THE TAHOE TEN: upcoming events you CAN’T miss

1. Blue Moon kayak tour

This Friday is a blue moon (a full moon happening twice in the same month). If you’re looking for a truly unique way to view the blue moon, you may want to consider Friday’s full moon kayak tour with Tahoe Adventure Company. The trip is 1 to 3 miles, typically lasting 2-plus hours on Lake Tahoe’s water.

Where: Tahoe Vista Recreation Area

When: Friday, July 31

Cost: $65 per person

Online: tahoeadventurecompany.com

2. Music on the Beach

The annual summer outdoor concert series on the beach in Kings Beach continues Friday with a performance from bluegrass sensation Achilles Wheel.

Where: Kings Beach State Recreation Area

When: 6 p.m. Friday, July 31

Cost: Free

Online: northtahoebusiness.org

3. Concerts at Commons Beach

The annual summer outdoor concert series continues Sunday from the shores of Lake Tahoe with a fun performance by Mumbo Gumbo, also serving as a cap to the Kids Science Day earlier that day at the beach.

Where: Commons Beach, Tahoe City

When: 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

Cost: Free

Online: concertsatcommonsbeach.com

4. Music in the Park

Enjoy outdoor music against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra at the “Salty” Gebhart Amphitheater. This week’s featured band is a locals’ favorite — and a band of locals — in Sneaky Creatures.

Where: Truckee River Regional Park, Truckee

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5

Cost: Free

Online: tdrpd.com

5. Free music in Crystal Bay

The casino’s Red Room offers a more intimate setting than the acoustically ambitious Crown Room. This weekend, enjoy free shows from The Lil’ Smokies on Friday, and a returning favorite, Keyser Soze, on Saturday.

Where: Crystal Bay Casino Red Room

When: 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 1

Cost: Free

Online: crystalbaycasino.com

6. California Carnival in Truckee

The Truckee carnival features a Ferris wheel, fun house, giant slide, roller coaster and midway games. There are rides designed for the 2- to 4-year-old age group as well. Proceeds benefit Tahoe’s Connection for Families, a nonprofit that offers parenting education and early childhood development programs for families with infants and toddlers.

Where: Truckee River Regional Park

When: Friday-Sunday, July 31-Aug. 2

Cost: $20 advance; $30 on-site for all-day vouchers for unlimited rides

Online: tcfkids.org

7. Kids Science Day in Tahoe City

The carnival-style science festival will include 10 hands-on science activities and games, covering lake clarity and physics, lake level, water quality, water conservation, fish, invasive species, fire and forests, climate change, litter and recycling, stewardship, and more, and will be facilitated by some of the Tahoe basin’s leading environmental organizations.

Where: Commons Beach, Tahoe City

When: 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

Cost: Free

Online: terc.ucdavis.edu

8. Movie Mondays in Tahoe Vista

Movie Mondays in the Park is sponsored by the North Tahoe Public Utility District, offering showings of family friendly films, as well as contests and weekly giveaways at each movie. This week’s film is “Into the Woods.”

Where: Tahoe Vista Recreation Area

When: 8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3

Cost: Free ($5 parking fee for non NTPUD residents)

Online: ntpud.org

9. Tahoe Star Tours

Explore the night sky viewing the Cosmos with star guide and poet Tony Berendsen in an educational night that includes a laser tour of the constellations, telescopic viewing, a fun space quiz with prizes, poetry reading and more.

Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

When: 8:15 p.m. Friday, July 31

Cost: $35 adults, $20 kids

Online: NorthstarCalifornia.com

10. Bluesdays Tuesdays

The weekly music series featuring acclaimed blues musicians, delicious grab-and-go bites, and a Blues Bar serving beer, wine and spirits continues next week with Chris Cain. Bluesday guests receive discounted Aerial Tram and activity packages and food and drink specials.

Where: Village at Squaw Valley

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4

Cost: Free

Online: squawalpine.com