If you’re planning a summer weekend in Apple Hill or exploring California’s Sierra Foothills, Starfield Vineyards is once again offering an evening of live music, estate wines, vineyard views, and outdoor dining during its popular Summer Concert Series. While Apple Hill is best known for its bustling fall harvest season, summer offers a completely different … Read more
Every June, riders test themselves against 155 miles, 16,000 feet of climbing, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Sierra Nevada. Most visitors experience Kaiser Pass from behind the windshield. They wind through the pine forests above Shaver Lake, stop at scenic overlooks, and marvel at the rugged beauty of California’s high country. … Read more
There’s something about spring in the Sierra that pulls you outside—and sometimes, it pulls you straight into a crowd with a bowl of chili in hand and a cold drink to wash it down. That’s exactly what’s happening May 16–17 as the 44th Annual Chili on the Comstock returns to Virginia City. This isn’t just … Read more
If you’ve ever spent a spring weekend wandering the wooden boardwalks of Virginia City, you know the town leans fully into its historic character — and St. Patrick’s Day might be its most spirited celebration of the year. On Saturday, March 14, the historic mining town will once again turn green for a full day … Read more
TICKETS ON SALE FOR 51st FATHER’S DAY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Four Days of Music, Jamming, and Family Fun GRASS VALLEY, Calif. – One of California’s longest-running and most beloved music gatherings is back. The California Bluegrass Association (CBA) has announced the lineup and ticket sales for the 51st Annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, taking place June … Read more
Special holiday events include The Grinch Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl, Parade of Lights, holiday shopping and more Virginia City, Nev. – Throughout December, Virginia City invites the community for a feel-good holiday season with its annual Christmas on the Comstock celebration. With four weeks for events, visitors are encouraged to enjoy holiday-themed activities, shopping … Read more
Nevada Day Weekend and Día de los Muertos Followed by The Ferris 50 The Sierra is showing off this time of year. Golden cottonwoods line the Carson River, crisp mornings give way to bluebird afternoons, and the peaks above Carson Valley are dusted with early snow. It’s that rare overlap when fall color meets winter … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine | Sierra Rec Now Podcast This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, we’re taking listeners to the southern gateway of Yosemite National Park, where community spirit, heritage, and mountain adventure come together for something entirely new — the first-ever Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games, happening November … Read more
Event features specialty cocktails, sweet pairings and scavenger hunt through historic saloons Virginia City, Nev. – Virginia City hosts the Spirits Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1-5 p.m., offering 21 or older participants a tasting tour through the town’s historic saloons and merchants. The event is part of Hauntober™, Virginia … Read more
From Tahoe to Sicily: Filmmaker and Clean Up The Lake Director Colin West Premieres New Documentary “SICILIA” at Newport Beach Film Festival By Sierra Rec Magazine StaffLake Tahoe, NV – October 15, 2025 Known across the Sierra as the driving force behind Clean Up The Lake, filmmaker and conservation leader Colin West is stepping into … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine For more than a decade, Carson Valley has been home base for Sierra Rec Magazine — the place where our adventures begin and where we always return. It’s where the open spaces meet the Sierra front, where trails climb into the Pine Nut Mountains, and where small-town festivals keep … Read more
Carson City, NV — September 26, 2025 Carson City is preparing to welcome home one of its most inspiring adventurers. Audrey Payne—trail name Glowstick—will return on Friday, September 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kings Canyon Waterfall Trailhead to celebrate the completion of her 1,600-mile Carson City to Canada Quest, a journey that was also … Read more
Every fall, the quiet town of Genoa, Nevada—the oldest settlement in the state—transforms into one of the busiest places in the Sierra. Known for its historic charm, stunning Carson Valley setting, and small-town hospitality, Genoa is also home to one of Nevada’s most beloved festivals: the Candy Dance. In this week’s Sierra Rec Now Podcast, … Read more
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine Eighteen years ago, when I first moved to the Sierra Nevada, I made it my mission to experience every quirky, wonderful, and unforgettable festival this region had to offer. One of the first stops? Virginia City. And two events in particular have shaped the way I see fall in … Read more
Experience quirky traditions, heritage charm, and fall color across the Sierra Nevada’s most inviting towns. Fall in the Sierra Nevada isn’t just about golden aspen leaves and crisp mountain air—it’s also festival season in some of the most vibrant small towns on both sides of the range. From candy-making and camel races to historic parades … Read more
Tahoe Games Mountain Sports Festival Brings Snow in September & X Games Energy to South Lake Tahoe South Lake Tahoe is about to get its newest signature fall tradition — and it’s like nothing the Sierra has ever seen. The Tahoe Games Mountain Sports Festival is coming September 27–28, 2025 to the Lake Tahoe Outdoor … Read more
The 2025 Downieville Classic Bike Festival Returns August 7–10 If there’s one weekend where dusty singletrack, alpine views, and rowdy Sierra spirit all collide—it’s the Downieville Classic, coming August 7–10, 2025. Held in the historic gold rush town of Downieville, this nationally recognized bike festival delivers more than just epic racing. It’s a mountain town … Read more
Studio 4, Story 1: A Local Lens on Lake Tahoe’s Art Scene By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Now Podcast Feature This week on Sierra Rec Now, I had the chance to slow down and talk art, photography, and passion with South Lake Tahoe’s own Jennifer Haran—a talented photographer whose work captures more than just … Read more
Enhancement) Builds Wildfire Resilience and Community Strength Plumas County, CA — California’s forests and communities are facing historic challenges — and a network of dedicated partners is rising to meet them.The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment’s Sierra to California All Lands Enhancement (SCALE) project is a statewide forum uniting local collaborative groups, Tribes, state … Read more
Discover Aviation, Vintage Cars, and Community Spirit at Minden-Tahoe’s Airport Discovery Day Words by Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine The skies above Carson Valley are world-renowned for a reason, and this August, you’re invited to experience them up close as the 2025 Airport Discovery Day: Wings & Wheels returns to Minden-Tahoe Airport for a … Read more
Discover ‘Music in Motion’—A Summer Evening of Art Beneath the Pines Date: July 26, 2025Time: 7:00 p.m.Location: Classical Tahoe Ricardi Pavilion, UNR at Lake TahoeTickets: classicaltahoe.org This summer, Sierra Rec Magazine invites you to witness something truly extraordinary: a world-class performance set beneath the open sky in North Lake Tahoe. For one night only, Classical … Read more
June 21–22 & June 28–29, 2025 | Camino, CA When it comes to sensory-rich summer adventures in the Sierra foothills, few experiences rival the fragrant beauty and pastoral charm of Lavender Blue Harvest Days in Apple Hill. Hosted across two weekends—June 21–22 and June 28–29, 2025—this blooming celebration is far more than a farm event; … Read more
June 12–15, 2025 | Minden & Gardnerville, Nevada There’s something special about a town that still shuts down its main street for a parade, fires up the grills in the park, and welcomes neighbors and visitors alike for a weekend of music, laughter, and old-fashioned community spirit. This weekend, we’re inviting you to experience just … Read more
CHESTER, CA — The smell of pine, the sound of chainsaws, and the cheers of the crowd—summer in Lake Almanor is officially in full swing, and there’s no better way to experience the heart and soul of Plumas County than by attending the Big Time Logging Jamboree this Saturday, June 7 at Collins Park in … Read more
KINGS BEACH, CA — Off-road enthusiasts, land stewards, and outdoor access advocates take note: the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Commission is coming to the North Lake Tahoe region next week for a two-day public event that will spotlight off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation and land management across the Tahoe National Forest. Hosted by California … Read more
Experience the Reno River Festival 2025 A Thrilling Weekend Adventure Near Lake Tahoe As the summer sun begins to shine, the Sierra Nevada region kicks off its warm-weather season with one of Northern Nevada’s most iconic events—the Reno River Festival. From May 30th to June 1st, 2025, this action-packed, three-day festival will transform Idlewild Park … Read more
4 Days of Music, Magic & Mountain Vibes Fourth Of July Weekend 2025 By Sierra Rec Magazine Staff This July, the Sierra comes alive with rhythm, color, and community as the 33rd Annual High Sierra Music Festival returns to Quincy, California, from July 3–6, 2025. Set in the scenic heart of the Feather River Canyon, … Read more
May 20–25, 2025 | Bishop, CA It’s that time of year again—when the rhythm of hoofbeats echoes through the Eastern Sierra and the town of Bishop throws open its doors to celebrate the legendary animals that helped build the American West. That’s right, Mule Days is back! For over 50 years, Mule Days has been … Read more
May 17, 2025 — Lake Almanor, CA Looking for something reel-y exciting to do this weekend in the Sierra? Head to Lake Almanor for a splash of high-stakes action and laid-back lakeside fun as the Bass Angler Magazine (BAM) Kayak Series drops anchor for a one-day West Coast Championship Qualifier, hosted by Plumas Pines Resort, … Read more
Rodeo, Red Hills & the Spirit of the Sierra – It Motherlode Weekend in Sonora There’s something about rodeo weekend in Sonora that brings the soul of the Sierra to life. Maybe it’s the dust kicking up behind a wild bronc at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Maybe it’s the parade horses clopping down Washington Street … Read more
Podcast Feature with Amanda Johnson Carson Valley’s skies are ready to light up again as the Hot Air for Hope Balloon Festival returns for its third year, May 16–18, 2025. And we’re thrilled to bring you a brand-new episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast featuring Amanda Johnson, one of the event’s passionate co-founders and … Read more
Celebrate 50 Years of Bluegrass in the Sierra Foothills By Sierra Rec Magazine Staff It’s time to grab your lawn chairs, tune up your banjos, and circle June 12–15 on your summer calendar—because the sounds of mandolins, fiddles, and family harmonies are about to echo once again through the pines of the Sierra Nevada foothills. … Read more
May 2–4, 2025 | Genoa, NV | Carson Valley There’s no better way to celebrate spring in the Sierra than with a spirited blend of cowboy culture, trail adventures, and small-town charm—and Genoa Western Heritage Days delivers all that and more. Set in Nevada’s oldest pioneer settlement at the base of the Carson Range, Genoa … Read more
Spring has a way of waking up the foothills, and in Calaveras County, there’s no better way to welcome the season than with a little Zydeco music, a lot of crawfish, and the joyful hum of community. This April 26th, Main Street in San Andreas transforms into a lively slice of Louisiana at the Calaveras … Read more
Spring 2025 Lineup Announced for Strawberry Festival in Grass Valley May 21–26, 2025 | Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, CA Get ready to dance beneath the pines! The iconic Strawberry Music Festival is making its much-anticipated return this spring, bringing together world-class Americana, folk, and roots artists for a six-day musical campout in the heart … Read more
🎶 July 12 – August 10, 2025 | Incline Village, NV If you’ve never experienced the fusion of fine music and alpine serenity, this is your year. Classical Tahoe returns for its 14th season, inviting visitors and locals alike to soak up the summer sounds of orchestral, jazz, and chamber music under the pine-scented skies … Read more
Banff Mountain Film Festival Lands in Downieville, CA This Weekend By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine This weekend, April 4–6, the quiet mountain town of Downieville, California, comes alive with stories that soar — on the screen and on the trails. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is rolling into the Yuba Theatre, … Read more
Kickstarting Adventure Season in the Eastern Sierra As the Sierra Nevada shakes off its winter coat and spring sunshine starts to hint at adventure season, Virginia City, Nevada, offers the perfect way to dive into the festivities with its 34th annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry and St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Nestled just a scenic drive … Read more
Dig, Race, Volunteer & Revel in the Lost Sierra: Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship’s Epic 2025 Schedule The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 event schedule, and it’s packed with incredible opportunities for the biking community to give back, race, and revel in the magic of the Lost Sierra. Whether you’re … Read more
Lace up the sneakers and join a fun new event in the foothills of Carson City. The Carson Valley Trail association invites all to the inaugural 5K Trail run at James Lee Park Saturday the 19th. Trail running enthusiasts and families alike will love the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Run the Valley event … Read more
