This Weekend Around Reno

We had a pretty good addition to the Sierra snow pack over the Thanksgiving weekend. Winter sports activities are in full swing for the season and there are plenty of holidays-related activities throughout December. For the immediate future, here are some things to check out this weekend.

An Old Fashioned Christmas Concert - December 4. Presented by the Reno Pops Orchestra, an Old Fashioned Christmas will be a delightful free concert (donations gladly accepted) for the whole family featuring as assortment of classic Christmas and Holiday tunes. Come celebrate the season with the Reno Pops and enjoy your favorite songs, carols, and festive melodies. The concert is at Rock Church, 4950 Vista Blvd. in Sparks. For information, call (775) 673-1234.

Sparks Hometowne Christmas - "Celebration of Angels" - December 4 & 5. Sparks Hometowne Christmas kicks off with the annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will be at the Saint Mary's Amphitheater on Victorian Avenue. On Saturday, festivities will be from noon to 4 p.m. Grand Marshal for the parade at 1 p.m. will be season two American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, who will perform music from her upcoming Christmas CD while riding on the Intuit float. Parade seating for people with disabilities will be available on the northeast corner of 10th & Victorian Avenue. Other activities include a vendors' Christmas Village, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and story telling at the Sparks Heritage Museum. For more information, call (775) 353-2291.

Holiday Open House at the May Museum - December 5. The Wilbur May Museum at Rancho San Rafael Park invites you to a free holiday celebration that will feast your eyes and ears while tempting your taste buds. The fun takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Festivities will include free museum admission, Sierra Watercolor Society art reception, face painting, Tuba Christmas Concert and sing-a-long starting at 3 p.m., and sales of cookies, hot apple cider and hot chocolate to support the museum. Winner of the Holiday Gingerbread House Contest will be announced at 2:30 p.m. The park is at 1595 N. Sierra Street in Reno. Call (775) 785-5961 for more information.

The Lake Mansion Jingles with Art and History - December 5. Families with children of all ages celebrate the holidays, art and history during this annual free event at the historic Lake Mansion. Enjoy the art creation stations for children to make and take their own masterpiece home, photos with Santa, arts and crafts for sale, and tours of the mansion. Descendants of families who lived in the mansion will be on hand to answer questions. VSA arts of Nevada is presenting this event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (775) 826-6100 x3.

The Sierra Nevada Ballet Presents "A Peanut Cracker - The Story in a Nutshell" - December 5. The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is presenting four shows throughout the area during the holiday season. This performance will be at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E William St. in Carson City. Performances will be at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available online.

Reno Bighorns Basketball - December 5. The Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League play their first home game of the season at the Reno Events Center. Tip off against the Los Angeles D-Fenders is at 7 p.m. Single game tickets start at $7 and are available online, by phone, at various locations around town, and at the Reno Events Center box office, 400 N. Center Street in Reno.

If you have an event or activity you'd like to publicize for free, you can do it right here on RenoTahoe.About.com. Just go to Reno Area Events Submitted By Readers and fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Once approved, your entry will appear in date order according to when it will be happening.

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