From holiday festivals to yoga to the country’s largest Santa Pub Crawl, there are so many December events in Reno/Sparks to attend. So pick one, or 10, of these 20 things to do and get celebrating!
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Sparks Annual Hometowne Christmas Parade
- When:Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018
- Where: Victorian Square, 764-794 Victorian Ave., Sparks
- More information
Come to Victorian Square for the traditional Christmas parade and festivities from 11 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m. The parade begins at 1 p.m and this year’s theme is “Elves Invade the 2018 Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade.” Take a picture with Santa and check out the Community Faire for information about how to can give back this holiday season.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Spirit Of The Season
- When:Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018– Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018
- Where: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St., Reno
- More information
The Reno Phil and conductor Dr. Jason Altieri invite you to Spirit of the Season, a classic holiday celebration full of orchestral arrangements, jazzy numbers, traditional holiday tunes, and carols.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: City of Reno Menorah Lighting
- When:Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018
- Where: City Plaza, 10 S. Virginia St., Reno
- More information
Celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah with the lighting of the menorah on City Plaza in Downtown Reno. This is the 20th anniversary of Reno’s Biggest Menorah Lighting, organized by Chabad of Northern Nevada. The event will also include a live Jewish D.J., potato latkes and donuts, hot drinks, an interactive chalk wall and more.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: City of Reno Tree Lighting
- When:Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018
- Where: City Plaza, 10 S. Virginia St., Reno
- More information
The City of Reno invites the public to a free holiday tree lighting ceremony. The tree decorations have been generously donated by the Reno Riverwalk District. Afterward, head over to Greater Nevada Field for more fun activities, including free ice skating from 7–10 p.m. and free train rides in Santa’s Village.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: 39 North Pole Village
- When:Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018– Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018
- Where: Victorian Square, 764-794 Victorian Ave., Sparks
- More information
Stroll through the lights, take photos with Santa and embrace the holiday spirit at 39 North Pole Village in Victorian Square in Downtown Sparks. The heated vendor village tent provides guests with a cozy shopping experience as they browse local vendors and crafters. Local families and businesses can compete in a peoples choice, light display contest inspired by Clark Griswold from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
December Events in Reno/Sparks: A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker
- When:Friday, Dec. 7, 2018– Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018
- Where: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St., Reno
- More information
The stage at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts comes 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 favorite holiday ballet, and the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s moving score. Laura Jackson will conduct the orchestra. Principal dancers who have performed with professional ballet companies such as Ballet West, Houston Ballet and the Diablo Ballet will perform the leading roles alongside a large cast of local talent.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
- When:Friday, Dec. 7, 2018
- Where: Red Hawk Golf and Resort, 6600 N. Wingfield Parkway, Sparks
- More information
Join Red Hawk Golf and Resort for its community tree lighting ceremony. The event will feature $7 ornament crafting on the clubhouse patio, vendors handing out candy and holiday cheer, and a small buffet of pizza, pretzels, popcorn, hot cocoa and more.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: WinterFest Reno at Greater Nevada Field
- When:Friday, Dec. 7, 2018– Monday, Dec. 24, 2018
- Where: Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., Reno
- More information
WinterFest is Reno’s largest holiday event featuring rides on the Holiday Express Train, photos with Santa and ice skating. On The Holiday Express Train, a custom narrated journey around the inside of the Stadium, participants go on on a mission from Reno to the North Pole to deliver Santa’s Naughty and Nice list. In Santa’s Village, everyone can have their photo taken with the big guy in red. WinterFest also features Reno and Spark’s only outdoor ice rink for the winter season.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Celebration on the Corridor
- When:Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018
- Where: The Brewery District, 4th Street from Lake Street to Sutro Street,Reno
- More information
Celebrate the holidays in the Brewery District and explore the lights, trees, bike lanes, and the new RTC Lincoln Line. Raise a glass and experience brewery and winery tours, local bands, local crafts, food trucks, and holiday drinks.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Holiday Open House at Hands ON! on Second Saturday
- When:Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., Reno
- More information
Make some crafts at the Nevada Museum of Art’s Holiday Open House at Hands ON! on Second Saturday. This event features free admission for all visitors and a pop-up shop in the Museum Store. There will also be Museum School ceramic wheel throwing demonstrations, drop-in drawing in the studio and holiday-themed activities such as sculpt a snowman and, watercolor holiday cards. Participants can also meet Santa and friends! In-Tune Tales will also perform spoken and sung stories inspired by Dr. Seuss’s “The Grinch.”
December Events in Reno/Sparks: TOCCATA presents “Messiah”
- When:Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018– Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018
- Where: Various locations around Nothern Nevada
- More information
The Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will conclude its 13th season with a production of Handel’s “Messiah” and seasonal carols. Performances will take place at various locations in the Reno/Sparks area.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: chez louie Holiday Wine Dinner Featuring Dark Cellars’ Wine
- When:Thursday, Dec. 13
- Where: chez louie in the Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., Reno
- More information
Celebrate the holiday season by indulging in a seasonally-inspired five-course meal expertly prepared by Chef Mark Estee, paired with a variety of wines from Dark Star Cellars presented by Lakeshore Distributors.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Noël – The Musical
- When:Friday, Dec. 14, 2018– Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018
- Where: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St., Reno
- More information
Noël, a brand new holiday family musical, is the touching story of a young girl who is preparing for her starring role in a school Christmas performance when her mother disappears. As the little girl tries to find her mother, she encounters a diverse group of homeless people. One particular man, Nick has lost his faith in humanity and the joy of Christmas. In their adventure to find Noël’s mom, they learn to find hope in themselves and the world.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Orbital Reflector Launch Party
- When:Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., Reno
- More information
Celebrate the successful launch of Orbital Reflector, three years in the making. Meet the artists and engineers who made this radical project a reality. Hear from Trevor Paglen, enjoy a premiere screening of The Making of Orbital Reflector, live performances of the newly commissioned work Orbital Spheres from the Reno Philharmonic, and attempt to catch a glimpse of the satellite in orbit with state-of-the-art telescopes on the Stacie Mathewson Sky Plaza, courtesy of the Fleischmann Planetarium.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Reno Jazz Orchestra presents “A World of Joy”
- When:Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018– Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018
- Where: Whitney Peak Hotel Cargo Concert Hall, 255 N. Virginia St., Reno
- More information
This holiday show features the Reno Jazz Orchestra and great music with grand Christmas tradition in the spirit of the jazz big band stage performance.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Reno Santa Pub Crawl
- When:Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018
- Where: Downtown Reno
- More information
At the largest Santa Pub Crawl in the country, thousands of merry-makers descend upon downtown Reno to enjoy good spirits and yule-tide cheer. More than 15,000 holiday-clad revelers are expected each year. The event gives all proceeds to local schools. At 11 p.m., join all the other Santas for a photo under the Reno Arch.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Winter Solstice Yoga Celebration: An Homage to Anne Brigman
- When:Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., Reno
- More information
Join the Nevada Museum of Art for an evening of yoga, reflection, poetry, and conversation. This Sky Room program will consist of modifiable yoga sequences to honor the Winter Solstice, peppered with select poetry readings from Songs of a Pagan, followed by tea and conversation. All levels of yoga practitioners are welcome, including first-timers.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: Nevada Chamber Music Festival
- When:Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018– Monday, Dec. 31, 2018
- Where: Nightingale Concert Hall, 1335 N. Virginia St., Reno
- More information
Presented by the Reno Chamber Orchestra, the 15th annual festival features unique concerts showcasing world-class musicians and the best in classical music, culminating with a New Year’s Day celebration. There is no other festival of this kind in the world during the holidays. Concerts feature soloists and small ensembles including many of the world’s most renowned classical musicians. Artists include leading players from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: New Year’s Eve Downtown Fire Works Display
- When:Monday, Dec. 31, 2018
- Where: Downtown Reno, Virginia Street
- More information
Ring in the new year with Downtown Reno’s spectacular fireworks display! Join thousands of other people under the Reno arch to welcome the New Year with dazzling pyrotechnics.
December Events in Reno/Sparks: NYE & 4th Anniversary Party
- When:Monday, Dec. 31, 2018– Monday, Dec. 31, 2018
- Where: The Depot, 325 E 4th St, Reno
- More information
The Depot, the state’s first combined brewery and distillery, is ushering in the New Year with a party of extraordinary glitz and glam. “Great Gatsby” will be the theme of the night and patrons are encouraged to dress in their finest flapper fare. The event is a mix and mingle cocktail party and runs from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. It features champagne every hour on the hour and a variety of delicious hors-d’oeuvres.
