SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. –The City of South Lake Tahoe is excited to host the 5th Annual Festival of Winter Lights, on December 12 and 13 from 4-8 pm. This two-night holiday celebration brings the community together to celebrate the joy of the season.
This free, family-friendly outdoor festival invites everyone to enjoy an enchanting winter wonderland full of festive light displays, local artisan vendors, live entertainment, delicious food and drinks, and joyful holiday activities.
This year’s festival will once again transform the Senior Center parking lot into a dazzling Christmas market featuring:
A bustling Holiday Market, featuring a lineup of local makers and artisans offering handcrafted gifts, holiday treats, and seasonal treasures.
The return of the beloved Gingerbread House Village, showcasing creative entries from this year’s gingerbread competition. Guests are encouraged to vote for their favorite creation as part of the People’s Choice Award.
Cozy lighted Winter Carriage Rides with Tahoe Sleigh Ride
Holiday fun at the local museum with “Holiday in History” tours and historic cabin visits
Kids’ crafts and activities brought to you by the Tahoe Art League
Photos with the Christmas Fire Engine
Stroll along the Trail of Lights
Visits with Santa at Santa’s House
Seasonal food and drinks from local vendors, plus a free hot chocolate courtesy of The Lake Tahoe Historical Society.
Live entertainment featuring local musicians, dance performances by Lake Tahoe Shining Stars, the High School Jazz Combo Band, and Lake Tahoe Unified School District Choirs, all adding to the warm and festive atmosphere.
Limited-edition Festival of Winter Lights commemorative mugs with a brand-new 2025 design: perfect for sipping cocoa or glühwein and supporting the community. Available in limited quantities.
Parking & Getting There
Parking for festival goers is available at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex (1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.) and along Rufus Allen Blvd. but is limited. Attendees are encouraged to carpool or use public transportation, including the free Lake Link shuttle service.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Bike Tahoe, a local nonprofit bicycle advocacy organization, announces the winners of its inaugural 2025 Bike Tahoe Film Fest. Local filmmakers submitted their short-form videos in four categories: Bike Park, Next Gen, Awe-Inspiring Beauty and Extreme Adventure.
Then, a panel of judges in the fields of television, marketing, media, coaching and bike advocacy each viewed the submissions and scored them based on Creativity, Emotion/Engagement, Visual Quality, Relevance to Category, and Spirit of the Festival.
The winners of the 2025 Bike Tahoe Film Fest are:
Bike Park Category: “Paddy Takes Tahoe” by Patrick Giardina II. A story about Paddy ripping in the park, on the BMX track and at the Tahoe Games.
Next Gen Category: “Homework” by Tobin Grey. A short, fun little video that shows what being a Tahoe kid is all about.
Awe-inspiring Category: “Epic Flume Trail” by Richard Matera. A story about introducing the Flume Trail to a visiting friend from South Africa.
Extreme Adventure Category: “The Ultimate One Day Mountain Bike Challenge” by Dan Thour. A story about a 24 hour mountain bike ride around the Lake’s trails to raise dollars for cancer research. To view the video finalists, go to: https://bit.ly/4oP4Yih
“We are delighted with the initial interest in the Bike Film Fest and look forward to building the event in the 2026 Film Fest,” said Bike Tahoe’s Ty Polastri.
Polastri extends a special thank you to all the filmmakers submitting their entries and to the supporting sponsors Lake Tahoe TV, The Tahoe Games, and all the judges who helped make this event possible.
During the winter months, filmmakers can review their videos for editing and submission in the spring of 2026.
KIRKWOOD, Calif. –Kirkwood Mountain Resort is set to bring its big mountain adventure, no-frills-here-for-the-skiing vibe back starting this Friday, Dec. 5, and Northstar California Resort welcomes back friends and family to their favorite winter traditions starting with Opening Day on Saturday, Dec. 6. Kirkwood has benefited from more than 44 inches of natural snow this month in addition to snowmaking, allowing the resort to hit its original opening day target. Northstar joins in on the excitement this weekend thanks to colder temperatures and the hard work of its snowmaking team.
Rounding things out for resorts on the Epic Pass in Lake Tahoe, Heavenly opened for skiing and riding on Nov. 24, celebrating the start of their 70th anniversary season. Whether you’re loyal to one or a sampler of all, the Epic Pass is the best deal on skiing and riding in Lake Tahoe and beyond, and Dec. 4 is the last chance to lock in a pass this season.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort Opening Day
On Friday Dec. 5 at Kirkwood, lifts will start spinning for the season at 9 AM with access to skiing and riding from Chair 5 and the tow rope.
“Opening Day is one of those moments that truly highlights what makes Kirkwood so special,” said Ricky Newberry, Vice President & General Manager of Kirkwood Mountain Resort. “We’re deeply grateful for our employees whose dedication makes everything possible, and for our Kirkwood community that brings the energy to this valley year after year. We’re excited to kick off another incredible season and continue delivering the skiing and riding experience Kirkwood is known for.”
Northstar California Resort Opening Day
At Northstar, the team has been working around the clock, taking advantage of every weather window to make snow and get ready to open this season. This Saturday, Dec. 6, will officially mark the start of skiing and riding at the resort, with lifts opening at 9 AM. Mountain access will be available via the Big Springs Gondola, with skiing and riding off Vista Express.
“While it’s taken us a little more time to get things started this season, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome guests back to snow and kick off another magical winter season at Northstar,” said Tara Schoedinger, Vice President and General Manager of Northstar. “From traditions like getting in the first turns of the season on mountain to celebrating with loved ones in the village with S’Mores, shopping, dining, and après, we can’t wait to share these moments and make memories with our employees and guests this winter season.”
In addition to skiing and riding, guests can enjoy Northstar’s winter wonderland and head to the Village, where a festive ice rink, coffee at VOUS, and shopping offer something for the whole family. Cap off the day with live music, a signature drink from the Rink Bar, and s’mores around the fire to toast the season’s start.
Starting this weekend, Kirkwood and Northstar will now be open daily for skiing and riding, joining Heavenly. All three Tahoe resorts will continue to make snow at every opportunity to work towards expanding terrain and lift offerings throughout the early season.
There is a lot to look forward to this winter season across Lake Tahoe.
Kirkwood: Old School, No Frills, All Fun
With deep freeride roots and a tight-knit community, Kirkwood delivers an authentic, no-frills ski and ride experience where the focus is always on the mountain. Skiers and riders flock here for the exceptional snow, reliable operations, and terrain that invites exploration at every turn. For those who value adventure over luxury and quiet over the hustle of Tahoe or the Bay, Kirkwood is a hidden gem that keeps skiers and riders returning year after year. With uncrowded slopes and minimal lift lines, every day offers the chance to lap the chairs from bell to bell. Simple, straightforward, and endlessly fun—this is Kirkwood at its best. No frills. All of the fun.
Northstar Winter Traditions
From traditions as classic as your first time on skis or grabbing first chair on a powder day, to those that celebrate (Tōst) or make life a little sweeter (S’Mores in the village), Northstar is the place where moments become memories and winter magic comes to life on the mountain and in the village. With diverse and approachable terrain for skiing and riding, ice skating and shopping in the village, and a variety of culinary experiences for every taste, step inside the snow globe that is Northstar for an idyllic winter resort escape in Lake Tahoe.
Heavenly’s 70 & High-Energy Events Lineup
This season, Heavenly is dialing the vibes way up for its 70th anniversary. With panoramic views everywhere you turn, and après opportunities galore both on the mountain and in South Lake Tahoe, round up your crew because every day is a chance to make your ski trip dreams a reality. Kick things off with Heavenly’s 70th Anniversary party on Dec. 20 and throw it back through the decades. From there, send it into the season in style with a lineup of buzzworthy events including, Toyota Air and Après, Brews and Views, Pond Skim, Gunbarrel 25, and live music and DJ sets featuring Foster the People, Vandelux, Dombresky, SkiiTour, and more this season. High-energy events, jaw-dropping views, one of the best ski towns in the world. Stop dreaming, start booking. This is Heavenly.
Make Your Trip to Tahoe EPIC – Last Chance to get an Epic Pass is Dec. 4
Dec. 4 is the last chance to lock in your Epic Pass before they go off sale for this season. Epic Pass unlocks access to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe, plus some of the best mountain resorts in the world like Whistler Blackcomb, Vail Mountain, Breckenridge and more. With a variety of season-long and 1-7 Day Pass options available, Epic Pass offers the best value on skiing and riding in Tahoe and beyond. Epic Pass Holders also get the best benefits including 20% off on-mountain food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more with Epic Mountain Rewards. Plus, with new Epic Friends Tickets, it’s easier than ever for season-long Epic Pass Holders to share the joy of the mountains with 50% off lift tickets for friends and family. Plus, what they pay can be applied as credit toward a 2026-27 Epic Pass, turning this year’s gift into next year’s adventure. Rally your crew to Tahoe this winter and make it Epic. Learn more about Pass options and benefits at www.epicpass.com before they go off sale.
Stay Connected
With the My Epic app, your phone is now your access to the slopes with Mobile Pass and Lift Ticket technology. In addition, the app also provides alerts and real-time information, lift line status, interactive trail maps, and more.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The South Lake Tahoe Police Department announced that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads. The grant program runs through September 2026.
“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” South Lake Tahoe Police Sergeant Johnny Spaeth said. “Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:
DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.
Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
“Through focused traffic enforcement and education, we’re working toward a future where everyone will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. “By encouraging people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together.”
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Are you ready to experience the magic of cinema at Lake Tahoe? Great films are meant to be seen on the big screen — with a crowd that laughs, gasps, and applauds together. The 11th Tahoe Film Fest returns December 4-7, 2025, with screenings at Incline Village Cinema, Village Cinemas at Northstar, and the Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room.
This year’s lineup is nothing short of spectacular. JAY KELLY, starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler, first premiered at Venice Film Festival earlier this year and will be our opening night film. The festival closes with DEAD MEN WALKING: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, the third installment in the Knives Out series, featuring Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, and Jeremy Renner.
Other major highlights include: IS THIS THING ON?, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, alongside Will Arnett and Laura Dern. SONG SUNG BLUE, a musical drama starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson and WICKED: FOR GOOD, another dazzling journey through the Land of Oz.
International cinema also takes center stage with several submissions for the 2026 Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film with SENTIMENTAL VALUE (Norway), IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (France), SIRAT (Spain) and THE SECRET AGENT (Brazil).
Of course, no Tahoe festival would be complete without a world-class ski film. This year, Teton Gravity Research presents its 30th annual film, PRESSURE DROP. The lineup also features NOBU, a new documentary about chef Nobu Matsuhisa, inspired by the buzz around a possible Nobu restaurant at Lake Tahoe. Incline High School graduate Jennifer Tiexiera returns home with two acclaimed new documentaries — REBBECA and SPEAK.
Also screening are Jimmy Chin’s LOVE + WAR (National Geographic) and Tasha Van Zandt’s A LIFE ILLUMINATED, both festival favorites. Rounding out the program, the festival honors Indigenous voices with four powerful films: REMAINING NATIVE, FREE LEONARD PELTIER, COURAGE, and YANUNI (produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and the closing film of the Tribeca Film Festival).
The Tahoe Film Fest proudly thanks its founding partners: Travel North Tahoe Nevada, North Tahoe Community Alliance, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Film Placer County, Crystal Bay Casino, Northstar California and the Sierra Sun. Individual tickets and festival passes are available online at tahoefilmfest.com, or at theater box offices on the day of each screening.
