Carson City Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Carson City, Nevada - NV, USA)

If you are able to time your visit to Carson City to coincide with one of the capital's regular seasonal events, you may well be in for a treat. Those prepared to travel a little out of the city, to destinations such as Genoa, Lake Tahoe, Reno and Sparks, will find that the choice of possible festivals and things to do greatly increases.

Each year at the end of January, the Carson City High Jazz Extravaganza is a particular highlight, as is the Feast of Chocolate the following month, in the middle of February. When the warm springtime weather arrives, many of the festivities move outdoors, such as the annual Cowboy Festival in nearby Genoa, which takes place at the beginning of May and is followed at the end of the month by the Opening Weekend for the V&T Railroad Company.

In June, the Taste of Downtown food festival sees restaurants all across Carson City joining in the fun and showcasing their signature dishes for discount prices.

July is a busy month and the Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular is a perfect event for all of the family, along with the Silver Dollar Classic Car Show at Mills Park in August. September enjoys a Wine Walk, Basque Festival, Fun Run and ghost walks, and in October, the enormous Nevada Day Parade is quite unmissable, with its almost endless list of distractions.

Carson City Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Chinese New Year Celebrations at the Children's Museum - January or February, with fun family themed crafts and other activities, accompanied by free admission to the museum.
• Mile High / Carson City High Jazz Extravaganza - late January, first held in the early 2000s and incorporating big bands, hot food and jazz concerts at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall on West King Street.

February

• Annual Feast of Chocolate - mid-February, first held in 1999 and taking place at the Carson City Plaza Hotel Conference Center on 9th Street. This choccy extravaganza raises funds for local scholarships on behalf of the American Association of University Women.

March

• Carson City Easter Egg Hunt - late March / early April, an annual family themed event first held in the late 1970s and starting at midday, where children from all over the city hunt for more than 10,000 eggs hidden around Centennial Park on Heritage Way. An Easter Bunny is on hand, along with food and fun for all ages.
• Children's Museum Easter Egg Hunt - late March / early April, including free admission to the Children's Museum of North Nevada.

April

• Family Fun Saturday - early April, at the classroom and discovery lab of the Nevada State Museum.
• Chamber Home and Garden Show - mid-April, the Greenhouse Garden Center stages this event in the middle of the Carson Mall.

May

• Annual Genoa Cowboy Festival - early May, an established cowboy themed event held at the nearby town of Genoa, roughly 15 minutes to the south (via Highway US-395). Visitors can expect ranch tours, art exhibitions, demonstrations by blacksmiths, country music, horse riding displays, traditional basket and drum making, Northern Sierra 'Dutch Oven' cooking and birdwatching at the River Fork Ranch Interpretive Center.
• Opening Weekend for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Company (V&T) - late May, with steam and diesel train rides running to nearby Virginia City.

June

• Historical Society Garden Tour - late June, guided tours of some of the most beautiful private gardens of Carson City. An After-Garden Party is held at the Olcovich-Meyers House on West King Street.
• Blinky Man Cycle Ride - late June, on the night of the summer solstice, with a mass cycle ride through the downtown district, between the hours of 19:30 and 23:30.
• Taste of Downtown - mid-June, with tasty food samples from roughly 40 participating restaurants around the city. Walking tours of eateries in downtown Carson City, live music and family entertainment are just some of the further offerings. Tickets are available for purchase at the Visitors Center on South Carson Street.
• Silver Dollar Car Classic Cruise Night - late June, vehicles of all description drive around the city, while rock and roll bands perform at the Carson Station Hotel and Casino.
• National T-Bucket Convention - late June, hot rods from all over the United States gather at the west parking lot of the Carson Nugget.
• Legends of the West, Bike and Car Fest - late June, an annual event first held in 2011, with cars and motorbikes on display between Robinson Street and the Nevada State Capitol Complex.
• Run What Cha Brung Car Show - late June, one of the finest car shows held in Northern Nevada, with around 250 different vehicles around the Carson Mall.

July

• Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular - July 4th, a huge family picnic at Mills Park is followed by a large fireworks display, while a carnival parade takes place the week before.
• Concert Under the Stars - early July, live music and silent auctions in aid of the Greenhouse Project, which is bringing horticulture to the local community.
• Tour de Nez-Vada - late July, four days of cycling around this part of Nevada, starting outside of the Nevada State Capitol Complex, before heading to the shoreline of Lake Tahoe and also the Carson foothills.

August

• Silver Dollar Classic Car Show - early August, an assortment of classic vehicles gather at Mills Park, with further events at the Nugget Casino.
• Carson City Music Festival / Jazz and Beyond - the first two weeks of August, live jazz and blues groups perform at venues such as the Brewery Arts Center, the Farmers' Market, the Legislative Plaza and around 3rd Street.
• Carson City Mint Coin Show and Fair - late August, held at the Carson Nugget Ballroom, with roughly 30 different dealers selling and showcasing their wares. There are also talks on coin collecting and themed workshops.
• Northern Nevada Expedition Man Endurance Festival - late August, including swimming at the Zephyr Cove Resort at Lake Tahoe, cycling through downtown Carson City and a run along the banks of the Truckee River, finishing at the Legends at Sparks Marina.

September

• Carson City Wine Walk - early September, crowds gather to stroll around the city center, enjoying wine tasting and hors d'ouevres, visiting exhibitions at downtown art galleries.
• Fall Basque Festival - mid-September, an annual event for foodies at the southerly Fuji Park, on Old Clear Creek Road.
• Carson City Ghost Walk - late September, lasting 90 minutes and departing from the St. Charles Hotel at around 18:30.
• CASI (Carson Animal Services Initiative) 5K-9 Fun Run - late September, a gentle 3-mile / 5-km run and walk through the Riverview Park (East 5th Street) with participants bringing their dogs.
• Pooch Plunge - late September, dogs are allowed to swim in the city's outdoor pool, before it closes for the year.

October

• Nevada Day Parade - late October, the biggest carnival parade in the whole state, with floats and marching bands starting at 10:00 and heading along Carson Street. Nevada Day celebrates the state's admission to the United States in 1864. Many fun events take place on this day, such as a beard contest, concerts performed by the Carson City Symphony orchestra, a chili competition, fun runs (8 km and 3 km) through the streets in aid of local charities, ghost walks, a governor's ball and banquet, tours of the Governor's Mansion, treasure hunts, the Republican Women's Pancake Breakfast, Pinewood Derby racing in the Carson Mall, the La Ka Le'l Be Pow Wow, the ReMax Balloon Launch on Carson Street, the Single Jack Drilling Contest and the RSVP Nevada Day Fair at Mills Park.
• Blinky Man Halloween Cycle Ride - October 31st, a friendly evening cycle ride through downtown Carson City to the 'A to Zen Haunted House', with halloween-themed costumes.

November

• V&T Unforgettable Polar Express Train - late November to mid-December, Santa and his elves are on hand on this Christmas-themed train ride, which includes hot chocolate, cookies and a present of a silver sleigh bell.

December

• Silver and Snowflake Festival of Lights - early December, crowds watch the lighting of the state Christmas tree at the Nevada State Capitol. Carol singing, hot food and a visit from Santa Claus can all be expected at this special Yuletide event for all of the family.