Welcome to our weekly column of things to do in the Reno area. This week features live performances, tailgates, a community Thanksgiving meal, a fun run and other goings-on.
Monday, November 25
Attend a Saxophone Recital
5:00 p.m., UNR Harland O. and Barbara R. Recital Hall
Enjoy the sensuous sound of UNR’s Department of Music’s Saxophone Quartet on stage at this free concert open to the public.
FREE
https://events.unr.edu/event/saxophone_quartet_recital#.Xdb-EpNKhp8
Tuesday, November 26
Wander through an Art Exhibit
12:00 – 4:00 p.m., UNR School of the Arts, Lilley Museum of Art
View local Artist-in-Residence Nolan Preece’s stunning photographs featuring the Black Rock Desert. The exhibit is open Tuesday through Saturday.
FREE
https://thisisreno.com/calendar/nolan-preece/2019-11-26/
Experience the Magic of Sesame Street Live
2:00 and 5:00 p.m., Reno Events Center 400 North Center St.
Bring your family and friends to this fun, kid-friendly live stage event featuring Elmo, Big Bird and other characters from Sesame Street. The show is in partnership with the non-profit educational organization Sesame Workshop.
Tickets start at $15
https://thisisreno.com/calendar/sesame-street-live-make-your-magic/
Spread Some Holiday Cheer by Shopping for a Child in Need
UNR’s Joe Crowley Student Union Building
If you are looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon, take a tag from the tree in UNR’s Joe Crowley Student Union or the ASUN Office, bring that tag to the information desk to receive a list of gifts, then grab a friend, and go shopping for a child in need. This is a fantastic way to experience the joy of giving that Christmas is all about. Gifts for the tree are due on the 4th floor of the Administration Office by Dec. 4, at 5:00 p.m.
https://events.unr.edu/event/wish_tree_3967#.Xdb9-5NKhp8
Wednesday, November 27
Ski and Snowboard at Heavenly
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Mt. Heavenly
Heavenly kicks off its 2019/2020 season Wednesday with some fun festivities, including free coffee and donuts, a DJ, and a gear raffle. The Gondola loads at 9:00 a.m. Event organizers warn that weather conditions could impact the opening, so check before you head out.
https://www.facebook.com/events/523717581509047/
Play Board Games
5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Coffee n’ Comics
If you’re a board game aficionado but cannot find someone to play with, head over to Coffee n’ Comics for their weekly game night. The event is free, and the coffee shop also has some games on hand you can borrow. Feel free to bring your games as well. If you have family in town for the holidays, then bring them too!
https://thisisreno.com/calendar/weekly-wednesday-game-night/2019-11-27/
Transform Lives by Donating to UNR’s Blood Drive
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 1125 Terminal Way, Reno
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 256 E Winnie Ln, Carson City
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 5995 S Virginia St, Reno
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., UNR’s Joe Crowley Student Union
Donate blood at any of the locations above and receive a t-shirt with the slogan, “I Bleed Silver and Blue.” All donations will also count towards a competition between UNR and UNLV over the highest number of donors. The winning university will be announced at the Wolf Pack vs. Rebels game on Saturday, Nov. 30.
https://events.unr.edu/event/beat_unlv_blood_drive_2160#.Xdb-g5NKhp8
Thursday, November 28
Start Thanksgiving with a Fun Turkey Trot
9:00 a.m., City Plaza Downtown Reno
Start your Thanksgiving off at a trot with the Wobble Before You Gobble 10K/5K run. The race is a fun way to gear up your appetite for a day of feasting. Proceeds from the run support the Children’s Cabinet. If you are not much of a runner, there’s also a one-mile untimed walk that starts at 9:10 a.m. Register for the event online.
https://thisisreno.com/calendar/wobble-before-you-gobble-10k-5k/
Attend a Thanksgiving Dinner
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Ryan’s Saloon and Broiler
If you do not have family in the area or want to share a meal with the community, stop by Ryan’s Saloon and Broiler for their 3rd annual family thanksgiving. The saloon will have football on at 9:30 a.m. and dinner starting around 3:00 p.m. Although Ryan’s Saloon and Broiler provides the turkey and traditional sides, feel free to bring a side dish of your choosing.
FREE
https://www.facebook.com/events/478765419657077/
Friday, November 29
Head to Animal Ark
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Animal Ark
Skip the malls and take your family, a date, or a friend to Animal Ark for some time outdoors. The animals will be more active because of the cooler temperatures, so make sure to bring a camera. Animal Ark recommends that you dress warmly and wear good shoes because the weather can be unpredictable. Animal Ark is also open on Saturday at the same time.
Tickets: Adults $14, Seniors $13, Children $12 (2 and under are free)
https://www.facebook.com/events/985275315155254/?event_time_id=985275318488587
Watch a Heartwarming Musical
8:00 p.m., Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
Beat the post-Thanksgiving lull, and head over to the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts to watch “A Christmas Story The Musical,” which brings the classic 1983 movie featuring Ralphie Parker to the main stage. The musical will also be showing on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., as well as on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets start around $88
https://thisisreno.com/calendar/a-christmas-story-the-musical/
Attend a Comedy Show
8:30 p.m., Pioneer Underground
Comedian Steve Hytner is coming to Reno Tahoe Comedy, and you don’t want to miss his show. Featured in films such as “Ski Patrol,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” and various TV shows, Hytner is an experienced performer who will be fun to watch. If you cannot make it to his Friday performance, watch him on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $15
https://thisisreno.com/calendar/steve-hytner/
Saturday, November 30
Support Small Businesses
Support local businesses! Nov. 30 is Small Business Saturday, a day designed to recognize shops in our area. Various shops, including Junkee and Workman Farms, will have discounts, raffles, and other rewards. Celebrate our local businesses by visiting them and shopping for holiday gifts.
https://www.facebook.com/events/535719810308727/
https://www.facebook.com/events/796840584062144/
https://www.facebook.com/events/426205214736517/
Celebrate the Holiday Season with a Tree Lighting
2:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., The Outlets at Legends
Ring in the holidays at The Lights of Kindness, an annual tree-lighting, and holiday celebration. Before the tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m., visitors can sip cocoa and vote on trees decorated by local businesses for non-profit organizations in the area. There will also be photo opportunities with Santa and a train ride through a holiday forest. All proceeds will be donated to local charities.
FREE
https://www.facebook.com/events/924067187950580/?event_time_id=924067194617246
https://www.facebook.com/events/390242128537587/
Listen to Live Music
6:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., Grand Sierra Resort
Catch Third Eye Blind’s live performance on Saturday. The rock group has been playing for more than two decades, and this is a performance you don’t want to miss.
Tickets start around $37
https://thisisreno.com/calendar/third-eye-blind/
Attend a Tailgate for the UNR vs. UNLV game
Mackay Stadium
If you love a good tailgate, then you don’t want to miss out on tailgating the UNR vs. UNLV game. This writer could only find two tailgate parties but is sure that there are more out there.
9:30 a.m. Tailgate starts, 12:30 game
Nevada Builders Tailgate and Game – $10 for Nevada Builders Member, $20 for non-members
https://www.facebook.com/events/580575396029884/
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
10 Torr Distilling and Brewing — located in the “Nevada Grit” tailgate between Twilight Road and the U.S. Post Office
https://www.facebook.com/events/2348064642176365/
Sunday, December 1
Meet Carson City’s K-9s
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Crazy Cat Dog Grooming and Canine Academy, Carson City
Raise money and awareness for police service dogs when you go to meet Carson City’s four-legged officers!
FREE
https://www.facebook.com/events/509700429618895/
Join a Fun Run!
12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Great Basin Brewing Company
Start December off right at MRC Sparks to Reno Brewery Run. The run goes to 10 breweries and lets you sample delicious beer along the way! The total running distance is 7.3 miles, with the longest stretch between breweries clocking in at 2.4 miles. Run starts at Great Basin Brewing on Victorian in Sparks and ends at The Brewer’s Cabinet on Arlington in Reno.
https://www.facebook.com/events/509700429618895/
Check out this Holiday Craft Fair
Nugget Casino Resort, 2nd floor Sierra Convention Rooms
Skip shopping on Black Friday and purchase a beautifully crafted and thoughtful gift at the holiday craft fair. This event features more than 100 vendors and is sure to have something for everyone. If you don’t want to purchase anything, that is fine! Head over anyway and browse. The fair begins on Nov. 29.
FREE
https://thisisreno.com/calendar/crafts-for-christmas/
Be sure to check out our events page for other things happening in Reno this week. If you are hosting an event, please submit events to our events page.
Happy Thanksgiving!
