Holiday activity calendar filling up for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the tree lighting at Heavenly Village a few days ago, and the Meyers Community Tree Lighting this coming Friday, the holiday season has started along the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.

'Tis the season for family fun, craft shows, festivals, Santa Claus, special events, and much more!

FUN FOR ALL AGES

The Meyers Community Tree Lighting takes place on Friday, December 1 at 5 p.m. at the Divided Sky parking lot. Santa will arrive by helicopter (weather permitting) and there will be cocoa and photo ops with the fire truck. More info HERE.

South Tahoe High School is holding the 2nd annual Winter Fest from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on both December 1 and 2. The free event was very popular last year with music, performances, crafts, food, and other activities. For a full list of each night's activities, visit HERE.

It's the 3rd annual Festival of Winter Lights and the annual Holiday in History on December 8 and 9. The festival is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night it features an outdoor European-style winter market with food, vendors, and free music, sleigh rides and Santa! The museum is open during all hours of the festival with extra hours On Saturday when they open at 11 a.m. Find more info HERE.

Live Violence Free to hold inaugural Winter Fest at Valhalla on December 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join in the fun and meet Santa and Holiday Princesses from Ever After Productions, indulge in some face painting, craft your own ornament, play festive games, sing some holiday karaoke, and hit the photo booth with family and friends. There is also a Holiday Gift Draw, with goodies from favorite local businesses.More info HERE.
Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation (LTDF) is holding its 'Breakfast for Dinner' holiday celebration on Monday, December 11, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For tickets and more info, visit HERE.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze holding a one-day performance at Tahoe Blue Event Center on December 16 at 7:30 p.m. Imaginative and fun for children to seniors and everyone in between, Cirque Dreams Holidaze features a world-renowned cast of performers accompanied by an ensemble of aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, fun-loving skippers, breath-catching acrobatics, and much more. More info HERE.

TOCCATA, the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, has five holiday performances of Handel's Messiah December 9-23 in South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Incline Village, Gardnerville, and Reno. The South Lake Tahoe concert will be on December 17 at 3 p.m. at St. Theresa Church. For more info, visit HERE.

Edgewood On Ice outdoor ice rink surrounded by pristine views of the resort and snow-capped mountains is open for guests as well as the public. Skate under the stars for and then enjoy outdoor firepits at the Bistro with a warm beverage. The magic continues throughout the winter season with the rink open daily from 4:30 – 10 p.m. as conditions allow.

CRAFT SHOWS

Coachman Hotel's "Merry & Mulled Holiday Market" on Saturday, December 2, from 2-5pm. More info HERE.

Holiday Market Saturdays at South Lake Brewing Company through Dec. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. More info HERE.

HEAVENLY VILLAGE

Unless noted, all events take place at the Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe. Details and information on tickets can be found on their website, HERE.

The Heavenly Holidays will celebrate the town’s central gathering place with a month-long series of good tidings and cheer for kids young and old in the Heavenly Village including traditional favorites: Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23; Holiday Santa Paws & Yappy Hour, Dec. 2, Dec. 9; Heavenly Winter Early Movie Premiers, Dec. 14, 21; Santa Claus is Skiing to Town, Dec. 16; Heavenly Village Holiday Sip & Shop, Dec. 17; Village Ice Sculpture Contest, Dec. 26; Meet Your Favorite Characters, Dec. 26-30; Visit Lake Tahoe Ferris Wheel, Dec. 27-31; Holiday Face Painting, Dec. 27-31; Dec. 29-30; Visit Lake Tahoe Build-A-Bear, Dec. 27- 31 and Holiday Paint & Sip, Saturdays in December.

New this year with Heavenly Holidays includes Frosty Shoreline Snowshoe Experience with a lakefront snowshoe stroll along the beaches of Lake Tahoe at Beach Retreat and Lodge complete with cozy fire pits and specialty beverages on Fridays/Saturdays in December at 5 p.m., weather permitting. Also enjoy the Champagne & Chocolate Sleigh Ride Tasting Experience, a 45-minute horse-drawn or carriage tour through the picturesque streets of South Lake Tahoe paired with complimentary champagne from Champagne & Chocolate Co. Fridays through Mondays in December. For all Heavenly Holidays details, people can also visit: https://visitlaketahoe.com/.

The Visit Lake Tahoe Ferris Wheel returns December 26-31, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.. Admission: $5 and it is located at the base of the Heavenly Gondola.

ADULT FUN

Lake Tahoe Pride and LTCC Student Equity / Ally Club inviting members of the local community to come together for a Friendsgiving dinner! Whether you can't make it home for Thanksgiving or simply appreciate a do-over, please join them on Saturday, December 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Tahoe Community College. More info HERE.

Tahoe Regional Professionals host "Dancing Through the Decades" party at the American Legion on December 9 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. More info HERE.

Celebrate Hanukkah and the holiday season at Temple Bat Yam's 5th annual Vodka & Latkes fundraiser on Wednesday, December 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. More info HERE.

NEW YEARS CELEBRATIONS

Tahoe Blue Event Center rings in the New Year with two nights of Excision, Dec. 30-31. Originally from British Columbia, Excision has spent his career dedicated to the Bass Music scene, leading, and innovating in the creation of a massive, passionate Dubstep community, the genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the early 2000s. Within the last five years, Excision has launched multiple large-scale festival productions and headlined shows in the Thunderdome and The Coliseum. For tickets, visit HERE.

Live music will take place on Heavenly Village’s Main Stage with multiple DJs and bands, Dec. 31 from 2 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. (Headliner is Kristen Brown from The Voice). Heavenly Holidays reaches its zenith on New Year’s Eve with a gondola drop at 9 p.m., coordinated with the midnight ball drop in New York City’s Times Square, accompanied by a fireworks show.

To celebrate midnight Pacific Time, the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino (formerly Hard Rock Lake Tahoe) introduces free to the public, “Light Up The Night” with two DJs on the Alpine Union Balcony and a firework show to welcome 2024 at 9 p.m. Premium heated seating and a champagne toast are available for purchase. https://www.goldennugget.com/lake-tahoe/

Ring in 2024 under the stars with the scenic views of Lake Tahoe on the M.S. Dixie II at Zephyr Cove. Embark on the New Year's Eve cruise starting at 6:30 p.m. plated meal, countdown (Eastern time) with a champagne toast. https://www.zephyrcove.com/lake-tahoe-cruises/sunset-dinner-cruises/

This story will be updated as more events are announced. Follow the South Tahoe Now events page or https://visitlaketahoe.com/.