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2025 Christmas Season Events and Activities around Reno and Sparks

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Enjoy lots of family-friendly events and activities during the Christmas holiday season around Reno and Sparks. Here are some of the top choices. For even more, go to "December 2025 Events and Activities in the Reno Region."

Lots of people like to treat themselves to eating out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Learn where to indulge yourself.

Going out and cutting your own Christmas tree makes a fun and memorable family outing. Get an inexpensive permit from public lands agencies (BLM or USFS) and other vendors, then head to the nearby forests to find that perfect tree.

December 1 - 31, 2025. Among many, festivities include two weekends of Magical Christmas Fireworks and a Drone Show, the fun-filled Candy Cane Express trains and the evening Train O'Lights, a Christmas concert, Parade of Lights, a saloon crawl, holiday artisan craft fair at St. Mary's Art Center, community celebrations and lots more. All events and activities up in Virginia City.

Thursday, December 4, 2025, doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Featuring International Irish dance champions and a cast of the finest dancers, singers, musicians and actors, this show takes you into the magical world of Celtic traditions and customs as it searches for the true meaning of Christmas. In the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. 2nd St. in Reno. Tickets available online.

Thursday to Saturday, December 4 - 6, 2025. Come to Victorian Square on December 5 at 6:30 p.m. for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, along with live entertainment and free hot chocolate. The parade starts on Saturday, December 6 at 1 p.m., with pre-parade activities starting at 11 a.m. This year's theme is "Christmas in Toyland!" In addition to parade and tree lighting festivities, enjoy the 39 North Pole Village holiday festival of lights with a big selection of events and activities. The festival runs from December 4 to December 6, 2025.

Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade. Photo © Stan White

December 4, 2025 through January 1, 2026. This festival of lights features the north Tahoe communities of Incline Village and Crystal Bay. There will be many special activities at various venues during the festival, including holiday concerts, Christmas tree lighting, shopping, New Year's Eve celebrations, and lots more. Note that some activities are adults only. Check the website for a complete schedule of events.

Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuba Christmas is a free, family-friendly concert featuring holiday carols performed by local tuba, baritone, and euphonium players. Sing along to favorites such as Silent Night, Jingle Bells, and more. The May Museum will have festive decorations on display and offer free admission. Attendees can also visit the Sierra Watercolor Art Show. Visitors are asked to bring a sealed toy or non-perishable food item for Toys for Tots and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. The Wilbur D. May Museum is inside Rancho San Rafael Regional Park at 1595 N. Sierra St. in Reno.

Sunday, December 7, 2025, 2 p.m. Join High Desert Harmony Chorus as we celebrate the holidays in festive style at Hug High School, 3530 Sullivan Lane in Sparks. The chorus will be joined by our Holiday Guest Chorus members, entertaining quartets, and the Sky Ranch Middle School choir. You can get online tickets.

Saturday and Sunday, December 6 - 7, 2025. You can get arts and crafts from numerous vendors while supporting local businesses. Find beautiful hand made items from tole painted snowmen and beautiful doll clothes to fine wood work. Admission good for both days is $5 for adults, $4 seniors and students, kids under 16 are free. Get $1 off admission by donating a can of food or new socks. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Free admission 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Location is the Reno Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia Street in Reno. Free parking.

December 12, 13, 14, 2025. Buckle up for the ultimate holiday adventure as we take you on a musical road trip across America. In this one-of-a-kind holiday spectacular, your Reno Phil Orchestra & Chorus, along with special guest performers, bring the sounds of the holidays from every corner of the United States to life. It's a perfect event for the entire family to enjoy together. At the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Choose from four showtimes and purchase tickets online.

• Friday, December 12 at 7:00 PM
• Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 PM
• Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM
• Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 PM

Check the Library calendar for holiday events, then stop by your local branch for lots of cheery activities, including visits from Santa. All free.

December 5 - 6, 12 - 13, and 19 - 23, 2025. Join us for Home for the Holidays, a nine-night immersive holiday experience taking place throughout the ballpark. Take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy unique tree lightings, fireworks and drone shows, holiday food and goodies, browse the vendor village, and more. Purchase tickets online.

Saturday, December 7, 2025, 2 p.m. From classic favorites to reimagined holiday harmonies, this festive performance will uplift your soul, warm your heart, and leave you feeling merry and bright. In addition, the Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra will open the event, and three of the region's distinguished vocalists - Whitney Myer, Kyle Rea, and Cami Thompson - will take the stage. Tickets are available online. The show is at UNR's Nightingale Hall, 1335 N. Virginia St. in Reno.

Saturday, December 13, 2025, starting at 8 p.m. The Reno Santa Crawl draws thousands of Santas and Mrs. Santas to the largest event of its kind in the country. Start of the main event is in downtown Reno at the Circus Circus Resort Casino, with an extra start location at Lead Dog Brewing on E. 4th Street in the Brewery District. The crawl features 40+ venues and is a 21+ event. The list of participating bars and restaurants is extensive. Buy a pass, get your Santa on and join the fun. If you like this sort of thing, learn about more crawls from "Beer Crawls in Reno."

Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus brings its annual production of Handel's "Messiah" to five Reno - Tahoe area locations. Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to the concert, or can be purchased online. General admission is $30 adults, $25 seniors, free for persons under age 23. Preferred seating is $60, $25 for youth/students (under 23), $55 for seniors. Premium seating also available. (775) 524-2175.

• Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - Carson Valley United Methodist Church, Gardnerville
• Sunday, December 14, 2025, 3 p.m. - Cornerstone Community Church, Incline Village
• Thursday, December 18, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Reno
• Friday, December 19, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - Truckee High School Theater
• Sunday, December 21, 2025, 3 p.m. - St. John's Presbyterian Church, Reno

Take an evening drive during Christmas season to view some of the Christmas lights displays around the Truckee Meadows. Some people go all-out and create truly spectacular and amazing displays, complete with synchronized lights and music.

Friday, December 12, 2025, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be four donation drop off locations - Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Governor's Mansion in Carson City, Carson Valley Inn in Minden, Raley's in Fernley. All non-perishable food items are accepted. You can also text the word "SHARE" and then a dollar amount to 50155 to donate directly to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

Saturday, December 13, 2025. Come to the Nevada Museum of Art for a day of fun family activities and free admission for all. Participate in hands-on art projects, storytelling, live music, tours and more. Projects and stories this month have a "Winter Wonderland" theme. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, December 14, 2025, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. With a stellar cast, stunning costumes, and masterful choreography, the Reno Dance Company transforms the stage into a magical winter wonderland that will captivate both children and ballet lovers alike. Tickets start at $25. Visit the website to purchase tickets online for the show time of your choice. On the Grand Theatre Stage at Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. 2nd St. in Reno.

Friday through Sunday, December 19 - 21, 2025. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents its annual production at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno, with music by the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. Friday's performance is at 8 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. A special Sugar Plum party will be held after the Saturday and Sunday afternoon performances where children can meet the Nutcracker characters. Visit the website to get tickets for the performance you prefer.

Sunday, December 14, 2025, 4 p.m. at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St. in Reno. Join the Reno Wind Symphony and the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa for an enchanting evening of music at our annual holiday concert, "The Winds of Winter - Celebrating the Holidays." Prepare to be captivated by a diverse selection of holiday favorites, including classic carols, contemporary arrangements, and seasonal masterpieces. These are free, but please go online to RSVP.

Also on December 21, 2025, 3 p.m., at Nightingale Concert Hall, 1335 N. Virginia St. on the UNR campus.

December 18 - 30, 2025. Santa’s Top Talent! is the holiday spectacular where Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Snow Queen, and a hilariously unimpressed elf judge the ultimate North Pole talent showdown. Featuring today's top talent in acrobatics, stunt performance, singers, and more, this festive variety show is packed with thrills, laughs, and holiday magic for the whole family. Visit the website for more information and to buy tickets online. The Grand Sierra is at 2500 E. 2nd St. in Reno.

"Jingle Bell Rock" at the Eldorado

through December 28, 2025. Celebrate the season with Jingle Bell Rock at the Eldorado Showroom in Reno, where dazzling performances and festive cheer light up the stage. At the Eldorado, 345 N. Virginia St. in Reno. Tickets are available online.

December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026. Winter break activities for children and families around Reno and Sparks include camps and other things to do from several area organizations.

The Polar Express™ for the 2025 Christmas holiday season will visit the North Pole on select dates from November 14 through December 23. The Polar Express™ sells out every year. Get tickets as soon as possible if you want to ensure the best seats, date, and time for your family and/or group. Tickets are available online from the Polar Express website and by phone at 855-724-5102.

Sold out for 2025. Three departures each day at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Candy Cane Express trains will run on the V&T Railroad up in Virginia City. Get tickets in advance to ensure you get on board - reservations required. Tickets start at $26.

Saturday and Sunday, December 6 - 7, 13 - 14, 20 - 21, 2025. Santa Train rides will be running at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. You can visit with Santa aboard the train and write a letter to Santa at the "Letters to Santa" table. Buy raffle tickets supporting the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum to win great prizes. Tickets are $10 for all riders; children 2 and under are free.

Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Friday, December 26, 2025 through Sunday, January 11, 2026. This program is an excellent way to give your Christmas tree a new purpose while keeping it out of the landfill or letting it be illegally dumped on our public lands and open spaces.

Sunday through Wednesday, December 28 - 31, 2025. Six concerts in four days featuring Reno Chamber Orchestra musicians and ensembles from around the world. Visit the website for online festival passes and single tickets. Performances at Hall Recital Hall, University Arts Building (UAB), University of Nevada-Reno campus.

New Year's Eve

Tuesday, December 31, 2025. Enjoy lots of parties and fireworks while bringing in 2026.

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