Carson Valley's official holiday season begins tonight in Gardnerville with the annual lighting of the pavilion and town Christmas tree.
The Gardnerville Christmas Kickoff starts 5:30 p.m., with holiday music and song by the Sierra Ringers and the Christmas Carolers. The event features wagon rides and a musical light show.
The celebration moves to Minden and Genoa on Friday with the lighting of the town trees.
Minden's Weihnachts Festival opens noon Friday and features a variety of food, and handmade goods and crafts.
Lighting Minden Park will occur when Santa arrives at 6 p.m.
Genoa will start the holiday singing 5 p.m. Friday with carolers making their way around Nevada's oldest town before lighting the town tree at 6 p.m. Santa arrives by firetruck at 6:15 p.m.
Santa Claus will be the star in Genoa on Saturday morning when Genoa hosts breakfast 8:30-11 a.m.
Wrapping up the week is the 14th annual Carson Valley Parade of Lights, which will make its way up Highway 395 on Saturday from Lampe Park to Minden Park. The traditional holiday event will feature 40 floats, honor guards, car clubs and marching bands beginning at 5 p.m.
