CERCA CALENDAR

Through Dec. 14, Reno: Central Pacific Railroad and the Comstock. This exhibit features maps, photographs, artifacts and newspaper clippings from the Central Pacific Railroad after the discovery of the Comstock Lode. Nevada Historical Society, (775) 688-1191, www.nevadaculture.org.

Through Dec. 17, Cedar City, Utah: American Children’s Christmas Festival. An event to bring out the child in all of us features Santa Land, the Enchanted Forest and Storybook Cavalcade Parade. There are no activities on Sunday, (435) 865-2882, www.christmas-festival.org.

Through Dec. 22, Williams, Ariz.: The Polar Express heads north on the Grand Canyon Railway. Listen to the children’s classic The Polar Express, by Chris Allsburg, while taking a magical journey to the North Pole where Santa and his reindeer will greet passengers. Hot chocolate, cookies. Each child passenger receives a silver bell as a keepsake, (800) 843-8724, www.thetrain.com.

Through Jan. 1, Reno: Yosemite: Art of an American Icon. This exhibit features Yosemite National Park with more than 100 works by artists including Ansel Adams, Thomas Hill and David Hockney, (775) 329-3333. www.nevadaart.org.

Wednesday through Saturday, St. George, Utah: Dickens’ Christmas Festival. Relive the past of 19th century England while strolling through village streets filled with Dickens characters, carolers, fortune tellers, shops and vendors, (800) 748-5011, www.dixiecenter.com.

Saturday, Prescott, Ariz.: Frontier Christmas Open House. Costumed revelers, storytelling and period entertainment featuring carolers. Hot cider and cookies. Governor’s Mansion and Sharlot Hall Building at Sharlot Hall Museum, (928) 445-3122, www.sharlot.org.

Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 7-22, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Holiday Skies Program. An evening presentation involving the mythology and science of the winter sky, including a discussion on the Star of Bethlehem. Lowell Observatory, (928) 233-3210, www.lowell.edu.

Saturday through Dec. 29, Ely: Polar Express. Head to the North Pole aboard steam locomotive 93 to enjoy a visit with Santa Claus and his elves. On the way, there will be a reading of the children’s classic “Polar Express.” Santa will present a silver bell to all believers. Cookies and hot chocolate served (866) 407-8326, www.nevadanorthern railway.com.

Saturday through Dec. 31, Virginia City: Christmas on the Comstock. A month-long celebration that features the annual Christmas Parade of Lights, Comstock Cowboys “Christmas in the Sierra concert, gingerbread contest and auction, (775) 847-4386. www.virginiacity-nv.org.

Dec. 7-8, Lake Havasu, Ariz.: Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. More than 50 decorated boats will parade under the London Bridge Channel and tour the lake. Lake Havasu State Park, (928) 855-2784, www.pr.state.az.us.

Dec. 8-22, Cedar City, Utah: A Christmas Carol on the Air. A live radio show of Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol.” Shakespeare Festival founder Fred C. Adams stars as Scrooge. Audience sing-alongs and prize giveaways. Randall L. Jones Theatre, Southern Utah University, (800) 752-9849, www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

Dec. 12, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Geminid Meteor Shower. This evening event features a presentation on the upcoming Geminids and other meteor showers. Telescope viewing of various celestial objects, Lowell Observatory, (928) 233-3210, www.lowell.edu.

Dec. 15, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Christmas Party at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park features a tour of the mansion at its best, decorated in turn-of-the-century style wreaths, garlands and greenery. Christmas crafts, music performed by local Suzuki violin students and a handbell choir, (928) 779-4395, www.pr.state.az.us.

Dec. 15-16, Carson City: Santa Train. Take a 35-minute ride on the Santa Train, which will be pulled by a steam locomotive. Nevada Railroad Museum, (775) 687-6953, www.nsrm-friends.org.

Dec. 26-30, Flagstaff, Ariz.: Holiday Star Fest at Lowell Observatory. Numerous telescopes will be set up around the Lowell campus for visitors to view the winter sky. (928) 233-3210, www.lowell.edu.