Four Seasons in the Truckee Cultural District
By Karen Terrey
People are drawn to Truckee for our historic downtown, unique locally crafted artisan shops, beautiful mountain setting and funky vibe. Whether you are a longtime resident or visiting Truckee for the first time, there are many seasonal adventures awaiting. Here is an insider's guide.
The Truckee River. Photo by Scott Thompson.
Winter
Although we get snow as early as October, the Bud Fish Tree Lighting late November in downtown Truckee marks an important measure of the beginning of winter. Along with the towering pine at the Train Depot, smaller trees decorated by hundreds of schoolchildren line downtown’s historic district. A bonus of this time of year is that you beat the crowds by visiting before Christmas.
Stroll the historic district and wander into Mountain Arts Collective, Gallery 5830 and Riverside Studios featuring local artisans. For the warmest view of the tree lighting, head upstairs to the rustic Truckee Tavern for craft cocktails. Gin lovers favor the Bee’s Knees.
For a quieter morning in nature, rent some cross country skis or snowshoes and find groomed and ungroomed trails winding through the forest and along the snowy beaches of Donner Memorial State Park. If you want more groomed trails, Tahoe Donner Cross Country spans more than 2,800 acres. The Adventure Center fire pits are a local favorite, lining the back porch and surrounded by Adirondack chairs.
You can warm up back in town at The Carriage House in the magical patio behind RMU. This is a gathering spot for locals to play board games inside or circle the fire pits under strings of lights outside. Sundays feature exceptional Bloody Marys. Order hearty meals at the bar such as sauteed Brussel sprouts with maple syrup or tomato soup with grilled cheese.
Afterward, walk just a few storefronts down the street to Piper J Gallery, where you can find world-class mountain modern art in a quaint old-house setting.
Each Festive Friday before Christmas is marked with music and libations on the street and in the shops downtown.
The Museum of Truckee History and the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District hosts the Truckee Winter Carnival the last week in February. This free, family-friendly event will include old-time group photos, snow sculpture making, ice skating, historical presentations, and a dog sled demonstration. Think of this carnival as a Winter Games Competitions Truckee-style.
Spring
Springtime in Downtown Truckee. Photo by Scott Thompson.
Springtime begins with the call of the cheeseburger bird, the Chickadee. The Town of Truckee declared April as Arts, Culture and Creativity Month, in line with communities across California. This month-long celebration of cultural events and art in all mediums takes place with free happenings, workshops, and performances.
In April, Mountain Area Preservation presents their Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Community Art Center in downtown Truckee. You can also attend concerts and jazz performances as well as the infamous, bi-annual Truckee Follies, a theatrical performance of satire not for the faint-hearted.
Truckee‘s remote location, shielded from city lights by the mountain range, offers a captivating backdrop for stargazing. Truckee is committed to enhancing its Dark Night skies. In the summer, you can take a Tahoe Star Tour on select Thursday and Saturday evenings at Northstar. In the winter, you can join Snowshoe Star Tour with the Tahoe Adventure Company, with expert guides and a delightful spread of hot drinks and snacks.
Save a Saturday night or a Sunday matinee for the popular Truckee Community Theater shows scheduled throughout the year.
At the end of your adventurous day, the long tables at Alibi Ale House invite you to gather with others, share a beer or kombucha, nachos or healthy kale salad, and engage in a community game of Trivia Night.
Summer
Fireworks at Donner Lake’s West End Beach. Photo by Scott Thompson.
On Wednesday evenings in the Regional Park Amphitheater, gather with a picnic on blankets while children play on the lawn. At the Truckee Certified Farmers Market purchase an array of handmade goods alongside fresh produce for your picnic. This market is also the place to find local crafts, jewelry, and artwork while supporting the area’s creative economy.
In early June, Truckee hosts a welcoming week of Pride events. As a small mountain town, Truckee is working to make sure that everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race and lifestyle, feel safe, supported and welcome. The culminating Dance Party is not to be missed.
Truckee Thursdays is a street festival that fills the main street downtown with food trucks, and live bands, arts and crafts booths. Sometimes there is an After Dance Party at Truckee Artist Lofts DJed by Brandon Greathouse. If you’re here in August, plan to attend the sublime Truckee Music Fest.
Especially if you are young at heart, seek out the Old Jail Museum on Jibboom Street and look for Replica Birdhouse Maker and local historian Greg Zirbel. He’ll show you around the Old Jail, first in use in 1875. At the Truckee Donner Historical Society, you can delve into the stories of the early settlers and indigenous Washoe peoples.
Fall
Outdoor music continues in the Fall in the new community downtown park with small jazz groups, vocalists and bluegrass, hosted by Tahoe School of Music. These concerts are family friendly, and held on Wednesdays in September and October.
Fall Colors on the Truckee River. Photo by Scott Thompson.
Take a deep dive into the Mexican Heritage Festival mid-September with crafts, handmade specialty items, music and food. This annual festival supports and celebrates Mexican artists, and local Hispanic-owned businesses.
Trails & Vistas just celebrated its 20th year of international art and culture events. Each year, the Elements Art Hikes manifest as magical outdoor art installation experiences. Trails & Vistas’ annual Historical Haunted Tour is a theatrical performance of ghouls and historical figures, hosted by Moody's Bistro Bar & Beats and Truckee businesses in Historic Truckee.
Another event unique to Truckee is the Donner Party Hike in early September. Since 1992, this two-day event has been hosted at the Donner Camp Picnic Area at Alder Creek and at Donner Memorial State Park (DMSP). The hikes are followed by a catered lunch and music. A fun hike for everyone is the Railroad Summit Tunnel hike (an easy three miles) exploring the spooky snowsheds built to protect the rails from snowdrifts.
Another unique yet unofficial event is the annual Witches Paddle on Donner Lake. This gathering has quickly become a favorite Halloween tradition. Dress up as a witch, warlock, or whatever calls you, and grab your SUP or kayak to head out to Donner Lake, usually on the weekend closest to Halloween. Children are welcome.
From gallery exhibitions and outdoor music to artisan markets, regionally sourced eateries and theater performances, Truckee offers a rich array of experiences for art lovers and culture enthusiasts throughout the year.