Carson City, Nev. (Dec. 3, 2025) — Rylie Benamati and Matthew Madera, two third-grade students from Seeliger Elementary School, will officially help ignite the holiday season by lighting the Christmas Tree at the Silver and Snowflake Festival of Lights, Nevada’s Capitol Tree Lighting event, this Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
Rylie and Matthew will be joined by more than 500 fifth-grade students, including fifth graders from all six public elementary schools (Bordewich-Bray, Empire, Fremont, Fritsch, Mark Twain and Seeliger), as well as Carson Montessori, Bethlehem Lutheran and Saint Teresa’s.
They will perform as a unified holiday choir for the annual event on the Capitol steps in downtown.
Hosted by Carson City Brewery Arts Center (BAC), the free event will offer Hallmark movie magic from 4:30-7:30 p.m., with the tree lighting event igniting things at 5:30 p.m.
Music teachers from the combined nine schools have been teaching and practicing the musical arrangements since early November.
Carson City fifth graders have been the center of attention of the Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights since 1988. An estimated 4,000 attendees, the BAC and small business are expected to help kick off the holidays at the event.
While the kids are the stars of the event, Santa and the Grinch will also mingle and pose for photos with kids and event goers.
Attendees may also enjoy hot chocolate, cider and cookies provided by downtown merchants, as well as sleigh rides and the charm of Carson City’s downtown illuminated to spread holiday joy.
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Third grade students from Seeliger Elementary, Rylie Benamati and Matthew Madera show excitement in anticipation for Friday’s Capitol Tree Lighting Event.
