A giving tree
Your Christmas tree brings light and joy all through the holidays, but what happens to it when its work is done? While it’s sad to see its branches bereft of ornaments, you can give your once-living tree a new purpose. Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful will take those bare trees and chip them into mulch to be used at area parks. The nonprofit will hold its annual Christmas Tree Recycling program from Friday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 11. Drop off undecorated, non-flocked and tinsel-free trees between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road; Reno Sports Complex, 2975 N. Virginia St.; or Shadow Mountain Sports Complex, 3300 Sparks Blvd., Sparks. Trees will also be accepted for one weekend only, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 3-4, at three Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District stations: 500 Rockwell Blvd., Spanish Springs; 130 Nectar St., Lemmon Valley; and 1240 E. Lake Blvd., Washoe Valley. A suggested $5 donation will go toward program costs. You can also drop off non-working or unwanted tree-light strands during regular business hours at five Greater Nevada Credit Union locations. Go to www.ktmb.org/christmasrecycling for more information on the recycling program and for volunteering inquiries.
Slow and low, that is the tempo
The National Automobile Museum highlights the artistry, craftsmanship and cultural significance of the lowrider movement with a flash exhibit featuring 20 locally owned lowriders from a variety of car clubs. Curated by Richard Lopez, founder of the Frame Off Family Car Club, this display showcases a range of vehicles spanning nearly six decades—from a 1940 Buick Special and a 1951 GMC 3100 to Chevrolet Impalas, Cadillacs and custom trucks. Together, the cars reflect decades of dedication, technical skill and personal expression rooted in community and tradition. The lowrider exhibit is on display through Jan. 8 in Gallery 4 at the NAM, 1 Museum Drive, in downtown Reno. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $3-$16. The museum will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but will resume its regular museum hours later this week. Visit automuseum.org for more info.
Closing notes
The Reno Chamber Orchestra will wrap up the year with its 22nd annual Nevada Chamber Music Festival featuring a variety of chamber music works performed by RCO musicians and guest artists. Trio Azura and violinist Molly Carr open up the four-day festival with a program featuring Franz Joseph Haydn’s Piano Trio in E♭major, Maurice Ravel’s Piano Trio, M.67, and Robert Schumann’s Piano Quartet in Piano Quartet in E♭ major, Op.47. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Harlan O and Barbara R. Hall Recital Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno. Other highlights include the NCMF Tiny Tots Family Concert at 10 a.m.. Monday, Dec. 29, and the Festival Finale featuring clarinetist Yuhsin Galaxy Su and other musical guests, at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31. Performances take place at the Hall Recital Hall inside the University Arts Building, 1338 N. Virginia St., at UNR. Tickets are $55 per concert or $290 for a festival pass. Adult and child tickets are $5 each for the Tiny Tots concert. Visit www.renochamberorchestra.org for tickets and concert information.
Farewell, 2025
It’s been one hell of a year, so let’s celebrate surviving another crazy trip around the sun. While there are just too many great parties to mention in this small space, here are some events to consider attending this New Year’s Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
J Resort ushers in the new year with the return of its dazzling Life in Lite New Year’s Festival featuring a mix of house and other electronic dance music by headliners Medvsa, Kream, Snakehips, Coco & Breezy (pictured) and 202 KID. Gates open at 6 p.m. at the J Resort’s Festival Grounds, 251 N. Arlington Ave. All ages are welcome to attend. Tickets are $79 for general admission and $139 for VIP entry. Children age 3 and younger can enter free with a ticketed adult. Visit www.lifeinlite.com.
Boogie down to some of your favorite disco anthems performed by Glitter Bomb at an all-ages, ’70s-themed NYE party, starting at 9 p.m. at Need 2 Speed, 2863 Northtowne Lane, Suite 400. Visit www.need2speed.com.
Squeeze into a pair of low-rise jeans (muffin top be damned!) and relive those oh-so-heady Y2K vibes at It’s a 2000s New Year’s Eve Party featuring DJs spinning Britney Spears, Eminem and other hit makers from the start of this century. Doors open at 10 p.m. at Virginia Street Brewery, 211 N. Virginia St. You must be 18 or older to enter. Tickets are $25-$30. Go to www.jmaxproductions.net.
Haus of Vertigo hosts Death to 2025, a darkly glamorous funeral party featuring drag and burlesque performances, starting at 9 p.m. at Black Rabbit Mead Co., 401 E. Fourth St. You must be 21 or older to enter. Tickets are $30. Go to www.facebook.com/blackrabbitmeads.
Cast away the bad vibes of this past year and make a toast to a brighter 2026 through spellwork and bubbly libations at Beyond the Veil: A Coven Countdown. The 21-and-over event starts at 9 p.m. at Underworld Distillery, 5301 Longley Lane, Building F, Suite 203. Go to underworlddistillery.com.
For a list of other NYE events, visit the RN&R’s calendar at renonr.com/calendar.
Take a hike
Put on a pair of sturdy shoes and start the new year off on the right foot by participating in First Day Hikes on Thursday, Jan. 1. The nationwide program encourages people of all ages and abilities to start the new year by exploring state parks and connecting with nature. Nevada State Parks will host First Day Hike programs at 11 parks statewide, offering guided hikes and walks suitable for all experience levels. Participants should dress for the weather and terrain, bring water, and carry a flashlight or headlamp for low-light hikes. All programs are weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice. Visit parks.nv.gov/events for more information.
Amazing Larry
Pioneer Center Youth Programs presents magician Larry Wilson, who will share some of his magic secrets with audience members. The Emmy Award-nominated magician has headlined shows in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and the Reno/Tahoe region, and has made numerous appearances on network television, including on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! Larry performs magic tricks using student volunteers in direct, hands-on learning applications. He will break down the tricks into easy-to-follow steps that students can re-create at home with common household items like pencils, rubber bands, paper clips and string. The free magic lesson and performance begins at 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 2, at the Downtown Reno Library, 301 S. Center St. Visit www.washoecountylibrary.us.
Rally to the rhythm
Latin-rock band Ozomatli returns to the area six months after their appearance at Artown this past summer. Formed in 1995, the Los Angeles-based ensemble combines progressive political viewpoints with a wide array of musical styles—including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae and hip hop. They have released seven studio albums, including their 2002 album Embrace the Chaos, which won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album. Ozomatli will get 2026 off to a good start with their positive energy and irresistible dance grooves as they hit the stage at 8 p.m.. Friday, Jan. 2, in the Crown Room at Crystal Bay Casino, 14 Highway 28, Crystal Bay. Tickets are $27 in advance and $32 at the door. The show is open to those age 21 and older. Go to www.crystalbaycasino.com.
From page to screen
Begin the new year with a good book, or a movie based on a good book. South Valleys Library will kick off its Book Club Film Series on Saturday, Jan. 3, with a screening of the 1940 film The Grapes of Wrath starring Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell. This adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the Joad family as they embark on a journey to California in search of work and a better life during the Great Depression. The film series will cover various genres including crime, drama, science fiction and Western. Other movie adaptations featured this month include The Searchers (1956) on Jan. 10, The War of the Worlds (1953) on Jan. 24 and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) on Jan. 31. All movies will be introduced by library staff, followed by a brief discussion after the screening. The free screenings will start at 2 p.m. every Saturday through March 7 (except Feb. 21) at South Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Parkway. Check events.washoecountylibrary.us/event/15194252 for a schedule of upcoming films.
11 Days a Week is written and compiled by Kelley Lang. Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@renonr.com for consideration. Email advertising@renonr.com for advertising info!
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