Boulder City starts Christmas early enough that you can catch the first holiday events before December, then come back for a full downtown Saturday with crafts, Santa photos, the parade, and dinner. Here are the 2026 Christmas events with dates and times that are already posted by the railroad museum or the Boulder City Chamber calendar.
- Santa Train rides run Saturdays and Sundays, November 28 through December 20, 2026, at the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
- The Community Tree Lighting is Friday, December 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Frank Crowe Park.
- Saturday, December 5, is the big family day: Doodlebug Craft Bazaar, Santa photos, Santa’s Electric Night Parade, and church/community events.
- The Ugly Sweater Best Dam Wine Walk is Saturday, December 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the historic downtown business district.
For the rest of the year-round calendar, keep the Boulder City events guide handy. If you are making a full visitor day out of it, our things to do in Boulder City guide can help you add one easy stop before or after the holiday crowd.
What Christmas events are confirmed in Boulder City for 2026?
The confirmed 2026 Christmas events include Santa Train rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, the Boulder City Community Tree Lighting, Santa’s Picture Party, Doodlebug Craft Bazaar, Santa’s Electric Night Parade, the Ugly Sweater Wine Walk, and the Community Christmas Dinner. More small church, shop, and school events may appear as December gets closer.
The dates below are the ones with posted public details as of October 6, 2026. Boulder City adds small holiday events late, especially school concerts, church gatherings, and downtown retail pop-ups. Check the official event page before you load the kids into the car.
When does the Santa Train run in Boulder City?
The 2026 Santa Train runs Saturdays and Sundays from November 28 through December 20 at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Posted departure times are 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are listed at $12 per person, or $6 for museum members.
This is the Christmas event to book first if you have train kids, visiting grandparents, or cousins coming in from Henderson. The ride leaves from the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City, at 1000 Boulder City Parkway. The museum says Christmas Train tickets go on sale November 1.
What happens during the first big Christmas weekend?
The first full Christmas weekend starts Friday, December 4, with the Community Tree Lighting at Frank Crowe Park. Saturday, December 5, stacks the Doodlebug Craft Bazaar, Santa’s Picture Party, Santa’s Electric Night Parade, and Taste of Christmas at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church into one busy day.
- Community Tree Lighting: Friday, December 4, 6 to 7 p.m., Frank Crowe Park, 537 Cherry Street. The Chamber listing includes live entertainment, hot chocolate, and free admission.
- Doodlebug Craft Bazaar: Saturday, December 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building, 900 Arizona Street. The Chamber listing notes handmade items, food, raffle prizes, free admission, and 137-plus booths.
- Santa’s Picture Party: Saturday, December 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bicentennial Park Gazebo, with the old gymnasium stage listed as the rain location.
- Santa’s Electric Night Parade: Saturday, December 5, 4:30 to 7 p.m., through the historic district streets around Nevada Way.
- Taste of Christmas at St. Andrew’s: Saturday, December 5, after 5 p.m. Mass, and Sunday, December 6, after 9:30 a.m. Mass, at 1399 San Felipe Drive.
If you are coming from out of town, park once and keep the middle of the day simple. The Boulder Dam Hotel is close to the downtown route, the museum, shops, and restaurants. For coffee between events, Dam Roast House and Browder Bookstore keeps you near the historic district.
Which Boulder City Christmas events are best for families?
Families should start with the Santa Train, Santa’s Picture Party, Doodlebug Craft Bazaar, and Santa’s Electric Night Parade. Those events give kids something clear to do, keep the walking manageable, and leave room for food before the evening crowd gets heavier downtown.
The Santa Train is the paid ticket item with the clearest schedule. Santa’s Picture Party and the tree lighting are shorter stops. Doodlebug gives adults a local shopping reason to go while kids still get snacks, crafts, and a busy room to explore. If you need an indoor backup later in the season, Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum is another Boulder City stop with strong kid appeal, especially for families who like movie creatures more than mall Santa lines.
What holiday events are better for adults?
Adults should watch the Christmas Tree Auction, the Ugly Sweater Best Dam Wine Walk, and Sip and Flame: Holiday Glow. These are better fits for couples, friend groups, and visitors who want shopping, downtown businesses, cocktails, or a creative class instead of a kid-first afternoon.
- Christmas Tree Auction: Saturday, November 7, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Boulder Dam Hotel, 1305 Arizona Street. The Chamber listing says proceeds benefit Boulder City Hospital.
- Ugly Sweater Best Dam Wine Walk: Saturday, December 12, 4 to 8 p.m., historic downtown businesses. Use the Chamber listing for the current ticket link.
- Sip and Flame: Holiday Glow: Saturday, December 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Silverstate Lampworking, 410 Nevada Way, Suite 160. The listing includes a mixology class and glass-art collector item.
If you are pairing an adult event with dinner, check our best restaurants in Boulder City guide before you pick a time. Downtown gets tighter when the parade, Wine Walk, or a hotel event is running.
How should visitors handle parking and timing?
For December 5, arrive before lunch if you want the bazaar, Santa photos, and the parade in one trip. For evening-only plans, give yourself extra time near Nevada Way because the historic district streets and close-in parking get busier before the parade starts.
Boulder City is easier when you do not bounce your car between every stop. Pick a main area, walk what you can, and leave space for dinner or cocoa after the parade. If you are bringing a stroller, remember that the parade route and downtown corners can feel crowded once families start lining up.
FAQ: Boulder City Christmas events 2026
Is the Boulder City Community Tree Lighting free?
Yes. The 2026 Community Tree Lighting is listed as a free event on the Boulder City Chamber calendar. It is scheduled for Friday, December 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Frank Crowe Park, with live entertainment and hot chocolate included in the public listing.
Where is Santa’s Electric Night Parade?
Santa’s Electric Night Parade is listed for the historic district streets in Boulder City, with 100 Nevada Way used on the Chamber event listing. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
When do Santa Train tickets go on sale?
The Nevada State Railroad Museum says Christmas Train tickets go on sale November 1. For 2026, Santa Train rides are listed for Saturdays and Sundays from November 28 through December 20, with five departures each day.
Is Doodlebug Craft Bazaar free?
Yes. The Chamber listing for the 2026 Doodlebug Craft Bazaar states free admission. It is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Building, 900 Arizona Street.
What should I check before going?
Check the official event link for ticket status, rain locations, and any time changes before you leave. The Santa Train is the main ticketed family event. The Wine Walk and Sip and Flame events also need ticket checks because capacity can change.
Christmas in Boulder City works best when you pick one main event, add one meal or coffee stop nearby, and leave room for the town to be busy. December 5 is the big one for families. December 12 and 19 are stronger for adult nights downtown.