Ah, the holidays! The Christmas Season is upon us and we are looking for things to do with the family and we assume you are too! Check out our calendar of events below and find something fun for the family. Make sure to tag us in your Instagram pics @RenoDads and keep an eye out for us!
Friday, December 1
Tree Lighting: City of Sparks Hometowne Christmas Celebration
Time/Location: 6:30pm-7:00pm at Victorian Square, Sparks
Event: The traditional tree lighting ceremony takes place in the evening in the heart of Victorian Square. Free live music, sing-along and cocoa for the kids.
Tree Lighting: Fallon
Time/Location: 4:00pm-6:00pm on Main St., Fallon
Event: This Christmas tradition is a joyous event in Fallon when the community turns out for carolers, cookies and hot chocolate, the first glimpse of Santa and to watch the Christmas tree light up downtown Maine Street. Also included are fireworks during the lighting!
Winterfest at Greater Nevada Field
Time/Location: 4:00pm-9:00pm, Greater Nevada Field, December 1-2
Event: WinterFest – a festive holiday attraction featuring a Christmas train ride and appearances from Santa Claus in “Santa’s Village” – will officially open December 1 at Greater Nevada Field. Adults and children can ride the Holiday Express Train, a custom narrated journey around the inside of Greater Nevada Field, taking you from Reno to the North Pole to deliver Santa’s naughty and nice list. The Christmas train and Santa appearances run from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays with Sundays going from 4:00 pm. to 7:00 p.m.. The train ride prices are a flat rate of $10 for children and adults and $32 for a family four-pack. Pictures with Santa are available for purchase with packages starting at just $15.
Saturday, December 2
Reno Dads and Picasso and Wine Present: Picasso and Juice
Time/Location: 2:00pm-4:30pm at Picasso and Wine in the Summit Mall
Event: Bring the whole family and explore, create and most important…spend quality time together! This painting is easy enough for kids & Fun enough for teens & adults. We will be serving Mocktails for the kids & wine, beer & cocktails for the adults!
Register at Picasso and Wine (here), $25/person online or $30/person at the door
Spirit of the Season – Reno Philharmonic
Time/Location: 2:00pm, Pioneer Events Center
Event: This classic holiday celebration will play to packed houses for three shows including a matinee and evening performance on Saturday, December 2, 2017 and a matinee on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Dr. Jason Altieri welcome special guests to kick off the season with a variety-style combination of singers, dancers, performers, students, Santa Tappers, Santa Claus and more! Look for many of your favorite local talents. Spirit of the Season is certain to overpower anyone’s inner Grinch. Enjoy orchestral arrangements, jazzy numbers, traditional holiday tunes and joy-Phil-ed carols wrapped in fantasy and fun for the whole family.
Parade: City of Sparks Hometowne Christmas Celebration
Time/Location: 1:00pm-3:00pm at Victorian Square, Sparks
Event: Enthusiastic spectators line the parade route on Victorian Square for their chance to see santa and celebrate the holiday season. The Christmas parade starts at 1:00pm and features hundreds of parade entries, including floats, marching bands, animal groups and Santa himself. Enjoy a hot chocolate and take a photo with Santa.
Egg Nogged! and Breakfast with Santa
Time/Location: 11:30am Meadowood Mall Center Court
Event: Join Nogg, a shy, clumsy and unpopular elf on her daring and magical journey to save Christmas. December 2 show in the Meadowood Mall Center Court at 11:30 a.m. If you can’t make it, it will also be December 9 show at 4 p.m., 39 North Pole Victorian Square in Sparks. Presented by Laughing Owl Productions.
Santa Train
Time/Location: 10:00am-4:00pm, Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City
Event: All aboard the Carson City Santa Train! Come to the museum and meet Santa Claus aboard the Santa Train. Tickets are $5.00 for all riders; children 2 and under who sit in an adult’s lap are FREE. Take a ride on the Santa Train featuring historic equipment from the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and visit with Santa Claus aboard the train. Children will also be able to write a letter to Santa at the Letters to Santa table.
Sunday, December 3
Spirit of the Season – Reno Philharmonic
Time/Location: 2:00pm and 8:00pm, Pioneer Events Center
Event: This classic holiday celebration will play to packed houses for three shows including a matinee and evening performance on Saturday, December 2, 2017 and a matinee on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Dr. Jason Altieri welcome special guests to kick off the season with a variety-style combination of singers, dancers, performers, students, Santa Tappers, Santa Claus and more! Look for many of your favorite local talents. Spirit of the Season is certain to overpower anyone’s inner Grinch. Enjoy orchestral arrangements, jazzy numbers, traditional holiday tunes and joy-Phil-ed carols wrapped in fantasy and fun for the whole family.
Santa Train
Time/Location: 10:00am-4:00pm, Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City
Event: All aboard the Carson City Santa Train! Come to the museum and meet Santa Claus aboard the Santa Train. Tickets are $5.00 for all riders; children 2 and under who sit in an adult’s lap are FREE. Take a ride on the Santa Train featuring historic equipment from the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and visit with Santa Claus aboard the train. Children will also be able to write a letter to Santa at the Letters to Santa table.
Wednesday, December 6
City of Reno Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Time/Location: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., City Plaza, Downtown Reno
Event: The City of Reno’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting is a free event at the City Plaza in Downtown Reno.
Friday, December 8
The Nutcracker Ballet
Date/Location: December 8, 9, 10 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
Event: The stage at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts will be alive with a sugar plum fairy and dancing mice as A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents the annual Nutcracker Ballet. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne has choreographed an exciting rendition of the popular holiday ballet and the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s moving score. Laura Jackson will conduct the orchestra.
Get tickets at the Pioneer Center website (here). A special Sugar Plum party will be held after the Saturday (12/9) and Sunday (12/10) afternoon performances where children can meet the Nutcracker characters.
Santa Paws
Time/Location: 4:00pm- 6:00pm, Nevada Humane Society on Longley
Event: Santa Paws is back! Bring your pet to sit on Santa’s lap for a photo you will cherish this holiday season! Susan Koppel, owner and photographer at Susan Koppel Photography, will be offering digitally retouched images for a donation. Donations for Santa Paws also benefits homeless pets! This unique event takes place on TWO days this year, Friday, December 8 from 4pm to 6pm and then Saturday, December 9, from 10am to 4pm at the Reno location, 2825 Longley Lane. **Please be prepared to wait in a line as this is a busy, popular event and it takes a different amount of time for each animal to get the purrfect photo!
Saturday, December 9
Grinchmas at the Grove
Date/Location: 7:30am-10:00am, at The Grove
Event: Join us for a Whoville holiday feast! Come celebrate with whocrafts, The Grinch movie, and roast beast. Read Whotales with Santa, Clothed head to toe in pajama Whos of every shape and size Wear your best jammies, to win the grand prize!
Buy tickets for $10 at The Grove Website (here)
Egg Nogged!
Time/Location: 4:00pm, 39 North Pole Victorian Square, Sparks
Event: Join Nogg, a shy, clumsy and unpopular elf on her daring and magical journey to save Christmas. Presented by Laughing Owl Productions.
10th Annual Gingerbread House Competition and Festival
Time/Location: 12:00pm to 3:30pm, May Museum at May Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Rancho San Rafael Park
Event: Join us for an afternoon of fun at what has become a holiday tradition in Northern Nevada! Enter your own gingerbread creation in one of nine categories or come to the festival and make your own gingerbread house to take home. Listen to an afternoon of holiday music performed by local choral and instrumental groups. Visit and have your photo taken with Santa Claus.
Santa Paws & Home 4 the Holidays Cupcake Day
Time/Location: 10:00am – 4:00pm, Nevada Humane Society on Longley
Event: Santa Paws is back! Bring your pet to sit on Santa’s lap for a photo you will cherish this holiday season! Susan Koppel, owner and photographer at Susan Koppel Photography, will be offering digitally retouched images for a donation. Donations for Santa Paws also benefits homeless pets! This unique event takes place on TWO days this year, Friday, December 8 from 4pm to 6pm and then Saturday, December 9, from 10am to 4pm at the Reno location, 2825 Longley Lane. **Please be prepared to wait in a line as this is a busy, popular event and it takes a different amount of time for each animal to get the purrfect photo!
Also on Saturday, December 9, from 10am to 4pm, is the annual Cupcake Day! There’s no place like Home 4 the Holidays and there is nothing yummier than holiday goodies! Hundreds of cupcakes in different styles and flavors will be provided by local bakeries and volunteer bakers. Sample one or take a dozen home! Proceeds benefit homeless pets. **Looking to help? We welcome bakers galore to contribute by donating cupcakes! For details, please call 775-856-2000 ext. 335.
Santa Train
Time/Location: 10:00am-4:00pm, Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City
Event: All aboard the Carson City Santa Train! Come to the museum and meet Santa Claus aboard the Santa Train. Tickets are $5.00 for all riders; children 2 and under who sit in an adult’s lap are FREE. Take a ride on the Santa Train featuring historic equipment from the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and visit with Santa Claus aboard the train. Children will also be able to write a letter to Santa at the Letters to Santa table.
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Reno Dance Company’s Annual The Nutcracker Ballet
Time/Location: Times vary, check link for times and dates, The Nugget Casino
Event: The Nugget Casino and Reno Dance Company present The Nutcracker Ballet in the Celebrity Showroom. Performances will be on Saturday, Sunday, December 16 – 17 and 22 – 24, 2017. Times vary, check site for details.
Reno Wind Symphony: Holiday Celebration
Time/Location: 7:30pm, Nightengale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building at UNR
Event: This concert has become a tradition with members of the Reno Wind Symphony, as they continue to enjoy playing some of their favorite holiday selections. Truly one of the highlights of this concert is the recitation of the poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by KOH Radio personality Ross Mitchell, accompanied by the Reno Wind Symphony. Ross also will serve as the vocal soloist on the “Grinch that Stole Christmas.” Tickets are free, but you must pick them up at MacLean Financial Group or Heritage Bank of Nevada.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Reno Wind Symphony: Holiday Celebration
Time/Location: 3:00pm, Nightengale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building at UNR
Event: This concert has become a tradition with members of the Reno Wind Symphony, as they continue to enjoy playing some of their favorite holiday selections. Truly one of the highlights of this concert is the recitation of the poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by KOH Radio personality Ross Mitchell, accompanied by the Reno Wind Symphony. Ross also will serve as the vocal soloist on the “Grinch that Stole Christmas.” Tickets are free, but you must pick them up at MacLean Financial Group or Heritage Bank of Nevada.
Month Long
Polar Express on the V&T Railroad
Event: Polar Express train ride held throughout the season. Departs from the Carson City Eastgate Depot and heads North on the Carson City-Virginia City Route, arriving at the North Pole. During the holiday season, characters, entertainment and Santa bring the story to life, with a souvenir silver sleigh bell to remember the journey. The one-hour long rides are fun for the whole family. VIP parlor car tickets also available (Reno Dads edit: worth it!) that includes a keepsake hot chocolate mug and dedicated time with Santa and his Elves!
Schedule: The 2017 season begins Saturday, November 18 with the final ride on Saturday, December 30 — more dates added this season! Join us on any of our evening rides at 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays (and one Wednesday).
Christmas on the Comstock
Event: Annual Christmas on the Comstock this December, offering a Victorian-style holiday celebration. This small mining town feels like a real-life vintage Christmas book embracing the slower pace of the holiday spirit with lights and shops decorated to the hilt. Festivities for all ages range from unique boutique holiday shopping, specials, a lighted Christmas parade and more. Cap your night off with David John and the Comstock Cowboys, Christmas in the Sierras concert.
The Unbelievables Christmas Extravaganza
Event: From the internationally-acclaimed producers of “The Illusionists,” “Circus 1903” and “Cirque Le Noir” comes an entertainment blockbuster set to dazzle The Eldorado Theatre. Featuring “America’s Got Talent” finalist Sara and her dog Hero and many other great acts from around the globe, The Unbelievables Christmas Extravaganza has it all – jaw-dropping magic, breathtaking circus acts, the world’s most spectacular ballroom dancers and the most angelic voices singing your favorite Christmas carols. Be transported to the golden age of entertainment by the mind-blowing talents, stunning costumes, comedy and so much more.
Schedule: Shows are nightly Tuesday through Sunday through December 31 with additional matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
