Summer in Tahoe isn't just about stunning scenery and outdoor adventures; it's also a time for vibrant community gatherings and fantastic music. Throughout the season, numerous free music series showcase a variety of local and travelling bands. In the Truckee-Tahoe area, there are regularly planned concerts six days a week through the summer. Many of these events also feature local food vendors and craft stalls, making a complete evening of entertainment and community engagement.
One of the most beloved traditions is the "Concerts at Commons Beach" series in Tahoe City, held at Commons Beach. This summer, the series will celebrate its 20th year of presenting fans with musical genres ranging from rock to reggae, blues to bluegrass, and funk to folk performed alongside the glittering waters of Lake Tahoe. The festive atmosphere draws relatively big-name bands, local residents, curious visitors, dance-happy music fans, playground-hopping kids, and picnickers who lounge on blankets and beach chairs. You will be hard-pressed to find a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Kings Beach also offers its own "Music on the Beach" series, where the sandy shore transforms into a lively outdoor concert venue. With the lake as a backdrop, these Friday evening concerts are the perfect way to unwind after a day of swimming, hiking, or exploring. In addition to the families whose kids frolic in the playground and dig in the sand, there is usually a good crowd of music aficionados, neighbors gathering to say hello, and a handful of paddlers and boaters who float and anchor near the shore to listen to the tunes as the the sun sets behind the mountains.
The town of Truckee doesn't miss out either; various free concerts can be found in parks and plazas throughout the summer, adding to the town's charming and vibrant atmosphere. Wednesdays feature free music in a gorgeous grassy amphitheater. Music fans set up blankets and lowback chairs on the sloped lawn. Dancers sway and flit on a sunken dance area near the stage where musicians perform against a backdrop of aspen trees with their leaves shimmying in sunlight.
Truckee Thursdays are hosted in the old historic part of town where the street is shut down and lined with craft and local vendor stalls. Bands play by the foodcourt, where long tables are set up to encourage sharing a meal with old and new friends. Truckee Thursdays are very popular, so the locals utilize the smartest routes to arrive, via bikepath.
The ski resorts of Palisades Tahoe and Northstar also host music events in their base villages. Palisades Tahoe hosts Tuesdays Bluesdays with a variety of musical genres, and Northstar has hosted live music on Saturday evenings. Shops, restaurants, bars, and a skating rink (at Northstar) are open to encourage revelers to continue their festive evening out.
Whether you're a local looking to connect with neighbors or a visitor seeking to soak in the mountain culture, these free summer music series are a must-do in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. So, grab some lowback chairs, pack a picnic, and get ready to enjoy the summer vibes with some fantastic tunes!
Here is a list of links to the summer music/event series in the Truckee-Tahoe area. Click the links for the artist lineups and details:
Bluesdays at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley
TUESDAYS 6:00-8:30 pm, June 24th - August 26th, 2025
Music in the Park, Truckee Regional Park
WEDNESDAYS 6:30-8:30pm, June 18th-August 27th, 2025
Truckee Thursdays, Historic Downtown
THURSDAYS 5:00-8:30 pm, June 26th - August 14th, 2025
Music on the Beach, Kings Beach
FRIDAYS 6:30-9:00 pm, June 13th - August 29th, 2025
Northstar Summer Music Series, The Village Stage
SATURDAYS 3:30-6:30 pm, 2025 dates TBD
Concerts at Commons Beach, Tahoe City
SUNDAYS 4-7pm June 15th-September 7th, 2025