We are sharing November 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.
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Ongoing Events 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.
November Family-Friendly Activities in Reno
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!
Carson City
Dia De Los Muertos
Date: Nov. 5-6 from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Location: Nevada State Museum; 600 N. Carson Street Carson City, NV 89701
Alter presentation with music and traditional refreshments. Saturday will be a free admission day at the museum from 8:30am-4:30pm. Festivities on Saturday will include traditional crafts, music, and dance.
It will be an all-day event so stay and eat at the food truck parked on Curry St. There will also be a museum-sponsored community altar created so that members of the community can participate in remembering departed loved ones. The museum is open to the public Wednesday-Saturday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The altar exhibition will be free to the public during museum hours in the Dema Guinn Concourse.
Fall Full Moon Hike
Date: Nov. 19 from 6-7:30pm
Location: V&T Trail
The Polar Express™ Train Ride
Date: Nov. 19 – Dec. 24
Location: V&T Railway Eastgate Depot, 4650 Eastgate Siding Rd, 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.
Minden
Thanksgiving Day Carson Valley Turkey Trot
Date: Nov. 25
Location: Downtown Minden, 1610 Esmeralda Ave, Minden, NV
Choose to run in-person or complete your own virtual race. The kid’s fun run is back! Head to the website for event details and schedules. So lace up your shoes, get your costumes ready, layer up, and come on out!
Dogs on leashes are welcome and encouraged! Enjoy coffee, snacks, pin, selfie station, and more!
Reno
Hamilton
Date: Nov. 3-14
Location: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American
founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.
Veteran’s Day Parade
Date: Nov. 11 from 11:11am-2pm
Location: Virginia Street between 1st and 5th in Downtown Reno
A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve for our freedom. Come to honor those past and current veterans of our armed forces.
Join The City of Reno in person for this year’s Veterans Day Parade! The parade starts at 11:11am and will go through Downtown Reno, Northbound between 1st street and 5th street on N. Virginia street. Make sure you get there early for a good spot!
IMBA World Finals
Date: Nov. 9-13
Location: Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
Head to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center to watch the International Miniature Bullriding Association World Finals! This would be fun for the entire family.
Art Show & Sale
Date: Nov. 12-14 from 10am-5pm
Location: The Summit Mall Space #122
Reno Open Studios will be presenting the second annual “Holiday Show” at the Summit Mall in space #122 (The Former Dress Barn). They will have 18 creators offering their artwork just in time for your Holiday gifting.
Sara Evans
Date: Nov. 18
Location: Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Enjoy country music star Sara Evans indoors at the GSR. Tickets required.
Toddler Time at Galena Creek
Date: Nov. 18 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!
Disney on Ice
Date: Nov. 19-21
Location: Reno Event Center
Enjoy all of your favorite Disney characters! Disney On Ice presents Dream Big Tickets at Reno Events Center. Kids 2 and up need their own ticket.
Jurassic Quest
Date: Nov. 19-21
Location: Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 1 – 4590 S Virginia St, Reno, NV
Head to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to see the largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit! Friday, November 19, 2021 1pm-8pm, Saturday, November 20, 2021 9am-8pm, Sunday, November 21, 2021 9am-5pm. THE LAST ENTRY IS 1 HOUR PRIOR TO CLOSING.
Winter Birds of Galena Forest
Date: Nov. 20 from 10am-12pm (noon)
Location: Galena Creek Visitor Center, 18250 Mount Rose Highway, Reno, NV
Join the Lahontan Audubon Society for some bird talk and learn about the winter birds in our forest.
Holiday Family Arts Festival
Date: Nov. 20 from 10am-2pm
Location: Lake Mansion; 250 Court St. Reno, NV 89501
This is a free event open to the public and perfect for all ages! There will be art stations for kids, free books, and ornament making, as well as tours of the historic Lake Mansion. Don’t forget to bring your camera, because Santa will make an appearance!
Families with children with special needs are invited to attend starting at 9:30am. This festival is free with no registration required.
Open Studios at Reno Art Works
Date: Nov. 20 from 12-4pm
Location: Reno Art Works; 1995 Dickerson Road
This month we open our doors and our studios letting you experience us making our art! Check out the latest show in the Gallery. See what’s happening in the Side Yard and see artists in their natural habitat.
All ages. Always Free.
Wobble Before You Gobble 5K
Date: Nov. 25 at 9am
Location: Reno City Plaza, 10 N. Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
Register today for this fun 5k and enjoy a run/ walk/ wobble that kicks off your Thanksgiving Morning festivities! Strollers and walkers are allowed! No pets are allowed at this event.
Winter Arts and Gifts Show
Date: Nov. 27-28 from 10am-6pm
Location: Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. 2nd Street, Reno, NV 89595
4th edition of the 2021 Winter Arts & Gifts Show, a place where artisans, crafters, sellers, and makers alike come together for two days to show and sell their creations.
Animal Ark Thanksgiving Weekend
Date: Nov. 26-27 from 11am-3pm
Location: Animal Ark; 1265 Deerlodge Road Reno, NV 89508
Celebrate the joys of the holidays with Animal Ark! This two-day event is a family-friendly weekend full of seasonal tidings, warm drinks, keeper chats and holiday shopping with 25% off our entire gift shop. A great excursion for the whole family!
Sparks
Maker Family Meet-Up
Date: Every Thursday from 3:30-5:30pm (Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25)
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.
Handmade for the Holidays
Date: Nov. 6 & 7; Saturday from 10am-4pm, Sunday from 10am-3pm
Location: Red Hawk Golf & Resort Event Center; 6600 N. Wingfield Pkwy, Sparks NV 89436
Join local artists, craftsmen, and small businesses in our fifth annual holiday handmade craft fair. There will be something for everyone at this great holiday event!
We will also be having another raffle to benefit The Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality. 100% of the raffle proceeds go to this great organization and help to feed the less fortunate in Reno.
3rd Thursdays
Date: Nov. 18 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!
23rd Annual Scheels Turkey Trot
Date: Nov. 25
Location: Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr, Sparks, NV 89436
Before you settle in for a day of Thanksgiving feasting and football, head to the Scheels Turkey Trot for a large serving of healthy family fun. Scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at Scheels this annual running and walking event is a great way to burn calories and give back to the community.
Virginia City
Veteran’s Day Parade
Date: Nov. 11 from 11am-12pm (noon)
Location: C Street in Virginia City
A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve for our freedom. Come to honor those past and current veterans of our armed forces.
The parade begins at 11am and marches down C Street.
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.
Winnemucca
Festival of Trees
Date: Nov. 26 & 27; Friday from 5-8pm, Saturday from 10am-4pm
Location: Winnemucca Convention Center East Hall
Enjoy a Victorian Christmas during the Festival of Trees hosted by Winnemucca Host Lions Club. Fur babies can have their photo taken on Friday from 7-8pm and enjoy tea with Mrs. Claus on Saturday at 1pm (limited tickets available).
Family-Friendly Fun
As you begin to enjoy the holiday season, we recommend booking reservations early to beat the crowds. The closer it gets to Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., the busier – especially when winter break begins for the kiddos.
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 November.
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!