The Carson Valley events calendar is always bursting at the seams, so how do you choose? Well, here are a few seasonal events that round out the year. Want more? You can find the biggest events on our signature events page and view our overall events calendar for things happening throughout the year!
Spring
Wine Walk – With spring flowers comes the start of the Main Street Gardnerville’s Thirsty Third Thursday Wine Walks! Each (you guessed it) third Thursday of the month from May through October, people enjoy a glass or two while strolling downtown Gardnerville. Over 50 businesses participate in the walk each year, offering wine and unique items for sale, live music and so much charm you will be wishing you could make them all. And who knows, maybe you can! Visit their website for more information about the Main Street Gardnerville program or follow them on Facebook for updates and fun monthly themes.
Farmers Markets – Not just one, but two! Carson Valley makes farm to table easy with two weekly farmers markets. Sierra Chef hosts every Wednesday at Heritage Park in Gardnerville from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May to September. The neighboring town of Minden puts one on Tuesdays from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Minden Park, giving two opportunities a week for locally sourced goodies, live music, and other craft vendors.
Summer
Concerts in the Park – Each year from May through the end of August, Minden Park is home to several free family summer concerts in the park featuring different bands and genres of music. This is a fan favorite event, so bring a blanket or a lawn chair and get comfortable, it’s gonna be a good night! Visit the town of Minden website for dates and to learn more.
Dangberg Home Ranch’s Summer Festival – Although this might sound like it is a singular event, it is the complete opposite! Dangberg is host to several performances throughout the summer that is collectively referred to as Summer Festival. History comes alive through their Chautauquan portrayals, you’ll want to get up and dance at the live concerts, learn about a variety of topics through their educational speakers, and let your kids go nuts at the high-flying Kite Festival. Visit their website each year for the Summer Festival schedule.
Fall
Fall Festival – A vibrant time of year in Carson Valley, we celebrate the seasons arrival with Main Street Gardnerville’s Fall Festival! Featuring live music, scarecrow building, local vendor booths, performances, and coffin races, the event is held at Heritage Park in Gardnerville in October. Check out Main Street Gardnerville’s website and Facebook page for dates and details! Bring on the pumpkin spice!
Art Studio Tour – The Carson Valley Arts Council sponsors this three-day celebration of the unique art and artists in the valley in October. More than 14 studios, 7 galleries and over 30 artists participate in the event which offers live art demonstrations and the chance to meet and interact with the artists. Visit their website to learn more about each artist and pick up a studio tour map!
Winter
Christmas in the valley is a special experience. The town of Gardnerville kicks off the month of December with an evening of merry entertainment, carriage rides, Santa Clause himself and dazzling fireworks. After that, the valley becomes a frenzy of holiday spirit with tree decorating and gingerbread house contests at the Museum and Cultural Center, the lively parade of lights (link to parade of lights video on signature events page), Christmas carolers, breakfast with Santa, and a cowboy country Christmas in Genoa, to name a few.