Free Christmas & Holiday Events, Concerts, and Shows
Sparks Hometowne Christmas Celebration - December 2 & 3. 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 in Victorian Square. On Saturday, the 25th annual Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade, beginning at 1 p.m., will travel east to west along Victorian Avenue. Parade seating for people with disabilities will be available on the northeast corner of 10th & Victorian Avenue. Other activities include arts and crafts vendors and visits with Santa at the Glendale Schoolhouse from noon to 2 p.m. This year's theme is Silver Jubilee - Celebrating 25 Years. For more information, call (775) 353-2291.
Holiday Fun at the Washoe County Library - Various dates in December. Check my article and the Washoe County Library website for dates and locations of holiday events and activities like Christmas story times, visits from Santa, free holiday movies, and more. For more information, call (775) 327-8300.
Tuba Christmas and Sierra Watercolor Society Open House at the May Museum - December 3. Come to the Wilbur D. May Museum for the annual Tuba Christmas and Sierra Watercolor Society Open House. The Watercolor Society Open House will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring an exhibit by local artists that will be at the Museum through December 15. The annual free Tuba Christmas Concert will begin at 3 p.m. and features holiday carols performed by local tuba, baritone, and euphonium players. Come back the following weekend for the Holiday Gingerbread Festival at the Museum (see below).
Handel's Messiah at UNR - December 6. Join the University Choirs and Symphony Orchestras, directed by Paul Torkelson, for a performance of one of the most revered works in the Western choral literature. Handel's Messiah was composed in 1741 and premiered in Dublin, Ireland, in April of 1742. It was repeatedly revised by Handel and reached its most familiar version in 1754. Although the work was conceived for secular theater and first performed during Lent or at Easter, it has become common practice since Handel’s death to perform Messiah during Advent. The free concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be in the Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building, on the UNR campus. For more information, call (775) 784-4895.
Holiday Gingerbread Festival at the Wilbur D. May Center - December 10. Join the family fun and enter the Holiday Gingerbread House Contest at the May Center in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded in three categories. Proceeds from the contest go to benefit the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Get entry forms online or at these locations: May Arboretum Office and Wilbur D. May Museum, both at 1595 N. Sierra Street in Rancho San Rafael Park. The entry fee is $10 and forms are due by December 8. Gingerbread houses must be delivered to the Wilbur D. May Museum between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 10. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. The event will also feature free admission to the museum, holiday musical presentations from local school children, and other "hands-on" activities for both children and adults. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be caroling and a tree lighting at the end. For more information, call (775) 823-6500.
Reno Wind Symphony: Holiday Celebration Concert - December 11. One of the highlights of this concert is the recitation of the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by KOH radio personality Ross Mitchell, accompanied by the Reno Wind Symphony. This year, Mitchell will also perform as the vocal soloist on "The Grinch that Stole Christmas." The free concert starts at 3 p.m. and will be in the Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts Building, on the UNR campus. For more information, call (775) 784-4895.
Holiday Sing-a-long with The Note-Ables and Kiwanis Aktion Club - December 12. Enjoy a fun holiday evening with The Note-Ables, the Kiwanis Aktion Club and Boy Scout Troop 43, complete with cookies, punch, s'more roasting, crafts for kids, and some good old fashion holiday caroling, from 6 p.m to 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1135 12th Street in Sparks. This event is free and all are welcome to help sing in the season. For more information, call (775) 324-5521.
Reno Pops Community Christmas Concert - December 16. The 6th Annual Reno Pops Community Christmas Concert will be at The Rock Church in Sparks, 4950 Vista Blvd. This concert is free and no ticket is needed. Get there early to make sure you get a seat - doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Galena Creek Visitor Center - Hands-on Holidays! - December 17. "Hands-on Holidays" is an event for the whole family. Everyone will get to handcraft woodland critters from natural materials to make items for holiday decorating and gift-giving. You'll also be able to pick up the 2012 events flyer and plan ahead for family-friendly activities, including a family getaway adventure weekend at Camp WeCheMe in Galena Creek Regional Park. While attending the event, you can do some last minute shopping in the Galena Creek Store. This is a free event with a suggested donation of $5 per person. For more information, call (775) 849-4948.
