can soak in the crisp mountain air and golden fall views.
Wherever you want to be, steps from hiking trails, minutes from ski resorts, or within walking distance of dining and shops, we offer the perfect vacation homes for your fall getaway!
Make your autumn escape stress-free and unforgettable. Browse our handpicked vacation rentals in North Lake Tahoe and book your stay today.
Ready for These Fun Fall Events in North Lake Tahoe?
From Oktoberfest steins and lakeside concerts to harvest festivals and Thanksgiving feasts, fall in Tahoe is filled with community spirit, crisp mountain air, and endless reasons to celebrate. Pair these events with golden aspen views and cozy evenings in a Tahoe Signature Properties rental, and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable autumn escape.
Don’t wait! Book your North Lake Tahoe vacation rental now and make the most of this year’s fall festivities!
