Santa Crawl, ‘Nutcracker,’ Christmas drone show this week in Northern Nevada

There’s a slight chance of precipitation and a 100% chance of Santas this weekend in Reno.

A new front is expected to send snow into the Pacific Northwest by the end of the week, and the system could drop rain and snow as far south as the Sierra beginning on Friday.

Also heading into the area this weekend: thousands of Santas for downtown Reno’s annual Santa Crawl.

Here’s what else is happening in northwestern Nevada for the week of Dec. 9-15, 2024.

Reno-Tahoe events, Dec. 9-15

“The Golden Girls Holiday Extravaganza,” Dec. 11-15: The Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company recreates holiday episodes of the sitcom “Golden Girls” live on stage. Tickets are $28, $15 students, $23 for seniors/military. Performances are at 124 W. Taylor St. For details, visit goodluckmacbeth.org.

“Little Miss Buttcracker,” Dec. 12-15: The Brüka is hosting this Nutcracker parody described as “‘Little Miss Sunshine’ meets ‘Dance Moms’” on select dates through Dec. 21. Tickets are $35 in advance; $31 for seniors, students and military; and $40 at the door. Performances are at 99 N. Virginia St. For details, visit bruka.org.

Matt Axton and Badmoon, Dec. 13: Formerly a Tahoe resident and longtime musician in that scene, Axton — who is the son of legendary songwriter Hoyt Axton — now lives in southern Cali and leads this band through an eclectic mix of country, soul and rock music. He and the group will play at 7 p.m. at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Details at renopublicmarket.com.

La India Yuridia, Dec. 13: A popular comedian in Mexico, Yuridia combines family humor with up-to-date topical material in her standup act, and she’s reached social media fame for her lively videos. She performs at 8 p.m. at the Grand Theater, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, 2500 E. 2nd St. Tickets range from $40-$120. For details, call 775-789-1115 or visit grandsierraresort.com.

Tracy Lawrence, Dec. 13: Emerging as a popular country singer in the ‘90s, Lawrence continues to release new music and tour the country. His biggest hits include several country No. 1s: “Time Marches On,” “Alibis” and “Sticks and Stones.” Lawrence takes the stage at 8 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom, Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks. Tickets are $65-$115. For details, call 775-356-3300 or visit nuggetcasinoresort.com.

Boombox, Dec. 13-14: This group is one of the better ones that merges the improvisational spirit of jam bands with electronic music. They are now a big enough draw to do two shows in Tahoe — each starts at 9 p.m. in the Crown Room at Crystal Bay Club Casino, 14 State Highway 28, Crystal Bay. Tickets are $27-$30 for each night. For details, call 775-833-6333 or visit crystalbaycasino.com.

Hi-Dez Holiday Market, Dec. 14: This is the annual art and craft holiday marketplace put on by The Holland Project, including local artisans and special holiday activities at each location, which this year includes Tooti Frooti, The Radical Cat and Our Center, all near the venue. It begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. starting at The Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Admission is free. For details, visit hollandreno.org. 

Parade of Lights and Christmas Drone Show, Dec. 14: Virginia City hosts its annual holiday parade down C Street starting at 5 p.m., followed by its first-ever Christmas Drone Show at 6 p.m. For details, visit visitvirginiacity.com.

Santa Crawl, Dec. 14: Local costumed Santas will be joined by a bunch of folks from over the hill in California (and beyond) for this wildly popular pub crawl through Reno. The sight of thousands of partying Santas and elves under the Reno Arch has become a city tradition. It takes place starting at 8 p.m. throughout downtown Reno and along Fourth Street. Details at crawlreno.com.

Reno Dance Company presents “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 15: Tchaikovsky’s classic is being staged by this local troupe, which includes 25 professional dancers and an extra cast with more than 80 children. Performances are at 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Grand Theatre, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, 2500 E. Second St. Tickets are $25-45. For details, visit grandsierraresort.com.

Reno Wind Symphony presents “A Musical Winter Wonderland,” Dec. 15: This community symphony will perform seasonal favorites in a winter setting. It takes place at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Nightingale Concert Hall, University of Nevada, Reno, 1335 N. Virginia St. Reserved (free) tickets available at renowindsymphony.com.

Reno-Tahoe weather, Dec. 9-15

Monday: Sunny and cool, with highs in the low 40s in the valleys and in the mid-30s to mid-40s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the upper 10s in the valleys and in the 10s at higher elevations.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-40s in the valleys and in the low 40s at higher elevations. Mostly cloudy overnight, with lows in the mid-20s in the valleys and in the low 20s at higher elevations.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with highs near 50 in the valleys and in the upper 40s at higher elevations. Partly cloudy overnight, with lows near 30 in the valleys and in the 20s at higher elevations.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with highs in the mid-50s in the valleys and in the mid-40s to mid-50s at higher elevations. Partly cloudy overnight, with lows near 30 in the valleys and in the upper 20s at higher elevations.

Friday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of precipitation; highs in the low 50s in the valleys and in the 40s at higher elevations. Partly cloudy with a chance of precipitation overnight, with lows near 30 in the valleys and in the 20s at higher elevations. Snow levels at 5,500 feet.

Saturday: Partly cloudy with a chance of precipitation; highs in the upper 40s in the valleys and in the low 40s at higher elevations. Snow levels between 5,200 and 5,900 feet. Partly cloudy overnight in the valleys with a slight chance of precipitation and lows in the mid-20s; a chance of snow showers at higher elevations, with lows in the low 20s.

Sunday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of precipitation, with highs in the mid-40s in the valleys and in the low 40s at higher elevations. Mostly cloudy with an increasing chance of precipitation overnight, with lows in the upper 20s in the valleys and in the low 20s at higher elevations.

Northern Nevada roadwork, Dec. 9-15

Steamboat Parkway, south Reno: Crews are wrapping up the expansion of a section of Steamboat Parkway from four lanes to six between Marketplace Drive and Veterans Parkway.

U.S. 95-A in Yerington: Single-lane and shoulder closures will take place between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays through early December as the Nevada Department of Transportation improves roadway drainage.

I-80, west Reno: Lane reductions and overnight ramp closures will continue as part of NDOT’s multiyear project to repave and improve the stretch of freeway between West McCarran and Keystone. Expect lane shifts and speed reductions.

U.S. 395, North Valleys: Northbound traffic will continue to be reduced to two lanes on 395 through mid-2025 due to NDOT’s work to widen 395 between North McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road. The on-ramp at Panther Valley, north of Reno, will be closed through late 2024. Watch for intermittent ramp closures overnight.

Mark Earnest contributed to this report.