We are sharing December Family-Friendly Activities in Reno, Sparks, and Beyond. If you’re a mom, dad, or caregiver and you’re looking for the ultimate guide to Nevada, Nevada Moms is the spot.
We are the #1 family guide to Nevada experiences and activities. From upcoming events, kid-friendly activities, local businesses to check out, and more – you don’t want to miss it.
By local moms for local families.
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ONGOING ACTIVITIES IN OUR AREA
Northern Nevada has something to offer year-round! You can check out any of these family-friendly activities on the days you aren’t looking for a specific event to attend:
- The Complete List of Farmers’ Markets in Reno, Sparks, Carson City
- Indoor Activities in Northern Nevada
- Best Parks in Reno, Sparks, and Carson City
- Free Storytime Locations
Looking for local discounts for Nevada Moms readers to enjoy? Check all of our active offers and promo codes over here.
WHERE TO TAKE PHOTOS WITH SANTA (CLICK HERE!)
For a complete list of spots to take photos with Santa, please visit the link above. Our team at Nevada Moms has been keeping an eye out for photos with Santa all around town, and we’re sharing all of the details.
THE ULTIMATE LIST OF CHRISTMAS LIGHT HOTSPOTS (CLICK HERE)
Our ultimate list of Christmas light hotspots won’t let you down! Grab some hot cocoa and enjoy some amazing Christmas lights!
ICE SKATING RINKS IN NORTHERN NEVADA (CLICK HERE)
Ice Skating is the perfect winter activity. It’s perfect for a girl’s night, date night, or family night. Luckily we have a few different locations to choose from.
DECEMBER FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN RENO
RENO
SANTA’S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND
Date: November 23 – Dec 26, 2021
Location: Eldorado Resort Casino
Santa’s Christmas Wonderland will be in the Eldorado Showroom from November 23 to December 26. This is a delightful and enchanting show that’s complete with glittering costumes, a dazzling cast, your favorite Christmas songs, and the highest kicking Chorus Girls this side of the North Pole.
MIDTOWN HOLIDAY PARTY & TREE LIGHTING
Date: Dec. 2 from 5:30-7:30pm
Location: 445 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
The Annual Holiday Party & Tree Lighting at Living Stones parking lot is BACK! Get into the holiday spirit and come on down to the Living Stones Parking Lot from 5:30-7:30pm for the FREE event.
Check out local food and bar trucks, live music, holiday shopping, Santa, photo booth, and more! Do not miss out on this fun-filled event.
SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
Date: December 3 – December 5
Location: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S Virginia St. Reno, NV
Gather the family for a true holiday tradition. The Reno Phil, Reno Phil Chorus, and conductor Jason Altieri invite you to the Spirit of the Season, a classic holiday celebration full of orchestral arrangements, jazzy numbers, traditional holiday tunes, and carols. Choose from four showtimes wrapped in fantasy and fun for the whole family!
ZOO LIGHTS AT SIERRA NEVADA ZOO
Date: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 31
Location: Sierra Nevada Zoo
$12 for adults., $8 for kids 3 to 12. Kids 3 and under are FREE, and $9 for active military/veterans.
Come see the Zoo lit up for the Holidays. There will special opportunity to have your picture taken with Santa ($5) and kids will get a special holiday cookie to decorate. There will be free hot chocolate and hot cider to sip as you stroll the grounds. This event is Weather dependant.
JEFF DUNHAM
Date: December 4
Location: Reno Event Center
Jeff Dunham and his delightfully irreverent cohorts, Peanut, Walter, José Jalapeño, Bubba J., and Achmed the Dead Terrorist, have filled arenas across the U.S. and the world with their multiple blockbuster tours.
SIAMSA: A CELTIC CHRISTMAS
Date: December 8
Location: Grand Sierra Resort
An enchanting holiday musical for the entire family! Featuring stunning Dance and Music, SIAMSA tells the story of three young orphans searching for the “Candle in the Window” – the light that represents the true meaning of Christmas.
AVA BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER
Date: December 10 – 12
Location: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St., Reno, NV
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. 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 be conducting the orchestra.
SANTA AND PETS AT FAMILY FIRST CHIROPRACTIC
Date: December 11, 2-5pm
Reservations: Not required
Cost: Free
Come visit Santa! Photos with Santa, activities for the kids, Christmas mocktails, doggy and kitty snuggles, and holiday cheer. The Nevada Humane Society is bringing pets to enjoy and even possibly adopt!
HANDS ON! SECOND SATURDAY
Date: Second Saturday of each month, 10am – 4pm
Location: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 West Liberty, Reno, Nevada 89501
Cost: Free
This monthly event is free for the community and is fun for the entire family. Enjoy hands-on art activities, a tour of the museum, live performances, and more. Head to nevadaart.org To find a full schedule and upcoming themes for Hands ON! Second Saturday.
TODDLER TIME AT GALENA CREEK
Date: December 15 at 10am
Location: Galena Creek Visitor Center, 18250 Mount Rose Highway, Reno, NV
Every third Thursday of the month, join us at 12:00pm for knee-high nature education that includes stories, activities, crafts, and outdoor exploration. $5 Suggested Donation. Please call ahead to confirm!
HOLIDAY DREAMS
Date: December 18 – January 1
Location: Grand Sierra Resort
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a high-energy magical show for the whole family! Holiday Dreams is a unique holiday-themed show with a fresh approach, taking the time-honored elements of the holidays – like the music, decorations, and spirit of Christmas – and mixing them with computer animation and projection mapping, for a modern, up-to-date spin on the classic holiday show.
SPARKS
SPARKS HOMETOWNE CHRISTMAS
Date: December 2nd – December 4th
Location: Victorian Square
Event Schedule:
Thursday, December 2: 39 North Pole: Light Displays, entertainment, and outdoor bazaar. 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday, December 3: Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6:30-7:00 p.m., 39 North Pole, 4pm-9pm.
Saturday, December 4: 39 North Pole, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade in Victorian Square: 1pm.-2:30 pm.
ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Date: Dec. 3 at 6:30pm
Location: Downtown Sparks Victorian Square
The annual tree lighting ceremony will be held the night before the parade, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. next to the large gazebo on the corner of Victorian Avenue and Victorian Plaza Circle.
The ceremony will include live music. Mayor Ed Lawson will flip the switch to light the city’s permanent living Christmas tree, blue spruce.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Date: Dec. 4 from 5-8pm
Location: Horizon Church, 2025 East Prater Way, Sparks, NV
Light up the night is an event open to all families and individuals in reno-sparks. The event was created to usher in the Christmas season and provide a free & fun Christmas event for the Reno-Sparks community.
READING WITH MRS. CLAUS
Date: December 11 from 11am-2pm
Location: Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr, Sparks, NV
Come read a book with Mrs. Claus at SCHEELS! United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra is aiding SCHEELS in giving every kiddo a brand-new age-appropriate book (while supplies last) to take home and enjoy this holiday season!
RED NOSE 5K
Date: December 11, 8am
Location: Summit Mall (Reno Running Co)
The Red Nose 5k returns in 2021! On December 11th, dust off your favorite red suit or finest nose and horns for a 5K FUN RUN from our Summit Store. Finishers will receive a limited edition Red Nose 5K ornament and the top three men and women will earn special prizes courtesy of Brooks!
3RD THURSDAYS
Date: December 16 from 4-9pm (third Thursday of every month)
Location: Victorian Square
This includes good food, cold drinks, live entertainment, crafts, chef demos, movies on the big screen and all the art you can handle! Downtown Sparks is the place to be this and every 3rd Thursday of the month, all year round!
MAKER FAMILY MEET-UP
Date: Every Thursday from 3:30-5:30pm
Location: The Generator, 2450 Oddie Blvd Sparks, NV 89431
Drop-in every Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5:30 for the Maker Family Meetup! This is a pay-what-you-can drop-in art experience for kids and their families. Each week will be a different art activity as well as fun art activation stations for your child(ren) to explore! This is a fun, hands-on, and lowkey place for kids to express their creativity and check out our maker space.
CARSON CITY
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ TRAIN RIDE
Date: Nov. 19 – Dec. 24
Location: V&T Railway Eastgate Depot, 4650 Eastgate Siding Road, Carson City
Hop aboard the Polar Express and enjoy the train ride. This is an interactive event the entire family is sure to love. Purchase tickets NOW as this sells out quickly.
SILVER & SNOWFLAKES FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Date: December 3rd, 5:30pm
Location: 101 N Carson Street Carson City, NV 89701
This event brings many visitors to the downtown core of Carson City NV to celebrate the annual tree lighting of the state and city Christmas trees.
SANTA TRAIN | NV STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM
Date: December 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19 / 10am – 3pm, train runs every 30 minutes
Location: 2180 South Carson Street Carson City, NV 89701
Visit with Santa Claus and receive a candy cane aboard the train.
Write a letter to Santa at the “Letters to Santa” table.$5.00 per person, children 2 and under sitting on a lap are FREE
Storytime with Mrs. Claus & Santa
Date: December 5 and December 19 at 5:00pm
Location: Carson Mall
Each child receives a cookie, small present, and cup to take home with hot chocolate. The seating starts at 4:30pm. RSVP online at Carson Mall Facebook.
HOMESTEAD HOLIDAYS
Date: December 10 – 12th / 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: 4901 Carson River Road Carson City, NV 89701
Enjoy this family-friendly event including photos with Santa, live music, wagon rides, Christmas craft market, food, decorations & lights, drink tent, and More!
WASHOE LAKE TRAIL OF LIGHTS – DRIVE-THRU
Date: Thursday, December 9 through Sunday, December 12, from 5-8 p.m. This program will run for four nights (12/9-12/12 from 5-8 p.m.).
Location: Washoe Lake State Park, NV
$5 per car for Nevada residents or $10 for nonresidents. Join us for our 2nd Annual Drive-Through Holiday celebration! Campground Loop B will be decorated with lights, snowmen, movie quotes, and more! Participants will stay in their vehicles as they drive through the loop. Listen to your favorite music as you drive through the campground looking at the decorations.
**Important update: Vehicle clearance is nine feet, six inches (9’6″), including the antenna. Vehicles taller than 9’6″ will not make it through the decorated loop.
Carson Valley
GARDNERVILLE CHRISTMAS KICKOFF
Date: December 2 @ 4:30
Location: Heritage Park, Gardnerville, NV
The Town of Gardnerville’s Holiday Kickoff begins December 2 at 4:30 at Heritage Park. There will be caroling, local dancers, hot cider and cobbler, and FIREWORKS!
Live Entertainment includes: All About Dance Kids, Dance Workshop Kids, Sierra Lutheran High School Choir.
GENOA CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Date: December 3rd
Location: Corner of Main and Nixon Street
Caroling begins at 5:30 at Genoa Church, Tree lighting at 6:30 at the corner of Main and Nixon Street.
GAZEBO LIGHTING AT MINDEN PARK
Date: December 3, 5pm-7pm
Location: Minden Park, 1610 Esmeralda Ave. Minden, NV
There will be firepits and s’mores, and cookies from CVI. Kids – Bring a canned food item to exchange for a goodie bag. Douglas High School Jazz Band will be performing. Santa comes at 6:00 to light the Gazebo.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA IN GENOA
Date: December 4, 8:30am-11:45am
Location: Genoa Town Hall, 2287 Main Street Genoa, NV
Enjoy pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee, and visit with Santa! Children 4 and under are free. Three seatings – 8:30, 9:45, and 11:30 AM. Buy tickets in advance for Breakfast with Santa at GenoaNV.org or by calling 775-782-8696.
TWO DAYS OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT EDDY STREET VINTAGE MARKET
Date: December 4, 10am-4pm
Location: Eddy Street Vintage Market, 1235 Eddy Street Gardnerville, NV
Come and shop on Sunday. Eddy Street will be packed with the perfect gifts for everyone on your list.
PARADE OF LIGHTS
Date: December, 5pm-8pm
Location: Minden Park, 1610 Esmeralda Ave. Minden, NV
Come out and watch Carson Valley’s 25th Annual Parade of Lights. The Silver Anniversary theme is “The Magical Carson Valley.”
See the wonderfully decorated floats with their dazzling lights as they make their way along Highway 395 from Gilman Avenue to Minden Park. It’s a great way to kick off the holidays with friends and family!
A COWBOY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
Date: December 11th, 6-8:30pm
Location: Genoa Town Hall, 2287 Main Street Genoa, NV 89411
The Genoa Cowboy Country Christmas concert features classic Christmas music and more by the talented musician’s Cowboy Steve and Buddy Emmer.
CHRISTMAS AT THE CABIN
Date: December 16-19
Location: Eddy Street Vintage Market
Pop-up Sale at Eddy Street Vintage Market
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Date: December 18, 9am – 11am
Location: See details
Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes, and by saying the name of each and every veteran aloud.
This is a nationwide event. There will be two locations here in Carson Valley: Garden Cemetery (235 Veterans headstones) and Eastside Memorial Park (380 Veterans headstones.)
CARSON VALLEY POPS ORCHESTRA WINTER CONCERT
Date: December 18, 6pm-8pm
Location: CVIC Hall, 1602 Esmeralda Ave, Minden, NV 89423
Doors open at 6:00. Concert at 7:00. Get your FREE tickets IN ADVANCE at gadZooks!
NEW YEAR’S EVE CANDLELIGHT LABYRINTH WALK
Date: December 31, 6pm-9pm
Location: Heritage Park, 1447 Courthouse Alley Gardnerville, NV 89410
The 8th Annual New Year’s Eve Candlelight Labyrinth Walk is located at Heritage Park Gardens, 1461 Ezell Street, Gardnerville. Fire pits, hot cocoa and cider, and friends and family will keep you warm.
VIRGINIA CITY
CHRISTMAS ON THE COMSTOCK
Date: December 1 – December 31
Location: Virginia City
Virginia City celebrates all month long! Festivities include the Believe Again Christmas Challenge shopping spree worth $1,000, two weekends of Magical Christmas Fireworks Shows, the fun-filled Candy Cane Express and the evening Train O’Lights, a Christmas play, Parade of Lights, a saloon crawl, holiday artisan craft fair at St. Mary’s Art Center and community celebrations.
V&T CANDY CANE EXPRESS
Date: Nov. 26 – Dec. 19
Location: Virginia & Truckee Railroad Depot, 165 F Street, Virginia City, Nevada.
Purchase tickets in advance, this sells out every year! Enjoy a 45-minute journey over the original 150-year old V&T railroad route, you will enjoy hot cocoa or cider, candy canes & cookies, on the festively decorated train. Watch little faces light up while riding through the enchanting Candy Cane tunnel.
Listen to a reading of 1823 classic “T’was the Night Before Christmas”, and you may even see wild horses along the way.
ELECTRIC HOLIDAY TRAIN OF LIGHTS
Date: Nov. 26, 27 & Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
Location: Virginia & Truckee Railroad Depot, 165 F Street, Virginia City, Nevada.
Thousands of LED lights will decorate the V&T’s historic Pullman passenger cars as they travel along the gorgeously lit 2.5 mile route to Santa’s Village at Gold Hill.
You will be served hot chocolate or cider along with cookies as you travel along, listening to songs of the season and taking in the beautifully lit Christmas scenes along the way. A gift bag and light stick will be presented to every passenger.
ELKO
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Date: December 1 – December 4
Location: Elko Conference Center
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN
As you enjoy the holiday season, we recommend planning ahead as things can get crowded!
What events and activities are you looking forward to attending with your family this month?
Have travel plans to the Las Vegas area? Check out upcoming events in Southern Nevada for the month of December.
What other November family-friendly activities in Reno are you most excited about?
Did we miss your event or activity? Comment below to be added!