Get Festive

Are you a Soapbox Derby fan who enjoys nothing more than an Italian Festival and a day dedicated to the written works of Robert Burns? We have you covered. Perhaps you’ve always loved celebrating draft horses, triathlons and environmental film festivals. Then you’ve come to the right place. Do you long for Christmas in Cornwall, England, and have a burning desire to celebrate the American Constitution by cheering for a complete set of Marching U.S. Presidents and their First Ladies? Nevada County awaits. For classic bicycle races, regattas, music festivals, rodeos, fairs and good old-fashioned small towns celebrating seceding from the Union, we really do have it all. Please enjoy imagining your way through our calendar of events and then pick at least one to try for yourself.

JANUARY

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL
 The largest film festival of its kind, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival screens independent Award-winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, Native American and indigenous cultures.The films are clustered in venues throughout historic downtown Nevada City. The weekend also features many special events, including art shows, receptions, free workshops, chat sessions with the filmmakers, and a wine stroll. www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org

FEBRUARY

MARDI GRAS Masquerade Ball at Miner's Foundry, Nevada City, Saturday; Street Faire & Parade Sunday. Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. (530) 265-2692, (800) 655-NJOY; www.nevadacitychamber.com

MARCH

SNOWFEST 
Celebrate the fun and frolic of winter! North Lake Tahoe comes alive with ten days and nights or events and activities for all ages including on-snow events, special events, parades, races, parties, concerts, theater, wining and dining. www.tahoesnowfestival.com

APRIL

TAHOE TRUCKEE EARTH DAY & FILM FESTIVAL 
One of the largest environmental education events in the area. The event provides local residents and visitors an opportunity to learn about the various environmental issues that affect the North Lake Tahoe – Truckee Region. Films combine stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspire and ignite solutions and possibilities to restore the earth and human communities while creating a positive future for the next generation. www.tahoetruckeeearthday.com

MAY

SIERRA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 
Annual street faire featuring fine art and crafts by California artists whose diverse talents make this occasion a cultural destination. www.downtowngrassvalley.com Mill Street Farmer's Market Thursday Nights, 6 - 9 pm Mill Street, Historic Downtown Grass Valley 530-272-8315; www.grassvalleyevents.com

JUNE

Truckee Day 
Various locations in Truckee. Town-wide street clean up and community spirit day followed by a "town-wide block party." Truckee River Regional Park. (530) 582-8429; www.truckeeday.org

TRUCKEE BREWFEST 
breweries, brews, brats, silent auction, collector tasting glass. Truckee River Regional Park. (530) 582-9062; www.truckeeoptimist.com
   

TRUCKEE RIBFEST 
Sample delicious ribs prepared by the best chefs in the Tahoe area. Citizens Bank Plaza, Donner Pass Road, Truckee. (530) 550-2252; www.truckeeribfest.com
   

NEVADA CITY BICYCLE CLASSIC 
Father's Day in historic downtown Nevada City (530) 265-2692, (800) 655-NJOY, (530) 263-3388; www.nevadacitychamber.com, www.nevadacityclassic.com
   

TRUCKEE CHILI COOKOFF 
Truckee Regional Park. Community fundraiser, chili tasting, non-stop entertainment, food, beverages, activities for adults and children. www.TruckeeChiliCookoff.org
   

ANNUAL WESTERN STATES 100 MILE ENDURANCE RUN 
Run that traverses the Sierra Nevada along the Western States Trail, Squaw Valley to Auburn. (916) 387-8796; www.ws100.com
   

ANNUAL FATHER'S DAY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 
Considered one of the best festivals in the West with a spectacular lineup of national headliners, impressive California talent, workshops, camping, jamming and more, all under the pines in the scenic Nevada County Fairgrounds. www.cbaontheweb.org

JULY

THURSDAY NIGHT MARKETPLACE AND CONCERT SERIES 
Featuring heritage craftsmanship, art, street performers, food, health and wellness fair. Concert Series showcases traditional Americana to global music on the City Hall stage. Historic Downtown Grass Valley; www.historicgrassvalley.com; www.grassvalleyevents.com

4TH OF JULY PARADE & CELEBRATION 
Nevada County Concert Band performs. (530) 272-6228 or www.nccb.org. Parade starts at 11 am. Celebration at Nevada County Fairgrounds at 3 pm; fireworks at 9:30 pm. (530) 273-4667, (800) 655-4667, (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-6569; www.historicgrassvalley.com; www.nevadacitychamber.com

4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS, CELEBRATION & FIRECRACKER MILE FUN RUN 
Run starts at US Bank, Donner Pass Rd to Downtown Truckee. (530) 426-3313; www.truckeefunrun.com Fireworks at Donner Lake, West End Beach. Dusk. Purchase tickets from Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District. (530) 582-7720; www.tdrpd.com

SUMMER NIGHTS IN NEVADA CITY 
Outdoor festival of arts, crafts, classic cars, food, drink and music. Wednesdays, 6 - 9:30 pm. (530) 265-2692; (800) 655-NJOY; www.nevadacitychamber.com
   

ARTOUR OPEN STUDIOS 
Two weekends. Various studios in Truckee-Tahoe area. Open studio driving tour of juried artists who open their homes and studios for two three-day weekends and give art appreciators and collectors the opportunity to meet the artists. (530) 581-2787; www.northtahoearts.com

CALIFORNIA WORLDFEST 
Eight stages of music and dance from around the world, camping with family and friends, workshops, international food, fine crafts, and the renowned children's program... celebrate mid-summer under the cool, tall pines of the Sierra foothills. www.worldfest.net

RODEO WESTERN WEEK &TRUCKEE CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO 
Workhorse poets, kid's day, sponsor's dinner/celebrity team penning, original extreme rodeo action. (208) 735-0462; www.truckeerodeo.org

ANNUAL TEVIS CUP 100 MILES ONE DAY RIDE 
Oldest modern day endurance ride from Squaw Valley to Auburn. www.teviscup.org
   

DONNER LAKE SPRINT & OLYMPiC TRIATHLON 
1/4 mile swim, 6 mile bike, 2 mile run.; 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 6.5 mile run. Donner Lake, (530) 546-1019; www.bigblueadventure.com
   

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN TRUCKEE ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL 
Featuring original work of more than 50+ artists and crafters. Bridge Street at Donner Pass Road. (209) 267-4394; www.pacificfinearts.com

SIERRA STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 
Finest nationally and internationally known and special guests will regale you with memories both poignant and hilarious--stories from African, Jewish, and Native American traditions as well as heart-warming folk tales. finest nationally and internationally known tellers for your enjoyment, food and drink for the body, resources for your library, and introduce you to the beauty KVMR Celtic Festival. www.sierrastorytellingfestival.org

CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL 
Pioneer Park in Nevada City. The park is transformed into a lively Renaissance Faire for children. The festival includes over twenty arts and crafts tables, strolling minstrels, a magician, face-painters, a bridge-guarding troll, medieval fencing, and Claude, the life-sized mechanical dragon. www.nevadacountytv.org/children

AUGUST

NEVADA COUNTY FAIR 
Five days of fun for Fair-goers of all ages featuring live entertainment, delicious food, carnival rides, animals, and exhibits. Live entertainment will be available every day at five different stages throughout the Fairgrounds. There are carnival rides and games, barns full of livestock, thousands of community exhibits, special contests, nightly arena events, daily demonstrations, gold panning, and food contests. www.nevadacountyfair.com

NEVADA CITY FILM FESTIVAL 
Top independent cinema comes to the foothills of Northern California with a four-day international smorgasbord of short and full length films, great audiences and a festive environment. There’ are also filmmaking panels, award ceremonies, a live comedy show and special guests. www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com

LAKE TAHOE AUTUMN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL 
Grape stomp, wine walks, seminars, cooking demonstrations, grand tasting, culinary competitions, mountain chef cook-off and more. Northstar Resort. (800) 824-6348; www.gotahoenorth.com

SEPTEMBER

LABOR DAY ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL 
The Village at Northstar, Northstar Drive off Highway 267. (209) 267-4394; www.pacificfinearts.com

CONSTITUTION DAY PARADE & CELEBRATION WEEKEND 
Living history and battle reenactments in Pioneer Park, Gold Country Duck Race on Deer Creek, Nevada County Concert Band, Parade. Downtown Nevada City. (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-NJOY; www.nevadacitychamber.com

NEVADA COUNTY ITALIAN FESTIVAL 
Western Gateway Park located in Penn Valley. National and Local Musical Acts, arts & crafts, Italian & American food, concessions, chef demonstrations, wine garden, children`s games, heritage tent, Bocce Ball tournament. www.nevadacountyitalianfestival.com

DRAFT HORSE CLASSIC AND HARVEST FAIR 
Premier draft horse show in the western United States. Harvest Fair, entertainment, equine art show, western trade show, clogging jamboree, agricultural competitions, lumberjack shows, live entertainment, and delicious food. 11228 McCourtney Rd., Grass Valley. (530) 273-6217; www.nevadacountyfair.com

TRAILS & VISTAS 
Participants walk along a gentle two and a half mile long trail pausing at live music and dance performances, sculptures, poetry readings and innovative artistic expressions. Location varies yearly. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.trailsandvistas.com

BARBARA SCHMIDT MILLAR CELEBRATION OF LIFE TRIATHLON 
Scotts fFlat Lake. 530) 273-6876; www.bsmtri.org

OCTOBER

KVMR CELTIC FESTIVAL 
Two days of wonderful entertainment including music, dance, sports, history and culture bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds under the beautiful pines at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The festival is a benefit fundraiser for KVMR 89.5 classical and world music station. www.kvmr.org/celticfestival

DOWNTOWN TRUCKEE WINe, WALK & SHOP 
Sip wine, taste scrumptious food samples and enjoy shopping on Commercial Row in Historic Downtown Truckee. (530) 550-2252; www.winewalkshoptruckee.com

DONNER PARTY HIKE 
Interpretive hikes showcasing the spectacular beauty of Donner Summit, the tragic events the Donner Party endured, the building of the transcontinental railroad, high sierra lakes, geography and more. (530) 587-8808; www.truckee.com

TRUCKEE RIVER DAY 
Day of river, meadow and wetland restoration and river fair. Live music, entertainment, local food, environmental education activities, art projects, Lahontan cutthroat trout release. 530) 550-8760; www.truckeeriverday.org

HISTORICAL HAUNTED WALKING TOUR 
Guided two hour walk highlighting spooky legends and unsolved mysteries concerning Truckee’s most historic sites. (530) 305-4231; www.TruckeeHistoryTour.org
   

NOVEMBER

ARTISANS FESTIVAL 
Fine art and crafts. Miners Foundry Cultural Center. 325 Spring St., Nevada City. (530) 265-5040; www.minersfoundry.org

ANNUAL CORNISH CHRISTMAS 
Fridays, starting Friday after thanksgiving and Fridays until Christmas, 6 - 9 pm. Delicious foods, handmade arts and crafts, music entertainment, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, costumed vendors, Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir, Tommyknocker Cloggers, Santa Claus. (530) 272-8315; www.historicgrassvalley.com

ANNUAL COUNTRY CHRISTMAS FAIR 
Unique gifts & crafts, live entertainment, gourmet festival food, gingerbread houses, strolling carolers, Santa Claus, errand elves! Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Rd., Grass Valley. Friday (day after thanksgiving) - Sunday. (530) 273-6217; www.nevadacountyfair.com

DECEMBER

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS 
Victorian singers, bagpipers, living nativity scene, visits with Santa Claus, vendors in costume, hot roasted chestnuts, hot cider in downtown historic Nevada City. Wednesdays in December from 5 - 9 pm; Some Sundays, from 1:30 - 6 pm. Check website for dates. (530) 265-2692 or (800) 655-NJOY; www.nevadacitychamber.com