Celebrate the 1920s at 37th annual Great Gatsby Festival at Tallac Historic Site

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – This year marks the 37th anniversary of the Great Gatsby Festival, a multi-day living history and interpretive festival held at the Tallac Historic Site each year. The Great Gatsby Festival is a living history event, celebrating the life and times of the Prohibition Era.

The event was temporarily paused from 2020 - 2022 and was revived in 2023, through a collaborative partnership between the Great Basin Institute, Valhalla Tahoe, and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

The Great Gatsby Festival begins on Friday, August 2, 2024, with the Vatican Speakeasy at the Pope Estate. The event includes live jazz music, and period-appropriate beverages, and is hosted from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. General admission is free. Table reservations are $20 per person and include one beverage.

On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., enjoy the Tallac Historic site where there will be free ongoing events including:

Living History Pope House Tours - Take a guided walk through the Pope House and meet some of the people of the past. Offered 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday & Sunday
Speakeasy Bar - Swing by the speakeasy bar at the Pope Estate for the taste of the times! Modern and non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Hours are 12 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday.
Tahoe Ukuleles - Baldwin Estate on Saturday, August 3 from 11 am to 12 pm
Silent Auction - Take a chance and bid on some fabulous prizes, donated from generous community partners
1920s Lawn Games - Participate in some friendly competition with fellow festival goers, with games like sack races and croquet. Games are available all day Saturday & Sunday
Live Jazz - The Jared Blum Band takes the Pope Estate stage on Saturday, from 12 PM to 4:30 PM
Vintage & Artisan Market - Visit the vendor market for fascinating vintage clothing and jewelry, as well as locally made products. Market hours are all day on Saturday & Sunday
Baldwin Estate - Find Lucky Baldwin himself on Sunday afternoon, as well as his dutiful piano player

The Gatsby Tea and Fashion Show, a long-standing tradition, begins Sunday, August 4 at 2 p.m. and is held at Valhalla Tahoe. Tickets are $80 per person and include a catered lunch, tea, and champagne.

In addition to the festival, the Tallac Historic Site offers the following daily programs:

Pope House tours: Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grand Estate tours: Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Artist Cabin: Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Blacksmith Shop: Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Parking during the Great Gatsby weekend is challenging and carpooling is encouraged. Parking is also available at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center

To buy tickets for the ticketed events, and for a complete list of Gatsby weekend events, music, vendors, programs, and more, visit the Great Basin Institute’s event page. As always, 1920s attire and attitude are encouraged!