With the holiday season coming in full force, there’s a lot that the bright nightlife of downtown Reno has to offer. From celebratory musicals to family 5K and 10K races, it would take forever to list all the exciting events going on, but here’s a short list of events you don’t want to miss throughout the end of November and beginning of December.
3rd Thursday, Farmers Market and More at Victorian Square (Nov. 21)
From 4 to 9 p.m. every third Thursday of each month, Victorian Square hosts this family-friendly street fair event—mixing the joy of food, entertainment and art. Similar to previous fairs, there will be a gathering of farmers from around the region with fresh food along with live cooking demos and expert seminars from local chefs. Along with the food festivities, there will also be live music, many fun activities for the kids and local artisans featured.
Plain White T’s at Cargo Concert Hall (Nov. 23)
Known for their pop-rock hits “Hey There Delilah,” “Rhythm of Love” and “1, 2, 3, 4,” The Plain White T’s are bound to give a wonderful show at Whitney Peak—one of Reno’s most stylish hotels.
The band will be playing new and old hits from their massive discography spanning two decades. Just when you thought the night couldn’t get any more musical, the concert will also feature some of Reno’s most popular local bands. Mourning Eyes, Pink Awful and The Band Washoe are also set to give audiences a wonderful show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
Wobble Before You Gobble 10K/5K (Nov. 28)
What better way to start Thanksgiving day than with a crisp morning run? Before you go in on your Thanksgiving meal, the City Plaza in downtown Reno is hosting a family-friendly 5K and 10K race, which begins at 9 a.m. On top of being a fun celebration of the holiday, proceeds from the race will benefit the Children’s Cabinet. Online registration will be coming soon so make sure to sign up early for a discounted price.
“Santa’s Christmas Wonderland” at Eldorado Resort Casino (Nov. 26-Dec. 29)
The Eldorado Resort will be hosting one of the most-loved Christmas showcases, “Santa’s Christmas,” which gives audiences the ultimate holiday production filled with the music we all know and love.
The family show will incorporate bedazzled costumes, lots of dancing, sensational singing and an alluring atmosphere. Featuring classic performances of “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” the show will play on Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7 p.m. as well as Friday through Sunday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The show on Friday, December 13 will be even more special as the ticket sales will be donated to The Salvation Army. In true holiday fashion, make sure to grab your tickets to this spirited show as soon as possible.
“A Christmas Story—The Musical” at Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts (Nov. 29-Dec.1)
Piling onto the theme of downtown musicals, the Pioneer Center will be presenting their interpretation of “A Christmas Story” throughout this time of year. Based off of the 1983 holiday classic and written by the songwriting team behind Tony Award winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” the show will feature plenty of feel good Christmas cheer along with humorous, quotable scenes.
The musical will show on Friday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m and lastly, Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Recognized for their magnificent production quality, the Pioneer Center is set to give audiences a talent-filled experience.
As the growth of the Biggest Little City’s entertainment sphere intensifies, these events keep getting bigger and bigger. Hopefully with this list, it will encourage others to look into downtown Reno’s city-wide appeal as a whole.
Rylee Jackson can be reached at ryleejackson@sagebrush.unr.edu, or on Twitter @rybyjackson.
