02/24/2027 to 03/07/2027
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AT A GLANCE
When: February 24-March 7, 2027
Where: Tahoe City, Carnelian Bay and venues around North Lake Tahoe
Cost: Many events free; some ticketed
North Lake Tahoe SnowFest 2027 runs February 24-March 7 and marks 45 years of the festival locals call Mountain Mardi Gras. More than 50 events fill the calendar each year, with the biggest day centered in Tahoe City, and the festival is run by SnowFest, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by volunteers, local businesses and sponsors.
What SnowFest Is Like
Since 1982, SnowFest has been the North Shore's excuse to dress up in the middle of winter and celebrate together. Beads are everywhere, costumes are encouraged and the whole lakefront in Tahoe City takes on a carnival feel. On the main Saturday, floats, performers and booths line the traditional parade route for the Tahoe City Street Faire, which replaced the old parade, with vendor booths at Penny Bear Park and awards for Best in Show, Best Youth Entry, Most Tahoe and Rookie of the Year. From there the party rolls into the Cobblestone parking lot for an afternoon dance party, while down the shore in Carnelian Bay, hundreds of people gather to watch swimmers plunge into icy Lake Tahoe. The day ends with live music and fireworks at the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park. SnowFest events, sponsors and vendors help raise money for local nonprofits, scholarships and community causes, and you can feel that hometown pride.
Event Highlights
The festival opens with the Gar Woods Kick-Off Party in Carnelian Bay, where the Blues Monsters play and this year's SnowFest scholarship candidates are introduced. Gar Woods also hosts the annual Polar Bear Swim, where swimmers compete for cash prizes and the crowd cheers from shore. SnowFest Fireworks with the Nomads is billed as North Tahoe's only fireworks display, with food and drinks from Cafe Zenon. A week later, the Alaskan Open Snow Golf tournament turns the Winter Sports Park into a nine-hole scramble played with tennis balls, three clubs of your choice and plenty of costumes. The Kings Beach parade is also part of SnowFest, but its 2027 date hasn't been posted yet.
2027 Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 24: Gar Woods Kick-Off Party and Scholarship Candidate Introductions with the Blues Monsters, 5 p.m., Gar Woods, Carnelian Bay
Saturday, Feb. 27: Tahoe City Street Faire, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Gar Woods Annual Polar Bear Swim, noon-4 p.m., Carnelian Bay; The Haus SnowFest BrewFest, noon-7 p.m., Cobblestone lot, Tahoe City; SnowFest Fireworks with the Nomads, early evening, with live music first and fireworks at dark, Tahoe City Winter Sports Park
Saturday, Mar. 6: Alaskan Open Snow Golf, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tahoe City Winter Sports Park
The calendar opens with the Kick-Off Party on February 24, though SnowFest's FAQ lists February 25 as the start date. SnowFest also notes that events are subject to change, and more events are typically added to the calendar as dates are set, so check the SnowFest events page before you go.
Tickets, Cost and What to Bring
A lot of SnowFest is free. The fireworks are a free event, with donations welcome to help cover the show, and BrewFest lists free admission, with a $20 souvenir cup that includes one beer and $7 tickets for more. The Kick-Off Party is $50 in advance or $60 at the door, with food, music, drinks and a collector's edition SnowFest bead included, and proceeds go to the SnowFest Scholarship Contest. Snow golf entry is $200 per team of up to five players. Bring your beads and a costume, and dress warmly for the evening fireworks.
Parking and Getting There
Street parking on Highway 28 in Tahoe City is limited to two hours in peak seasons and gets very tight during the Street Faire, so use a public lot and walk. Options include the Jackpine lot downtown (about 40 spaces), the Grove Street lot behind Fat Cat Cafe, the Visitor Center lot at the Wye, the upper and lower Commons Beach lots and the Tahoe City Transit Center at 64 Acres, all within walking distance of the Tahoe City events. TART buses are free, and TART Connect offers free on-demand rides within its zones daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (book in the app or call 530-553-0653). For the fireworks, SnowFest lists a free event shuttle from Palisades Tahoe; confirm the 2027 times on TART's SnowFest page.
Local tip: Saturday, February 27 stacks the Street Faire, BrewFest and the fireworks into one day in Tahoe City, and the fireworks show at the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park, which takes over the Tahoe City golf course in winter, launches from the course right behind the Cobblestone. Park once at the Transit Center or a public lot in the morning and walk between everything instead of moving the car.
Check the full schedule on the SnowFest website.
Stay in the Middle of SnowFest
Our Tahoe City vacation homes keep you close to the Street Faire, BrewFest and fireworks, so you can park the car and walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is SnowFest 2027?
North Lake Tahoe SnowFest runs February 24-March 7, 2027. The biggest day is Saturday, February 27, with the Tahoe City Street Faire, BrewFest, the Polar Bear Swim and fireworks.
Are SnowFest events free?
Many are. The fireworks are free with donations welcome, and BrewFest has free admission with a $20 souvenir cup. The Kick-Off Party ($50 advance, $60 door) and snow golf ($200 per team) are paid.
Is there still a SnowFest parade in Tahoe City?
The Tahoe City parade is now the Tahoe City Street Faire, where floats, performances and booths line the traditional parade route. In 2027 it runs Saturday, February 27, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where do you park for SnowFest in Tahoe City?
Use the public lots, such as Jackpine, Grove Street, the Visitor Center lot, Commons Beach or the Tahoe City Transit Center at 64 Acres, and walk to events. Street parking on Highway 28 is very limited during the Street Faire.
When is the SnowFest Polar Bear Swim 2027?
The Gar Woods Annual Polar Bear Swim is Saturday, February 27, 2027, from noon-4 p.m. at Gar Woods Grill and Pier in Carnelian Bay, with cash prizes for top finishers.