New Year’s Eve North Lake Tahoe – Truckee December 31, 2019

It’s almost here, New Year’s Eve in the North Lake Tahoe – Truckee area, Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

If you are looking for ways to celebrate and bring in the New Year, and a new decade, not to mention it’s a Leap Year, here are some of our local Tahoe events that will happen on New Year’s Eve.

If you plan to stay in and celebrate in your Tahoe home that’s always a great choice.

Who doesn’t enjoy a cozy warm evening inside with friends and loved ones to bring in the New Year, but if you want a bigger event with some razzle-dazzle to it, then check out one of these FREE local events.

There will be a New Year’s Eve Light Parade and Fireworks Show at Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort, a Torchlight (LED) light parade, music, and a fireworks show at the Village at Squaw Valley, and music followed by a free firework show at the Northstar Village, all on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2019.

We have been to all three events over the years – Tahoe Donner, the Northstar annual Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve Celebration (live music and fireworks), and the torchlight event and fireworks show at the Village at Squaw Valley.

All events are a lot of fun to watch, and are a great way to bring in the New Year! This year based upon the timing of the events, I think you can get to two of the three scheduled events!

A couple of tips if you’re headed to any of these outdoor events:

Dress Warmly – You’ll want to dress warmly and in layers as you’ll be outside and the weather for New Year’s Eve is expected to be in the mid-’20s!
Be Early – Parking is always a challenge during our peak visitor seasons, and during the Christmas – New Year’s holiday period, we’re at capacity, so allow enough time for parking and finding a good spot to watch the show! If you are taking the bus, check out the schedules and go for the earlier route. Events tend to start on time in Tahoe, so give yourself extra travel time and plan to be early.
Flashlight – Not every place has outdoor lighting at night in our area. Always bring along a small flashlight. Don’t count on your cell phone flashlight. You know you’ll take a lot of photos at the event, and that always drains the battery faster, so carry a real flashlight and make it easy to find your way back to the place you are staying at, to your car, or to the bus stop.

There are a couple of ways to enjoy any of these events:

The first, park and join the groups and enjoy the people watching, free music and entertainment before the light parades, or music begins, followed by the fireworks show.

Or, take the short-cut method and just watch the light parades and fireworks show from any place that has a view of the ski runs.

If you see groups out in the parking lot with the camping chairs and blankets by their cars, chances are I’m one of them, waiting for the show to begin.

Yes, we will miss the people watching, and the enjoyment that comes from dancing and live music, but the trade-off is an easy-in and easy-out.

We’ve been watching the firework shows from our car for a few years now and we’ve found a good spot in the parking lot (typically at the very back), or anywhere you can see the ski resorts to watch the show.

Depending on the weather wind and temperature, we will get out the folding camping chairs, blankets, hot chocolate, and popcorn, and watch the show from a distance.

If you want to make a party out of it, plan ahead and bring your own snacks and beverages. Regardless of where you watch the firework shows, you’ll have a good time.

Here is the schedule of the Free Tahoe Donner Northstar New Year’s Eve events:

New Year’s Eve Light Parade and Fireworks Show – Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort

4:30 -5:30 p.m. Signups for the Light Parade
6:15 | Load Chairs
6:45- 7 p.m. Fireworks Show | The fireworks will start once the light parade is done. If you have a view of the Tahoe Donner ski hill you’ll be able to see the light parade and fireworks show.
Parking – Parking is limited, so plan ahead.
Conditions and Weather Permitting

Here is the schedule of the Free Northstar New Year’s Eve events:

New Year’s Eve – Northstar, California Fire and Ice Event

12 noon – 9 p.m. | Music all afternoon and into the evening with the headline “Hip Service” starting at 7 p.m. Enjoy music, watch the ice skaters, sit by the fire pits, and then enjoy the festivities.
9 p.m. Fireworks Show at the Northstar Village | If you have a view of the Northstar Village area you’ll be able to see the Fireworks display from a distance.
Parking – Parking is limited, so consider using the Truckee Shuttle to get to and from the event. To view their schedule www.TahoeTruckeeTransit.com
Conditions and Weather Permitting

We have gone the past few years and enjoyed the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Northstar. Take a look at the fun in past New Year’s Eve events at Northstar!

Here is the schedule of Free Squaw Valley New Year’s Eve events:

Squaw Valley, New Year’s Eve

2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Glow Stick Carnival games for kids of all ages | Funitel Plaza
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Live music with Apple Z | KT Deck
5:15 p.m. Torchlight Parade Starts | Guests load Exhibition for the Torchlight Parade An attempt at the world’s largest torchlight parade (LEDtorches) as they travel the 3.2 mile Mountain Run to break the 3,000+ participant record.
- Update: On December 31, 2018, Squaw Valley reported 2,913 skiers and riders on the mountain for the New Year’s Eve torchlight parade.

More than enough to break the Guinness World of Records of 2,854 skiers and snowboarders that followed a course between Riggisalp and Schwarzee, Switzerland on January 28, 2006.

Since there wasn’t a representative from Guinness on hand, the official record still stands in Switzerland, and Squaw Valley will hold the unofficial record.

7 p.m. Fireworks at the Village at Squaw Valley | Best viewing at the KT Bar area, but if you have a view of the Squaw Valley Ski Resort mountain, you’ll have a great view of the firework show. The firework photos on this blog have been taken at the back of the parking lot of the Village, so you’ll get a great show.
Conditions and Weather Permitting
7 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Family Friendly New York New Year’s Eve Party at Olympic House | Bar One & Plaza Bar
9 p.m. – 1 a.m. | Rock-N-OVL Concert | Olympic Valley Lodge (OVL) – Ticketed event $30/advance purchase and $40 at the door must be 21+ age

If you can’t be here for New Year’s Eve celebrations this year, don’t forget, every Saturday through the end of February 2020, they will be doing a Saturday Winter fireworks show starting at 7 p.m., so you can enjoy a bit of holiday magic all winter (weather permitting) long!

Looking for something more traditional? There are local restaurants and bars in the area that will also be having special New Year’s Eve events, but if you’re looking for free entertainment these three events are an easy and fun way to bring in the new year and the new decade.

Remember if you drink, don’t drive. Check out the Tahoe area bus system for their expanded night service for a safe ride home.

See you at one of the North Lake Tahoe – Truckee area New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31, 2019!

Be safe! Have fun! Happy New Year Everyone!

In my opinion, our holidays (winter and summer) here in the greater North Lake Tahoe – Truckee area are the best! It’s just one of the many reasons we love living here!

Thinking about making Northstar your second home? Check out these mountain homes that are for sale in Northstar here:

Want to see what Northstar condos or townhomes are available for sale? Check out the current listings here:

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs –

Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260 | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE, Tahoe Real Estate Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker, Tahoe City, CA

All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.

New Year’s Eve North Lake Tahoe – Truckee December 31, 2019