I Love Carson City’s Thanksgiving Weekend Event Summary: Nov. 24 - 26

Once the turkey has been devoured, all thoughts turn toward shopping. Shop Small Saturday helps to throw a spotlight on our local gems, and the great gifts you’ll find. New this year is Museum Store Sunday with both the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum participating. Make time for family and friends at the annual Nutcracker Ballet performed by Pinkerton Ballet at the Carson City Community Center. Keep reading and have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

FRIDAY:

• — $1 Dollar Bowling and Shoe Rental Specials (9am-4pm at Carson Lanes; 9am-5pm at Gold Dust West)
• — Annual Nevada Day Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• — 18th Annual Kandy Kane Holiday Craft Fair in the Valley Ballroom at the Carson Valley Inn, Minden (9am-6pm)
• — Black Friday Sale at Browsers Corner Bookstore: 711 E. Washington (9:30am-6pm; everything 50% off, no other discounts apply)
• — Rides on the McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every half hour 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; train rides $8 adults, $4 kids and FNSRM members)
• — Christmas Craft Fair in the Carson Mall (11am-5pm; Vendors, Family activities for all to enjoy, Visits and Photos with Santa Claus, Reindeer Games, Pony Express, Rainbow Girls gift wrap, Christmas Carols)
• — Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Sierra Chapter 403 Luncheon and Chat – Young Eagles fundraiser at 2500 E. College Pkwy (11am-1pm; $6 Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Condiments and chips are provided; all welcome)
• — V&T Candy Cane Express at the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot: 166 F Street, Virginia City (SOLD OUT TODAY;  Sip Hot Cocoa or Hot Cider and enjoy cookies and candy canes while singing carols, and listening to the 1832 classic "T'was the Night Before Christmas”; Reservations required, go to http://www.virginiatruckee.com/theme-trains-events/vt-candy-cane-express/ )
• — After Thanksgiving Happy Hour with Live Music by  Ev  Musselman at the Genoa Bar, Genoa (4pm-8pm; pool table buffet)
• — Acoustic Guitar with Jack Di Carlo in the Crown Point Restaurant Main Dining Room at the Gold Hill Hotel, Gold Hill (5:30pm-8:30pm)
• — Candy Cane Lane: custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (6pm-9pm; Accompanying music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 89.9 FM)
• — Live Music with  Brother Dan at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (6pm-9pm, DJ at 9:30pm; no cover)
• —Live Music by Acoustic Solution at Bella Fiore Wines (6pm-9pm)
• — Open Mic and Jam at A to Zen: 1803 N. Carson St. (7pm; free; all ages; Music, comedy, poetry, magic, ect)
• — Rock 'n Bowl Night at Carson Lanes Family Fun Center (7pm-11pm; music and laser lights; Bowling Discounts for groups of 10 or more)
• — Live Music with Terri Campillo, Craig Fletcher, and friends at Glen Eagles Restaurant (7pm-10pm)

Get some Christmas Carol practice during karaoke tonight; the Whiskey Tavern has you covered. For some late-night electronica, see what Roska Entertainment is up to at the Sage Lounge inside Battle Born Social.

• — Pinkerton Ballet Theatre returns Thanksgiving weekend to Carson City for the 29th annual Nutcracker Ballet, featuring Erica Chipp and Oliver-Paul Adams from Smuin Ballet SF and Maykel Solas formerly of Ballet San Jose and Armen Hagopian and Company as well as local dancers.
  Pinkerton's Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet runs Friday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. See http://www.pinkertonballet.com
  Performances will be at the Bob Boldrick Theater, 850 E. William St, Carson City, inside the Carson City Community Center.
• — Tequila Tasting at San Marcos Grill (7pm-8pm; free tasting with purchase of meal; must be 21+)
• — Live Music with Fast Forward at the Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)
• — Live Music with Just Us at the Max Casino (8pm-12am)
• — Comedian  Carlos Rodriguez  headlines at Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget (doors open 7:15pm, show starts 8pm; $15; purchase tickets at the Guest Services Desk; must be 21+)
• — Karaoke with DJ CJ at the Spoke Bar and Grill: 3198 Hwy 50 E (8pm-12am)
• Live Music with the Delta Cat Band at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (8pm)
• — Live Music with  the Kid and Nic show in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (8pm-1am)
• — Live Music with  the  Soul Persuaders in ‘The Loft’ and DJ Wess Neal in Alatte Coffee and Wine inside the Carson Nugget (9pm-1am)
• — Karaoke with J and M Productions at Whiskey Tavern (9pm; no cover)
• — DJ Dance Party at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (9pm no cover, 21+)
• — DJ Dance Party at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm; no cover, 21+)
• — The Sage Project powered by Roska Entertainment at the Sage Lounge in Battle Born Social: 318 N. Carson St. (10am; no cover, 21+; featuring DJs Howker, Dirty Deep, T-Virus, and Travis Rose)

Tis the season for bargain hunting. In addition to all the Small Business Saturday sales throughout town, the Carson Mall is hosting a holiday craft fair that runs until the big day. Get your blood pumping during a three-mile family friendly hike with Muscle Powered – today they’ll explore part of Riverview Park. If you’ve got a train-lover visiting, a ride on the McKeen Motor Car at the Railroad Museum is just the ticket. Read on, there are plenty of options for a great weekend.

Small Business  SATURDAY:

• — Breakfast and Bowling at Carson Lanes (breakfast served 7:30am -11am, unlimited bowling 9am-12pm; $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• — Coffee and Donuts with Experimental Aircraft Association, Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am-12pm, all welcome)
• — V&T Flea Market in the Carson Colony Gym: 2900 S Curry S (8am-4pm; free admission; Antiques, Art and Crafts, Jewelry, Tools, Collectibles and More; presented by V&T Antiques and CC Estate Sales)
• — Muscle Powered  Famil y Hike : Riverview Park along Mexican Ditch - Meet in the parking lot for the Korean War Memorial at the end of Fifth Street (9am; In case of bad winter weather, we will cancel; approximately three miles; closed-toed shoes and water are required; Bring a friend and/or friendly dogs; Contact Debbie Lane at Debbie.Lane102@yahoo.com with any questions)
• — Rides on the  McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every half hour 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; train rides $8 adults, $4 kids and FNSRM members)
• — 18th Annual Kandy Kane Holiday Craft Fair in the Valley Ballroom at the Carson Valley Inn, Minden (9am-6pm)
• — Black Friday Sale at Browsers Corner Bookstore: 711 E. Washington (9:30am-6pm; everything 50% off, no other discounts apply)
• — Annual Nevada Day Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• — Small Business Saturday with the Downtown Carson City Business Association

Downtown Carson City has many cute little shops, art galleries, salons, specialty shops, restaurants, and plenty of stuff for the hard to please gift-getter. If you have trouble deciding, a gift certificate might be just the answer.

• — Shop Small Saturday in Downtown Minden and Downtown Gardnerville (10am-3pm; Play Christmas Tree BINGO at participating shops; sales, giveaways, and specials)
• — Fourth Anniversary and Small Business Saturday Sale at Little Monsters Children’s Resale Shop (10am-6pm; 20% off storewide)
• — Half-off Everything at the Carson City Senior Center Thrift Shop: 911 Beverly Drive (10am-3:30pm; includes Boutique and Furniture; books are not included; benefits the Meals on Wheels Program)
• — Depot Work Day at Dayton's 1881 Carson and Colorado Railroad Depot: Hwy 50 East at Main Street, at the light (10am-1pm; Drop in, help as you can - There is something for everyone; for more info call 775-246-0505 or 775-720-4104)
• — Small Business Saturday Celebration at Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery: 405 N Nevada St (10:30am-5pm; discounts on artwork, silk scarves, pottery, and more; free gift with purchase specials)
• — Christmas Craft Fair in the Carson Mall (11am-5pm; Vendors, Family activities for all to enjoy, Visits and Photos with Santa Claus, Reindeer Games, Pony Express, Rainbow Girls gift wrap, Christmas Carols)
• — Dog Town Canine Rescue Adoption Event at Petco on Topsy Lane (11am-3pm; all dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped; go to www.dogtownrescue.com for adoption information and application)
• — V&T Candy Cane Express at the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot: 166 F Street, Virginia City (SOLD OUT TODAY; Sip Hot Cocoa or Hot Cider and enjoy cookies and candy canes while singing carols, and listening to the 1832 classic "T'was the Night Before Christmas”; Reservations required, go to http://www.virginiatruckee.com/theme-trains-events/vt-candy-cane-express/ )
• — Battle for the Fremont Cannon: Nevada vs. UNLV Football Game at Mackey Stadium, Reno (12pm; $25+)

Go Wolfpack! The annual Battle for the Fremont Cannon between the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is always a good football match. Let’s turn the cannon blue, and get it back up north where it belongs.

• — Open House and TAIL Program at Fitzpatrick Performance Horses: 1350 State Route 88, Minden (2pm-3pm AND 3pm-4pm; TAIL stands for “Total Arabian Interaction and Learning”. This is an open house and features a tour of our program, focusing on all of the things these amazing horses do! Kids will get to pet, groom, and feed treats to several horses)
• — Nevada Christmas: music and video sequenced light display at 1176 Chaparral Ct., Minden – off Stephanie Way (5:30pm-10pm, no show if raining/snowing; please turn off all head/running lights and do NOT block or park in driveways; donations appreciated, but not required, to benefit the Carson Valley Active 20/30 Club)
• —Live Music by Acoustic Solution at Bella Fiore Wines (6pm-9pm)
• — Lecture:  "Gravitational Wave Astronomy" by Dr. Tom Herring and Star Party with Telescope Viewing at the Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College: 2699 Van Patten Ave (doors open 6pm, lecture at 6:30pm, limited seating; telescope viewing and star party 7pm-10:30pm, weather permitting)
• — Candy Cane Lane: custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (6pm-9pm; Accompanying music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 89.9 FM)
• — Pinkerton Ballet Theatre returns Thanksgiving weekend to Carson City for the 29th annual Nutcracker Ballet, featuring Erica Chipp and Oliver-Paul Adams from Smuin Ballet SF and Maykel Solas formerly of Ballet San Jose and Armen Hagopian and Company as well as local dancers.
  Pinkerton's Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet runs Friday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. See http://www.pinkertonballet.com
  Performances will be at the Bob Boldrick Theater, 850 E. William St, Carson City, inside the Carson City Community Center.
  Sugarplum fairies and dancing mice are just a part of the reason the Nutcracker Ballet is so beloved. Don’t miss out on this year’s performance.
• — Live Music with Fast Forward at the Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)
• — Live Music with Terri Campillo, Craig Fletcher, and friends at Glen Eagles Restaurant (7pm-10pm)
• — Ladies Night at Crossroads Lounge (7pm-close)
• — Rock 'n Bowl Night at Carson Lanes Family Fun Center (7pm-11pm; music and laser lights; Bowling Discounts for groups of 10 or more)
• — Rock’n and Bowl’n at the Gold Dust West Bowling Center (8pm-11:45pm; $10-$14 includes two hours of bowling and more; disco lights, fog machine and lots of prizes)
• — DJ Wess Neal at Alatte inside the Carson Nugget (8pm)
• — Live Music with Just Us at the Max Casino (8pm-12am)
• — Live Music with the Kid and Nic Show in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (8pm-1am)
• — Live Music with  Soul Persuaders in ‘The Loft’ inside the Carson Nugget (9pm-1am)
• — Karaoke Night at the Westside Pour House (9pm-12am)
• — DJ Dance Party at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm-2am; no cover, 21+)

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, you’ll see twinkling lights appearing everywhere. Carson City doesn’t light up our downtown until next Friday, but if you need an immediate fix of holiday decorations, Minden has got you covered. Candy Cane Lane at the Carson Valley Inn is a custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display. ‘Nevada Christmas’ is a private home on Chaparral Court, just off Stephanie Way, and puts the holly jollies into the holiday.

SUNDAY:      

• — Family Day at Empire Ranch Golf Course (Kids play free with each paid adult green fee, one for one)
• — Breakfast and Bowling at Carson Lanes (breakfast served 7:30am-11am, unlimited bowling 9am-12pm; $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• — V&T Flea Market in the Carson Colony Gym: 2900 S Curry S (8am-4pm; free admission; Antiques, Art and Crafts, Jewelry, Tools, Collectibles and More; presented by V&T Antiques and CC Estate Sales)
• — Muscle Powered Weekly Bike Ride - Meet in the south parking lot of Fremont Elementary School, next to the Linear Ditch Trail (NEW TIME: meet at 9am; consists of two loops 10-15 miles long each, this will allow a rider to do 10-15 miles or 20-30 miles; ride pace will vary depending on rider level, but usually about 12-16 mph; All riders must have a bicycle in safe working condition, helmet, and closed toed shoes. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting site; email Shane: shane@shanetrotter.net with any questions)
• — Community Yoga with Allison Reitz at Comma Coffee (9am-10am; $12 suggested; beginners are welcome; Bring your mind, body, and mat; a limited number of extra mats will be available)
• — Annual Nevada Day Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• — Museum Store Sunday at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (museum store open 9am-6pm, kids activities 11am-5pm; 10% Off All Purchases, Excluding Clearance and Used items; Free Gift Wrap with Purchase)
• — Museum Store Sunday at the Nevada State Museum (museum store open 9am-6pm; 10% to 50% off select store items, Consignment and Fundraising items excluded; Free Gift Wrap with Purchase; free cup of American Heritage Hot Chocolate)
• — Charlie Proofing Phase 3 at The Littlest Things: 4050 Line Dr (10am-1pm; There is not much Charlie the Goat has not gotten into in the last two weeks. He is still escaping. We are holding another event to get volunteers out to help complete the fence and Charlie proof the barn; If you are not up for manual labor please feel free to stop by and give the animals some attention while we are working)
• — 18th Annual Kandy Kane Holiday Craft Fair in the Valley Ballroom at the Carson Valley Inn, Minden (10am-4pm)
• — Christmas Craft Fair in the Carson Mall (11am-5pm; Vendors,  Family activities for all to enjoy, Visits and Photos with Santa Claus, Reindeer Games, Pony Express, Rainbow Girls gift wrap, Christmas Carols)
• — Kids Eat Free at the Fox Brewpub (11am-10pm; with purchase of adult entree)
• — Bingo fundraiser for Meals on Wheels at Carson City Senior Center (doors 11:30am, 12:30pm-4pm; $10 buy in, extra packs $5, Special games $1 each; 50/50 raffle and door prizes; We have a 50/50 game and a Can Food Game all year round. Bring a can of food or a  non-perishable item and we will give you a free game sheet for our Can Food game; lunch available; must be 21+)

Trains and Santa seem to go hand in hand. The Virginia and Truckee in Carson City offers a special Polar Express Train Ride, and up in Virginia City you’ll find the Candy Cane Express. You’ll need to go online for tickets if you’d like to take either of these trips – they sell out fast.

• — V&T Candy Cane Express at the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot: 166 F Street, Virginia City (12pm AND 2pm; $19, $9 kids 2-12; Sip Hot Cocoa or Hot Cider and enjoy cookies and candy canes while singing carols, and listening to the 1832 classic "T'was the Night Before Christmas”; Reservations required, go to http://www.virginiatruckee.com/theme-trains-events/vt-candy-cane-express/ )
• — Music Jam Sunday at A to Zen: 1803 N. Carson St. (1pm-3pm; we try to keep it simple so that musicians of all ages and skill levels can participate. We welcome music of all genres and styles; Audience is welcome)
• — The  29th annual Nutcracker Ballet  presented by Pinkerton Ballet in the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Carson City Community Center (2pm; $22 general admission, $18 kids and seniors)
• — Open Mic hosted by Rick Medina at Buckaroo’s, Downtown Gardnerville (2pm-5pm; Bring your instrument and come on down. Drums, keyboard and piano will be supplied; every last Sunday)
• — Pool Tournament at Remedy’s (2pm-5pm; $5 buy-in; APA Rules)
• — Weekly 9 Ball Pool Tournament at Whiskey Tavern (register 1pm; 2pm start; $10 per person)
• — Big Screen Classics:   Home Alone at the Galaxy Theater - Fandango (2pm; $8.50 adults, $7.75 kids)
• — Winter Song Holiday Concert with Bella Voce at the First United Methodist Church: 212 N. Division St. (4pm; free to attend, donations appreciated)
• — Nevada Christmas: music and video sequenced light display at 1176 Chaparral Ct., Minden – off Stephanie Way (5:30pm-10pm, no show if raining/snowing; please turn off all head/running lights and do NOT block or park in driveways; donations appreciated, but not required, to benefit the Carson Valley Active 20/30 Club)
• — Candy Cane Lane: custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (6pm-9pm; Accompanying music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 89.9 FM)
• — Piano Bar Karaoke hosted by John Shipley in the Crown Point Restaurant Main Dining Room at the Gold Hill Hotel, Gold Hill (6:30pm-9:30pm; dinner and drink specials)
• — Big Screen Classics: Home Alone at the Galaxy Theater - Fandango (7pm; $10.25 adults, $7.75 kids)

Every week, I create a list of the fun stuff and events going on around the Carson City area for my Facebook page, I Love Carson City. There is quite a bit to do in our beautiful capital this week, so grab the kids, your friends and family, and have a great weekend.

My weekly Facebook list includes Friday-Thursday, so please go HERE for events beyond Sunday, or just wait for my daily ‘Things to do’ here on Carson Now. You do NOT need a Facebook account to access the information.

As always, Carson Now welcomes reader contributions to our website. Go HERE to submit an event, photo, or item of interest.