It’s not too early to coordinate and book your family’s summer vacation plans, especially over the busy Fourth of July holiday when the starry skies of North Lake Tahoe will light up with a number of Independence Day events and illuminating celebrations.

At Squaw Valley USA, the Fireworks Extravaganza is scheduled for Tuesday, July 3 at 9 p.m. Spectators can catch a pre-fireworks concert in the Village Events Plaza, take in dinner at High Camp’s Alexander’s Café and then enjoy the show at the base of the mountain. Restaurants and retail establishments will be open late for dinner and shopping.

Fireworks also get under way at Kings Beach on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore Tuesday, July 3. The show starts at 9 p.m. (and the deck party begins at 7 p.m.) and can be best seen from the Kings Beach State Recreation Area and the North Tahoe Conference Center. Visitors can shop till they drop earlier that afternoon at the Kings Beach Arts and Crafts Fair, held at the same location.

Tahoe City’s celebration begins at 9:30 p.m. at Commons Beach on Wednesday, July 4. Prime viewing spots are from the beach, where family picnics are popular, as well as various locations throughout town along North Lake Boulevard. Guests can also make a reservation at one of the lakefront restaurants. Jake’s on the Lake takes reservations for indoor dining. Deck seating is also open at Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique and Christy Hill.

Incline Village pulls out all the stops with its three-day celebration, scheduled for July 2-4, called Red, White and Tahoe Blue. Special events include opening ceremonies, parade, golf tournament, sporting events, community breakfasts, chili and apple pie cook off and live entertainment. The festivities culminate with a dueling fireworks display Wednesday, July 4, 9 p.m., at the Village Green.

It’s an old-fashioned July Fourth Holiday Celebration in Truckee with a 10 a.m. hometown parade, Wednesday, July 4, in historical downtown followed by an evening fireworks display, 9 p.m., at Donner Lake’s West End Beach. Tickets must be purchased in advance as beach access is limited to local residents and homeowners.

The Red, White and Tahoe Blue party continues July 5-8 in the Crystal Bay entertainment district. The Cal-Neva Resort kicks it off with a martini tasting Thursday, July 5 at 4 p.m., Mama Sinatra’s Spaghetti Feast and the Dean-o-Holics (a Rat Pack review) in the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Showroom. From brews to blues, it’s live entertainment Friday, July 6 at the Tahoe Biltmore and Crystal Bay Club. Lady luck may be on visitors’ side the Luckiest Day of the Century 7/7/7 when special activities abound at North Shore casinos, in addition to the Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival at the Crystal Bay Club, July 7, and Italian Street Painting at the Cal-Neva Resort, July 7-8.

On the West Shore, the West Shore Café is sponsoring a private fireworks party Thursday, July 5. In conjunction with the fireworks, the restaurant will be serving a set menu dinner accompanied by live music during the evening. Cost is $290/person.