Calling wildlife lovers! This annual weekend showcases bird, wide-open spaces and the cutest calves imaginable! Each year, the calving season draws raptors, including bald eagles, to Carson Valley. Eagles and Agriculture celebrates their arrival and offers a chance to witness these majestic birds. Highlights of the event include an opening dinner, where falconers bring their birds for up close viewing, tours for exclusive access to the ranches, a photography workshop, and a best photo contest.
Each Spring Nevada’s oldest settlement, Genoa, honors its place in history with the Genoa Western Heritage celebration! This three-day festival hosts live music, cowboy poetry, demonstrations, reenactments, tours, children’s activities, local craft and food vendors and more. Attendees come to celebrate Genoa’s rich western heritage, from Native Americans to the early pioneers, and immerse themselves in a unique and storied past. The event also features Chautauquan performances from some of the characters of Genoa – including the likes of Mark Twain and Snowshoe Thompson. Come to Genoa’s Western Heritage Days celebration and find out why Genoa truly is the heart of history in Nevada!
BackCountry Festival at the Corley Ranch in Gardnerville Nevada, now a brand-new annual event, has come into the Carson Valley! BackCountry Festival features live country music performances, barbecue, and brews! Annually in early summer you will experience music, food, a beer fest, and more, all set to take place at the historical Corley Ranch in the beautiful Eastern Sierra.
For any questions or more general information, you can visit BackCountry’s website, or email them directly at info@backcountryfest.com.
Held the second week of June, Carson Valley Days is a four – day event that showcases and salutes beloved smalltown USA! For over 110 years, the community celebrates with a lively parade (each year has a new theme), carnival midway games, rides, free live music, horseshoe tournaments, craft vendors and much more. Thousands of locals and visitors alike join in the summer fun in what has become an iconic Nevada experience. Bring the kids, Carson Valley days will create lasting memories for the whole family!
Multiple volunteer efforts and community organizations contribute to a great event, please check back for updates or contact info@visitcarsonvalley.org with any questions.
Throw on your boots for this wild weekend in September! Held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, this event is the perfect combination of all the small-town feels and the big-time rodeo events! Featuring bull and bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping, trick riders, the cutest little mutton busters you ever saw and of course, the ever-entertaining rodeo clown. Before the chutes open, food trucks, vendors and kids’ activities make for a great day. After the evening events, dance the night away with a live concert from featured bands.
History, arts, crafts, dancing and best of all – candy! The Genoa Candy Dance is an annual Arts and Crafts Faire that takes place the last weekend in September. For over 100 years, the tradition has continued to support the historical gem that is Genoa, Nevada. Today, this beloved event remains one of the highlights of the year. Over 300 craft and food vendors set up shop, along with live music and entertainment! It is the perfect opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping with unique and handcrafted gifts. The Candy Dinner and Dance is still part of this historic Nevada event and is held the Saturday night of the event weekend. Just as it was a hundred years ago, today’s event is made possible through the invaluable efforts of volunteers and remains a beloved tradition.
Christmas in the valley is as magical as the inside of a snow globe and the Parade of Lights is a big way to welcome the holiday season! Settle in with a cozy blanket and a hot cup of cocoa to watch the floats covered in dazzling lights make their way along Highway 395. Local businesses help light the way and of course, very special guests from the North Pole often make an appearance. There is no better way to get in the Christmas spirit!
Carson Valley hosts events that span the gamut of interests. There is always a reason to plan your trip and spend some time in each of our four towns.