Christmas holiday lights brighten up many residential, business, and public areas around Reno and Sparks. It's a fun and cheery family activity to get out on a crisp evening and enjoy some of the colorful Christmas lights in the Truckee Meadows. If you know of others you think deserve attention, email me at renotahoe@aboutguide.com and I'll add them to the list.
City and Shopping Center Christmas Light Displays
Reno's Holiday Tree - from Nov. 20 through the holiday season. Reno's 2012 Holiday tree is located in downtown Reno at the corner of 1st and Virginia Streets, next to Rink on the River and City Hall. It's a beautiful decoration for the city and lights reflecting on the ice while people are ice skating is worth a look.
Sparks Community Christmas Tree - through the holiday season. The Sparks Community Christmas Tree is at Saint Mary's Amphitheater on Victorian Avenue. The tree will be lit with 5,000 LED lights at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 7. The lighting ceremony is the evening before the Sparks Hometowne Christmas parade and celebration on Saturday, December 8.
Outlets at Legends in Sparks - through the holiday season. The Legends is fully decked out for the Christmas holidays. A big Christmas tree and outdoor decorations add to the displays you'll find in every store. You don't have to buy anything to enjoy Christmas cheer. Besides the lights, there will be lots of holiday promotions and other activities. The Legends is at the northwest corner of I80 and Sparks Blvd. in Sparks. For more information, call (775) 358-3800.
The Summit Reno - through the holiday season. The Summit is all lit up for the holidays. The central plaza features a big Christmas tree set next to an outdoor fire pit to keep you warm. There lights and decorations throughout this sprawling mall. The Summit is in south Reno at the corner of S. Virginia St. and the Mt. Rose Highway. To add to the winter effect, snowy Mt. Rose looms over the area just to the west. For more information, call (775) 853-7800.
More Christmas Light Displays in Reno and Sparks
Lights of Tanea - The Biggest Little Christmas Light Show in Reno - November 23 through December 31. The south Reno neighborhood on Tanea Drive hosts a big light show complete with synchronized music. Lights of Tanea collects non-perishable food items for Evelyn Mount's Outreach Program and reusable clothing and monetary donations for Friends of Multiple Sclerosis. The lights are on Sundays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day it's from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight. This is a very popular event - please follow the rules so everyone has a good time.
Parker's Rocking 2012 Christmas Lights - Dean R. Parker has decorated his home with 37,000 LED Christmas lights that are sequenced to 8 computerized Christmas songs, which can be heard on the radio at 89.9 FM. The home is located at 290 Omni Drive in Spanish Springs. This is out there a few miles north on Pyramid Highway, past the intersection with Sparks Boulevard. To see the display in action, go to the YouTube video titled "Parkers Rockin 2012 Christmas Lights". The light show runs Sunday through Thursday from 5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.
8700 Sopwith Boulevard, Reno - In the Stead area of northwest Reno. This display includes a full-size Santa sleigh pulled by reindeer and a moose, with decorated presents in the yard. The garage features Santa sitting in his living room with a decorated Christmas tree, fireplace and characters gathered at his feet. Display times are Monday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday through Sunday till 9 p.m.
7540 Gold Drive, Reno - This features about 20,000 lights, mostly LEDs, synchronized to nine songs. Display times are Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. They are accepting donations for the Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals and have a bin next to the train to accept pet food or cleaning supplies.
"A Whale's Tale of Christmas" - The display runs through January 1 and is lit Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, it will run all night. The theme uses marine mammals and other marine life. Donations are accepted for food, supplies and money for the Nevada Human Society. It is located at 5556 Santa Rosa Court in Sparks. This year, their aquatic theme features whales in a Nativity scene. When you go, bring pet food or other items to donate for the Nevada Humane Society.
5730 W. Brookdale Drive, Reno - Christmas lights synchronized with heavy metal artists singing Christmas songs. It runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly through New Year's Eve. To listen to the music, tune your radio to 87.9 FM.
Alpine Circle, Reno - A group of seven neighbors have decorated their homes on Alpine Circle. Bring non-perishable food to fill the bins for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Santa will hand out candy canes to passing cars from December 14 to December 23.
Hidden Valley, Reno - Several homes feature Christmas light displays in this area of east Reno. One is at 7145 Pembroke Drive and another is at 113 Mia Vista Court. In the past, there have been several more, so look around if you are in this neighborhood.
830 Cambridge Way, Reno - Christmas lights will be lit from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Listen to a radio music program on 93.3 FM that syncs with the computer-controlled lights. Monetary donations will be accepted for the Nevada Humane Society.
2380 Solitude Drive, Reno - This display features over 29,000 lights synchronized to music - "Amazing Grace," "Carol of the Bells" and "Wizards in Winter." (Click the links to see each on YouTube.) The show runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. The hours will get longer as Christmas approaches. Solitude Drive is in the Galena area of south Reno, off the Mt. Rose Highway.
5555 Junction Peak Drive, Sparks - Over 9,000 LED lights are synchronized to music for a 12 minute light show that runs 7 days a week. Each 12 minute show runs daily between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., beginning on every half hour. Homeowner Nathanial Rhodes designed, programmed, and installed this Christmas light display.
More Christmas Light Displays in Nearby Areas
State Christmas Tree in Carson City - The grounds of Nevada's state capitol are lit up for the holiday season with a big tree and other light displays. There are more lights to enjoy around Carson City as well.
Source: Some information provided by the Reno Gazette-Journal.
