OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors generally come to Lake Tahoe for the mountains, the lake and the outdoor sports, but twice each year, a popular festival spotlights people who help make the region unique.
The Made in Tahoe Festival is Held each spring and fall at The Village at Palisades Tahoe. The festival allows local artisans, entrepreneurs, musicians and organizations from throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee area an opportunity to be center stage.
The beautiful backdrop of snowcapped mountains is part of what makes Made in Tahoe so unique. It is a festival that showcases products that are made in Tahoe or inspired by life in the region. Visitors can browse handcrafted jewelry, pottery, photography, woodworking, clothing, candles and artwork while meeting the makers behind the products.
More than 100 vendors participate in the festival twice a year. Local businesses and nonprofits also use the event as an opportunity to connect with residents and visitors.
For Sean Picard of Dripfield Designs, that local connection is what makes the festival stand out.
“It’s my favorite festival,” Picard said. “There’s more collaboration among vendors because you need to live here or be inspired by the area.”
According to Sean Picard, collaboration is one of the things that makes Made in Tahoe unique. Not only are small businesses selling their wares, but their children are dancers in the entertainment, and their neighbors are selling two tents over.
Live entertainment is a large part of the festival. Throughout the weekend, three different stages are filled with musicians, dancers, acrobats, and performers from across the region. During the most recent Spring festival, country and bluegrass bands drew huge crowds of people. The aerialist performance by Moonlight Movement was another huge hit.
The event also highlights Tahoe’s family-oriented community. Local children regularly perform on stage as part of dance groups and music programs, and many vendors bring their own children to help at booths throughout the weekend. The result is a community gathering that feels as much like a hometown celebration as a festival.
Food and drink are another major draw. Food trucks line the village, serving everything from tacos and rotisserie specialties to donuts, ice cream and local favorites. Regional breweries including Alibi Ale Works, Truckee Brewing Company, FiftyFifty Brewing Company and Tahoe National Brewing Company pour local craft beer, while Tahoe Blue Vodka and Truckee River Winery showcase beverages produced close to home.
Beyond supporting local businesses, the festival also benefits the broader community. Proceeds from the event’s bars support Tahoe Food Hub, a nonprofit organization that works to strengthen the local food system and increase access to locally grown food.
The timing of the festival has helped make it a favorite among both residents and visitors. The spring event coincides with the final weekend of skiing at Palisades Tahoe, creating a unique atmosphere where visitors can spend the morning on the slopes before heading to the village for music, food and shopping.
“People love to ski and then come spend money,” Picard said.
The fall festival offers a different but equally appealing experience. As the Sierra Nevada begins to show hints of autumn color and cooler temperatures arrive, visitors have the opportunity to explore the village while supporting local businesses before the winter season begins.
Organizers say the event’s mission remains the same regardless of the season: celebrating the people and businesses that make Tahoe more than a vacation destination.
That mission resonates with visitors who are increasingly interested in supporting small businesses and experiencing authentic local culture. Rather than purchasing mass-produced souvenirs, attendees can meet artists face-to-face, learn about their work and take home something that reflects the character of the region.
As visitors wander through vendor booths, listen to live music and enjoy local food, the festival offers a reminder that Tahoe’s identity extends beyond its famous outdoor recreation.
The mountains and lake may draw people to the region, but events like Made in Tahoe highlight the artists, makers, musicians and entrepreneurs who help create the community’s distinctive character.
When the festival returns this fall, thousands of visitors are expected to once again fill the Village at Palisades Tahoe. They will come to shop, eat and enjoy the entertainment, but they will also experience something deeper: a celebration of the creativity, collaboration and community spirit that define life in Tahoe.
Alicia Richards is the creator of Travels With The Crew, a family travel blog filled with destination inspiration, helpful tips, and practical advice to make family vacations easier and more memorable.
