Santa walks along the capital mall with a good sized group of people on their way to the Carson Mall last year in Carson City. The Carson Mall will again be offering its Chirstmas Fair.
’Tis the month before Christmas and Carson City is busy with things to do.
From sugar plums dancing in the Pinkerton Ballet production of “The Nutcracker” today to St. Nicholas riding the Polar Express all month, the capital city is celebrating the holidays nearly every day.
Here’s a round-up of Carson City’s holiday-related events.
TODAY
The final performance of “The Nutcracker,” now in its 29th year, will be at 2 p.m. at the Bob Boldrick Theatre in the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St. Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for seniors/students. For more information and to buy tickets, visit pinkertonballet.com.
For holiday shopping, shops at the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum, both on Carson Street, are open today as part of Museum Store Sunday, a follow-up to Black Friday and Small Business Sunday. The stores are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and offer discounts on unique Nevada-themed items as well as activities for kids.
The Polar Express train takes off every Thursday through Sunday at 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. from the Carson City Eastgate Depot. Tickets are $46 for adults, $36 for children aged 2 to 12, and children under 2 ride for free. For more information and tickets, visit vtrailway.com/polarexpress.
Dec. 1
The Silver & Snowflakes Festival of Lights and Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 1 officially kicks off the holiday schedule. The downtown event starts at 4:30 p.m. with free sleigh rides on Carson Street.
The Empty Bowls fundraiser benefiting Friends In Service Helping takes place from 5-8 p.m. at Carson City Hall. For a $15 donation you can select and keep a hand-crafted bowl.
Dec. 2
The following day, Dec. 2, is packed with things to do. The Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum takes off every half hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ride is $5 per person with children under 3 riding for free, and is scheduled the first three weekends in December.
Virginia & Truckee Railroad Candy Cane Express Trains departs from 166 F St. in Virginia City at noon and 2 p.m. The train runs Dec. 3, 9 and 10, too. Tickets are $19 and $9 for children aged 2-11, younger children ride for free. For more information, visit virginiatruckee.com.
The Capitol to Mall Elf Crawl is from noon to 3 p.m. starting at the State Capitol Building and caroling its way to the Carson Mall, where cocoa, cookies, Santa and an elf costume contest awaits.
The Holiday Crawl Benefit goes from 5 to 10 p.m. and proceeds benefit the Holiday with a Hero program, which provides Christmas presents for kids in need, and the Students in Transition program. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and participants must be 21 or older. The crawl starts at 201 W. King St., according to its Facebook page, facebook.com/holidaywithahero.
Sierra Nevada Ballet will be performing “Peanutcracker” at 2 and 4 p.m. in the Bob Boldrick Theatre at the Community Center. Tickets are $6 and $11. For more information, visit sierranevadaballet.org/peanutcracker.
Dec. 3
The Brewery Arts Center (BAC) is hosting a pancake breakfast from 9-11 a.m., which includes a family photo with Santa Claus. Families with special needs children can attend at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 for family of two or $40 for a family of four; each additional child is $5 and each additional adult is $10. Visit breweryarts.org for more information.
Dec. 8
The Carson Mall is hosting its Christmas Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Merchandise will include toys, jewelry, and clothes, and activities feature photos with Santa Claus, and reindeer games. The fair runs every day through Dec. 24.
DEC. 9
Fuji Park is the site for Christmas Shopping Extravaganza from 2–7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 9. For more information, visit facebook.com/events/ 498909663775024/.
Silver Saddle Ranch on Carson River Road is hosting a holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The party will include food, drinks, and a visit from Santa. Donations appreciated.
Run with Rudolph is a 4-mile or 8.5-mile race from 9-11 a.m. starting at Western Nevada College. Registration is $20 or $10 for students, and $25 or $15 for students on the day of the event. To register in advance, visit ascentruns.com/events/winter-trail-series/.
The First Methodist Church at 212 N. Division St. is hosting its living Nativity drive-thru featuring live actors and animals from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 9-10.
The Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble is performing its “Winter Wanderings” from 2-3 p.m. in the Sierra Room at the Community Center. The concert is free.
Dec. 10
The Carson City Symphony’s Holiday Treat Concert is from 4-6 p.m. at the Bob Boldrick Theatre in the Community Center. The symphony will be joined by the Victorian Dancers and Strazz youth strings ensemble will play in the lobby starting at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission; $12 for seniors, students, and Symphony Association members; and free for children. For more information, go online to ccsymphony.com.
Dec. 12
The Carson Mall is hosting a candle lighting from 4:30 to 5 p.m. to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah.
Dec. 14
Cherie and John Shipley and The Joyful Noise Chorus will perform their 16th annual Joyful Noise holiday show at the BAC’s Black Box Theater. The concert is from 7-9:30 p.m. and tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and BAC members, and $8 for children aged 6-13. Admission is free for kids under 6.
Dec. 16
A wreath-laying ceremony at Lone Mountain Cemetery is part of National Wreaths Across America Day to remember and honor America’s veterans. The cemetery at 1044 Beverly Drive is the final resting place for more than 1,400 veterans. The ceremony takes place from 9-10 a.m.
The Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble perform “Winter Wanderings” again, at Redemption Church, 1600 Snyder Ave,. from 1-2 p.m., and at St Paul’s Lutheran Family Church, 1201 N. Saliman Road, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 23
Christmas Past at Washoe Lake State Park looks at Christmas traditions, including those in Virginia City and Tonopah.The park is located at 4855 Eastlake Blvd., Washoe Valley. The event is from 2-3 p.m. and is free, but donations are appreciated.
Dec. 31
Finally, to close out 2017 and ring in 2018, it’s the annual New Year’s Eve Black Tie Gala benefiting the Carson City Library. The theme this year is Bonne Année and includes a French-themed dinner buffet, music, dancing, a silent auction and more. Tickets are $50 each or $375 for a table of eight or $475 for a table of 10. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/browsers-store.