From star parties and tulip festivals to film festivals, Earth Day festivities, celebrations of Western culture and much more, don’t miss out on the fantastic festivals this spring. All part of Tahoe Weekly’s Tahoe Music, Events & Festivals 2023 Spring Guide, available now.
Read Tahoe Music, Events & Festivals 2023 Spring Guide
Saturday Night Star Parties
Saturdays | Jack C. Davis Observatory | Carson City, Nev.
The observatory on the Western Nevada College campus hosts free star parties on Saturdays through Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. | wnc.edu
Baby Animal & Tulip Festival
April 5-May 6 | Andelin Family Farm | Sparks, Nev.
Celebrate the start of spring with a family-friendly festival on the farm with the arrival of baby animals and tulip blooms. | andelinfamilyfarm.com
Banff Mountain Film Festival
April 7-8 | Yuba Theatre | Downieville
April 14 & 15 | Bally’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev.
April 16 | Reno Events Center | Reno, Nev.
Banff Mountain Film Festival is an international film competition and annual presentation of films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, environment and adventure and exploration. | sierracountyartscouncil.org, casinos.ballys.com, nevadalandtrust.org
Achieve Tahoe Gala
April 8 | Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Village
The annual Achieve Tahoe Gala is an evening of dinner and drinks, a silent and live auction, raffle and presentations honoring those who exemplify Achieve Tahoe’s mission. | achievetahoe.org
Trail Running Film Festival
April 13 | Alibi Truckee
Donner Party Mountain Runners and Tahoe Mountain Sports are hosting a showing of the Trail Running Film Festival at 7 p.m. | donnerpartymountainrunners.com
Haunted Ghost Tours
April 13, 27; May 11, 25; June 8 | Gold Hill Hotel | Virginia City, Nev.
After a gourmet dinner, Northern Nevada Ghost Hunters will guide guests back in time with tales of the history and the hauntings of the hotel and the surrounding area, known as Slippery Gulch. | goldhillhotel.net
Tahoe Tattoo Show
April 14-16 | Harrah’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev.
The Tattoo Show features artists and vendors, as well as a contest and more. | tahoe.tattoo
Tahoe Truckee Earth Day
April 15 | Village at Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley
This festival is a volunteer-run, nonprofit event to recognize, celebrate and promote the region’s unique beauty. Enjoy live entertainment while learning how to preserve and protect local and global natural resources. | palisadestahoe.com
Sierra Poetry Festival
April 15 | The Center for the Arts | Grass Valley
The 7th Annual Sierra Poetry Festival will feature the new California Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick, along with a feast of local, regional, national and international poets and presenters. | sierrapoetryfestival.org
Social Science series
April 15, June 10 | The Discovery | Reno, Nev.
Social Science is an adults-only, brain-building series featuring science demonstrations, hands-on labs, expert presentations, a DJ, libations and sweet and savory bites. April’s event is Ladies’ Night and June’s is Social Science. | nvdm.org
World Trails Film Festival
April 20 | Nugget | Sparks, Nev.
Trails Film presents the world premiere at the International Trails Summit to benefit the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation from 6 to 10 p.m. | trails.film
Mark Twain Days
April 21-23 | Downtown Carson City, Nev.
Discover what Samuel Clemens did when he left Missouri to find his true identity in Nevada with art, music, treasure hunts, costume contests, the Twain “Cocktail” Train and more. | visitcarsoncity.com
Monster Jam
April 21-23 | Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
At Monster Jam, world champion athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. | monsterjam.com
South Lake Tahoe Earth Day
April 22 | Lake Tahoe Community College | South Lake Tahoe
Earth Day recognizes, celebrates and promotes the region’s unique beauty while educating the public about local environmental issues. | southtahoeearthday.org
Lake Tahoe Wedding Expo
April 23 | South of North Brewing Co. | South Lake Tahoe
This experiential wedding day expo is where you can celebrate, visualize and plan your special day with local vendors, champagne deck, gourmet bites, silent disco, trunk shows and more. RSVP to enter win a raffle prize. | Sierra Bride Magazine on Facebook
Northern Nevada Science & Technology Festival
April 23-29 | Area venues
This week-long celebration of the area’s innovation connects the community with the power of science and technology through hands-on school programs, as well as a series of free, family-friendly events. | nnsciencefest.org
Science Speaks Series
April 27, May 18, June 1, 13 | Area venues & virtual
UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center offers talks with professors and experts on different environmental concerns. | tahoe.ucdavis.edu
LUNAFEST
April 27 | Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema | Tahoe City
LUNAFEST film festival celebrates films made by women and gender nonconforming directors, including “This is Beth,” a story about South Lake Tahoe’s Beth Rodden. Read the story on the film at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Tahoe Weekly is a sponsor. | girlsontherunsierras.org
Crystal Cabaret: Speakeasy
April 27 | The Chateau | Incline Village, Nev.
Tahoe Family Solutions presents Crystal Cabaret: Speakeasy, dress in Prohibition Era cocktail attire for a night of entertainment, dancing and dinner. | tahoefamily.org
Cowboy Music & Poetry Show
April 28-29 | Grange Hall | Vinton
Sierra Valley Grange presents singer and harmonica player Gary Allegretto, cowboy poet Larry Maurice and singer/songwriter Richard Elloyan with Steve Wade. Dinner is at 5 p.m. followed by the shows at 7:30 p.m. | sierravalleygrange.org
Genoa Western Heritage Days
April 28-30 | Genoa, Nev.
Celebrate local history with Town Hall concerts and a day-long festival with Civil War reenactments, Chautauqua living history performances, Native American demonstrations, cowboy poetry and more. | genoanevada.org
Lei Day
April 29 | Nevada State Museum | Carson City, Nev.
Nevada State Museum is celebrating Lei Day with a lei making demonstration by Nā ʻŌiwi O Hawaiʻi, a lei-making contest for adults and kids, Hawaiian shaved ice, a kids’ corner, live music and more. | visitcarsoncity.com
Virginia City Grand Prix
April 29-30 | Virginia City, Nev.
Experience the legendary racing in historic Virginia City during this off-road motorcycle race. After the race, head to the Village Saloon to talk bikes and celebrate. | visitvirginiacitynv.com
An Evening in Hollywood
May 5 | North Tahoe Event Center | Kings Beach
Sierra Community House hosts its annual family dance with the theme: An Evening in Hollywood. Children and their role models can get dressed up, walk the red carpet, learn dance routines and enjoy other activities. | sierracommunityhouse.org
Cinco de Mayo Festival
May 5-7 | Glow Plaza Festival Grounds | Reno, Nev.
Northern Nevada’s largest Latino heritage celebration for all ages offers music with top local and regional Latin groups and Mexican bands, carnival rides, games and prizes and vendors of clothes, art, crafts and food. | Cinco de Mayo Festival on Facebook
Spring Fiesta Horse Show
May 5-7 | Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center | Reno, Nev.
Arabian horses, beautiful, elegant and versatile, are the most recognized horse breed in the world. Enjoy the spirited competition that feature Arabians, Half Arabians and Anglo Arabians. | comstockarabianassociation.com
Spring Fling
May 6 | The Chateau | Incline Village, Nev.
This handcrafted holiday fair will have more than 20 local artists, crafters and small businesses with great gifts for Mother’s Day. | Spring Fling on Facebook
Sierra Speaker Series
May 6 | Donner Memorial State Park | Truckee
The History Expedition Team 2023 presents “History Got It Wrong: the True Discoverers of the Comstock Lode, the Grosh Brothers.” The team retraced the routes of the Grosh Brothers in February to uncover whether they were the rightful discoverers of the world’s largest concentration of silver. | sierrastateparks.org
Kite Weekend
May 13-14 | Dangberg Ranch | Minden, Nev.
An event beloved by locals and visitors features an assortment of big and beautiful kites. Everyone is welcome to bring their own kites, as well. Park volunteers will assist children in making giant bubbles. Free. | visitcarsonvalley.org
Big Mama’s Show & Shine
May 13-14 | Lampe Park | Gardnerville, Nev.
Featuring classic cars, food vendors, music, craft beer, raffles and prizes. | youngatheartseniorcitizens.org
Yoga Room Wellness Weekend
May 19-21 | Yoga Room Tahoe | Tahoe City
Yoga Room Tahoe celebrates the 1st anniversary for owner Michelle Allen with a Wellness Weekend featuring BodyTalk, myofascial release, sound healing, and yoga, wellness and herbalism classes. | yogaroomtahoe.com
Hot Air for Hope Balloon Festival
May 19-21 | Lampe Park | Gardnerville, Nev.
This is the first year for Carson Valley’s newest cultural art festival, featuring a weekend of hot air balloons, concerts, competitions, displays and demonstrations by local musicians, artists and performers of all kinds. Free. | hotairforhope.com
Hot August Nights Spring Fever Revival
May 19-21 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev.
This weekend of classic cars and rock ‘n’ roll music will hum with powerful engines and dreamy sighs as classic cars from bygone eras line the streets. | hotaugustnights.net
Open House & Plant Faire
May 20 | Heritage Park Gardens | Gardnerville, Nev.
Celebrate the end of winter. There will be kids’ activities and a scavenger hunt. Walk the labyrinth, play chess or checkers or choose some plants for your home gardens. | mainstreetgardnerville.org
Made in Tahoe Festival
May 27-28 | Village at Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley
Celebrate all things Tahoe with an array of offerings that are made in or inspired by the Lake Tahoe basin and Truckee. Get to know local artisans, businesses, culinarians, organizations and entertainers. | palisadestahoe.com
Nevada State Fair
June 1-4 | Mills Park | Carson City, Nev.
Enjoy four days of fun, entertainment, carnival rides and pig racing. There will be a car show, history reenactments and exhibits. Free. | nevadastatefair.org
BackCountry Festival
June 2-4 | Corley Ranch | Carson Valley, Nev.
This new event, BackCountry Festival, will feature an amazing lineup of country music performances, barbecue and brews in the beautiful Eastern Sierra. | backcountryfest.com
Street Vibrations Spring Rally
June 2-4 | Reno, Carson, Virginia City and Stateline, Nev.
Enjoy a weekend of motorcycle fun with live entertainment on six stages, bike games, poker runs, vendors and more. | roadshowsreno.com
Fur Ball Gala
June 3 | Hyatt Regency | Incline Village, Nev.
Pet Network hosts its 25th annual Fur Ball Gala fundraiser, “An Enchanted Tail.” | petnetwork.org
Solstice Festival
June 8-18 | Tahoe City venues
Celebrate the beginning of summer at the Annual Tahoe City Solstice Festival featuring amazing events and activities, including the annual Tahoe City Food & Wine Classic, the kickoff for Concerts at Commons, Grab Your Glass, Farmers Market and much more. Tahoe Weekly is a sponsor. | visittahoecity.org
Reno River Fest
June 9-11 | Downtown Reno, Nev.
Reno River Festival celebrates the love of the Truckee River with MusicFest, a vendor fair, Reno Tahoe Adventure Park, Reno River Roll, Cornhole Championships, Craft Beer & Seltzer Experience, food and more. | renoriverfestival.com
Carson Valley Days Festival
June 9-12 | Lampe Park | Gardnerville, Nev.
This lineup of carnival midway games, rides, music, a themed parade, craft and food vendors, children’s games, horseshoe tournaments and more for the 113th festivities. | visitcarsonvalley.org
Truckee Roundhouse Maker Show
June 11 | Truckee Tahoe Airport | Truckee
The seventh Truckee Roundhouse maker Show offers an eclectic assortment of interactive arts, technologies, hobbies and projects along with food trucks, beer, live music, art cars, kids’ activities, a silent auction and raffle. | truckeeroundhouse.org
Stargazing at Spooner Lake
June 17-Sept. | Spooner Lake Visitors Center
Tahoe Star Tours is offering docent-led stargazing. Events are scheduled on select Thursdays and Saturdays beginning in June and running through Labor Day weekend. | tahoestartours.com
Truckee Thursdays
June 22-Aug. 10 | Downtown Truckee
Truckee Thursdays returns to its full schedule with a street party featuring live music, vendors, food, local art, kids’ activities, beer garden and more. Tahoe Weekly is a sponsor. | truckeethursdays.com
Trails & Vistas
June 24-25 | Spooner Lake State Park
This year’s art hikes celebrates 20 years of celebrating art in nature with hikes for all ages offered. Tahoe Weekly is a sponsor. | trailsandvistas.org
