A calendar-style guide to the festivals, farmers markets, concerts, art walks, and holiday happenings locals actually keep, from Carson City to the lake.
Every event below was verified with its name, date, and location on this run. Things shift, so the golden rule is the same as anywhere: check the official calendar before you drive, and confirm holiday details with each town as December approaches.
I refresh this calendar every week with newly confirmed events across the region, and my What's Happening posts on the blog go week by week through the season. Know a festival, market, or neighborhood gathering that belongs here? I would love to add it. Call or text me at the number below, or send the details through the contact page.
Markets, Openings & Veterans Day
November is the shoulder season turning toward the holidays, and locals love it for that: Veterans Day ceremonies in Carson City and Reno, the first holiday craft fairs, vintage markets in Reno, ski season opening at the lake, and hockey nights in Stateline.
Riverview Park, 600 Marsh Rd, Carson City
The Carson High Safe Grad 5K and 1-mile fun run honors veterans with a morning at Riverview Park: check-in at 8 a.m., a veteran tribute around 8:45, the 5K at 9 a.m., and the fun run at 9:15 a.m. Registration closes November 10.
Virginia Street, downtown Reno
Nevada's official Veterans Day parade: the opening ceremony is at the Virginia Street Bridge, then the parade heads north on Virginia Street from Liberty to 6th Street, a moving way to spend the morning.
Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E 2nd St, Reno
The sweeping score of the TV series plays live at the Grand Sierra on Veterans Day evening, a big-screen concert night for fans.
CVIC Hall, Minden
The Carson Valley Arts Council concert series presents Wolf Jett at CVIC Hall on Friday night, a close-up live show that proves you do not need to drive to Reno for a night out.
Grand Sierra Theatre, Grand Sierra Resort, Reno
The synth-pop duo behind "Tainted Love" plays the Grand Sierra Theatre on Friday night, a big 80s night out in Reno.
Nashville Social Club, Carson City
Guitarist Greg Koch and the Koch Marshall Trio bring an evening of blues-rock to the Nashville Social Club on Saturday night in Carson City.
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S Virginia St, Reno
ORSO Philharmonic takes the Pioneer Center stage Saturday and Sunday, part of the Reno performing-arts season.
Cargo, Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 N Virginia St, Reno
The shock-rock legends bring their theatrical metal circus to Cargo with Midnight, Mac Sabbath, and Atomic Rule on the bill. Not a quiet night, and not one to bring the kids to.
Tahoe Blue Event Center, Stateline, South Lake Tahoe
A three-game home stand against New Mexico: the 10:30 a.m. education matinee Thursday, November 19, a 7 p.m. Friday night game November 20, and a Saturday game November 21. Check the event center for Saturday’s puck drop.
Tahoe Blue Event Center, Stateline, South Lake Tahoe
Thanksgiving-week hockey at the lake: home games against Idaho on Wednesday, November 25 and over the holiday weekend, Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th.
Rancho San Rafael Park, 1595 N Sierra St, Reno
The lantern festival at the Wilbur D. May Arboretum glows every night from 5 to 9 p.m. through November 29, with giant illuminated displays, a family favorite as the evenings turn cold.
Virginia & Truckee Depot, 166 F St, Virginia City
Santa rides the historic train with cookies and hot chocolate on the Candy Cane Express, with departures at 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. on weekends through December 20. Tickets sell out, so book ahead.
The Holland Project, 140 Vesta St, Reno
An all-ages night of indie rock at the Holland Project on Tuesday, a beloved Reno venue for the under-21 crowd and everyone else.
Stone & Skillet, The Odeon, 65 Pike St, Old Town Dayton
The holiday season gets an early start in Dayton as the Shop with a Sheriff toy drive collects donations for local children at Stone & Skillet in the Odeon building.
Maizie Black Box Theater, Brewery Arts Center, 449 W King St, Carson City
A free night of improv comedy at the Brewery Arts Center, a reliable Thursday fixture in the capital.
Cargo Concert Hall, 255 N Virginia St, Reno
The Funeral Portrait headlines Cargo with PINKNOISE opening, one of the louder stops on Reno’s November concert calendar.
Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe; Northstar California, Truckee
Ski season ramps up at the lake: Heavenly and Northstar both target Friday, November 20 opening, while Mt. Rose opened November 6 and is already spinning lifts. Confirm conditions before you drive.
Valhalla Grand Hall, South Lake Tahoe
A cozy early-holiday market at the historic Valhalla Grand Hall on the shores of the lake, an easy way to start the gift list.
Tahoe City, North Lake Tahoe
Tahoe City lights up for the season with the Downtown Holiday Festival and the Bud Fish Tree Lighting, a small-town kickoff on the lake’s north shore.
Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave, Sparks
Firearms, antiques, and collectibles fill the Nugget for the weekend, a long-running show that draws dealers from across the West.
Carson City Community Center, 851 E William St
The 12th annual fair brings 60-plus local artisans and crafters to the Community Center, and it repeats December 5 and December 12 for more holiday shopping.
Nevada State Prison, 3301 E 5th St, Carson City
The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society leads a paranormal history walk through the old prison, part of its November 7, 14, and 21 series. Tickets are $50 and space is intentionally small.
Jack C. Davis Observatory, 2269 Vanpatten Ave, Carson City
Public stargazing at the observatory on the Western Nevada College campus, under some of the clearest skies in the West.
Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S Virginia St, Reno
Vintage clothing, vinyl, and retro treasures take over the convention center for a day, a favorite for thrift hunters and collectors.
Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S Virginia St, Reno
Antiques, retro finds, and handmade crafts across two floors of the convention center, with free admission in the final hour each day.
The Underground, Reno
The hardcore-punk mainstays play The Underground on Sunday night to close out the weekend, one for the loud-music crowd.
Sparks Marina Gazebo, 3000 E 2nd St, Sparks
A 2-mile run and walk around the marina on Thanksgiving morning, with registration discounted online before November 24.
Governor’s Mansion, 606 Mountain St, Carson City
A Thanksgiving-morning tradition starting at the Governor’s Mansion, the capital’s friendly way to earn the big meal.
Minden Park, 1610 Esmeralda Ave, Minden
The 10th annual Valley trot takes over Minden Park on Thanksgiving morning, a Douglas County tradition with the Sierra as the backdrop.
Downtown City Plaza, 30 N Virginia St, Reno
Downtown Reno’s holiday village returns for two weekends with train rides, Santa photos, and a tree-lighting ceremony around 7 p.m. each Saturday. Check the Downtown Reno Partnership calendar before you go.
Holidays & Christmas
Small-town Christmas is Northern Nevada's superpower: tree lightings in Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa, Sparks, and Dayton, a Victorian month in Virginia City, and torchlight on the snow at the lake. The dates below were confirmed for 2026 on this run; a few towns finalize their exact event details in December, so check the official calendar as Christmas nears.
Virginia City
A month-long Victorian Christmas: tree lights, holiday events, and saloon caroling all December, per the town’s official listing. The full 2026 program is finalized closer to the season.
Heritage Park, 1447 Courthouse Alley, Gardnerville
Santa arrives at 5 p.m. at Heritage Park with the countdown, fireworks, caroling, hot cider and cobbler, and carriage rides under the pines, a favorite Valley tradition.
Minden Park, 1610 Esmeralda Ave, Minden
S'mores over open fires, cocoa, cookies, and carols around the gazebo under a Sierra evening sky, with Santa and the lighting countdown around 6 p.m.
Genoa Community Church, 182 Nixon St, then Main Street, Genoa
Caroling at the church at 5:30 p.m., then the tree lighting at Main Street and Genoa Lane with cookies and cocoa. Breakfast with Santa follows Saturday, December 5, 8:30 a.m. to noon at Genoa Town Hall, 2287 Main St.
39 North Pole Village and downtown Sparks
The season in Sparks starts with the tree lighting Friday evening at the 39 North Pole Village, followed Saturday by the 39th annual Hometowne Christmas Parade with the theme "Home for the Holidays".
Kay Winters Park, Dayton
The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Small Town Christmas at Kay Winters Park (formerly "Our Park"), a small-town Saturday evening to welcome the season.
Highway 395 from Eddy Street to 9th Street, Gardnerville / Minden
The 30th annual parade lights up Highway 395 with its Charlie Brown Christmas theme, hot cocoa stands, and cheering crowds all along the route.
Tahoe Blue Event Center, Stateline, South Lake Tahoe
A big month at the rink: Idaho on Friday, December 4 (FANSGIVING night), a three-game series with the Toledo Walleye December 11-13, and Wichita Thunder December 18-20. Sunday games drop the puck at 3 p.m.
Heavenly Village, 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe
The season kicks off with the tree lighting Friday, November 27 at 6:30 p.m.: a 65-foot tree that then glows nightly at 5:30 p.m. through Christmas. Breakfast with Santa runs Saturdays December 5, 12, and 19, and the Rockin' New Year's Eve celebration runs 4 to 10 p.m. on December 31 with the gondola ball drop and a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley
Torchlight parade down Exhibition run at 5 p.m., fireworks over the KT Deck around 7 p.m., and live music in the Village, weather permitting.
Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E 2nd St, Reno
The Portland orchestra-and-band favorite brings its holiday program to the Grand Sierra on Thursday night, a polished way to start the season.
Nevada State Capitol grounds, Carson City
The annual Nevada State Capitol tree lighting and grounds-lighting ceremony, with caroling on the Capitol steps, electric sleigh rides, Santa, and hot chocolate to kick off downtown Carson City’s holiday season.
Maizie Theater, Brewery Arts Center, 449 W King St, Carson City
C5 and Big PPI stage Dickens’ classic in the Maizie Theater on the same night as the Capitol tree lighting, an easy pairing for a full downtown evening.
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S Virginia St, Reno
The Reno Phil’s Hometown Holidays concert fills the Pioneer Center with seasonal favorites across three performances, a signature Reno December weekend.
Victorian Square, 1250 Victorian Ave, Sparks
Light displays, entertainment, and an outdoor holiday bazaar transform Victorian Square for the first full weekend of December, wrapping around the Sparks Hometowne Christmas parade.
Check-in at the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W King St, Carson City
Stroll 35-plus downtown businesses pouring wines on the first Saturday of the month. Tickets are online only and close at 11 a.m. on event day: $25 for an official glass, or $20 with an official glass from a previous walk.
Carson City Community Center, 851 E William St
The 12th annual holiday market returns for two more Saturdays, with 60-plus local artisans and crafters for last-minute and early gift shopping alike.
Greater Nevada Field, Reno
The ballpark turns into an immersive holiday experience with tree-lighting shows and a vendor village on three December weekends, a family favorite in the Biggest Little City.
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S Virginia St, Reno
AVA Ballet Theatre joins the Reno Philharmonic for the classic holiday ballet at the Pioneer Center, the full-orchestra Nutcracker of the Reno season.
Standing Dates
A few events never really stop, and they are the ones transplants lean on while they learn the area. The Sunday market at Idlewild Park is the social anchor of a Reno weekend in every season.
Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Dr, Reno
Reno's only year-round farmers market, open every Sunday in every season, rain or shine. Hours run 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through late October, then 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from November through May, with occasional holiday closures, so check renofarmersmarket.com before you go.
Dayton Valley Community Center, 170 Pike St, Old Town Dayton
A friendly weekly bingo night in Old Town Dayton, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and games from 6 to 9 p.m., one of the easiest ways to meet neighbors in Lyon County.
Dates and details can change, and summer's big calendar (lake concerts, Artown, Carson Valley Days) is covered in our weekly What's Happening roundups as each season approaches.
Tell Dennis what is on your event list and where you are looking. He will help you plan the trip, and find the community that matches how you actually want to live.
