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If you enjoy bonfires, torchlight parades, live music, and the kind of winter evening that feels distinctly Tahoe, Diamond Peak Ullr Fest in Lake Tahoe should be on your calendar.
The next confirmed event takes place at Diamond Peak Ski Resort in Incline Village on Friday, January 29, 2027, from 4 to 8 p.m. Admission and parking are free, although food, drinks, raffle tickets, merchandise, and optional VIP tickets cost extra.
You may have seen older articles about a South Lake Tahoe Ullr Fest at Tahoe Valley Campground.
That event was held in November 2024, and a new South Lake Tahoe edition has not been confirmed. For the 2026-27 winter season, Diamond Peak is the Tahoe-area Ullr Fest to plan around.
When Is Diamond Peak Ullr Fest 2027?
Diamond Peak Ullr Fest is scheduled for Friday, January 29, 2027, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Diamond Peak Ski Resort in Incline Village, Nevada.
The celebration honors Ullr, the Scandinavian god associated with snow and winter, while raising money for the Diamond Peak Ski Team through the Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation. It is an all-ages community event, so you do not need to be skiing that day to enjoy the evening.
Most of the activities take place outdoors around the base lodge and viewing decks. Dress for a real winter night, not just a mild afternoon in the mountains.
What Happens at Diamond Peak Ullr Fest?
The evening combines a little ski-town tradition with a relaxed community party. You can watch the bonfire and torchlight parade, grab food and drinks, enter the costume contest, and support the Diamond Peak Ski Team through raffles and purchases.
The planned activities include:
- A bonfire near the Base Lodge Deck
- The Diamond Peak Ski Team boot parade
- A torchlight parade on the Show Off run
- Music, food, and drinks
- Raffles and merchandise
- A costume contest
- Optional VIP viewing for the parade
The parade and most of the entertainment are centered around the base area, so you can settle in at one of the viewing decks or watch from the snow near the base lodge.
Plenty of people dress the part for the costume contest, with Viking helmets, fur and fake beards.
Diamond Peak Ullr Fest Schedule
The schedule is approximate and may change, but Diamond Peak currently lists the following times:
- 4 p.m.: Raffle tickets and merchandise become available. Food and beverage outlets open.
- 4:30 p.m.: Snowcats groom the parade route.
- 5 p.m.: Bonfire lighting on the snow.
- 5:15 p.m.: Diamond Peak Ski Team boot parade.
- 6 p.m.: Torchlight parade on Show Off.
- 6:45 to 7 p.m.: Costume contest and raffle.
- 7:45 p.m.: Last call for food and drinks.
If the torchlight parade is your priority, arrive early enough to find a comfortable viewing spot before the bonfire begins. The Base Lodge Deck and Loft Bar Deck are listed as viewing areas, while the Loft Bar Deck offers reserved VIP seating.
Is Diamond Peak Ullr Fest Free?
Yes. Admission and parking are free according to the official Diamond Peak event listing.
You should still bring money or a card for food, drinks, raffle tickets, merchandise, and any optional VIP tickets. Base Lodge Provisions and other food and beverage outlets are expected to be open during the event.
The Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation also lists a limited VIP ticket option. VIP tickets include reserved viewing for the torchlight parade, two drink tickets, and appetizers. Availability may be limited, so check the foundation’s event page before your trip.
Can Families Attend Ullr Fest?
Yes. Diamond Peak describes Ullr Fest as an all-ages celebration. Families can watch the parade, enjoy the bonfire, listen to music, and take part in the festive atmosphere around the base lodge.
Keep in mind that the event takes place outdoors after sunset. Bring warm layers, gloves, hats, and shoes or boots with good traction. If you are bringing children, pack an extra layer because waiting for the torchlight parade can feel colder than expected.
Can You Ski at Diamond Peak on the Same Day?
You can plan a ski day around the event, but Ullr Fest itself does not guarantee that all lifts, runs, or terrain will be operating.
Check Diamond Peak’s snow report, lift status, and operating calendar separately before you go. If you ski during the day, leave enough time to return to the base area, collect your belongings, and find a place to watch the bonfire and parade.
The event is scheduled as an evening celebration, so it can also work well for visitors who are not skiing. You could spend the afternoon exploring Incline Village, have an early dinner at the resort, and then stay for the parade.
Where Should You Stay for Diamond Peak Ullr Fest?
Incline Village is the most convenient place to stay because it keeps you close to Diamond Peak and reduces the need for a nighttime mountain drive.
You can also look for lodging in Tahoe City, Truckee, or other North Lake Tahoe communities. These areas may fit better if Ullr Fest is one stop on a longer Lake Tahoe trip.
Staying in South Lake Tahoe is possible, but it means driving across the lake to Incline Village. In January, allow extra time and check road conditions before leaving. Snow, ice, and chain controls can change the drive significantly.
What Should You Bring?
A little preparation will make the evening much more comfortable. Pack:
- A warm winter coat
- Gloves and a hat
- Waterproof shoes or boots
- Warm socks
- Extra layers for children
- Traction-friendly footwear for packed snow or ice
- A phone charger or portable battery
You may also want a small blanket or seat pad if you plan to watch the parade from an outdoor viewing area. Leave plenty of room in your schedule because the event timing is approximate and winter driving can be slow.
How Early Should You Arrive?
Arrive early if you want to park close to the base lodge, eat before the parade, or watch the bonfire from a good location. Parking is listed as free, but spaces can fill as the event gets closer.
Follow Diamond Peak’s signs and staff directions when you arrive. Do not park along access roads, in restricted areas, or anywhere that could block emergency vehicles or snow-removal equipment.
The resort may adjust the schedule because of snow, weather, or operating conditions. Check the official event page before leaving for the latest information.
What Happened to the South Lake Tahoe Ullr Fest?
South Lake Tahoe Ullr Fest was a separate event held at Tahoe Valley Campground on November 2, 2024. That event included a vendor marketplace, ski swap, food trucks, a beer garden, live music, campfires, a winter sports film screening, and an attempted large shot ski for adults 21 and over.
The event page now identifies that celebration as past, and the Sierra Educational Foundation has not confirmed a new South Lake Tahoe edition for 2026.
If you are specifically searching for “South Lake Tahoe Ullr Fest,” use the organizer’s event calendar to check for future announcements instead of relying on the old November date.
For the upcoming winter season, Diamond Peak’s January event is the confirmed Ullr Fest option near Lake Tahoe.
Also check out these winter sports in Lake Tahoe:
About the author: Sherry Boyer
Sherry Boyer has lived in the Reno/Tahoe region for seven years, and she and her husband spent decades visiting Lake Tahoe several times a year before they moved here. With extended family around the lake, they spend their free time hiking the trails, boating on Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake, and fishing all over the area. Sherry writes Lake Tahoe Travel Tips to share the places they love with visitors.
