Celebrate 44 Years of North Lake Tahoe SNOWFEST with 10 days of events February 26th- March 8th, 2026.
Did you know that Tahoe’s SnowFest! Is part of a long and old tradition across much of the northern hemisphere?
Many countries and cities across the north host snow festivals annually, many dating back over 200 years. These events have many different names such as winter festival, winter carnival, snow festival, or frost fair. They are usually an outdoor cold weather celebration that occurs in areas where winter is long or severe, such as Siberia, Scandinavia, Canada and the northern United States.
Our Local SnowFest! Is considered the second largest snow festival in the country but it shares many similarities in origin, organization, and mythology with its northern neighbors.
The mission of SnowFest! was to promote Tahoe’s incredible weather and skiing early in March, as well as encourage tourism in a traditionally slow time for the area. The festival boasts several similarities to its northern counterparts. Check out more on the history of Snowfest!
SnowFest! has developed into an annual ten-day winter festival with many iconic events such as the Garwood’s Polar Bear Swim, the River Ranch Snow Sculpture Contest, The Olympic Valley Torch Light Parade, and the firehouse Pancake Breakfast to name a few. The event supporting local non-profits, public programs, and student organizations as well as highlighting the best of North Lake Tahoe’s winter activities and communities. For all the event information visit the website: tahoesnowfest.org
Activities Include:
February 26: Garwoods Kick-off / King and Queen Coronation w/ The Blues Monsters 5:00pm – 10:00pm Postponed to March 7
February 27: Le Chamois-Back to the Valley Throwback Party- Benefiting Lake Tahoe Ski Club Foundation 2-5pm
February 27: Tahoe City Winter sports Park Fireworks and the NOMADS 5-8pm
February 28: North Tahoe Firefighters Association Pancake Breakfast Tahoe City 7:00 am-11:00am
February 28: Tahoe City SNOWFEST street fair (former Parade) 11:30am – 1:30pm
February 28: Garwoods Polar bear swim 12-4pm
March 1: The Great Ski race- Hosted by Tahoe XC Center
March 1: Sunnyside Luau- proceeds to Benefit Sierra Community House 4pm-8pm
March 2: Za’s annual Clam Bake 5pm-8pm
March 3: Pete ‘n Peters bar Olympics 7pm-11pm
March 4: Palisades Tahoe Town Race League Series & Mardi Gras – SNOWFEST Opener 2-4:30pm
March 5: History of Snow Sports, Industries & Winter Carnival in Truckee 12:00 -6:00pm
March 6: SNOWFEST Ice Carving Classic Gatekeepers Museum Tahoe City 1-7pm
March 6: Bridgetender Fat Friday 3 Point Jam 5pm-9pm
March 7: North Tahoe PUD Pancake Breakfast 8am- 11am
March 7: Kings Beach Snowfest Parade 11:30am- 12:30
For all the events details and the FULL schedule check out: www.tahoesnowfest.org/events
You forgot to list the Snow Sculpture Contest on March 8 @ the River Ranch!!
yes, there are many more events than we listed on our site. check out snowfest.org for the full schedule
When is the the Olympic Valley Torch Light Parade happening??
Palisades does the torchlight Parade on New Year’s Eve now, not for snowfest