The countdown is on! Sample the Sierra returns to Bijou Community Park this Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. for an unforgettable afternoon of local food, wine, craft beverages, artisan shopping, live music, and community under the Tahoe pines.
Before you gather your tasting crew and head to the festival, here is everything you need to know to make the most of your Sample the Sierra experience.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Bijou Community Park, South Lake Tahoe
Sample the Sierra brings together regional restaurants, chefs, wineries, breweries, distilleries, specialty beverage makers, artists, and artisans for one delicious celebration of the Sierra. Full-tasting admission includes entry to the festival and the opportunity to sample from participating food and beverage vendors. A ticket is required to receive any samples. Purchase your tickets before they’re gone.
Children ages 8 and younger receive free admission, making this a fun event for the whole family.
Have Your Ticket Ready
If you purchased your tickets online, check your email for your Eventbrite confirmation and ticket. You may present your ticket on your phone or bring a printed copy.
Guests planning to enjoy alcoholic beverage tastings should also bring a valid photo ID.
What to Bring
Sample the Sierra is an outdoor festival, so come prepared to settle in and enjoy the afternoon. We recommend bringing:
- A lawn chair or picnic blanket
- A reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Layers for changing Tahoe weather
- A valid photo ID
- Your digital or printed ticket
- A reusable shopping bag for Makers Market purchases
Please remember that there will be no single-use cups at the festival. Bringing reusable items helps us reduce waste and protect the beautiful place we are fortunate to call home.
Getting to the Festival
Parking at Bijou Community Park is limited, so attendees are encouraged to bike, walk, carpool, use public transportation, or take Lake Link whenever possible.
Parking is available at Lake Tahoe Community College, directly across from Bijou Community Park. Overflow parking will be available at the U.S. Forest Service building at 35 College Drive and the Al Tahoe Center near Highway 50 and Al Tahoe Boulevard. A limited number of accessible parking spaces will be available at Bijou Community Park through the back entrance closest to Highway 50.
Guests arriving by bicycle can take advantage of the festival’s complimentary secure bike valet.
Come Hungry—and Take Your Time
With participating chefs, restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and specialty beverage producers throughout the festival, there will be plenty to discover. Take your time, sip responsibly, stay hydrated, and talk with the talented people behind each pairing.
Between tastings, browse the Makers Market for handcrafted art, jewelry, apparel, home décor, gifts, and Tahoe-inspired goods created by local and regional artisans.
Live music from The Residents and Mic Smith will keep the afternoon moving, so find a comfortable spot beneath the pines, relax between tastings, and enjoy the celebration.
Payment and Festival Amenities
There will not be an ATM inside the festival. Major credit cards and cash will be accepted for ticket purchases, and most artisan vendors will accept cards and cash for purchases.
Only service animals are permitted within the festival grounds. Dogs may still visit the designated dog park located within Bijou Community Park.
Keep the Celebration Going
The fun does not have to end at 4:00 p.m.! Head to Tessie’s Cocktails & Chords for the Official Sample the Sierra After Party from 4:00–8:00 p.m.
The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary welcome cocktail, and festivalgoers can show their Sample the Sierra wristband to receive a buy-one-get-one cocktail offer. Join us for handcrafted drinks, live music, and even more Tahoe fun.
Don’t Wait—Get Your Tickets Today!
Sample the Sierra is one of South Lake Tahoe’s most anticipated fall traditions, and tickets are going fast. Gather your friends, bring your appetite, and get ready to eat, sip, shop, and celebrate everything that makes our region so special.
PURCHASE YOUR SAMPLE THE SIERRA TICKETS
We can’t wait to see you under the pines!