Holiday light displays across Reno and Sparks run from late November through December. Several major regional events in Carson City and South Lake Tahoe add large walk-through setups and tree lighting schedules within driving distance of the Truckee Meadows.
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Sparks Victorian Square light displays and parade
The City of Sparks concentrates its public holiday displays at Victorian Square along I-80 road conditions.
The 39 North Pole event sets up an outdoor Christmas market and walk-through light displays. It runs Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday, December 4, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sparks holds its annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 4, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event takes place next to the large gazebo at Victorian Avenue and Victorian Plaza Circle East. Mayor Ed Lawson turns on lights covering the city's 60-foot Giant Sequoia living Christmas tree. Living Stones Church provides complimentary hot chocolate alongside live music.
The 39th Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade rolls on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The parade route begins at Pyramid Way and moves west down Victorian Avenue to Victorian Plaza Circle West. Photos with Santa run at 39 North Pole from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Reno resort holiday events
Inside Reno, Grand Sierra Resort hosts an annual tree lighting kickoff at its main entrance at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 19. The event is free and includes cocoa, cider, and cookies.
The outdoor ice rink at GSR opens the same day, operating daily starting at 5:00 p.m. Santa photo sessions run at the property December 5 and 6 starting at 5:00 p.m. GSR also hosts the Reno Dance Company's production of The Nutcracker in the Grand Theatre on December 9 and 10, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.
Check local valley streets via Reno city cameras road conditions before heading out to evening displays.
Carson City Capitol lighting
South of Reno on the US-395 road conditions corridor, Carson City holds the Silver & Snowflake Festival of Lights on Friday, December 4, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cameras on the drive south from Reno.
The ceremony takes place at the Nevada State Capitol Grounds. Fifth-grade students from local schools lead caroling, accompanied by ground light displays, Santa visits, and free sleigh rides along Carson Street.
Lake Tahoe tree lightings and winter trails
Drivers heading up to the Tahoe basin must account for pass conditions over Spooner Summit on US-50 road conditions or Mt. Rose on SR-431 Mt Rose road conditions.
At The Shops at Heavenly Village, located at 4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe, the holiday tree lighting ceremony takes place Friday, November 27, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The village illuminates a 65-foot cut fir tree. After November 27, Santa lights the tree daily at 5:30 p.m. through Christmas. Vehicle parking sits nearby in the Bellamy Way garage.
Further west in South Lake Tahoe, the Festival of Winter Lights runs Friday, December 11, and Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The free outdoor event occupies the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum parking lot at 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Features include a walk-through Trail of Lights, a decorated 1930s historic cabin, Borges carriage rides, and the Gingerbread House Village. Free event parking is located at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex and the Boys and Girls Club.