Christmas lights, live music, fire performers, and a ride aboard a holiday train are all returning to downtown Reno for two nights of free holiday festivities over Thanksgiving weekend.
The 2026 Holiday Lights Festival will take place Nov. 27-28 from 4 to 9 p.m. each night, bringing an expanded lineup of entertainment, more Christmas decorations, and a holiday marketplace to Believe Plaza and the Virginia Street Bridge.
Organizers say this year's festival will have more lights, decorations, artisan vendors, and entertainment, with activities concentrated around Believe Plaza to create a more immersive holiday experience.
While the festivities begin at 4 p.m., the lights will take center stage after sundown, when thousands of twinkling lights transform the area into a Christmas village.
"We've really focused on making this year's festival feel more immersive," said Brighton Denison, organizer of the Holiday Lights Festival. "Rather than spreading everything out over a larger area, we're concentrating the festivities around Believe Plaza and filling that space with more lights, more decorations, more vendors and more entertainment. We want people to walk in and feel surrounded by Christmas."
Music, performances and holiday activities
Both evenings will feature live holiday music from the Retro Radio Dolls, Christmas duos and trios, a live Christmas band, local choirs and other musicians performing holiday favorites.
There will also be roaming entertainers and ground acts from the Biggest Little Circus, along with fire performances and other holiday surprises throughout the festival grounds.
Families can also enjoy one of the event's returning traditions: free rides aboard the Christmas train. The train will travel through the festival grounds, giving visitors a chance to take in the lights and entertainment along the way.
Santa Claus will be there for free photos, and visitors can warm up with hot cocoa, watch free holiday movies, and browse an expanded holiday marketplace featuring local artists, craftspeople, and small businesses.
The marketplace will offer handmade gifts, Christmas decorations, specialty items, and other unique finds. Food trucks, holiday treats, and warm beverages will also be available.
"The Christmas train has always been one of my favorite parts of this event because it really brings the whole experience together," Denison said. "You can ride through the festival, see all the lights, stop to visit Santa, grab something warm to drink, and listen to Christmas music. And once the sun goes down, that's when everything really comes to life."
Christmas tree lighting and holiday cars
The two nights will also feature different downtown holiday traditions.
Friday, Nov. 27, will include the City of Reno's annual Christmas tree lighting, bringing the community together to welcome the holiday season.
On Saturday, Nov. 28, the Holiday Car Decorating event will return, featuring vehicles covered in Christmas lights, decorations, and other festive displays.
Both nights will include the full lineup of live entertainment, holiday shopping, free train rides, Santa photos, and family activities.
Free admission for families
Admission to the Holiday Lights Festival is free, as are the Christmas train rides, photos with Santa, and live entertainment.
"One of the things I'm most proud of is that we're able to offer an experience like this without charging admission," Denison added. "Families can come downtown, enjoy the lights, ride the train, see Santa and watch incredible performances without spending a dollar. This event is really about bringing our community together and giving everyone a chance to experience the magic of Christmas."
