The holidays are upon us and they are a number of entertaining seasonal productions and events to choose from to get in the holiday spirit. Whether it’s humor, traditional ballet or caroling there is something for everyone this season.
Courtesy Reno Santa Crawl
Local school performances
Until Dec. 16 | Resort at Squaw Creek | Olympic Valley
Enjoy holiday performances every Wednesday by students from local schools at the Resort at Squaw Creek. | squawcreek.com
“The Polar Express”
Until Dec. 22 | Carson City Depot | Carson City, Nev.
Take a ride on “The Polar Express” featuring entertainment and Santa with one-hour rides. | visitcarsoncity.com
“Ebenezer: A Musical Christmas Carol”
Until Dec. 27 | Eldorado Casino | Reno, Nev.
The musical “Ebenezer” based on Charles Dickens’ classic holiday masterpiece, “A Christmas Carol,” is being presented at The Eldorado Theatre. Get into the holiday spirit and bring the entire family to “Ebenezer.” | eldoradocasino.com
Festival of Trees and Lights
Dec. 2-6 | MontBleu Casino | Stateline, Nev.
The Festival is a multiple-day holiday extravaganza. The family friendly event features lavishly decorated holiday trees, wreaths and décor, local entertainment, a kids’ craft area, photos with Santa, a Teddy Bear Hospital, and opportunities to give back to the community through the silent auction and raffle. All proceeds from the Festival benefit Barton Level III Trauma. | montbleuresort.com
“The Buttcracker 6: The Underland”
Dec. 3-19 | Brüka Theatre | Reno, Nev.
Brüka Theatre presents its annual holiday production of “The Buttcracker.” Based on the “Nutcracker Suite,” this parody is a new adventure that takes Clara and the gang into a warped Brüka wonderland. | bruka.org
“Peanutcracker: The Story In A Nutshell”
Dec. 4-5 | Carson Community Center | Carson City, Nev.
Based on Marius Petipa’s original ballet “The Nutcracker,” this 45-minute narrated version is designed for families with younger children to introduce them to the wonderful world of ballet. | sierranevadaballet.org
Hometowne Christmas Celebration
Dec. 4-5 | Victorian Square | Sparks, Nev.
Celebrate the season with a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas parade, photos with Santa, entertainment and live music and much more. | cityofsparks.us
“The Best Christmas Pageant, Ever”
Dec. 4-6 | Truckee Community Theater | Truckee
This production unfolds in two acts. The first is a hilarious Christmas tale for the whole family. The play is a story of a couple struggling to put on a Christmas pageant and is faced with casting the Herdman kids, probably the most inventively awful kids in history. Mayhem ensues when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on. The 2nd act is “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote, a moving piece based on the author’s cherished childhood holidays with a favorite aunt. | truckeecommunitytheater.com
“A Feast of Spanish Traditional Carols and Lullabies”
Dec. 4 & 6 | Area venues | South Lake Tahoe
A Feast of Spanish Traditional Carols and Lullabies will be featured on Dec. 4 at Lake Tahoe Community College and again on Dec. 6 at St. Theresa Catholic Church. This production by Lake Tahoe Community College’s Music Department and the Tahoe Choir highlights the sounds of guitar, marimba, harp and piano. The music inspires and welcomes the holiday spirit. | tahoechoir.org
Tuba Christmas
Dec. 5 | Wilbur D. May Museum | Reno, Nev.
Created by Harvey Phillips, Tuba Christmas concerts are performed in more than 180 cities throughout the United States, and in several foreign countries. The concerts consist of Christmas carols arranged in four-part harmony to be played by tubas, baritones and euphoniums. The warm, organ-like sound wins the ears and hearts of every audience. Musicians are invited to join. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. with a concert at 3. | tubachristmas.com
“Spirit of the Season”
Dec. 5-6 | Pioneer Center for Performing Arts | Reno, Nev.
The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, with conductor Dr. Jason Altieri welcome special guests to kick off the season with a variety-style combination of singers, dancers, performers, students, Santa Tappers, Santa Claus and more. Look for many of your favorite local talents. Spirit of the Season is certain to overpower anyone’s inner Grinch. | renophil.com
Christmas on the Comstock
Dec. 5-31 | Area venues | Virginia City, Nev.
Christmas on the Comstock is a month-long celebration of the holidays. Enjoy photos with Father Christmas, parades, boutique shopping, a parade, rides on the Candy Cane Express train. The festivities begin with a concert featuring David John & The Comstock Cowboys at Piper’s Opera House. | visitvirginiacitynv.com
Sounds of the Season
Dec. 6 | Bridge Restaurant | Reno, Nev.
Enjoy the Sounds of the Season with two shows featuring P’Opera for the holidays. | poperanv.org
39 North Pole Village
Dec. 11-12 | Nugget Sparks | Sparks, Nev.
Downtown Sparks becomes a winter wonderland with holiday activities including the Hot Chocolate Holiday Train and a special showing of The Polar Express. Enjoy creating ugly sweaters, caroling and visiting Santa. | nuggetcasinoresort.com
“A Festive Christmas”
Dec. 11-13 | Truckee Community Arts Center | Truckee
The Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus holiday concert series offers a variety of music selections celebrating Christmas. The chorus will be joined by the Truckee Tahoe Youth Chorus and accompanied by a delightful string quintet. Concertgoers will have the opportunity to participate in an audience sing-a-long concluding with the traditional Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” | truckeechorus.org
“The Nutcracker”
Dec. 11-13 | Pioneer Center for Performing Arts | Reno, Nev.
Courtesy AVA Ballet
The stage at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts will be alive with a sugar plum fairy and dancing mice as A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents the annual “Nutcracker Ballet.” A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s artistic director, Alexander Van Alstyne, has choreographed an exciting rendition of the popular holiday ballet and the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s moving score. Laura Jackson will conduct the orchestra. Principal dancers who have performed with professional ballet companies such as Ballet West, Houston Ballet and the Diablo Ballet will perform the leading roles along side a large cast of local talent. | avaballet.com
“A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 11-26 | Laughing Owl Productions | Reno, Nev.
Laughing Owl Productions presents “A Christmas Carol” directed by Dave Anderson. Dramatized with flair and with in a version first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, this adaptation of the ageless story captures Charles Dicken’s ironic point of view while it creates a panoramic view of Victorian London. | laughingowlproductions.com
Reno Santa Crawl
Dec. 12 | Area Venues | Reno, Nev.
On Dec. 12, more than 12,000 festive-clad holiday revelers get to enjoy the 14th annual Reno Santa Pub Crawl. The largest Santa Crawl in the nation continues to grow with added stops and activities. Proceeds from the Santa Crawl are donated to local schools. | renosantacrawl.com
“Handel’s Messiah”
Dec. 12-18 | Area venues | Reno and Tahoe
Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus hosts the 10th annual production of Handel’s “Messiah.” The TOCCATA production is a celebration of the holidays and includes favorite selections from Messiah Parts One and Three, as well as seasonal carols. Performances will be held at five locations. | toccatatahoe.com
Jazz for the Holidays
Dec. 19-20 | Nightingale Hall, UNR | Reno, Nev.
Courtesy Reno Philharmonic
The Reno Jazz Orchestra brings Jazz for the Holidays to Northern Nevada for all to enjoy at Nightingale Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno. Sharing the stage with the 17-piece big band this year is Tierney Sutton, 2015 GRAMMY nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Each event kicks-off with a holiday performance from Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra. | renojazzorchestra.org
Visit with Santa
Santa and his merry band of elves enjoy spending the holidays in Tahoe, with frequents stops on and off the mountain. See the Events calendar for information on where to take the kids to see jolly Ole Saint Nick.
