NewToReno Info

December 2025 Events and Activities in the Reno Region

Search NewToReno

Custom Search

Reno Tahoe Ski Areas
	Best skiing in the West around Lake Tahoe.

Ice Skating Rinks
	Where to get on the ice in the Reno area.

Christmas Tree Permits
	Go get your own Christmas tree.

Big events during December, 2025 include...

• Christmas Events and Activities
• Winter Break Camps
• Christmas Tree Cutting Permits
• New Years Eve

Christmas on the Comstock - 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.

Tahoe Film Fest - Thursday through Sunday, December 4 - 7, 2025. Films will be shown at various venues around north Lake Tahoe. See the full line-up of what is playing when and where at the Tahoe Film Fest schedule. You are encouraged to purchase tickets online, but box offices will be open 30 minutes before showtime on the day of the films if seats are available. All proceeds benefit UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC).

Sparks 38th Annual Hometowne Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting - 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.

Siamsa - A Celtic Christmas - 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.

Northern Lights Festival - 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.

Home for the Holidays at Greater Nevada Field - 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.

"Spirit of the Season" from the Reno Philharmonic - 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

"Buttcracker Neverland" from Bruka Theatre - December 5 - 21, 2025, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees December 7, 14, 21, 2025, 2 p.m. What began as a parody of The Nutcracker has evolved into a regional cult classic, offering a different underbelly to the original ballet each year it is performed. Brükaisms abound in this 14th rendition, which is full of fairy magic and gender bending buttcrackers. Not for ballet purists or those with tight slippers. Recommended: 12 years and up. Tickets available online. Bruka Theatre is at 99 N. Virginia Street in downtown Reno.

Light Up The Night Community Christmas Event - Friday, December 5, 2025, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Light Up The Night is an event open to all families and individuals in Reno-Sparks. The free event was created to usher in the Christmas season, and provide a free and fun Christmas event for the Reno / Sparks community. Come and enjoy pictures with Santa, Christmas music and carols, bounce houses, fire pits and s'mores, food trucks and more. The event is at Horizon Church, 2025 E. Prater Way in Sparks. No dogs.

Tuba Christmas at the May Museum - 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.

Deck the Halls at Reno Public Market - Every weekend in December, starting with November 28, 2025. Get ready to welcome the holiday season with warmth, joy, and community spirit at Reno Public Market's Deck the Halls event. Come enjoy photos with Santa, holiday decor, local shopping, food and drink, family and kid activities, lots more. Free and open to the public. Reno Public Market is at 299 E. Plumb Lane.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Sunday, December 7, 2025. Each year on December 7, Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On August 23, 1994, the United States Congress designated December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

High Desert Harmony Chorus presents High Desert Holidays - 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.

Reno Jazz Orchestra presents "Home for the Holidays" - 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.

Magic of Santa Arts and Crafts Faire - 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.

Annual Share Your Christmas Drive-By Food Drive - 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.

TOCCATA presents Handel's Messiah and Holiday Favorites - 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

Reno Santa Crawl - 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."

Hands ON! Second Saturday - 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.

The Nutcracker Ballet at the Grand Sierra Resort - 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.

Reno Wind Symphony: The Winds of Winter - 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.

The Nutcracker Ballet at the Pioneer Center - 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.

Ugly Sweater Wine Walk - Saturday, December 20, 2025. The Riverwalk Merchants present this fun event every third Saturday of the month. Tis' the season to rock ugly sweaters. Get festive in your ugly sweaters for the Reno Wine Walk this Saturday. Visit any of the start locations with $30 and receive your wine glass and hand stamp (with photo ID), then make the rounds sampling wines at numerous businesses in the area from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is a 21+ event. Pets and strollers are not advised. For more information, call (775) 825-WALK (9255).

Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble - Tintabulations will be holding several concerts around the area during December, 2025. Visit the website to learn when and where.

Jingle Bell Rock - 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.

"Top Talent!" at the Grand Sierra Resort - 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.

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.

Winter Break Camps and Activities - 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.

Nevada Chamber Music Festival - 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 Parties - Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Enjoy lots of parties and fireworks while bringing in 2025. There will be celebrations in Reno, Sparks, and up at Lake Tahoe.

New Year's Eve Dining - Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Here are some dining spots for satisfying your appetite while bringing in the New Year in the Reno / Sparks area.

Sponsored Links
Sponsored Link

Share NewToReno(dot)com