Driving around town looking at Christmas lights in Reno and Sparks is a treat any year, but this year, it’s one of the best—and safest—ways to get into the holiday spirit. Don your favorite ugly Christmas sweater, make some hot cocoa for the road, and bring your favorite sweet treat to enjoy while you drive around Reno and Sparks checking out some pretty spectacular holiday light displays.

Where to see Christmas lights in Reno in 2020

Griswold Challenge

The 5th Annual Griswold Challenge is featuring homes and businesses across Reno, Sparks and the outlying areas. The nonprofit group 39 North Downtown, which is presenting the event, canceled its annual holiday light festival in downtown Sparks. But the holiday light decorating contest is still…

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Architecture, House, Christmas Night, LightsWhat are your plans for Christmas Eve? Even though this year's holiday looks different, there are still things we can do in Northern Nevada to get into the holiday spirit.

Northern Lights Festival- Drive up to Incline Village and Crystal Bay to tour light displays at the local shopping locales through December 31st. Be sure to support the local restaurants and stores while you're there. 

The Nutcracker on Demand- Enjoy an encore presentation of The Nutcracker Ballet presented by A.V.A. Ballet Theatre with the Reno Philharmonic. Tickets are $24.95 and the performance is on demand until December 31st. 

Hidden Valley Parade of Lights- Residents in Hidden Valley go all out during the holidays to decorate their homes with lights. Drive through the…

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Holiday events look a little bit different this year with most of them going virtual, but there are still plenty of December things to do in Reno and Sparks. You can get into the holiday spirit with the Reno Philharmonic’s Spirit of the Season Home for the Holidays concert or the Note-Able Music Therapy Services Jingle Jangle Jolly Joy Jam. The Tahoe Film Fest is back and shoppers can visit the swanky Village at Rancharrah for an artisanal holiday boutique.

Virtual Educator Evenings

  • When: 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2020
  • Where: Virtual
  • More information

Paul D. Miller, AKA DJ Spooky, is a composer, multimedia artist and writer whose works push boundaries and bridge disciplines. Join an interactive discussion with Miller…

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If you’re looking for November Things To Do in Reno and Sparks, then you’ve found the right blog post! Some November events in Northern Nevada include the final day of a fall festival and pumpkin patch and assorted art events and exhibits. The 5th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival will be virtual this year, as will the Wobble Before You Gobble 5K/10K Run. Get out and enjoy the brisk air and fall colors before the snow falls.

November Things To Do in Reno and Sparks

 

Art Adventures

  • When: 4-5 p.m. Mondays (November 2-16, 2020); 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays (November 4-18, 2020); and 4-5 p.m. Thursdays (November 5-19, 2020)
  • Where: 250 Court St. at Arlington Avenue, Reno
  • More information

After-school program Art Adventures is…

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If you’re new to Northern Nevada or unfamiliar with the region, you may be surprised about the area’s rich Basque history. Basque culture has been a part of Nevada since the 1800s, and its impacts can be seen throughout Northern Nevada. One of Reno’s oldest restaurants is Louis’ Basque Corner, which to this day, dishes up Basque cooking and the state’s almost official drink, the Picon Punch. The University of Nevada, Reno, even has a dedicated center to Basque studies. Want to know more? Here’s a short primer on Basque history and its impact on the region.

Basque history in Northern Nevada

The Basque people are indigenous to an area of Europe called the Basque Country, which straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France. They…

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October things to do in Reno and Sparks include traditional autumn fare such as Lattin Farms’ Fall Festival, as well as virtual art events hosted by the Nevada Museum of Art and virtual running races. Thrifters can check out the annual Somersett garage sale, and check out frightful animals at the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park — in the dark.

October Things To Do In Reno And Sparks

Virtual Art Discussion

October Things To Do In Reno And Sparks - Virtual Art Discussion

  • When: 4-5 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2020
  • Where: Virtual (Zoom)
  • More information

Bring art into the comfort of your home with a Virtual Art Discussion on “The E. L. Wiegand Collection: Representing the Work Ethic in American Art.” Virtual Art Discussions are led by experienced docents that will share interesting perspectives…

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On many a day on the Truckee River in Reno, fly fishing is a commonly seen sight. The sun glinting off the ripples of the cool alpine water. The fisherman standing in waist-high water, waiting patiently for a bite.

For Patrick Sheehan, marketing director for Dickson Commercial Group and an avid fly fisherman, it’s the challenge, the solitude and the peace that keeps him coming back.

“I just love the meditative peace of it,” Sheehan said. “They call it the flow state. When you’re fishing, all the chatter that you’re usually thinking kind of can disappear because you’re so focused on what you’re doing.”

Many others are joining Sheehan and finding the joy in fly fishing. The Nevada Department of Wildlife has seen an uptick in people buying fishing…

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From an online Burning Man multiverse to chats about bats, there are plenty of September things to do in Reno and Sparks. We looked high and low to find a variety of September events and activities in Reno and Sparks. So, without further ado, here are 17 things you can do this month either in person or virtually.

16 September Things To Do in Reno and Sparks

Burning Man Multiverse

September Things To Do in Reno - Burning Man Multiverse - Sydney Martinez - TravelNevadaSydney Martinez – TravelNevada
  • When: Sunday, August 30, 2020–Sunday, September 6, 2020
  • Where: Virtual
  • More Information

Pack your virtual playa gear and get ready to burn in the Multiverse. Although this year’s event in the Black Rock Desert was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, Burning Man’s organizers hope the virtual event, themed The Multiverse…

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From art classes to virtual runs to historic celebrations, there are many August things to do in Reno and Sparks. Explore the connection between the V&T Railroad and the women’s suffrage movement, or learn how to paint like a master artist at these events. From online to IRL, these August events and activities in Reno and Sparks provide entertainment and education.

25 August Things To Do in Reno and Sparks

Highway of Hope: Commemorating the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway

  • When: Saturday, August 1, 2020
  • Where: Washoe County Employee Parking lot, 75 Court Street Reno
  • More Information

The Northern Nevada Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Committee invites the community to a caravan to celebrate the naming of the Martin…

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Get ready to enjoy summer with these July things to do in Reno and Sparks that are either virtual or comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Artown is back for its 25th year with more than 300 events, both online and in person. Many other organizations are also offering workshops, concerts, and more! Check out this list of July things to do in Reno and Sparks.

July Things To Do In Reno

America The Beautiful!

United States Flag day

  • When: Wednesday, July 1, 2020
  • Where: Wilbur D. May Museum
  • More Information

A new exhibition of oil paintings, acrylic, water media, pastels, and mixed media works from the Latimer Art Club, America the Beautiful! features a variety of art inspired by the famous song that begins: “Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber…

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