Nevada is a state that takes holiday spirit and Christmas cheer to heart. So why not take a “Christmas Lights Road Trip” through the state to see all the wonderful displays of decorations and lights? We’ve outlined some of the best holiday lights in Nevada along our trip. So pack up your sleigh, or car, and get ready for a magical journey!
Our trip takes approximately 561 miles from north to south and a total of 10 hours and 42 minutes of driving time.
Google Maps
- North Pole Village at the Golden Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, NV
City of Sparks Facebook Page 39 North Pole Village is a full holiday lights display at the Golden Nugget Casino. The installation has thousands of lights as well as a chance to meet Santa and enjoy some delicious food. The casino also has the largest Christmas tree in the entire state of Nevada on display. Address: 1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, NV Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave, Sparks, NV 89431, USA
- Lights of Tanea, Reno
Lights of Tanea Facebook Page Lights of Tanea is an annual house lighting done by a local Reno resident to help raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. The house features over 40,000 lights, music, and special laser effects. Address: 16180 Tanea Drive in Reno 16180 Tanea Dr, Reno, NV 89511, USA
- Virginia City
Virginia City, NV Facebook Page Virginia City is a town that loves Christmas. During December all the businesses along the main street are lit up with lights and decorations inside. “Christmas on the Comstock” also features a parade of lights parade on December 3rd. Location: C Street in Virginia City C Street, C St, Virginia City, NV 89440, USA
- Governor’s Mansion, Carson City
Scott Schrantz/Flickr The historical Governor’s Mansion is lit up each year with thousands of lights to make a beautiful Christmas spectacle. Address: 101 North Carson Street, Carson City 101 N Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701, USA
- Genoa
Town of Genoa, Nevada Facebook Page Each year the city of Genoa has the “Genoa Tree” donated to the town by a local family. The tree is located in the of this small charming town. The town also has a Christmas celebration the first Friday in December where the tree is lit, carols are sung and Santa pays a visit. Location: Main Street, Genoa Genoa, NV, USA
- Gardnerville
Town of Gardnerville Facebook Page The town of Gardnerville holds their Carson Valley Christmas Kickoff on December 1st, featuring live music, fireworks, Santa and a horse-drawn wagon. Christmas cusine such as Dutch oven cobblers, spiced cider and hot cocoa are served. The Christmas tree sponsored by the town is lit at the Heritage Park Pavilion. The Town Christmas tree and the Heritage Park Pavilion will be lit. A musical light show and the tree is viewable every evening between 5 and 10 pm in December. Location: Heritage Park, Gardnerville Heritage Lane, Heritage Ln, Gardnerville Ranchos, NV 89460, USA
- Glittering Lights, Las Vegas
Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Facebook Page Glittering Lights is an annual event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway featuring 2-1/2 miles of lights. This is a drive-thru event although a tram is available if you don’t want to use your car. The event was named one of the “7 Over-The-Top Holiday Light Displays You Gotta See” by the Huffington Post. Addres: 7000 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas 7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89115, USA
- Sin City Holiday Lights, Las Vegas
Sin City Holiday Lights Facebook Page Sin City Holiday Lights is a light show hosted at a residence in Las Vegas that has over 25,000 lights synced to music played on FM 107.3. The show runs every night from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm until New Year’s Eve. Address: 4434 Rehoboth Bay St in Las Vegas. (We have been unable to locate any updates for this display since 2018 and it appears to be permanently closed) 4434 Rehoboth Bay St, Las Vegas, NV 89129, USA
- The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
Opportunity Village Facebook Page The Magical Forest is a beloved annual event to raise funds for the good work of Opportunity Village. The “forest” has millions of lights as well as musical entertainment, games, and food, and of course, Santa! Address: 6300 W Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas 6300 W Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146, USA
- Ethel M. Chocolate Factory, Henderson
Nadine C./Yelp Open from November 15th through January 1st, the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden is our final destination. The garden is free to visit and is covered with thousands of lights around trees, cactus and other desert plants. And then you can take a step inside the chocolate factory for a free tour. Address: 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson 2 Cactus Garden Dr, Henderson, NV 89014, USA
If you loved these holiday light displays, you’ll be thrilled to visit the 10 best Christmas towns in Nevada. What are some of your favorite holiday lights in Nevada? Share in the comments!
Google Maps
City of Sparks Facebook Page
39 North Pole Village is a full holiday lights display at the Golden Nugget Casino. The installation has thousands of lights as well as a chance to meet Santa and enjoy some delicious food. The casino also has the largest Christmas tree in the entire state of Nevada on display. Address: 1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, NV
Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave, Sparks, NV 89431, USA
Lights of Tanea Facebook Page
Lights of Tanea is an annual house lighting done by a local Reno resident to help raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. The house features over 40,000 lights, music, and special laser effects. Address: 16180 Tanea Drive in Reno
16180 Tanea Dr, Reno, NV 89511, USA
Virginia City, NV Facebook Page
Virginia City is a town that loves Christmas. During December all the businesses along the main street are lit up with lights and decorations inside. “Christmas on the Comstock” also features a parade of lights parade on December 3rd. Location: C Street in Virginia City
C Street, C St, Virginia City, NV 89440, USA
Scott Schrantz/Flickr
The historical Governor’s Mansion is lit up each year with thousands of lights to make a beautiful Christmas spectacle. Address: 101 North Carson Street, Carson City
101 N Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701, USA
Town of Genoa, Nevada Facebook Page
Each year the city of Genoa has the “Genoa Tree” donated to the town by a local family. The tree is located in the of this small charming town. The town also has a Christmas celebration the first Friday in December where the tree is lit, carols are sung and Santa pays a visit. Location: Main Street, Genoa
Genoa, NV, USA
Town of Gardnerville Facebook Page
The town of Gardnerville holds their Carson Valley Christmas Kickoff on December 1st, featuring live music, fireworks, Santa and a horse-drawn wagon. Christmas cusine such as Dutch oven cobblers, spiced cider and hot cocoa are served. The Christmas tree sponsored by the town is lit at the Heritage Park Pavilion. The Town Christmas tree and the Heritage Park Pavilion will be lit. A musical light show and the tree is viewable every evening between 5 and 10 pm in December. Location: Heritage Park, Gardnerville
Heritage Lane, Heritage Ln, Gardnerville Ranchos, NV 89460, USA
Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Facebook Page
Glittering Lights is an annual event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway featuring 2-1/2 miles of lights. This is a drive-thru event although a tram is available if you don’t want to use your car. The event was named one of the “7 Over-The-Top Holiday Light Displays You Gotta See” by the Huffington Post. Addres: 7000 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas
7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89115, USA
Sin City Holiday Lights Facebook Page
Sin City Holiday Lights is a light show hosted at a residence in Las Vegas that has over 25,000 lights synced to music played on FM 107.3. The show runs every night from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm until New Year’s Eve. Address: 4434 Rehoboth Bay St in Las Vegas. (We have been unable to locate any updates for this display since 2018 and it appears to be permanently closed)
4434 Rehoboth Bay St, Las Vegas, NV 89129, USA
Opportunity Village Facebook Page
The Magical Forest is a beloved annual event to raise funds for the good work of Opportunity Village. The “forest” has millions of lights as well as musical entertainment, games, and food, and of course, Santa! Address: 6300 W Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas
6300 W Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146, USA
Nadine C./Yelp
Open from November 15th through January 1st, the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden is our final destination. The garden is free to visit and is covered with thousands of lights around trees, cactus and other desert plants. And then you can take a step inside the chocolate factory for a free tour. Address: 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson
2 Cactus Garden Dr, Henderson, NV 89014, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Nevada: A Magical Christmas Destination October 17, 2022 William Suphan What are the best holiday winter festivals in Nevada? Nevada’s climate ranges from deserts to forests and makes for a variety of winter festivities. The White Pine Fire and Ice Show in Ely brings together sculptors from all over the state to find out who can create the best holiday ice sculpture. At night, the sky is alight with a dazzling fireworks display. Las Vegas holds a gigantic Chinese New Year celebration with Chinese dragon dances, parades, and delicious food. Reno’s annual WinterFest is the largest holiday festival in the city. With ice skating on the Greater Nevada Field stadium, a festive train ride, and photos with Santa, it’s something for the entire family to enjoy. What are the most magical Christmas towns in Nevada? While Las Vegas has a ton of spectacle, there are many other towns in Nevada that become lovely places of holiday cheer. The Carson Valley Christmas Kickoff in Gardnerville has an amazing lights display, warm cider and hot cocoa, and fireworks, and the kids will love riding in a horse-drawn wagon. Carson City has an annual Silver & Snowflakes Festival of Lights where the capitol building and other government buildings are adorned with sparkling Christmas lights. Live entertainment is on hand as well as a lighting of the tree and you can visit with The Grinch and Santa Claus. What are the holiday happenings that Nevada locals love to do? Nevadans have so many fun ways of celebrating the holidays. Few things are as fun to do as sledding, and the whole family will enjoy snow tubing at Lee Canyon. The whole family will have an amazing time on a Polar Express train ride with Nevada Northern Railway. Departing from Ely, the train heads north, and then they throw the Magic Switch and the train is transported to the North Pole where Santa will hop on board to talk with everyone on the train. Best of all, it’s wheelchair accessible so no one has to miss out!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Nevada: A Magical Christmas Destination
October 17, 2022
William Suphan
What are the best holiday winter festivals in Nevada? Nevada’s climate ranges from deserts to forests and makes for a variety of winter festivities. The White Pine Fire and Ice Show in Ely brings together sculptors from all over the state to find out who can create the best holiday ice sculpture. At night, the sky is alight with a dazzling fireworks display. Las Vegas holds a gigantic Chinese New Year celebration with Chinese dragon dances, parades, and delicious food. Reno’s annual WinterFest is the largest holiday festival in the city. With ice skating on the Greater Nevada Field stadium, a festive train ride, and photos with Santa, it’s something for the entire family to enjoy. What are the most magical Christmas towns in Nevada? While Las Vegas has a ton of spectacle, there are many other towns in Nevada that become lovely places of holiday cheer. The Carson Valley Christmas Kickoff in Gardnerville has an amazing lights display, warm cider and hot cocoa, and fireworks, and the kids will love riding in a horse-drawn wagon. Carson City has an annual Silver & Snowflakes Festival of Lights where the capitol building and other government buildings are adorned with sparkling Christmas lights. Live entertainment is on hand as well as a lighting of the tree and you can visit with The Grinch and Santa Claus. What are the holiday happenings that Nevada locals love to do? Nevadans have so many fun ways of celebrating the holidays. Few things are as fun to do as sledding, and the whole family will enjoy snow tubing at Lee Canyon. The whole family will have an amazing time on a Polar Express train ride with Nevada Northern Railway. Departing from Ely, the train heads north, and then they throw the Magic Switch and the train is transported to the North Pole where Santa will hop on board to talk with everyone on the train. Best of all, it’s wheelchair accessible so no one has to miss out!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Nevada’s climate ranges from deserts to forests and makes for a variety of winter festivities. The White Pine Fire and Ice Show in Ely brings together sculptors from all over the state to find out who can create the best holiday ice sculpture. At night, the sky is alight with a dazzling fireworks display. Las Vegas holds a gigantic Chinese New Year celebration with Chinese dragon dances, parades, and delicious food. Reno’s annual WinterFest is the largest holiday festival in the city. With ice skating on the Greater Nevada Field stadium, a festive train ride, and photos with Santa, it’s something for the entire family to enjoy.
What are the most magical Christmas towns in Nevada?
While Las Vegas has a ton of spectacle, there are many other towns in Nevada that become lovely places of holiday cheer. The Carson Valley Christmas Kickoff in Gardnerville has an amazing lights display, warm cider and hot cocoa, and fireworks, and the kids will love riding in a horse-drawn wagon. Carson City has an annual Silver & Snowflakes Festival of Lights where the capitol building and other government buildings are adorned with sparkling Christmas lights. Live entertainment is on hand as well as a lighting of the tree and you can visit with The Grinch and Santa Claus.
What are the holiday happenings that Nevada locals love to do?
Nevadans have so many fun ways of celebrating the holidays. Few things are as fun to do as sledding, and the whole family will enjoy snow tubing at Lee Canyon. The whole family will have an amazing time on a Polar Express train ride with Nevada Northern Railway. Departing from Ely, the train heads north, and then they throw the Magic Switch and the train is transported to the North Pole where Santa will hop on board to talk with everyone on the train. Best of all, it’s wheelchair accessible so no one has to miss out!
