Memorable Holiday Getaway Options at South Lake Tahoe
Dec. 4, 2025 (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev.) – While waiting for Santa and his elves to deliver fresh snow, holiday magic and charm is under way in South Lake Tahoe with endless events, shopping, dining, entertainment, nightlife and outdoor activities. A selection of lodging options, pre-holiday bookings and special offers to meet every budget are available along with convenient access from the Bay Area and Northern California: visitlaketahoe.com.
With the colder night temperatures South Shore ski resorts jump-started the season with snowmaking efforts and will continue to expand terrain especially once fresh snow arrives. For current lift and mountain operations visit: Heavenly Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Sierra-at-Tahoe.
For ice skaters, Edgewood On Ice features an outdoor ice rink surrounded by pristine views of the resort and snow-capped mountains for Lodge guests and the public. Additional rinks include the outdoor venue in the Heavenly Village and indoors at the South Tahoe Ice Arena. Snow tubing at six different locations throughout South Shore feature Tube Tahoe in Meyers and Tahoe Snowmobiles, adjacent to Bally’s Resort, now offers nighttime fun at its Stateline location.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS
The Heavenly Holidays brings merriment and activities to the Heavenly Village throughout December with Holiday Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 6, 13, and 20; Story Time with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Village Toys, Dec. 13 and Dec. 22; Winter Photography Workshop at Twilight and Rust Gallery, Dec. 14; South Lake Brewing Company’s festive Holiday Market, Dec. 6, 13 and 20; Holiday Figure Skating Exposition with amateur champion skaters, Dec. 13; Meet Your Favorite Disney Characters, Dec. 26-30; Village Ice Sculpture, Dec. 26; Visit Lake Tahoe Ferris Wheel, Dec. 27-31; Visit Lake Tahoe Build-A-Bear, Dec. 27-31 Holiday Paint & Sip and more. For all Heavenly Holidays events, days and times visit: visitlaketahoe.com.
An outdoor holiday market returns for the 5th annual Festival of Winter Lights, Dec. 12-13 from 4-8 p.m., with local vendors, free winter carriage rides, meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, gingerbread house contest, kids activities, live performances, light displays, Christmas Fire Truck, hot drinks and food at the Lake Tahoe Museum.
NIGHTLIFE/ENTERTAINMENT
The Tahoe Blue Event Center welcomes the Turnpike Troubadours, Dec. 11; Tahoe Knight Monsters, ECHL pro hockey team, Dec. 5-6. Dec. 17, 19-20 with more home games January through April.
Casino entertainment at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe South Shore Room features Andy Bell of Erasure plus special guest Savannah Pope, Dec. 6; Tumua, Jan. 24; Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy, Feb. 16 and ZZ Ward, Feb. 27.
Bally’s Lake Tahoe showroom acts include comedian Daniel Tosh, Dec. 6; The Nutcracker, Dec. 22-23; Who’s Bad – A Michael Jackson Tribute, Dec. 27, and the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival, Jan. 10.
A long-held tradition at Camp Richardson Resort returns with Snowshoe Cocktail Races on the beach in front of The Grove restaurant, Jan. 17, Feb. 21, and March 21, 2026. Open to the public, competitors race with cocktail trays in hand through obstacles while on snowshoes along the shore of South Lake Tahoe – all for prizes and bragging rights.
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS
Heavenly Holidays closing ceremony is on New Year’s Eve with a gondola drop at 9 p.m. PT, coordinated with the midnight ball drop in New York City’s Time Square, accompanied by a fireworks show. Live music starts at 4 p.m. with high-energy electronic beats from DJ Cash Master followed by Bahena, a powerhouse rock band from Sacramento and concluding the evening with Eric Paslay, platinum selling, Grammy-nominated country star, joined by national touring acts Jared James Nichols, CJ Solar and Mark Mackay.
The Loft Tahoe will be transformed into a New Year’s Eve dance party in the Heavenly Village. The soiree will feature an open bar from 10-11 p.m., DJ Tony Dove starting at 10:30 p.m., and a midnight champagne toast. A high-end buffet with lobster delved eggs, wild mushroom and truffle risotto, salmon, prime rib, chef’s pasta station and more is available with reservations at 5 or 7 p.m.
To celebrate midnight Pacific Time, the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino New Year’s Eve Party on the Plaza at Saltgrass restaurant features DJs and a fireworks show at midnight to welcome 2026.
Ring in 2026 with one or multiple locations at Caesars Republic and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe with DJ Angie Vee at Peek Nightclub; Wolf by Vanderpump features extended hours and a live DJ; Dueling Pianos on the Caesars Republic casino floor or join Arty the Party – a Tahoe icon who spins and sings popular dance hits at Harrah’s. For clubbers making the rounds, Tahoe breweries, wine bars and speakeasys boast serious variety and quality with dozens of establishments. Safe public transportation is readily available, including free local service, Lake Link, Uber or taxi services.
For Tahoe travelers via car, tourism officials recommend being prepared by continually monitoring road conditions. For winter driving tips and key travel information visit “Know Before You Go” and Responsible Recreation. For information on offers, events, promotions, and conditions explore Visit Lake Tahoe: https://visitlaketahoe.com.
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CONTACT:
Contact: Jenn Boyd Lemming or Phil Weidinger, Weidinger Public Relations, 775-588-2412 or jennifer@weidingerpr.com.
About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Designated the “America’s Favorite Ski Destination” by USA TODAY readers, Visit Lake Tahoe combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: unparalleled natural beauty and an array of world-class outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife and gaming. As a responsible tourism destination, it offers a balanced approach regarding social and environmental impacts to preserve its appeal for generations. For information about lodging, recreation, events, and mindful travel at Visit Lake Tahoe www.VisitLakeTahoe.com.