Lake Havasu City runs events year-round. Here is the annual calendar: balloon festival, boat show, Desert Storm, Fourth of July, IJSBA, London Bridge Days, and the rest. Dates move. Confirm on golakehavasu.com/events before you plan around a weekend.
Winter
January
Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair
Hot-air balloons at dawn, a carnival midway, Vendor Row, a food court, live music, and arts-and-crafts booths at Lake Havasu State Park (Windsor Beach / Windsor 4), about 6 minutes from north town. Mass ascensions, tethered rides, and the night glow over the lake. Walk-in entrance is often at 171 London Bridge Rd; confirm on the festival map each year.
February
Western Winter Blast
A pyrotechnics convention that turns into a multi-day fireworks show over the lake. Professionals from across the country shoot displays beyond a typical holiday show.
February
Winterfest
Two days on McCulloch Blvd with 200+ vendors, food, entertainment, and thousands of visitors. Lake Havasu City's signature winter street festival, about 10 minutes from north town.
December
Boat Parade of Lights
Decorated boats cruise the Bridgewater Channel after dark. Spectators line the shores and bridges. A holiday tradition on the water in the desert.
December
London Bridge Parade
Holiday parade through the London Bridge and downtown area: floats, bands, and community groups. Often the same season as the Boat Parade of Lights; check the city and Go Lake Havasu calendar for dates.
Spring
March
Lake Havasu Boat Show
Marine and land exhibitors (boats, motors, trailers, and services) at Lake Havasu State Park Windsor 4 (171 London Bridge Rd), about 6 minutes from north town. Concessions on site; local press has also reported carnival rides some years. Presented by the Lake Havasu Marine Association.
March
Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion
A multi-day 1950s-themed festival at Lake Havasu State Park (Windsor 4), about 6 minutes from north town: classic cars, live rockabilly bands, vendor booths, and a carnival with rides and games.
March
Spring Break
Lake Havasu has been a spring-break destination since MTV covered it in 1995. The channel and beaches fill with college-age crowds. The city no longer issues permits to large party organizers, but the weeks are still busy.
Spring
Relics & Rods Run to the Sun
A classic and custom car show that fills McCulloch Blvd and surrounding streets with hundreds of vehicles. If you like the Thursday car-show nights, this is the annual main event.
Various
Havasu Triathlon
Swim, bike, and run events on and around the lake. Athletes often travel with family who spend the rest of the day on the beaches.
April
Desert Storm Poker Run
One of the biggest performance-boat poker runs in the country. High-powered boats run a multi-stop course on Lake Havasu while spectators line the channel, the beach, and every vantage point. Street parties and vendor expos fill the week. Windsor Beach ramps get crowded; launch early or use Site Six.
Summer
July
Independence Day on the lake
Fourth of July weekend fills the channel, beaches, and launch ramps. Fireworks over the water, boats on anchor, and one of the busiest weeks on Lake Havasu. Expect long lines at Windsor Beach if you launch late in the morning. Site Six, about 8 minutes north, is often the quieter option.
Fall
October
IJSBA World Finals
The International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals, the world championship of jet-ski racing. Riders and spectators come from dozens of countries. The event runs for a full week on Crazy Horse Campgrounds beach. October weather is typically 80s–90s during the day and 60s at night.
October
London Bridge Days
Annual celebration of the London Bridge anniversary: parades, vendors, and events around the bridge and English Village, about 10 minutes from north town. One of the city's signature fall weekends.
October
Fall Fun Fair
Community fair at Rotary Community Park, about 10 minutes from north town: games, food booths, and local groups. A family-style afternoon on the waterfront. Many groups launch at Windsor and boat over.
Fall
Chilln-n-Swilln Beer Festival
An annual charity beer festival with local and regional craft breweries pouring on the water. Lake Havasu has a growing brewery scene: Barley Brothers, College Street, Mudshark, and Copper Still Distillery. Plan a designated driver.
November
Music, Brews & BBQ Championship
Competition barbecue and chili teams converge on Lake Havasu State Park, about 6 minutes from north town, for a weekend of sampling, beer, and live music. Large crowds; confirm dates each year with the organizer or Go Lake Havasu calendar.
Racing season
Havasu 95 Speedway
NASCAR-style short-track racing at Havasu 95 Speedway on the north side of town. Weekly race nights through the cooler months; check the current schedule for classes and special events.
Carnival fairs at Lake Havasu State Park
Several of the biggest weekends (balloon festival, boat show, rockabilly reunion, and fall BBQ) use Windsor Beach and Windsor 4 at Lake Havasu State Park (171 London Bridge Rd). That is the same stretch of shoreline as the closest launch ramp from north town, about 6 minutes from Pool House by the Bay. If you are bringing a boat that weekend, see boat parking and launch ramps.
Between events: the lake is the event
March through September, the lake itself is what draws people. Boating, jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and beaches. No ticket required. See things to do in Lake Havasu for the rest of the week, or boat parking and launch ramps if you are bringing your own.