This December, Virginia City spreads holiday cheer with its annual Christmas on the Comstock celebration. The month-long festivities blend the historic charm of the 1860s mining town with modern holiday magic. Starting Dec. 1, the city welcomes visitors to enjoy family-friendly activities, shopping and entertainment, including a holiday parade, fireworks, a drone show, a saloon crawl and more. For more information on Christmas on the Comstock events, head here.
“Christmas on the Comstock is one of the most special times of the year for Virginia City,” said Todd Tuttle, tourism director. “The town transforms into a holiday destination with unique gifts, family experiences and holiday cheer. This year, we are excited for seasonal favorites like the Parade of Lights and Grinch Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl as well as our first ever Christmas Drone Show. We can’t wait to share the spirit of the holidays with the whole community.”
Virginia City will have various festive events as part of the Christmas on the Comstock celebration. On Dec. 1, the season officially begins with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 p.m. in the Bucket of Blood parking lot. In addition to the lights of the Candy Cane Train and Train O’ Lights, families and visitors can enjoy an evening of carols and community as the town’s holiday lights are illuminated. The fun continues on Dec. 7 with the Grinch Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl, where participants can sample holiday-themed cocktails at local saloons. After the crawl, participants are encouraged to stay for the Parade of Lights down C Street at 5 p.m. This illuminated parade features dazzling floats, followed by a spectacular Christmas fireworks show lighting up the historic town. On Dec. 14, in addition to the Parade of Lights, Virginia City introduces a first-of-its-kind Christmas Drone Show by Sky Elements. The event offers a stunning aerial display featuring hundreds of drones creating festive images in the night sky. This highly anticipated show adds a modern twist to the town’s holiday traditions.
Visitors can also shop for unique gifts at the St. Mary’s Art Center Holiday Faire and Senior Center Craft Fair both on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, where over 30 artisans will showcase handmade items perfect for the holiday season. The Forever Christmas Shop, located on C Street, will be open throughout the month for the perfect trinket, bauble, ornament and more. The streets of Virginia City will also be adorned with holiday decorations, providing a backdrop for shopping, dining and strolling throughout the town.
For those seeking immersive experiences, the Mackay Mansion will offer Christmas Candlelight Tours, where visitors can explore the mansion’s rich history amid holiday décor. At Piper’s Opera House, guests can enjoy the comedic holiday performance of “The Nutcracker vs. The Tommyknockers,” a parody of the classic Nutcracker ballet with various show dates throughout December. The Pioneer Center will also host a series of holiday shows at Piper’s Opera House with details available at www.pipersoperahouse.com. Finally, the First Presbyterian Church will welcome guests to its traditional Boar’s Head Feast, a medieval-themed dinner with live entertainment.
For more information about Christmas on the Comstock, head to visitvirginiacitynv.com, call the Virginia City Tourism Commission at 775-847-7500 or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Virginia City
Nestled on the mountainside of the Virginia Range, Virginia City, Nevada is one of the largest historic districts in the United States. Established in the mid-1800s with the discovery of silver, Virginia City became a mining “boomtown” influencing prosperity and culture. While the Great Fire of 1875 destroyed much of the original town, it was rebuilt to even greater opulence which can be experienced today and sparked preservation throughout the decades. Just 30 minutes outside of Reno, its unique, rich and colorful streets attract tourists from across the globe to experience the hearts of gold, veins of silver and lodes of fun in every historic building, saloon, museum and memorable event. For more information, visit visitvirginiacitynv.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
