Welcome back to Owl Post, where I show you an easy way to become a bona fide Truckee/Tahoe citizen by keeping up with local happenings and taking action, big or small. This time, I’ll be talking about events. It’s summer, and after the winter we’ve had, we could all use some time out in nature and socializing without the need for shoveling snow or dealing with blizzard conditions and chairlift wind holds.
Tahoe is known for its natural beauty and we all kind of get how to enjoy it. Go to the beach, hike, stand up paddleboard, boat, etc. But there is just as much to enjoy on the social side of it. From biking and running races, to street fairs, to musical festivals, to educational events, it’s all here, too.
Here are my wise owl tips on how to figure out what to do this summer, or any season.
Be wise and sign up for these newsletters
Visit Tahoe-Truckee
Sign up for the Visit Truckee-Tahoe (visittruckeetahoe.com) newsletter. Yes, I know the name has the word “visit,” but that doesn’t mean locals should reject it outright. There’s no such thing as events for tourists versus locals in my book; they are all fun for everyone. This newsletter comes out about once a month, which means no inbox overwhelm.
In June’s newsletter, I learned Truckee Thursdays are back again and happening every week this summer. Beyond the local food trucks, artisan vendors, and live music, this is the place to see people and be seen. I am sure to run into people I haven’t come across for years every time I cruise around there. Bring a jacket if you plan to close out the event at 8:30 p.m.
Truckee Big Life
While you might see some of the same events that you do in the Visit Tahoe-Truckee newsletter, you need to sign up for this newsletter (truckee.com) as well if you want to get a handle on Truckee events. This one comes out every few days or so. Intermixed with announcements on chamber mixers and renewing members is the event gold you’re looking for. Featured events in June were the Truckee Roundhouse Maker Show and Truckee Day, the town-wide cleanup day with a barbecue party. These are both great community connection events, though one does involve picking up trash first to make those connections at the barbecue.
The North Tahoe Business Association
This is the newsletter to read for all things on Tahoe’s North Shore, like Free Concert Fridays: Music on the Beach at Kings Beach, pancake breakfasts, and paddling tours. A recent issue was about the upcoming Labor Day drone show in Kings Beach, called Music on the Beach, Lights in the Sky. It’s a celebration of the end of summer where you can go watch 300 drones dance in the sky while enjoying the final live music on the beach of the season. Yes, please! Subscribe at northtahoebusiness.org.
Tahoe City Downtown Association
Subscribe to the Tahoe City Downtown Association newsletter (visittahoecity.org) to get the scoop on all the fun things happening in Tahoe City with a sprinkling of West Shore events, too. The TCDA’s most recent spring newsletter had a good mix of events you’d expect to see, such as the free Concerts at Commons Beach and the Thursday farmers market. The real highlights for me were the more art-inspired ones to fuel my creative endeavors like making herbal bug spray and other natural skin products at Tahoe Boho Studio, and the pine needle basket weaving workshop at the Gatekeeper’s Museum. As an annual holiday tradition, I gift a handmade creation, so when summer hits I’m looking for my next project, and these are great options for me to check out.
Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association
With a lakeside focus and weekly frequency, this newsletter has a local events section — just make sure to scroll down to it (ivcba.org). There are usually a handful of event features, but you can use the link to see everything on its calendar. Recent editions had information about volunteering at the East Shore Clean Up Day, buying tickets to the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra, and hearing live music at Bowl Incline.
Don’t just attend – help!
Nearly all events need volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to enjoy an event for free or lower cost, and you’ll probably get a T-shirt or meal or some other freebie out of it, too.
My favorite volunteer jobs are checking people in or selling tickets. That way I get to say hello to everyone and connect with people I haven’t seen in a while. The second is volunteering at races. I so appreciated the aid stations’ support for the trail running races I did and always like to return the favor and then some.
Check these event calendars
These don’t come to you, but if you haven’t kept up on your email, there are a few places to go to check out what’s happening.
Navigate to the events page and search by location and date. While many of the big events are listed, this is also the spot to find niche events, such as a full moon paddle at Commons Beach or live music at a smaller venue like a local restaurant or bar.
Lake Tahoe This Week
You can filter this calendar (laketahoethisweek.com) by location, such as Truckee, Tahoe City, Kings Beach, or South Lake Tahoe, or by date and by interest, making it easy to find something where and when you’re free.
