The historic town of Virginia City celebrates the holiday season with festive events scheduled throughout the month of December. Bundle up the kids for the Parade of Lights and Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on December 5. The parade will feature numerous floats all lit up for the season. Also expected are the Dayton High School marching band and color guard, the Wooster High School JROTC, car clubs and the Wild Ass Women, a group of ladies who works on wild burro rescues, and of course, Santa Claus. The parade lineup begins in front of the Historic Fourth Ward School on “C” Street at 5 p.m.
You can also see Santa at the annual Christmas concert featuring David John and the Comstock Cowboys. The Western band will perform two shows featuring Western-style Christmas classics and new songs in their annual “Christmas in the Sierra” show at Piper’s Opera House on December 12 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (age 60+) and veterans, and $12 for children younger than age 12.
Ride the rails this holiday season on the Virginia &Truckee Railroad. The Christmas Elves Train O’ Lites diesel short line is a one-hour roundtrip train ride between Virginia City and Gold Hill. For a longer excursion, board the Christmas on the Comstock diesel long line train. Roundtrip and one-way rides from Carson City to Virginia City are available. Both train lines run December 5, 12 and 19. To book tickets online, go to VisitVirginiaCityNV.com.
And for a very special holiday celebration, step back in time for the Christmas Civil War Ball at Piper’s Opera House on December 19. There will be live music, dinner and dancing, and a silent auction. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Virginia City Visitor’s Center by calling 775-847-4386 or at the door the night of the event.
To round out the holiday festivities, Virginia City is hosting a Dickens Festival the weekend of December 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Delta parking lot. There will be strolling carolers singing your favorite holiday tunes and a free performance of the original play, “A Christmas Carol.” The performance will be at the Tahoe House Hotel at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Stay the night on the Comstock. Check out these Christmas on the Comstock hotel specials:
• Silverland Inn & Suites is offering special rates for weekend participants. For more information call 775-847-4484.
• Tahoe House Hotel and Edith Palmer’s are offering 20% off for weekend participants. For more information call 775-847-5264.
For more information about the Christmas on the Comstock events, go to VisitVirginiaCityNV.com or call 775-847-4FUN or 800-718-SLVR.
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