Get Ready to Sparkle: The Northern Lights Community Celebration is Coming!

The holidays are officially upon us, and there is no better way to kick off the season than by gathering with friends and neighbors for an afternoon of pure festive fun.

On Saturday, December 6, we are turning UNR’s Prim Library into a winter wonderland for the annual Northern Lights Community Celebration. From 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, get ready for a merry day of music, laughter, and that special kind of magic that only happens when our community comes together.

If you’ve been looking for the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, this is it. We are serving up wholesome holiday chaos in the best possible way, and you are invited to come play!

This year, we are pulling out all the stops with entertainment that highlights the incredible talent right here in our community.

We have the Incline Elementary Choir bringing the cute factor to an all-time high, followed by the Middle School Jazz Band delivering smooth holiday tunes. And you don’t want to miss the High School Cheer Team dialing up the energy with the very same performance they are taking to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Before show, keep your eyes peeled for Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be making their entrance on a North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Fire Truck. Need a warm-up? The Washoe County Sheriff Department and Cpt. Cola will be on deck serving hot cocoa to keep everyone toasty. UNR will be providing hot cider and cookies, and Raley’s has donated snack size sandwiches, perfect for elves.

One of the most heartwarming parts of the celebration is our Giving Tree Forest. This year, we are featuring close to 30 holiday trees, each one decorated by a local organization to represent their mission and impact. 

This isn’t just about pretty lights (though there will be plenty of those!). Each tree features opportunities for you to give back; whether through time, treasure, or talent. It is a beautiful reminder of the generosity that fuels our town.

Plus, we need your help! Community members will vote for their favorite tree (People’s Choice) and a committee will select two additional winners: 

• Most Creative & Crafty Tree (Best use of handmade/recycled materials)
• Most On-Theme Tree (Best reflects the organization’s mission)

Make sure to cast your vote and help your favorite organization earn bragging rights for the year!

It wouldn’t be a celebration without games and crafts. Organizations from all over the region are hosting tables with interactive activities for kids and adults alike, including an elf scavenger hunt and holiday card making stations. 

Here is a sneak peek at who you can meet:

• AAUW
• Pet Network
• Rotary Tahoe Incline
• Sierra Community House
• Toys for Tots
• BGCNLT
• IVGID Parks & Rec
• The Pet Network
• Rotary InterACT
• Incline Elementary Foundation
• IVCBA
• Travel North Tahoe Nevada
• The Follies
• Daisy Trails 
• Sustainable Tahoe, and more!

There will be plenty of photo spots to capture your holiday card memories, games to play, and crafts to make and take home.

We will wrap up the festivities with a spectacular solar-powered community tree lighting. This year’s tree was donated by the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and will shine bright as a symbol of our shared holiday spirit.

This event is proudly brought to you by IVCBA, IVGID, UNR Lake Tahoe, NLTFPD, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and Raley’s.

So, mark your calendars, grab your mittens, and join us for an afternoon that promises to be the highlight of the season. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

For more information about the Community Celebration and all the events happening during the Northern Lights Holiday Festival, visit ivcba.org.