Ring in the season with 12 holiday events across Nevada in 2024

Plan your winter festivities with Nevada’s top holiday events, featuring memorable Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s celebrations statewide.

The holidays might create the most wonderful time of the year, but they’re also the busiest—and most stressful—time of the year. Add in the light and sound of cities like Las Vegas, and you’ve got a very fun but very hectic season ahead of you. To navigate the holidays, you need to be prepared, which is why we’ve gathered some of the best Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve events that you don’t want to miss this year. 

Some of our favorite annual holiday events haven’t announced their 2024 dates or information—we’re looking at you, Santa in the Shipwreck—but plenty of others have already disclosed their full schedules for the year. So, without further ado, here are Nevada’s can’t-miss holiday outings for 2024.

1. Holiday Winter Truck painting event

Date: Thursday, Nov. 14

Location: Pinot’s Palette (6587 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Ste. 175, Las Vegas, NV 89119)

Cost: $44

This year’s can’t-miss holiday outings list is starting off with a bang because no one’s doing unique and enchanting winter events like Pinot’s Palette, everyone’s favorite paint-and-sip destination. For $44 per person, you get to paint your own winter truck canvas while jamming to seasonally appropriate music, sipping your favorite wine (it’s not BYOB, but the venue offers myriad options), and making memories that will last all season long.

The cost might seem steep at first glance, but it includes the canvas, the paints you use, the instruction from Pinot’s artists, and the maintenance needed to keep the tools and facility clean and functional. Plus, you get to keep your painting at the end of the day—and you’d likely pay more than $44 for something like it at a nice decor store. If you can’t make it to this location’s November 14 event, another Las Vegas location is doing the same event on Wednesday, November 27. There are also plenty of other dates that feature holiday themes!

2. Christmas Train Rides

Date: Friday, Nov. 15-Saturday, Dec. 28

Location: Various locations

Cost: $10+

When putting this list together, we sought out unique events that we really don’t think should be missed, and that’s unequivocally the case with Nevada’s Christmas Trains, which travel from city to city while immersing their passengers in “The Polar Express” vibes, including complimentary hot chocolate (we can practically hear the song as we type this) and cookies on some lines.

Ticket prices vary based on age, which train you choose, and which dates you take them, but they seem to cap out at $45 for adults on a few lines that have the most perks. The trains depart from Boulder City, Carson City, Ely, and Virginia City, and each offers its own good times. For example, the V&T Railway comes with a reading of “The Polar Express” and a sleigh bell gifted from Santa himself, while the Santa Train is rife for photo ops and the North Pole Express is indulged with readings of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Ultimately, you’ll be consumed with holiday cheer no matter which train you take, and it’ll help keep your holiday season on track.

3. Enchant Christmas

Dates: Friday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Dec. 29

Location: Las Vegas Ballpark (1650 S Pavilion Center Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89135)

Cost: $25

Enchant Christmas is back in Las Vegas this year, and it’s bringing even more holiday cheer than before. Case in point: We all know that corn mazes are part of what makes the Halloween season so fun, but now you can galavant through a maze of twinkly Christmas lights at Enchant Christmas. Not only that, but it’s the world’s largest Christmas maze at 80,000 square feet—and is set to a story that sees you helping out Santa’s reindeer by finding their sleighs’ bells in the maze.

The fun doesn’t end there, though. Enchant Christmas also features ice skating, live music, caroling, and photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Then, once you’re done with all of the entertainment options, you can turn to a spot of shopping and mark folks off your to-buy-for gift list. Shopping and fun in one fell swoop? Say less!

Just note that prices vary by time. We noticed when looking at tickets that the later in the evening you book, the cheaper your ticket is likely to be. Tickets start at $25 but only went up a few dollars, such as to $28, during the busier hours. 

4. Christmas in Genoa

Date: Friday, Dec. 6-Saturday, Dec. 7

Location: Genoa Community Church (182 Nixon St, Genoa, NV 89411) & Genoa Town Hall (2289 Main St, Genoa, NV 89411)

Cost: $5

Those who live in or around Genoa will want to mark their calendars for the town’s annual Christmas celebration now. This year, the first weekend of December will see the town’s yearly Christmas tree lighting and breakfast with Santa events uniting Genoa’s families for an evening and morning of pure, unadulterated fun. On Friday, December 6, folks will gather at Genoa Community Church at 5:30 p.m. for traditional caroling before the official tree lighting takes place at 6:30 p.m. The next morning, Santa will take over Genoa Town Hall with the utmost holly jolliness, and for just $5 per person, you can eat breakfast and take a photo with him.

Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time, which you can do by phone. In a switch-up to previous years, only two seating times will be held for the breakfast—at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. If you’re in Genora or the surrounding area, don’t miss this key opportunity to connect with your community. It’s never needed more than the holidays.

5. Spirit of the Season

Date: Friday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 8

Location: Reno Philharmonic (925 Riverside Dr #3, Reno, NV 89503)

Cost: $32.50+

Music always lights up the holidays—well, in addition to actual holiday lights—and while (spoiler alert!) we’ve got mainstream music later in the list, we’d be remiss not to mention the classical music that’s so synonymous with the season. Presented by the Reno Philharmonic, Spirit of the Season is a celebration of orchestral and choral music, all while cirque performers keep attendees visually enthralled. It’s a magical concert that’s sure to put anyone in the holiday spirit, especially since it’s so early in December. It’s a start to the season that can help you have a great end to 2024.

It doesn’t have to be an expensive outing, either. While tickets for certain showtimes can reach $138.50, others are considerably lower at $32.50, meaning there’s a showtime for everyone. It’s also a family-friendly concert, so you instantly save money by not having to book the babysitter.

Ultimately, in a world where classic arts are being forgotten or disparaged, embrace them—that’s the true holiday spirit. 

6. Holiday Bazaar

Date: Saturday, Dec. 7

Location: The Pass Casino (140 South Water St, Henderson, NV 89015)

Cost: Free

Many bazaars and craft fairs are held outdoors, but you don’t have to worry about any chilly temperatures at Henderson’s Holiday Bazaar, which will be held indoors at The Pass Casino from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 7 this year. This event is for everyone regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or another wintertime holiday—it’s simply a time to gather, mingle with community makers and builders, support local businesses, and potentially make good progress on your holiday shopping lists. More than 35 vendors will be present, and free gifts will be given out via drawings, too.

While waiting on drawings, be sure to check out the foods, jewelry, ornaments, crafts, decor, and more that the vendors carefully created and curated for the special day. And remember: There’s nothing wrong with getting yourself a holiday gift or two, too. 

Photo courtesy of James Marvin Phelps/CC BY-NC 2.0.

7. Die Hard Is a Christmas Movie!

Date: Friday, Dec. 13

Location: Brewery Arts Center (449 W King St, Carson City, NV 89703)

Cost: $20

We’ve all heard or participated in the debate about whether the 1988 action film “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie or not. After all, is any show or film set in December a Christmas movie? Is the 2021 “Hawkeye” series, then, a Christmas movie? Well, according to the founders of the Die Hard Is a Christmas Movie! event, that might just be the case. They’re firm believers in their cause, and they’re holding a special screening of the film in Carson City’s Brewery Arts Center.

You’re not only signing up for a screening, though. Themed cocktails and scrumptious appetizers will be served before the film, which will help create a full and unique experience. No details about what the drinks or dishes are, but anything themed after “Die Hard” is sure to be simply diabolical (in the best way). The best part is that you can support the center by becoming a member, which shaves $5 off of your movie ticket. The holidays are the season of giving, after all. 

8. Festive Holidays–Of Harps and Handbells

Date: Saturday, Dec. 14

Location: Nightingale Concert Hall (1335 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89512)

Cost: TBA

Christmas music isn’t the only holiday genre being honored by orchestral greatness in Reno this December. The University of Nevada, Reno’s Nightingale Concert Hall will become electrified on December 14 as the Reno Pops Orchestra, which is composed of community members ranging from adults to children, performs its winter concert: Festive Holidays—Of Harps and Handbells. Notably, the concert, which has been set in conjunction with Tintabulations and the Valley Harpists, will feature a performance of “Hanukkah Festival Overture” as composed by Lucas Richman—a staple in the pantheon of Hanukkah classics since its debut in 1994.

This concert makes good on the Reno Pops Orchestra’s promise to bring music from myriad backgrounds and time periods to its audiences—and all at affordable costs. This orchestra understands that art can be expensive but that people of all tax brackets deserve to be immersed in it, which is why it also uplifts and trains musicians of all ages. This is an organization and a show that actively makes you want to support it, and you’ll be better off for seeing the Festive Holidays—Of Harps and Handbells show.  

9. Henderson SantaCon 2024

Date: Saturday, Dec. 14

Location: Gold Mine Tavern (23 South Water Street, Henderson, NV 89015)

Cost: $0-$25

We all know Santa. He’s the thick king of the North Pole who boasts a long, luscious white beard and rocks the same red-and-white suit and hat year after year. Well, that used to be true before Henderson’s annual SantaCon, which sees participants dressing as their own form of Santa and committing to a bar and pub crawl to end all crawls.

That’s right: Boozy Santa is officially in vogue in Henderson, Nevada, and you won’t end up on the Naughty List for knocking back a drink or two. The best part is that any Santa outfit works—you get to make it completely your own. So, in addition to the fun time and camaraderie, you’ll also get a pretty fun Instagram post out of the event.

The event typically has hundreds of participants, so you don’t have to worry about being alone in your Santa getup. In fact, paying for the entry ticket, which ranges from free to $25 depending on how early you sign up, is more than worth it because you get discounts at participating bars during the crawl, as well as waived cover fees. Oh, and did we mention the live DJs at some locations?  Overall, this is a new type of Christmas tradition that you won’t want to miss out on. 

10. Light the Menorah with Jewish Nevada

Date: Sunday, Dec. 29

Location: Park Centre Dr, Summerlin South, NV 89135

Cost: Free

The Light the Menorah event is coordinated thanks to a partnership between the city of Summerlin and Jewish Nevada, an organization that aims to create community among Jewish individuals throughout the state of Nevada. And that’s exactly what Light the Menorah does. This year, Hanukkah lasts from December 25 to January 2, and the giant menorah in downtown Summerlin can be visited for the entirety of the holiday. However, the special Light the Menorah event will be held on Sunday, December 29, and will feature not only the namesake lighting but also children’s games, live entertainment, and more.

The event lasts from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., but you can always make the evening your own by spending more time at the menorah or grabbing a warm drink and walking around downtown to get some fresh air.

11. The Countdown to Bruno Mars – A 2025 NYE Celebration

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024

Location: Park MGM Las Vegas (3770 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109)

Cost: $99.50+

Bruno Mars is a bona-fide Vegas veteran, performing at Dolby Live since the end of 2016. In what’s essentially a tradition at this point, you can see Mars take the stage on New Year’s Eve and end your year with a true bang. (Fun fact: His years-long residency started on New Year’s Eve.) His shows feature plenty of pyrotechnics, smoke, and colorful lights, so it won’t be that different from being at a party or a ball-drop countdown event. The show starts at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., leaving some time to get out and enjoy your last few minutes of 2024 and count down to 2025 once the show’s over.

If you’ve got the money to spare, you can even heavily upgrade your experience with a number of packages sold by MGM Rewards. These range from $559 a person to $2,049 a person and include anything from a personal concierge and an Ultra Lux Suite at an MGM-owned property to hundreds of dollars in food and drinks credit and early entry to the venue. You don’t need these packages to enjoy the show, but if New Year’s is your favorite holiday and you can spare it, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

12. 2025 Time of Your Life Celebration

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024

Location: Downtown Las Vegas

Cost: $50+

The Time of Your Life Celebration is Las Vegas’s premier New Year’s Eve event, bringing people from all over to the streets of Sin City for a night of music, dancing, and, most importantly, fun as they kiss one year goodbye and welcome in another.

The event will span three streets this year—namely Main Street, 1st Street, and 3rd Street—with each having its own stage and performing artists. For instance, you can catch Flo Rida on 3rd Street, while Bow Wow will be holding down the fort on Main Street. The performances start at 7 p.m. and go on until 1 a.m., but note that the gates also open at 7 p.m., so you’ll walk right into a good time—and won’t want to be late.

Tickets can currently be purchased for $50, but this is an exclusively early-bird price. The standard price has yet to be released, but $50 for a full NYE out on the town can’t be beat. Just remember to save a few bucks for whatever drinks and snacks you want; there are plenty of bars and restaurants within the event’s perimeter. If you’ve ever watched one of the many New York City live shows on New Year’s Eve and wanted to be in those crowds and feel that camaraderie, now’s your chance to do so without being on your feet for 10 hours or more. 

Photo courtesy of James Marvin Phelps/CC BY-NC 2.0.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.