First ski runs have been made and the nights are cold, but these festivities are sure to warm the soul. Enjoy films that get the adrenaline pumping during the Tahoe Adventure Film Fest or appreciate a locally sourced meal during one of the Farm to Table events and ring in the New Year with fireworks extravaganzas.
Noel Nights & Northern Lights Festival
Dec. 3-17 | Northstar Resort | Truckee
Kick off the holiday season with Noel Nights every Thursday until Dec. 17 featuring carolers, sleigh rides, face painting, holiday crafts and pictures with Santa. The holiday celebrations culminate with the Northern Lights Festival on Dec. 12. Featuring live music and DJs and a fireworks finale. | northstarcalifornia.com
Winter Ignite at Heavenly
Dec. 4-12 | Heavenly Village | Stateline, Nev.
Sports and entertainment combine with Winter Ignite at Heavenly Resort. The amplified, snow-fueled festival jumpstarts the 2015-16 season with a film premiere of Warren Miller’s “Chasing Shadows” at Harrah’s. On-mountain activities feature Unbuckle Après Parties at Tamarack Lodge with Heavenly’s famous DJ Cat. On Dec. 12. popular rock/indie duo, Matt and Kim, will perform a free concert in the Heavenly Village with an after-party at Peek Nightclub in Harrah’s. | skiheavenly.com
Zawadisha Holiday Bazaar
Dec. 5 | Blue Angel Cafe | South Lake Tahoe
Contribute to a thriving local economy by supporting and celebrating local artisans, crafters and entrepreneurs during the Zawadisha Holiday Bazaar featuring local vendors showcasing handmade crafts. Add meaning to holiday gift giving by giving the gift of clean energy and water to a woman in Kenya. A portion of proceeds from this event allows Zawadisha to give small loans to rural Kenyan women for items with big impact like solar lamps, clean cook stoves and water tanks. | zawadisha.org
Celebrate the Holidays at Squaw Valley
Dec. 19-31 | Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley
Celebrate the holidays in the Village at Squaw Valley with Santa visits, carolers, kids games and movies, live music and moonlit snowshoe tours throughout the holiday weeks. Ring in the New Year with dinner and fireworks at High Camp on Dec. 31. | squawalpine.com
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Dec. 31 | Heavenly Village | Stateline, Nev.
Heavenly Holidays reach their zenith on New Year’s Eve when fire, lights and music fill the air. The Fire Groove fire dancers will be adeptly twirling rings of flame, while a photo booth, games and face painting will be open to all. Live music with The LA All Stars will perform an outdoor concert that will get the audience moving, and the Fear-No-Ice sculptors will get their saws buzzing for a special New Year’s Eve exhibition. At 9 p.m., in time for the midnight Ball Drop in New York City’s Time Square, Heavenly’s Gondola Ball Drop will cross above the crowd, and a fabulous fireworks show will light up the night. | skiheavenly.com
Fire & Ice Celebration
Dec. 31 | Northstar California | Northstar
Ring in the New Year with live music, ice skating and roasting s’mores by the fire at Northstar Resort. Enjoy a fireworks exhibition and fun with the whole family. | northstarcalifornia.com
Culinary Delights
Around Tahoe
Tequila Tasting | 1st Thursday | Caliente!
Slow Sips | Dec. 10 | Café Spice
Baking workshop | Dec. 20 | Atelier
Kids Cookie Decorating | Dec. 22 | Atelier
Wine tastings | 3rd Thursday | Pour House
Moonlit Snowshoe Tour & Dinner
Dec. 26 | Alpine Meadows | Tahoe City
After the mountain closes and the winter moon rises, experience a snowshoe tour to the mid-mountain Chalet at Alpine Meadows. Enjoy an intimate seated dinner where you’ll be served an Alps-inspired menu with dishes like potato cheese soup, chicken cordon bleu and apple strudel. This unique experience is only available for 50 guests and available during select dates during the winter season. | squawalpine.com
Mountain Table Dinner Series
Dec. 18-March 11 | Northstar California | Truckee
The Mountain Table Dinner Series offers a unique dining experience in the Zephyr Lodge on select dates this season. Each dinner will feature a winery or brewery complemented by a menu featuring locally and regionally sourced produce and proteins prepared by our Executive Chef Steve Anderson. Seating for all dinners will be family style with live music. | northstarcalifornia.com
Farm to Table dinner and a movie
Dec. 28-Jan. 1 | Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley
This winter, enjoy a cozy and family friendly Farm to Table dinner created in collaboration with the Tahoe Food Hub and other local farmers. Families will gather with new and old friends at long farm tables to enjoy the four-course, family style meal. The event is capped with an all-ages movie for the kids to enjoy in comfortable seating while the parents sit back and enjoy dessert and cocktails. | squawalpine.com
South Tahoe Restaurant Week
Jan. 8-15 | Area venues | South Lake Tahoe
Gourmet burgers, handmade pastas, mouthwatering steaks, fresh seafood, inventive small plates, and decadent desserts are on the menu as the South Shore’s restaurants roll out an extraordinary culinary experience for California Restaurant Month. Tahoe South Restaurant Week, Made with Altitude, is an incredible opportunity to experience some of the best wine and food on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore. | tahoesouth.com
Friday Night Tasting Notes
Jan. 8-March 18 | Plaza Bar | Olympic Valley
Kick off the weekend with Friday Night Tasting Notes at Plaza Bar. Tantalize your taste buds with a complimentary tasting of craft beers or specialty spirits. Purchase one drink to enjoy sampling three or four tasters of beer or wine. | squawalpine.com
Mumble on the Mountain
Jan. 15-17 | Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley
Lagunitas Brewing is hosting a fun-filled weekend event beginning with a tasting during Friday Night Tasting Notes in the Plaza Bar. Enjoy live music during a après event hosted by Lagunitas. On Saturday, join Lagunitas on the KT deck with beer, swag and a DJ | squawalpine.com
Local Bartender Competition
Feb. 21 | West Shore cafe | Homewood
The second annual Local Bartender Competition returns from 1 to 5 p.m. Spectators to the event will help determine the People’s Choice award by trying 10 cocktails and voting on the favorite mixes. Tickets will be available for $10 in advance and $15 at the door. | westshorecafe.com
S’moresapalooza
Feb. 21 | Northstar Resort | Truckee
Northstar celebrates one of the best treats of winter during the S’moresapalooza. Enjoy a S’mores scavenger hunt, Nature Valley granola bar sampling, free S’mores, live music and more S’mores. | northstarcalifornia.com
Taste of Truckee
March 20 | Tahoe Donner Cross Country | Tahoe Donner
Tahoe Donner Cross-Country offers on-snow gourmet food tasting from noon to 3 p.m. for outdoor enthusiasts and food connoisseurs alike. Beginners can rent skis or snowshoes at the Cross Country Ski Area and get free pointers from instructors before heading out to eat. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Tahoe Food Hub. | tahoedonner.com
Live Music
Big Truck Fun First Party
Dec. 19 | Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley
Join Big Truck Brand for the Fun First Party of the year at the Plaza Bar in Squaw Valley’s Olympic House. There will be great music, product giveaways. All proceeds will benefit High Fives Foundation. | squawalpine.com
Nevada Chamber Music Festival
Dec. 26-31 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev.
For one week a year, Reno becomes the Chamber music capital of the world. This year, enjoy husband-and-wife pianists Antonio Pompa-Baldi and Emanuela Friscioni and the Reno Chamber Orchestra performing legendary and well-known songs along with a few of the lesser-known masterpieces. | renochamberorchestra.org
SnowGlobe Music Festival
Dec. 29-31 | Lake Tahoe Community College | South Lake Tahoe
Ring in the New Year under the stars at SnowGlobe Music Festival. The nation’s largest outdoor New Year’s Eve event features three days of acclaimed DJs and producers, fireworks displays, a big air exhibition and live art exhibits. | snowglobemusicfestival.com
Mardi Squaw
Feb. 6 | Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley
A perfect storm is descending upon Squaw Valley for a night of beats and revelry. Sunset Promotions transforms the Olympic Valley Lodge into a steamy, French Quarter tavern at the 4th annual Mardi Squaw party at Squaw Valley. After skiing and riding, join the pre-party on KT Deck for music, raffles and a good time. | squawalpine.com
Mardi Gras Celebration
Feb. 14-17 | Northstar | Truckee
Celebrate Mardi Gras with the Saint Gabriel Celestial Brass Band and a Fat Tuesday Whiskey Diner at Tavern 6330’. Kids may enjoy Mardi Gras Mask face painting and a mountain-wide scavenger hunt. | northstarcalifornia.com
Arts, Culture & Film
Around Tahoe
Word Jam | Every 2nd & 4th Sunday | Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
Literary Arts & Wine | Every 3rd Sunday | Coffeebar
Ongoing art exhibits | North Tahoe Art Center
“Decadence”
Until Jan. 2 | Harrah’s Reno | Reno, Nev.
A delectably entertaining cabaret experience. Enjoy luxuriously mischievous entertainment beyond one’s wildest dreams. Indulge in the finer things in life and maybe misbehave. Show times 9:30 p.m. Sat. until Jan. 2. | caesars.com
“Alex Ramon’s New Magic”
Until Jan. 3 |Harrah’s Reno | Reno, Ne.
A Magic Show with a new style and flair. His sleight-of-hand skill and presentation of illusions are world class and have earned him top honors from his peers. This remarkable young showman has perfected his craft, making him a modern master of magic. | harrahs-reno.com
“Tahoe: A Visual History”
Until Jan. 10 | Nevada Museum of Art | Reno, Nev.
Celebrate the history of Lake Tahoe at the Nevada Museum of Art. Each gallery features different pieces of the history of Lake Tahoe visually documented though photography and paintings from more than 175 artists. From the first people to settle in the region to the rise of the timber industry and the transition to a resort region, see how the area has changed and adapted over the years. (See Arts for more information in this issue.) | nevadaart.org
“Where the Anchor Lands”
Until April 1 | Tahoe Maritime Museum | Tahoe City
Celebrate the first exhibit opening in the new location of the Tahoe Maritime Museum at 401 West Lake Blvd. “Where the Anchor Lands” includes a eclectic mix of boats that have a long and interesting story that led them to dropping anchor in Tahoe City. | tahoemaritimemuseum.org
Monster Fish: Last of the River Giants
Until April 24 | Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum | Reno, Nev.
Beneath the surface of the world’s rivers swim mysterious giants. Join Dr. Zeb Hogan, National Geographic explorer, host of the Nat Geo WILD series Monster Fish, and University of Nevada, Reno, professor on a journey to find and protect the world’s largest freshwater fish. | nvdm.org
“Holmes for the Holiday”
Dec. 6-22 | Reno Little Theater | Reno, Nev.
Set in December 1936, Broadway star William Gillette admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then it’s up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. | renolittletheater.org
Tahoe Adventure Film Festival
Dec. 11 | Mont Bleu Casino | Stateline, Nev.
This is not the typical stuffy film festival. This fun, high-energy evening will fuel a passion for action and ignite the senses for adventure highlighting the best adventure sports films of the year and showcasing the action sports world best talent. | laketahoefilmfestival.com
Alpenglow Winter Film & Home Brew series
Dec. 17-March 17 | Area venues
Alpenglow presents the 10th Annual Winter Film Series featuring free shows for the skiing, climbing and adventure community with monthly shows designed to inspire, motivate and educate at Olympic Village Lodge each month featuring Jeremy Jones, Emily Harrington and Adrian Ballinger, Kelly Cordes and more. | alpenglowsports.com
Tahoe Flow Arts Bazaar
Dec. 13 | Tahoe Flow Arts Studio| Tahoe Vista
Enjoy free performances with Tahoe Flow Artists and special guests and live music from Sneaky Creatures during the Holiday Bazaar. Kali Cathie will lead a free meditation workshop. Local artisans will be selling homemade holiday goods. | tahoeflowartsstudio.com
“Zoot Suit Riot”
Dec. 29-Jan. 3 | Eldorado Casino | Reno, Nev.
“Zoot Suit Riot” will feature that big band sound and swing dancing that made the youth of the era feel alive in a time when the world was at war. The show will blend big band music of the era with modern hits from such artists as Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Big band swing is a derivative of the earlier big band jazz of Afro-Cuban origin consisting of saxophones, trumpets, trombones and a rhythm section. | eldoradoreno.com
“Footloose”
Jan. 19-April 17 | Eldorado Casino | Reno, Nev.
Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago who moves to the small town of Bomont where the local government has banned dancing and rock music. Ren leads his classmates around the law and Reverend Shaw Moore to have a real senior prom. See the cast cut loose to hit songs like “Almost Paradise,” “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” Holding Out for a Hero,” and of course, the title track, “Footloose.” | eldoradoreno.com
“The Book of Mormon”
Feb. 9-14 | Pioneer Center for Performing Arts | Reno, Nev.
The Book of Mormon follows two young missionaries who are sent to Uganda to try to convert citizens to the Mormon religion. One missionary, Elder Price, is an enthusiastic go-getter with a strong dedication to his faith, while his partner, Elder Cunningham, is a socially awkward, but well meaning nerd whose tendency to embroider the truth soon lands him in trouble. Upon their arrival in Africa, Elders Price and Cunningham learn that in a society plagued by AIDS, poverty and violence, a successful mission may not be as easy as they expected. | pioneercenter.com
“Ragtime the Musical”
March 11-13 | Pioneer Center for Performing Arts | Reno, Nev.
The lives of a family of upper class WASPs, an African-American couple and some Eastern-European Jewish immigrants intersect as they try to make a success in America. | pioneercenter.com
On the mountain
Learn to Ski and Board World Record Attempt
January | Area venues
January is national Learn to Ski and Ride month and local venues are joining the effort to break the world record for the world’s largest lesson by encouraging beginning and returning skiers and riders to enroll in a lesson this month. Many resorts offer packages including lessons, gear rental and lift tickets. | learntoskiandsnowboard.org
Winterpalooza
Jan. 23 | Tahoe Donner | Truckee
Enjoy tube racing, snowman building, relay races and a snow strider course as part of Tahoe Donner’s Winterpalooza. Families and kids of all ages are invited to celebrate the winter season. | tahoedonner.com
Burton Mountain Festival
Jan. 23-25 | Northstar | Truckee
The Burton Mountain Festival will be storming Northstar this winter and it’s bringing a full payload of product demos, parties and positive vibes. Kids will enjoy free snowboard lessons in the Riglet park. Rail jams, live music and après parties round out the fun. | northstarcalifornia.com
Winter Superstars Week
Feb. 13-20 | Tahoe Donner | Truckee
Compete in ski and snowboard races, sled pulling competitions and terrain park expositions during Winter Superstars Week at Tahoe Donner. Events are for all ages. | tahoedonner.com
Valentine’s Weekend Festival
Feb. 14-15 | Northstar | Truckee
Celebrate love during Valentine’s Weekend at Northstar. Ready to tie the knot? Northstar a group wedding ceremony atop the Rendezvous chair with a champagne toast. Couple can go head-to-head in the Cupid’s Course fun race with proceeds benefiting Tahoe SAFE Alliance. As well, complimentary face painting will be taking place in the Village during the weekend. | northstarcalifornia.com
Alpenglow Mountain Festival
Feb. 20-28 | Area Venues | North Lake Tahoe
The Alpenglow Mountain Festival returns to North Lake Tahoe with nine days of human-powered adventure. Enjoy guided snowshoe tours, back-country ski expeditions and avalanche safety presentations as part of the festivities. | alpenglowsports.com
Glowstick Parade and Carnival
Feb. 20 | Tahoe Donner | Truckee
Enjoy a torchlight parade and free carnival games at Tahoe Donner. Kids may earn glowsticks to use in the parade by competing in various games. Music and snacks will be provided. | tahoedonner.com
SnowFest!
March 4-13 | Area venues | North Lake Tahoe
Every spring since 1982, North Lake Tahoe comes alive with 10 fun-filled days and nights, jam packed with events and activities for all ages.
Swimmers prepare to take the dive during the Polar Plunge at SnowFest! | Courtesy SonwFest!
This year, the annual favorites will be back, along with a host of great new ones. All the snow-reliant events will be in full-effect: The Naughty Dawg Pull, Whacky Human Bowling, Snow Sculpting and much more. | tahoesnowfestival.com
Haven’t had enough? Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com or facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly for more live music, events, festivals and entertainment options, and check out each issue of Tahoe Weekly.
