Don’t miss the holidays with the Carson Valley Community Theatre. Come to The Annex at 1572 Hwy 395 in Minden for A Night of Improv, “Yes, and” along with a performance of Holiday Music on Friday nights, followed on Saturdays and Sundays by “It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry.

A Night of Improv, “Yes and”
Performed on Friday evenings
December 12, 19, 26

“It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play”
Performed on Saturdays and Sundays
December 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28

Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:00 pm
Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:00 pm

Tickets available online at carsonvalleycommunitytheatre.org, or click here.

You can also view the event’s page on Facebook for updates.

Join Eastern Sierra historians David & Gayle Woodruff as they take you on a sentimental journey along one of California’s favorite scenic byways – Highway 88…Carson Pass. Using extensive research and seldom seen photographs, hear the tales of the people and events that have helped shape this beloved “Alpine Highway” into the “avenue to paradise” we enjoy today.

This event will take place on December 28, 2025 from 1:00pm-2:15pm at Minden Mill Distilling. It’s free to attend, provided you have reserved a ticket. Tickets will become available starting December 9. Spots are very limited, so reserve your ticket early. You can find out more and get tickets to this and other events by going to Minden Mill’s official website and selecting “Book an Experience” or clicking here.

Come to Heritage Park Gardens on New Year’s Eve for the 12th Annual Candlelight Labyrinth Walk, from 6:00pm-9:00pm. The way will be illuminated for a glowing stroll along the path. There’ll be fire pits to stay warm, as well as hot cocoa and cider for the whole family. You can bring your own chairs, cups, and marshmallows, too, if desired!

Start a new tradition with your family and focus on creating hopeful tomorrows! Labyrinths are used throughout the world as a way to quiet the mind, recover a balance in life, meditate, gain insight, reduce stress, create, and celebrate. “Walk out the Old Year and Welcome the New Year” during this family-friendly event.

For more information, visit Main Street Gardnerville’s website.

Hockey season returns to the Tahoe Blue Event Center! Celebrate by cheering on our very own Tahoe Knight Monsters at one or all of the 36 home games planned for this season.

On January 2, 2026, the Knight Monsters will be facing the Allen Americans. The puck drops at 7:00 pm.

The tentative schedule for the 2025-2026 season can be found online. Please note that dates, times, & opponents are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, including how to get tickets as well as dates and locations of away games, visit the Tahoe Knight Monsters’ official website and be sure to check their page on Facebook. For other events at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, visit their official website.

Hockey season returns to the Tahoe Blue Event Center! Celebrate by cheering on our very own Tahoe Knight Monsters at one or all of the 36 home games planned for this season.

On January 3 and 4, 2026, the Knight Monsters will be facing the Allen Americans for two nights of tropical fun and exciting hockey! The puck drops at 7:00pm on Saturday and 3:00pm on Sunday.

The tentative schedule for the 2025-2026 season can be found online. Please note that dates, times, & opponents are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, including how to get tickets as well as dates and locations of away games, visit the Tahoe Knight Monsters’ official website and be sure to check their page on Facebook. For other events at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, visit their official website.

Using extensive research and eyewitness accounts, local authors and historians David & Gayle Woodruff recount the incredible, true and bizarre story of a calculating and disgruntled gambler and his attempt to extort three million dollars from the historic Harvey’s Casino Lake Tahoe casino in August of 1980. The 55-minute slide show features dozens of historic and seldom seen images and eye witness accounts.

This event will take place on Sunday, January 4, 2026 from 1:00pm-2:15pm at Minden Mill Distilling. It’s free to attend, provided you have reserved a ticket. Reservations will become available starting December 16, 2025. Spots are very limited, so reserve your ticket early. You can find out more and get tickets to this and other events by going to Minden Mill’s official website and selecting “Book an Experience” or clicking here.

Hockey season returns to the Tahoe Blue Event Center! Celebrate by cheering on our very own Tahoe Knight Monsters at one or all of the 36 home games planned for this season.

On January 9 and 10, 2026, the Knight Monsters will be facing the Utah Grizzlies. The puck drops at 7:00pm on Friday and Saturday.

The tentative schedule for the 2025-2026 season can be found online. Please note that dates, times, & opponents are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, including how to get tickets as well as dates and locations of away games, visit the Tahoe Knight Monsters’ official website and be sure to check their page on Facebook. For other events at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, visit their official website.

Las Vegas built its legend on love, light, and larger‑than‑life characters. Neon signs turned the desert into a glowing playground, while quick‑and‑quirky chapels made “I do” a Vegas tradition. Then came Howard Hughes, the reclusive mogul whose hotel empire reshaped the Strip and added intrigue to the city’s glitter. Together, weddings, neon, and Hughes tell the playful, eccentric story of how Vegas became the world’s stage for romance and spectacle.

This presentation will take place on January 11, 2026 from 1:00pm-2:15pm at Minden Mill Distilling. It’s free to attend, provided you have reserved a ticket. Tickets will become available starting December 23, 2025. Spots are very limited, so reserve your ticket early. You can find out more and get tickets to this and other events by going to Minden Mill’s official website and selecting “Book an Experience” or clicking here.

Hockey season returns to the Tahoe Blue Event Center! Celebrate by cheering on our very own Tahoe Knight Monsters at one or all of the 36 home games planned for this season.

On January 11, 2026, the Knight Monsters will be facing the Utah Grizzlies. The puck drops at 3:00 pm.

The tentative schedule for the 2025-2026 season can be found online. Please note that dates, times, & opponents are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, including how to get tickets as well as dates and locations of away games, visit the Tahoe Knight Monsters’ official website and be sure to check their page on Facebook. For other events at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, visit their official website.

LaVere Redfield was an interesting character: a keen investor in the stock market and real estate; anti-government (especially the IRS); a ruthless businessman; a man who didn’t trust banks; a high-stakes gambler; a philanderer; a victim of at least two high-profile robberies; a man who hated to have his photo taken and a notorious hoarder. Using extensive research, local historians David & Gayle Woodruff examine the unusual and quirky story of one of Reno’s least known and eccentric “public” figures, in a 55-minute slide show.

This presentation will take place on January 18, 2026 from 1:00pm-2:15pm at Minden Mill Distilling. It’s free to attend, provided you have reserved a ticket. Tickets will become available starting December 30, 2025. Spots are very limited, so reserve your ticket early. You can find out more and get tickets to this and other events by going to Minden Mill’s official website and selecting “Book an Experience” or clicking here.

No one is more closely tied to the mysterious lore of Death Valley than Walter Scott. His tales of fabulous gold mines, dangerous desperados and opulent desert castles placed him and Death Valley on the front pages of newspapers for over fifty years…and kept historians endlessly occupied trying to sort out the truth from his tall tales. Local historians David and Gayle Woodruff, assume the characters of inscrutable Death Valley Scotty and his benefactor, scrupulous Bessie Johnson in a 55-minute Chautauqua performance.

This presentation will take place on January 25, 2026 from 1:00pm-2:15pm at Minden Mill Distilling. It’s free to attend, provided you have reserved a ticket. Tickets will become available starting January 6, 2025. Spots are very limited, so reserve your ticket early. You can find out more and get tickets to this and other events by going to Minden Mill’s official website and selecting “Book an Experience” or clicking here.

Calling all wildlife lovers! This annual event showcases birds, wide-open spaces, and the cutest calves imaginable! Each year, the calving season draws raptors, including bald eagles, to Carson Valley. Eagles and Agriculture celebrates their arrival and offers a chance to witness these majestic birds. Highlights of the event include an opening dinner, where falconers bring their birds for up close viewing, tours for exclusive access to the ranches, a photography workshop, and a photo contest.

Bus-lead tours will be available this year, allowing participants to learn about the local lore while riding in comfort to each tour site. Tickets will be limited, so reserve early!

More information on the event, including a full schedule of available tours and activities, can be found on the official Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce website. You can register by clicking here!

CVAC’s 2025-2026 Concert Series will feature Kristyn Harris on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7:00pm at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

Kristyn Harris has been named the International Western Music Association Entertainer of the Year 6 times, and is the youngest person to have received this honor. She is especially recognized for her powerful voice, swing rhythm guitar chops, songwriting, yodeling, and energetic stage presence.

Advance tickets are $25 and kids under 18 are free with a paid adult ticket. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.cvartscouncil.com, by phone at 775-782-8207, or at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center, 1572 US Hwy 395, Minden.

Round up your best Galentines and join CV Flyte for a cozy afternoon of candle making with Sierra Soapbox Candle Co. You’ll learn how to blend custom scents before pouring your very own 7.2oz candle to take home! In this two-hour workshop, you’ll be guided every step of the way as you craft a soy candle in an amber glass jar, topped off with a personalized label. All supplies and a glass of wine are included and NO experience is necessary — just your creative spirit.

This class will take place on February 15, 2026 from 1:00pm-3:00pm in Downtown Minden (precise location TBD).

Tickets are $60 per participant, and are required to be purchased in advance. Spots are extremely limited, so reserve today! For more information and a link to sign up, check out the CV Flyte website, or check their page on Facebook for other news and updates.

CVAC’s 2025-2026 Concert Series will feature Mustangs of the West on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 7:00pm at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

Mustangs of the West is a band with west coast roots steeped in both classic California country and folk rock: equal parts Emmylou Harris and Stevie Nicks, mixed with three and four-part vocal harmonies of The Eagles and early Beach Boys.

Advance tickets are $27 and kids under 18 are free with a paid adult ticket. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.cvartscouncil.com, by phone at 775-782-8207, or at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center, 1572 US Hwy 395, Minden.

CVAC’s 2025-2026 Concert Series will feature Mustangs of the West on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:00pm at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

The show features country/folk singer Chris Webster and legendary bluegrass/folk guitarist Nina Gerber. Chris Webster’s magic derives from those ineffable qualities of vocal grain, emotional nuance, timing and phrasing possessed by the truly great and moving singers of any style.” Nina Gerber effortlessly moves between country, pop, and rhythm and blues. “The evening’s real star… Gerber usually says little and lets her guitar do the talking. Gerber is a not-so-underground legend. Her wide-ranging folk-country-jazz/blues stylings.”

Advance tickets are $25 and kids under 18 are free with a paid adult ticket. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.cvartscouncil.com, by phone at 775-782-8207, or at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center, 1572 US Hwy 395, Minden.

Come to Nevada’s Oldest Pioneer Settlement for live music, great food, Western art, demonstrations and activities, all with a Western flair!

Genoa Western Heritage Days is a celebration of culture and community. Kick off the weekend on Friday, with a concert featuring Dave Stamey, and Cowboy Poets Valerie and Floyd Beard opening. Saturday evening will feature a concert with Trinity Seely following an opening with Cowboy Poets Valerie and Floyd Beard. Concerts begin at 7:30pm and individual tickets will go on sale January 2, 2026. Purchase your tickets online at EventBrite.com, by mail, or at the Town of Genoa, 775-782-8696 or Genoa Town Office, 2289 Main St., Genoa.

Saturday’s free daytime activities will be held from 10:00am-4:00pm and will feature live Western music, cowboy poetry, Chautauqua actors portraying historic characters, children’s activities, Ag in the Classroom with the Douglas County Farm Bureau, a Civil War Camp, and demonstrations by the Truckee Meadows Pioneers. For art lovers, there will be a Western fine art show, as well as vendors and makers. Food and drinks will be available throughout town for purchase!

A highlight of the Saturday festival is the Invitational Horse Parade, which will proceed through the historic downtown at 2:00pm.

A Progressive Dinner will be hosted on Saturday from 4:30pm-6:30pm, highlighting four Genoa eateries: Sierra Chef, Daniel’s, Flutter and Buzz, and Genoa’s newest offering, Foothill Market. Participants receive passports and colored wristbands that let them rotate between each of the four restaurants in timed groups.

Activities on Sunday will include Cowboy Church in the Town Hall with Pastor Patrick Jolly and Trinity Seely.

To find out more, follow Genoa Western Heritage Days on Facebook, and visit the Town of Genoa website.

Want to know more about this great event? Read all about it on our blog!

CVAC’s 2025-2026 Concert Series will feature Harry and the Hitmen on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:00pm at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

Harry and the Hitmen serve up classic Motown and Soul with jovial professionalism. But don’t let the “suits” fool you, the band comes from an improvised rock tradition, and has years of experimentation behind their tight arrangements.

Advance tickets are $27 and kids under 18 are free with a paid adult ticket. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.cvartscouncil.com, by phone at 775-782-8207, or at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center, 1572 US Hwy 395, Minden.

Don’t miss this exciting weekend of hot air balloons, competitions, live music, local vendors, and food trucks!

The third annual Hot Air For Hope Carson Valley Balloon Festival will be held at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, Nevada from May 15-17, 2026, and will serve as a benefit for the Center for Hope & Healing’s community programs.

Organized by the Carson Valley Balloon Festival, this event is free to the public and will include public balloon launches from Lampe Park at 6:00am each morning (weather dependent).

In addition to the balloon events, the festivities will include live music, food trucks, live art performances, and local vendors. Festival activities will occur rain or shine!

The community is welcome to come enjoy the balloons up-close, take pictures, and learn more about ballooning. For more information about this event, including a full schedule as it becomes available, visit the official website and be sure to check its page on Facebook for updates.

Please note that balloon launches will take place if the weather permits, so it’s advisable to stay up to date on local weather reports prior to your visit and follow the event at Hot Air for Hope Carson Valley Balloon Festival on their Facebook and Instagram.

The 2026 Douglas County Kids’ Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, along the banks of Willow Creek at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, and is a FREE event for kids ages 3- 12 years old. Each young angler will be provided everything they need to have a fun fishing experience, is allowed a 2 fish catching limit, and will be given a special gate prize at the end of their session. Additional prizes will be awarded for every special tagged fish caught, as well as to the children who catches the largest fish during each of the derby sessions.

While participation in the event is free, Pre-Registration is required to receive a session ticket. Registration for the event will begin in April 1 and continue until the week of the Derby.

Please visit the Douglas County Kids’ Fishing Derby website for more information on all aspects of this event, including updates and how to register.

The Douglas County Kids’ Fishing Derby is a non-profit organization that relies on the sponsorship of its community. All donations directly benefit our child anglers in the purchase of fish, tackle, and prizes. To become a Derby sponsor, please contact Tom Zogorski by email at tomzgolf@earthlink.net.

Follow the Kids’ Fishing Derby on Facebook for news and updates.

The Carson Valley Quilt Guild invites you to their 2026 Quilt Show to be held on June 6-7, 2026 at the Douglas County Community and Senior Center. Come explore the wonderful world of quilting, with the special theme “Stitching our Stars and Stripes” in celebration of America’s 250th birthday!

This judged show will have over 200 quilts on display! Other attractions will include a great lineup of vendors from near and far, free demonstrations of tools and techniques, a Heritage Exhibit of antique quilts each with their own unique story, and gorgeous raffle baskets, with proceeds going to fund scholarships for local art students and art’s programs.

There’ll also be delicious food available for purchase, and door prizes offered from each vendor and from various manufacturers. Gold tickets are randomly placed in the show programs. If you have a gold ticket in your program, you win a prize! All door prizes are distributed at the Guild’s Information Booth.

Admission to the show is $10 each day. If you decide to come for two days, then the admission is only $15. Show hours are 10:00am until 4:00pm each day. Children under 12 years of age are admitted free with paid adult.

For more information, visit the official Quilt Show’s website. or check the Carson Valley Quilt Guild’s page on Facebook for updates.

Wild West Watercross is excited to bring it’s 4th Round of 2026 JetSki Races to Topaz Lake! Join them on July 24-26 at the Topaz Lake Park from 12:00pm-5:00pm for a day full of racing. For more information, visit the official website (click here) and follow their page on Facebook for news and updates.

Be sure to follow the organizers @wildwestwatercross!

Celebrate 107 years of this incredible event, complete with countless arts and crafts vendors, food, and of course, its famous candy!

The Genoa “Candy Dance” originated in 1919 as an effort to raise money to purchase street lights for the small, but enterprising community of Genoa, Nevada’s first settlement. Lillian Virgin Finnegan, daughter of then-prominent Judge Daniel Webster Virgin, suggested the idea of a dance and making candy to pass around during the dance as an incentive for a good “turn-out.” The Genoa community did raise the needed funds for streetlights, but realized the monthly electric bill had to be paid. The candy makers were then called upon each year to help promote the “Candy Dance” and pay a year’s worth of electricity for the streetlights throughout the town. Couples would come from Reno, Carson City, and surrounding areas to join in the evening’s fun. The Arts & Crafts Faire was added in the 1970s, and later became a two-day event. The first Faire was held on the front lawn of a private residence on Genoa Lane with twelve vendors. A few years later, the popular Faire was moved to the Mormon Station Historic State Monument grounds. With added expansion through the years, now Faire exhibitors are also found along a major portion of the downtown area. With all the people visiting the Faire these days, the streets in and out of Genoa are temporarily closed during the day from 7:00am-7:00pm.

Save the date for this amazing weekend, which will take place September 26 and 27, 2026. The event, which boasts over 400 arts and crafts, activity, and food vendors, plus a Saturday night Dinner Dance, draws thousands of people to Genoa.

Booths are open from 9:00am -5:00pm Saturday and 9:00am-4:00pm on Sunday. There is also a Saturday night Dinner and Dance (advance tickets are required, and will be available for purchase ahead of the event).

You can visit the Town of Genoa website for more information, or call the Town Office at 775-782-8696 with questions. Check the event’s page on Facebook for updates!