The shortest day is long on fun: Santa, ugly sweaters, and a string instrument sing-along

Thursday, December 21 is the winter solstice, making it the longest night and the shortest day of the year. With Christmas just a few days away, the holiday activities are still going strong. Share your wish list with Santa at Red’s Old 395 tonight and you’ll walk away with a free photograph. Your ugliest sweater is invited to make an appearance at the Carson Cigar Company; bring a white elephant gift if you’d like to participate in the gift exchange. The annual Christmas Carol Play-along for Strings at the Carson Mall will get you in the spirit of the season; bring your instrument or your voice. Read on for even more things to do in the Carson City area.

THURSDAY:

• — ‘Wintering Over,’ mixed media by Las Vegas artist Andreana Donahue in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• — ‘Wish You Were Here,’ solo exhibition by Susanne Forestieri in the CCAI Gallery at the Carson City Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
• — Inspirations, group show of work by the art faculty members from Carson, Dayton, Douglas, and Pioneer high schools in the Community Development building [formerly the BRIC]: 108 E Proctor St (8am-12pm and 1pm-4pm)
• — $1 Dollar Bowling and Shoe Rental Specials (9am-4pm at Carson Lanes; 9am-5pm at Gold Dust West)
• — Annual Nevada Day Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• — CCAI Exhibit: Inside and Outside the Lines, with artwork by artists Jonathan Farber and Susan Kotler in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center (open during public meetings and Fridays 12pm-4pm)
• — Pop Up Library in the Community Center Gym, Kinder Room - enter through the doors on the South East corner of the building (10am-5:30pm; Pop Up services will include LIMITED Laptop Use via Wi-Fi, New Book Checkout, Kindle Checkout, Check In, and “how to” assistance for e-book use; under 9 years old must be accompanied by someone 13+)
• — Family Story time in the Nevada State Museum (10:30am-11:15am - themed singing, stories, finger-plays, or art centered around a book; under 9 years old must be accompanied by someone 13+; If participants want to tour the museum after story time admissions is $8 for adults 17 and under are free)
• — Christmas Craft Fair in the Carson Mall (11am-5pm; Vendors, Family activities for all to enjoy, Visits and Photos with Santa Claus, Rainbow Girls gift wrap, Christmas Carols)
• — All you can eat Wings at the Fox Brewpub (11am-10pm; $13.95, add a draft beer for $2 more)
• — Live Music with Lee Jones at Comma Coffee (12pm-2pm)
• — Carson City Kiwanis weekly meeting in the Casino Fandango – back room of the buffet (12pm; buffet lunch available for $13; Newcomers and visitors are welcome)
• — Muscle Powered Easy Hike: Conestoga Road to V and T Canyon Trail - Meet in the parking area on Combs Canyon Drive, opposite Murphy Drive (3pm-4:30pm - In case of bad winter weather, we will cancel; friendly dogs welcome; Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the hike meeting site; All events require closed-toed shoes and water. Hats, sunscreen and walking sticks, and on longer hikes, snacks are recommended; hikes are 2-4 miles in length, often with some elevation gain, not more than 500’, and can be on a paved path, smooth wide trail, or single track)
• — Tap Handle Thursday at Red’s Old 395 (3pm-6pm; half off draft beers by the glass)
• — Tenth annual Christmas Carol Play-along for Strings at the Carson Mall (4pm-5pm; free, everyone welcome to listen and sing-along; Violin, viola, cello, bass, and harp players are welcome to come and play; contact Sue Jesch in advance at 775-450-5584 or sue@tahoefiddler.com for sheet music and information)
• — Live Christmas Carolers at Comma Coffee (4pm)
• — Winter Solstice Hike at Washoe Lake State Park: Meet at the Equestrian Pavilion for this 3-mile, round-trip hike along the South Loop Equestrian Trail (4:30pm-6:30pm; Dress warmly, wear good hiking shoes and bring a flashlight; park entrance fee $7 per vehicle, Nevada residents $5)
• — Cigar Appreciation Night at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (5pm-8pm; 10% off cigars smoked in-house)
• — Informal Chess at Comma Coffee (5:30pm)
• — Live Music with Tully Green at Bella Fiore Wines (5:30pm-8:30pm)
• — Carson City Sunset Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at Tito’s Mexican Restaurant: 444 E. William St, Ste. 20 (5:30pm; visit, have a great dinner, and talk about our Rotary projects in the community and the world)
• — Nevada Christmas: music and video sequenced light display at 1176 Chaparral Ct., Minden – off Stephanie Way (5:30pm-9pm, no show if raining/snowing; please turn off all head/running lights and do NOT block or park in driveways; donations appreciated, but not required, to benefit the Carson Valley Active 20/30 Club)
• — Candy Cane Lane: custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (6pm-9pm; Accompanying music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 89.9 FM)
• — Pictures with Santa at Red’s Old 395 (6pm-8pm; All pictures are free, courtesy of Red's Old 395 Grill. They will print a picture for you to take home)
• — Carson Communicators Toastmasters Club Meeting at the Black Bear Diner (6pm-7:15pm; the club is open to anyone seeking to improve their speaking skills)
• — Live Americana and Blues with Dave Leather at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint: 1500 Old Hot Springs Rd. (6pm-8pm; no cover)
• — Live Music with Gary Douglas at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (6pm-9pm)
• — Free Pool Night at Remedy’s Bar (7pm-close)
• — Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Carson Cigar Co. AKA The Cigar Bar (7pm; drink specials, prize for ugliest sweater; bring one white elephant gift per adult)
• — Live Music with Terri Campillo, Craig Fletcher, and friends at Glen Eagles Restaurant (7pm-10pm)
• — Performances by Debi Destiny: Magician and Illusionist at the Washoe Camp Saloon: 3155 Eastlake Blvd, New Washoe City (7pm-9pm)
• — Live Music with Jo Mama in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (7pm-11pm)
• — Karaoke with J and M Productions at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (8:30pm)
• — Old School Thursdays with Ambassador Sound at Buckaroo’s, Gardnerville (10pm; 21+, no cover)