Your comprehensive holiday guide to Sparks is here! Explore the best festive events and attractions with us.
One of the highlights this season is The Polar Express Train Ride, which brings the beloved story to life with magical train journeys and festive cheer. Experience the charm of a different era with the Victorian Holiday Tour, featuring beautifully decorated historic homes and period costumes. And the Reno Santa Crawl is something you definitely don't want to miss, bringing a sea of Santas to the streets for a night of fun. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Sparks
See these and even more events listed below!Sparks Other Holiday Activities
Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven parade celebrating local spirit and holiday cheer
Description:
Sparks lights up with hometown pride during its annual Hometowne Christmas Parade. Local businesses, schools, and organizations create vibrant floats that roll down Victorian Avenue, showcasing the city's community spirit. Spectators line the streets, bundled against the winter chill, as marching bands fill the air with festive tunes. You can catch candy tossed from passing floats or wave to Santa as he makes his grand appearance. The parade, a tradition since 1987, reflects Sparks' evolution from a railroad town to a thriving community. This event embodies the close-knit nature of Sparks, bringing neighbors together to celebrate the season.
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Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade
Nearby Events
Reno Santa Crawl (Reno)
What to Expect:
Massive gathering of Santas bar-hopping through downtown Reno
Description:
Thousands of revelers dressed as Santa Claus flood downtown Reno for the annual Santa Crawl. This spirited event transforms the city into a sea of red and white, as participants hop from bar to bar, spreading holiday cheer. You can join in the merriment by donning your own Santa suit and participating in the costume contest. The Santa Crawl, which began in 2000, has grown into one of Reno's largest holiday traditions, attracting visitors from across the country. The jolly atmosphere is punctuated by the sound of sleigh bells jingling as Santas make their way through the Biggest Little City.
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The Polar Express Train Ride (Carson City)
What to Expect:
Immersive train ride experience based on the beloved children's book
Description:
The Polar Express comes to life on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in Carson City. Passengers embark on a journey to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate service and a reading of the classic story. Children can meet Santa Claus himself, who boards the train to distribute silver bells. The 1870s railroad, once used to transport silver ore, now carries families on this whimsical holiday adventure. As the train chugs along, the crisp winter air fills with the sound of carols and excited laughter. This interactive experience brings the magic of Chris Van Allsburg's tale to reality for believers of all ages.
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Victorian Holiday Tour (Truckee)
What to Expect:
Step back in time to experience a 19th-century Christmas
Description:
Truckee's historic downtown transforms into a Victorian-era Christmas scene for this annual tour. Visitors stroll through beautifully decorated period homes, each showcasing holiday traditions from the late 1800s. Costumed docents share stories of Truckee's past, bringing history to life. You can sample traditional holiday treats prepared using authentic 19th-century recipes. The tour highlights Truckee's rich railroad history, as the town was a crucial stop on the Transcontinental Railroad. The aroma of fresh pine and spiced cider wafts through the air, enhancing the immersive experience. This event offers a unique glimpse into holiday celebrations of a bygone era.
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Christmas on the Comstock (Virginia City)
What to Expect:
Old West-themed holiday celebration in a historic mining town
Description:
Virginia City's Christmas on the Comstock transports visitors to a 19th-century holiday celebration. The former boomtown comes alive with period decorations, carolers in Victorian attire, and the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages. Visitors can pan for gold at the Ponderosa Mine, a nod to the town's silver mining heritage. The event takes place on C Street, once home to millionaires during the Comstock Lode silver strike. As night falls, the glow of gas lamps illuminates the wooden sidewalks, creating an authentic Old West atmosphere. This unique celebration blends holiday traditions with the rugged charm of Nevada's mining past.
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Christmas Wonderland at Greater Nevada Field (Reno)
What to Expect:
Baseball stadium transformed into a winter playground
Description:
Greater Nevada Field, home of the Reno Aces, undergoes a dramatic transformation for Christmas Wonderland. The baseball diamond becomes a winter playground, complete with ice skating, sledding hills, and holiday-themed carnival games. Visitors can glide across the ice where outfielders usually roam or sip hot cocoa in cozy dugouts. The stadium's scoreboard displays festive animations, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. This event reimagines the summer pastime venue for winter fun, offering a unique perspective on the familiar ballpark. You can even meet Santa in his special "dugout" during select hours.
Website:
Christmas Wonderland at Greater Nevada Field
Holiday Craft Fair at Reno-Sparks Convention Center (Reno)
What to Expect:
Massive showcase of handcrafted gifts and artisanal products
Description:
The Reno-Sparks Convention Center hosts a sprawling holiday craft fair, featuring hundreds of local and regional artisans. Rows of booths display an array of handmade goods, from intricate jewelry to custom wooden furniture. The air hums with the excitement of shoppers discovering unique treasures. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques, gaining insight into the artisans' processes. This event, which has grown significantly since its inception, reflects the region's rich tradition of craftsmanship and entrepreneurship. You can find one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting small businesses and independent creators from across the Southwest.
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Holiday Craft Fair at Reno-Sparks Convention Center
Festival of Lights at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park (Reno)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display in a scenic regional park
Description:
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park transforms into a twinkling wonderland for the Festival of Lights. Visitors drive through a mile-long route, marveling at elaborate light displays that illuminate the park's natural beauty. The event showcases both traditional holiday scenes and uniquely Nevadan themes, celebrating local flora and fauna. You can tune your car radio to a special station playing synchronized music as you cruise through the displays. The park, once part of a Spanish land grant, now serves as a backdrop for this modern holiday tradition. Thousands of LED lights create a dazzling spectacle, visible for miles around.
Website:
Festival of Lights at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
Reno Philharmonic Holiday Concert Series (Reno)
What to Expect:
Professional orchestra performs a mix of classical and contemporary holiday music
Description:
The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra presents a series of holiday concerts, blending timeless classics with modern arrangements. World-class musicians fill the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts with rich, layered sounds of the season. The program features unexpected twists on familiar tunes, keeping audiences engaged with fresh interpretations. You can experience the power of a full orchestra performing beloved carols and winter-themed compositions. The Reno Philharmonic, founded in 1969, has become a cornerstone of the city's cultural scene. These concerts showcase the orchestra's versatility, appealing to music lovers of all ages and backgrounds.
Website:
Reno Philharmonic Holiday Concert Series