Thanksgiving Day and weekend in Reno has lots of options for participating in a variety of family friendly events. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's a time when activities revolve around good food and visiting with family and friends.
Aladdin and His Lamp Holiday Musical Adventure
November 20, 2012 through January 13, 2013 - A cast of live actors tell the magical tale of "Aladdin and His Lamp" with the fantastic new stage effect of Live Action 3D Megavision. This amazing new technique brings the scenery into three dimensional reality as well as the character of the genie, which is a 3D cartoon that interacts live on stage with the actors and with the audience. This spectacular show is packed with fun for the whole family and features an original musical score and script by top UK writers Jon Conway and Olly Ashmore. It is making its US premier at the Eldorado in Reno.
Tickets start at $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children 3 to 12, and $21.95 for seniors 60 and above. Dinner and show packages available from $34.95. Character meet and greet available for $5 after Saturday and Sunday matinees, which includes a commemorative cast photo. Showtimes vary Tuesday through Friday with either a single 7 p.m. performance or two performances at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Showtimes on Saturday and Sunday are at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Purchase tickets online or call (800) 879-8879.
Rink on the River
November 20 - Rink on the River opens on Tuesday evening, November 20, for the 2012 - 2013 winter season. Skating begins immediately after the Holiday Tree lighting ceremony, which begins at 4:30 p.m. Bring the whole family to downtown Reno and enjoy ice skating by the Truckee River. Not knowing how to skate is no excuse - lessons and skate rentals are available.
Rink on the River is at the corner of First and Virginia Streets. ATM and credit cards are not accepted - bring cash or a check. For additional information, call (775) 334-2262.
Reno Holiday Tree Lighting
November 20 - Reno's 2012 Holiday Tree will be ceremonially lit in the City Plaza, across from the City Hall in downtown Reno. The tree is at the corner of S. Virginia and First Streets, next to the skating rink. The lighting ceremony starts at 4:30 p.m. and will include holiday carols sung by the Billinghurst Middle School Choir. Rink on the River will open for ice skating immediately after the tree is lit.
Scheels Turkey Trot
November 22 - Bring the family to the Scheels Turkey Trot and work up an appetite for that big meal later in the day. Participants can choose from a fun 2 mile walk or run, or a timed 10K run. Races start by Scheels in the Legends at Sparks Marina. The 2 miler circles around Sparks Marina Park and the 10K course takes the local bike path and nearby city streets. The 10K starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 2 mile fun run shortly thereafter.
You can download the registration form and take it to Sparks Parks & Rec Department, 98 Richards Way in Sparks, or to Scheels at 1200 Scheels Drive in Sparks. Registration is $25 per person until November 15, $35 from November 19 through 21, and $60 on race day. For more information, call (775) 353-7898. Dogs, bikes, skateboards, scooters, and skates are prohibited at this event.
Thanksgiving Weekend at the Movies
Lots of new movies have been recently released or will hit theaters during this holiday season. You can lessen the holiday hassle and avoid lines at the theater by buying advance tickets online. And don't forget to consider movie tickets as gifts, something just about everyone enjoys.
Polar Express™ on the V&T Railroad
November 23 through December 23 - The special Polar Express™ excursions on the V&T during Thanksgiving weekend give families and kids a chance to experience the holiday spirit just like in the movie of the same name. There are three runs per day and tickets are going fast - get advance tickets online or you may be left at the station. For information, call (775) 687-7410 or toll-free at (800) NEVADA-1.
Visit the National Automobile Museum in Reno
The National Automobile Museum in Reno is among the best of its kind in the world. The Museum features cars from the dawn of the automobile age through the present day. Daily audio tours and guided tours are available. There are two theater presentations currently showing and included with admission - "The Bill Harrah Story" and "The Magic Carriage." The Museum is open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours are Monday - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $4 ages 6 to 18, 5 and under free. There is free parking next to the Museum. The Museum Store has great gifts for auto buffs. Call (775) 333-9300 for information.
Visit the Nevada Museum of Art
This Thanksgiving weekend, the Nevada Museum of Art has a number of on-going exhibits suitable for family visits. The Museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Friday, November 23 through Sunday, November 25.
The Discovery Museum in Reno
The Discovery will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but there are activities to entertain the kids during the rest of the holiday weekend. If you must shop on the day after Thanksgiving, the Museum store will be having a Blue Friday sale with 30% off on its big selection of the best educational toys, gifts, games and gadgets. And, you don't pay sales tax when buying from this non-profit organization. The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum is at 490 S. Center Street in Reno. Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Call (775) 786-1000 for more information.
See a Show at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
November 25 - The Broadway Comes to Reno! series will be presenting "Straight No Chaser" on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. This an all-male a capella group that has received rave reviews and played hundreds of sold - out concerts. Tickets are $34 to $59 and can be purchased online. The only show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Pioneer Center box office at (775) 686-6616.
Thanksgiving Weekend Skiing
Thanks to abundant early snowfall, cold mountain temperatures, and aggressive snow making, most of our Lake Tahoe area ski resorts will be opening in time for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That includes Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, the resort closest to Reno. For the latest information, visit the websites of those resorts you are interested in visiting.
Thanksgiving Weekend at Animal Ark
November 23 and 24 - Animal Ark will be open during the Thanksgiving weekend so that you can enjoy our animals in the cooler temperatures of late fall when they are active and frisky. The furry predators are putting on their gorgeous winter coats, while the bears are gorging themselves in preparation for their long winter hibernation. If you aren't wild about the annual holiday shopping frenzy after Thanksgiving, come out to the Animal Ark and get wild with the animals.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 children, $11 seniors, free for age 2 and under. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From Reno, take U.S. 395 north, turn right on Red Rock Road, go 11.5 miles, then right onto Deerlodge Road to 1265. Donations of turkey necks and gizzards or uncooked, low-sodium turkeys to supplement the big cats diets would be appreciated. For more information, call (775) 970-3111 (area code required).
