The magic of the holiday season is fast approaching around Reno-Tahoe, and you won't have to wait long to start celebrating this November. Our real estate agents have more on tree lightings and family-friendly events to kick off the holiday season around Reno-Tahoe.

Why You'll Love These Area Holiday Traditions

• Village at Rancharrah Grand Tree Lighting: Enjoy live music, Santa visits, and the lighting of a spectacular 30-foot Christmas tree in Reno.
• Home for the Holidays at Greater Nevada Field: Explore dazzling light displays, holiday activities, and a towering 100-foot Christmas tree.
• Downtown Holiday Festival and Bud Fish Tree Lighting: Celebrate a longtime Truckee tradition with decorated trees, free hot cocoa, live music, and Santa visits.
• Small Business Saturday: Shop local in downtown Tahoe City before enjoying an evening community tree lighting at Tahoe City Winter Sports Park.
• Heavenly Village Holiday Tree Lighting: Celebrate in South Lake Tahoe with holiday shopping and the lighting of a 65-foot Christmas tree.
• Light Up the Night at Tahoe Donner: Bring the kids for holiday crafts, festive activities, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Where to Celebrate the Start of the Holiday Season in Reno-Tahoe

The Village at Rancharrah Grand Tree Lighting – Reno, NV

Address: 7100 Rancharrah Pkwy., Reno, NV 89511

Date: November 21, 2026, 5–8 p.m.

The Village at Rancharrah Grand Tree Lighting takes place the week before Thanksgiving, making it easy to fit in some early holiday fun. Enjoy an evening of family-friendly activities, including live music from local students, fun photo ops, meetings with Santa, and a spectacular tree-lighting ceremony featuring a 30-foot-tall tree.

Home for the Holidays at Greater Nevada Field – Reno, NV

Address: 250 Evans Ave., Reno, NV 89501

Dates: Begins November 27, 2026, and continues on select nights through December

Home for the Holidays at Greater Nevada Field is another family favorite near Reno homes for sale, with weekend fun at the ballpark throughout the holiday season. Enjoy a dazzling holiday light display around the whole stadium, the lighting of a 100-foot-tall Christmas tree, ornament making, photos with Santa, inflatable snow globe photos, and more.

Downtown Holiday Festival and Bud Fish Tree Lighting – Truckee, CA

Location: Historic Downtown Truckee, Truckee, CA 96161

Date: November 21, 2026

The Downtown Holiday Festival and Bud Fish Tree Lighting kicks off the holiday season with a day of fun around the corner from Truckee homes for sale, including:

• Student-decorated trees around Downtown Truckee
• Visits with Santa, including free photos
• Live music and free hot cocoa
• Tree-lighting ceremony starting at 5:15 p.m.

This local event has been going strong for 50 years and is another great choice for a family outing the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Small Business Saturday – Tahoe City, CA

Location: Downtown Tahoe City, CA 96145

Date: November 28, 2026, starting at 10 a.m.

Small Business Saturday is the perfect opportunity to shop local for the holidays, with downtown Tahoe City businesses offering specials, deals, and pop-ups throughout the day. Residents exploring Tahoe City homes for sale can also enjoy the festivities, including the new 2026 Community Tree Lighting at Tahoe City Winter Sports Park at 5 p.m.

Heavenly Village Holiday Tree Lighting – South Lake Tahoe, CA

Address: 4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Date: November 27, 2026, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Enjoy special deals at The Shops at Heavenly Village before the Heavenly Village Holiday Tree Lighting, featuring a towering 65-foot cut tree. This event is free to attend and takes place at a convenient location close to South Lake Tahoe homes for sale.

Light Up the Night at Tahoe Donner – Truckee, CA

Address: 12850 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee, CA 96161

Date: November 28, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Light Up the Night at Tahoe Donner is a fun, family-friendly event featuring a variety of crafts and activities for kids, leading up to a magical tree-lighting ceremony. The event starts at 5:30 p.m., and organizers advise arriving on time to see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive.

More Holiday Events Around Reno-Tahoe

Looking for even more ways to celebrate? Check out these additional holiday events happening around Reno-Tahoe this November:

• Holiday Lights Festival – Reno, NV: November 27–28. Celebrate with a downtown tree lighting, live entertainment, holiday shopping, and family-friendly activities.
• Valhalla Holiday Faire – South Lake Tahoe, CA: November 20–22. Shop handmade gifts from local vendors, enjoy seasonal music, and meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
• Deck the Halls at Reno Public Market – Reno, NV: November 29. Browse local artisan booths, enjoy live entertainment, and bring the kids for holiday crafts and Santa photos.
• Soroptishop – Truckee, CA: November 19. Find unique holiday gifts from more than 60 local artisans at this annual fundraising event.
• Welcome to Winter at Palisades Tahoe – Olympic Valley, CA: November 28. Welcome the winter season with live music, festive activities, and a holiday tree lighting.

Find Your Reno-Tahoe Home for Holiday Memories and Year-Round Fun

Whether you're discovering Reno-Tahoe for the first time or already call it home, Chase International is here to help you find your place in this extraordinary region.