WEEKEND WARRIOR: Dec 2025

Step into a vintage holiday wonderland during Christmas on the Comstock, where the historic streets of Virginia City glow with twinkling lights, festive charm, and an entire month of holiday magic. From cozy, lantern-lit nighttime train rides on the V&T Railroad’s Candy Cane Express and Electric Holiday Train O’ Lights to festive shopping at local craft fairs, there’s something to make every heart merry.  Be there for joyful parades of lights and fireworks or drone shows that light up the sky like pure holiday magic. Bundle up, sip hot cocoa, and stroll C Street for a timeless old-West Christmas experience that feels straight out of a storybook. If you’re looking for a warm, family-friendly way to celebrate the season and maybe start a new tradition, Christmas on the Comstock delivers holiday cheer like no other. Here is a glimpse at some of the events taking place:

Holiday Town-wide Decorations: December 2025
V&T Candy Cane Express & Electric Holiday Train O’ Lights: Select dates until Sunday, Dec. 21
Nightmare Before Christmas Tea Party: Friday, Dec. 5
Holiday Faire: Saturday, Dec. 6 & Sunday, Dec. 7
The Grinch Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl: Saturday, Dec. 6
Parade of Lights: Saturday, December 6 & Saturday, December 13
Magical Christmas Fireworks Show: Saturday, December 6
Candlelight Tour at Mackay Mansion: December 12, 13, 19 & 20
Ghosts of Christmas Past Paranormal Investigation: December 12, 13, 19 & 20
Piper’s Opera House presents Miracle on C Street: Select dates until Sunday, Dec. 21
Christmas Drone Show: Saturday, December 13
Santa’s Workshop at Gold Hill Hotel: Monday, December 15, 10 AM

Find more details at VisitVirginiaCityNV.com

If you’re hungry for something bold, brash, and brilliantly theatrical, you won’t want to miss Stereophonic, playing at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts the first week of December. This Tony Award-winning tour invites you into a 1970s recording studio where a rock band is teetering on the brink of superstardom. Expect gritty drama, electric music by Will Butler, and backstage chaos brought to life. With immersive staging and raw energy, Stereophonic turns the “make-or-break” of creativity into a pulse-pounding thrill ride. Grab your tickets now at PioneerCenter.com, and be part of the moment where sound meets spectacle in a way that only Broadway can deliver.

The Spirit of the season gets a Celtic spin as Siamsa: A Celtic Christmas returns to the Grand Theatre stage at the Grand Sierra Resort. Expect dazzling foot-stomping Irish dance, soaring music, and a heartwarming story about a heartfelt search for the true meaning of Christmas. With world-champion dancers, lush costumes, live instruments, and a blend of Celtic traditions and holiday magic, it’s a festive experience that delights all ages. So gather your crew, grab tickets, and let Siamsa cast its spell on your Holiday season. Learn more about Siamsa at RenoArts.News/Siamsa-A-Celtic-Christmas and purchase tickets in advance at GrandSierraResort.com.

Lights, camera, mountain magic! Tahoe Film Fest returns, bringing a sparkling lineup of films to theaters across North Lake Tahoe. Showcasing everything from gripping environmental documentaries and independent features to international cinema and music documentaries, this festival blends thought-provoking stories with the breathtaking beauty of the Sierra. Best of all, ticket proceeds support the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC), so you’re helping protect Tahoe’s natural wonder while you enjoy the show. Whether you’re a film buff, nature lover, or just looking for a cozy escape from the holiday rush, Tahoe Film Fest offers something for everyone over 18 years of age. Learn more about the festival, the viewing schedule, ticket sales, and more at TahoeFilmFest.com.

Spark your holiday spirit in full glow to kick off the season in Sparks! 39 North Pole Village transforms downtown Sparks into a magical winter wonderland December 4–6 with thousands of twinkling lights, a heated vendor tent packed with festive finds, tasty food trucks, live music, holiday crafts galore, and more. There’s fun for the whole crew, from free Santa photos and a Hot Cocoa Cottage playland for kids to vibrant street performances and cheerful community vibes for everyone. The events of 39 North Pole combine with Sparks’ Hometowne Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on December 5th, and parade on Saturday, December 6th. Find the schedule of events throughout the weekend at CityOfSparks.us.

Bold and beautiful, striking and exceptional… Just a few words to describe UNOde50 jewelry. If you love jewelry and are looking for a unique and beautiful new piece, I highly recommend stopping by Natasha’s World Jewelry on Saturday, Dec 6, for the jewelry event of the year!!  And listen up!!  This is THE LAST ONE OF ITS KIND, as Natasha’s World Jewelry will be closing its physical store in the next 2 months, so DON’T MISS IT!!  It’s the perfect time to get the first look and opportunity to buy from the newest UNOde50 collection for you or a special friend for Christmas. Attendees have the chance to enter a raffle and win a special piece of jewelry, and refreshments will be served. Visit Natasha’s World Jewelry’s Facebook Event Page for more details. Hope to see you there!!

Experience the magic of the season as the Reno Philharmonic & Chorus bring holiday traditions from across the United States to life in a dazzling symphonic celebration! One of the most popular productions of the holiday season, Spirit of the Season highlights the unique sounds, stories, and festive spirit found in every corner of the country, all wrapped in stunning arrangements and elevated by special guest artists. With its joyful energy and heartwarming moments, this family-friendly event promises something for every holiday lover. It’s the perfect way to welcome the season, create new traditions, and make unforgettable memories with the people who matter most. Purchase tickets in advance before they’re gone at RenoPhil.com.

There are few sounds as sentimental (at least for me) as the opening notes of Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and the anticipation of the magic about to unfold at one of our local Nutcracker ballets. Stepping into a Nutcracker performance is like opening a treasured Christmas memory—warm, sparkling, and timeless. The music, the magic, and the familiar sweep of each scene wrap you in nostalgia that gently ushers in the holiday season every time. Whether you choose the enchanting Reno Dance Company production at the Grand Sierra Resort, or the elegance of A.V.A. Ballet Theatre and The Reno Philharmonic live performances at The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, the story still feels like coming home. It’s the perfect way to set the mood for Christmas and let the spirit of the season take center stage. Tickets to the Reno Dance Company’s GSR shows can be purchased at the GSR Box Office or GrandSierraResort.com, and tickets A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s Pioneer shows may be purchased at the Pioneer Box Office or online at PioneerCenter.com.

Santa’s Top Talent is lighting up the GSR’s Grand Theatre for 13 straight nights with a festive, high-energy holiday extravaganza! Acrobats glide through sparkling lights, comedians serve up peppermint-fresh laughs, and Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Snow Queen deliver their sass as the North Pole’s favorite judging trio. With sparkling lasers, over-the-top stunts, and elves showing off skills they definitely practiced for hours while on break at Santa’s workshop, this show is packed with holly-jolly, high-flying entertainment. If you’re ready for big holiday magic and pure playful fun, this is your December must-see! Get your tickets online, in advance at GrandSierraResort.com.

Calling all adrenaline junkies who love to shred the slopes AND the dance floor!  Tahoe Live at Palisades Tahoe is a full-blown, 3-day celebration of snow, slopes, and serious sound. The lineup is stacked with electronic heavy hitters like Zeds Dead, Porter Robinson, Alison Wonderland, and DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal), igniting the night under the towering Sierras. Carve turns by day, then trade your ski boots for dancing shoes as Olympic Valley morphs into a frosty, high-altitude rave. With shuttles cruising up from Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, getting there is hassle-free if you’re traveling from Reno. If you’re craving fresh powder (we pray we have some soon) and fresh beats, Tahoe Live is the perfect kickoff to the winter season. For event details, including the full lineup of performers each night, visit TahoeLive.net. Shuttle information is found at GrandSierraResort.com.

Ring in 2026 as you’ve never ushered in a new year before!! Reno is gearing up for New Year’s Eve blowouts full of live music, fireworks, cozy cocktail lounges, and unforgettable parties, giving you every reason to celebrate the end of 2025 with a bang. Whether you’re craving a night on the town or a low-key toast under the stars, there are events and venues to match your vibe. Check out the full guide to New Year’s Eve in Reno for ideas on where to eat, drink, dance, and watch the countdown to midnight at VisitRenoTahoe.com. Grab your peeps, don something festive, and get ready to welcome the New Year the Weekend Warrior way!