The 5 Best Annual Events Around Lake Tahoe Region

From lakeside concerts to fireworks over the water and celebrities teeing off against a Sierra backdrop, the summer season unfolds like a highlight reel of mountain-town culture. Whether it's music echoing across the sand or a tournament gallery buzzing with cameras, these experiences form the rhythm of warm-weather life in Tahoe. The Best of Tahoe captures the best of signature South Shore events that turn ordinary summer days into unforgettable Tahoe moments.

Live at Lakeview

Free music and a view worth paying for — that’s the formula Live at Lakeview has mastered. Set on the Lakeview Commons beach in South Lake Tahoe, this summer concert series brings live bands to a stage just steps from the water. The backdrop? Sunset over the lake, paddleboarders drifting by, and a crowd that spans locals, visitors, and families in beach chairs. The organizers, On Course Events, are behind more than just soundchecks and schedules; they’ve built an event with community at its core. With local vendors, a beer garden, and bike valet service, the vibe is casual but dialed.

4th of July Fireworks

Independence Day in South Lake Tahoe is loud, bright, and unforgettable. The Lights on the Lake fireworks show has earned a spot among the nation's best for a reason. Each year, the display lights up the night sky above Lake Tahoe, reflecting in the water and turning boats, beaches, and balconies into front-row seats. The production is massive, with pyrotechnics synchronized to music and choreographed across multiple launch points. But it’s the setting that steals the show — watching bursts of color above one of the clearest alpine lakes in the country creates a kind of patriotic awe that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

Celebrity Golf Tournament

The American Century Championship brings a different kind of star power to Tahoe’s fairways. Held each July at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, the celebrity golf tournament is part competition, part entertainment, and fully Tahoe. Athletes, actors, and media personalities descend on the South Shore for a week of swinging, schmoozing, and occasionally shanking shots — on purpose or not, it's hard to tell. Spectators come for the golf but stay for the banter. With Lake Tahoe on one side and mountains on the other, Edgewood frames the action in high definition. The event also raises money for charities, combining golf with goodwill in true Tahoe fashion.

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