Santa Claus is coming to town this weekend and kids will be able to catch a glimpse of him all around Sparks. The 39 North Pole Village will be lit up December 1-3rd, featuring a free holiday light festival full of thousands of twinkling lights along with holiday shopping booths, activities, entertainment, and more.
39 North Pole Village will be open in Victorian Square Dec. 1-2 from 4-9 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. During this time, the plaza will be saturated in holiday light displays and a heated vendor tent allows people to pleasantly shop one-of-a-kind gifts. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and friends will be available for photos (free of charge) and Engine 39 will also be offering complimentary train rides around the event. The Griswold Challenge sponsored by One Nevada Credit Union is also back, showing off local businesses competing in a merry light decorating challenge.
That same weekend, the City of Sparks will be holding its annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 2 from 6:30-7 p.m. next to the gazebo on the corner of Victorian Avenue and Victorian Plaza Circle. The Nevada Gay Men’s Chorus will be singing, and Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson will be flipping the switch to light up the 60-ft. blue spruce that hangs out in the square all year long. Complimentary hot cocoa will also be served by Living Stones Church.
The following day (December 3), the hometown favorite Hometowne Christmas Parade is back, with marching bands, floats, animals, and all things “Merry and Bright” which is this year’s theme. The parade starts at 1pm from the east end of Victorian Avenue near Pyramid Way and gravitates towards Victorian Plaza Circle. The parade will be led by Diedrichsen Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Connie Hall (who was also named 2023 Nevada Teacher of the Year).
“This year’s parade theme is Merry and Bright, and we can’t think of anyone that brightens our community more than Mrs. Hall,” said Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson “We are so proud to have a teacher and resident of Sparks recognized in such a huge way for the difference she makes in the lives of so many children and in our community.”
The Mayor’s Own Marching Band will march in the parade as well showcasing the musical talents of more than 200 students from Sparks Middle School, Sparks High School, and Spanish Springs High School as one single, large entity.
To help those who require assistance be a part of the festivities, a wheelchair seating area is provided along the parade route in front of the Nugget Event Center between 10th and 11th streets.
Santa will be available to his fans for photos at the 39 North Pole event venue from 11-12:30 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m. (before and after the parade), posing for commemorative photos. Any donations received will go back to the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, where its members will work as Santa’s helpers for the event.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the same day of the parade, The Flag Store on Glendale Avenue will also be hosting a Made in Nevada Holiday Marketplace featuring authentic and unique food items, art, wine, beer, coffee, candy, and more all made right within the Battle Born State. Over on 2155 Green Vista Drive, Family First Chiropractic is also hosting a Christmas Market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving people the opportunity to take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they shop. The event is free with a suggested donation of new unwrapped toys, clothing, games, and family-friendly items to be part of the Washoe County Human Services Toy Drive.
Santa will also be at Scheels on December 3 and the following weekends leading up to Christmas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving kids a chance to talk directly with the North Pole resident about what they want over the holidays.
Then on Christmas Eve, be sure to check the Google or NORAD Santa Tracker to see where he’s making his rounds.
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