Events
Explore Lake Havasu City events—all year long. From world-class boat races, our signature hot-air balloon festival, concerts, parades, and community favorites, there’s an event for…
Story Ideas
Lake Havasu City and London Bridge offer a boatload of story ideas.
For a city of over 57,000 people, we have a lot going on—interesting people, beautiful scenery, and special events that are truly, well, special. Here are just a few stories we can help you develop.
London Bridge: One Man's Dream Anchors a City
A dream first thought preposterous—Lake Havasu City founder Robert P. McCulloch, Sr.'s plan to relocate the centuries-old London Bridge (circa 1831) to a remote second home and resort community in the Arizona desert, where he would reconstruct it as an iconic attraction to bring tourists and retirement home buyers to the area. Over 50 years later, the London Bridge is now the most-visited built attraction in Arizona.
A major special event marking the 50th anniversary of the London Bridge's purchase was held in October 2018. A month-long celebration was held in October 2021 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the London Bridge’s rededication in Lake Havasu City.
Download our London Bridge Fact Sheet (pdf) for a quick history of and interesting data about the world-famous London Bridge.
Is the London Bridge haunted?
If Lake Havasu City's signature attraction isn't haunted, then nothing is. How do we know the bridge is haunted? Apparently, EVP's (electronic voice phenomena) and abnormalities in photos have been captured. There is evidence of so-called residual haunting in slate and iron nails. Come meet local experts or watch as experts on Travel Channel's "Ghost Adventures" explore this fascinating possibility.
How hot is Havasu? How does a desert playground cope with the heat?
Oh yeah, it's hot in Havasu in the summer. So hot, in fact, Lake Havasu City holds the record as the hottest city in America: 128° F. recorded on June 29, 1994. So hot, the London Bridge Resort's doors have insulating koozies on the handles. One local bakes cookies on her car's dashboard!
But locals and visitors alike believe the heat is what makes boating on Lake Havasu so refreshing, especially in Bridgewater Channel or at the Sandbar where dozens of boats (and hundreds of people) raft up and cool off. Our Lake Havasu Weather WebCam page shows the current temperature, 7-day forecast, and live streaming video of the London Bridge and Bridgewater Channel.
Lighthouses in the desert?
You're in the middle of the desert, about two hours south of Las Vegas, and you're surrounded by 28 lighthouses. A mirage? No. But creating small-scale lighthouses is the dream of western Arizona lighthouse fans who have built replica lighthouses to help boaters navigate Lake Havasu. Thanks to their efforts, Lake Havasu City is home to more lighthouses than any other city in the entire country. Learn more about the lighthouses and their builders on our lighthouses page.
Experience Lake Havasu's wild side
We're not talking spring break-wild, we're talking wild-west wild. ATV, dirt bike, Jeep, and other off-road vehicle enthusiasts can enjoy the open spaces of the desert and mountains surrounding Lake Havasu City. There's also:
Topock Gorge
Breathtaking scenery and towering canyons of solid rock carved by the Colorado River -- the Topock Gorge is also known as "the mini Grand Canyon." It extends down to the bank line on both the Arizona and California sides and is part of the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. Take a four-hour tour with Sunset Charter & Tour Company and see Indian petroglyphs, steep red cliffs, and native wildlife such as bighorn sheep, pelicans, and egrets.
Parker Dam
The Parker Dam is the deepest dam in the world -- 320 feet high with only 85 feet visible above the waterline. Its reservoir, Lake Havasu, stretches for 45 miles behind the dam, creating a recreational oasis in the Arizona desert as well as storage for nearly 211 billion gallons of water for California.
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
Take a stroll along the walkway at the visitor center for the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Center, where you can spot turkey vultures, mourning doves, coots, killdeer, herons, egrets, and more. Encompassing 6,105 acres of majestic rock cliffs with cool water running through a classic Sonoran Desert, it's the largest riparian forest remaining on the lower Colorado River; over 350 species of birds have been documented.
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Adjacent to the Colorado River, the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge features 37,515 acres of cattail-bulrush backwaters, shrubby riparian lowlands, and steep cactus-strewn cliffs and mountains. It protects 30 river miles, 300 miles of shoreline from Needles, California to Lake Havasu City, and numerous species including 318 documented species of birds. For those who say the desert is just rocks and rattlesnakes, they haven't had the pleasure of experiencing this beautiful refuge.
Scuba Dive in the Lake
While Lake Havasu is known for its topside water activities, there is also much to do underwater while scuba diving. Divers can access Lake Havasu either by beach or boat. Visibility ranges throughout the year from 10-50 feet with water temperatures from the mid 50°'s F. to as high as 85° F. in the peak of summer.
Say “I Do” to a Lake Havasu City Desert Wedding (pdf)
For weddings traditional, unconventional or somewhere in between, Lake Havasu City offers one of the most beautiful and affordable wedding settings in the Southwest. Lake Havasu City's wedding specialists are ready at a moment’s notice to turn any bride and groom’s wedding dreams into reality.
You Gotta Have Art (pdf)
Outdoor paintings of vintage cars, mountains, and food are part of an initiative of the nonprofit Havasu Area Public Art (HAPA). Founded in 2015, HAPA is passionate about promoting public art in the city for the enjoyment of both visitors and locals alike.
Room With a View – Cozy Lakeside Cabins Are Private Getaways (pdf)
Arizona's state parks provide perfect destinations for family camping adventures without the need for an RV or tent. The new cozy lakeside camping cabins at Lake Havasu State Park are located with the best views in the park, right on the shore of the Colorado River.
See The Stars Come Out (pdf)
One reason there are no streetlights in Lake Havasu City's residential areas is to protect the night sky for all to enjoy. With an average of 290 sunny days (and clear nights) a year, the outdoor fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down.
Lake Havasu: Believe it or Not! (pdf)
From deep below the earth's surface to distant outer space, the Lake Havasu City area is home to a variety of off-the-beaten-path attractions that are well worth a visit.
Money From Heaven – Meteor Hunting Near Lake Havasu City (pdf)
It seems too good to be true, yet amateur meteorite hunters just 17 miles from Lake Havasu City are making money on stones falling from space.
Lake Havasu’s Copper Still Distillery Concocts Cocktails With Moonshine, Whiskey and Vodka (pdf)
Copper Still Distillery in Lake Havasu City is a small intimate distillery and tasting room that will help you discover the joys of small-batch moonshine, vodka, and whiskey.
Become a Planespotter (pdf)
In Lake Havasu City, a passionate group of aviation fans called “planespotters” come to the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport (HII) to watch aircraft take-off and land on its extra-long 8,000-ft. runway. Recently, the local fixed based operator (FBO) at the airport, Havasu Air Center, received a government contract to refuel military aircraft.
An Arizona State of Mind: Wellness Sites Along Arizona's West Coast (pdf)
Sedona's vortex expert reveals top mind-body healing energy centers in the Lake Havasu City area.
Major Special Events Unique to Lake Havasu City
Boom, Boom, Pop: Western Winter Blast Pyrotechnics Convention (February)
If you love watching a fireworks show to celebrate our nation's birthday, you'll be amazed at the nightly 20-minute pyrotechnics show scheduled over President's Day weekend. This trade show attracts fireworks professionals from throughout the west to show off their latest-and-greatest product. You'll enjoy four nights of fireworks scheduled in one-hour increments to hold you over until July 4th.
Greasers: Lake Havasu Rockabilly Reunion (February)
Before there were hippies, there were greasers and the girls who loved them. Rockabilly, one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, emerged in the early 1950s and is undergoing a revival of sorts. Join other fans for live entertainment, a pre-'68 vintage car and motorcycle show, pin-up girl contest, swap meet, beer garden, activities, vendor booths, and lots more!
Zoom — Go-Fast Boats: Desert Storm Poker Run & Shootout (May)
Desert Storm Poker Run & Shootout is THE see and be seen event in the boating industry! Named "One of the Top Five Poker Runs in the Nation" by Performance Boats Magazine, Desert Storm consists of a world-class collection of the most prestigious performance boats from across the nation. Racing from the heart of Lake Havasu, top speeds upwards of 160+ MPH are not uncommon here.
The air will be buzzing with the racers' helicopter teams flying above the boats right above the water. Desert Storm brings to Lake Havasu the biggest and best performance boats in the U.S. as they roar across the lake. Rides on the boats are given for a charitable donation and spectators can get up-close and personal with the boats at the boat show and street party.
Lake Havasu — The "Jet Ski" Capital of the World: IJSBA World Finals (October)
For hundreds of thousands of personal watercraft owners (PWC), Lake Havasu City is the "Jet Ski Capital of the World." This is especially true in early October when the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) World Finals comes to town for the Super Bowl of the sport. Approximately 400 competitors from 30 states across the U.S. and over 40 nations worldwide converge on Lake Havasu City and the clear waters of the Colorado River, along with thousands of fans and news media from a dozen countries, to participate in this world-renowned event.
