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Christmas is less than two weeks away, and Renoites may be looking for a fun, festive activity to do with the family. Across the region, neighborhood Christmas light displays draw visitors each December, turning quiet streets into holiday destinations.

From the Hidden Valley neighborhood’s Christmas light competition, which has gained Northern Nevada fame over its more than four-decade run, to the community-driven holiday caravan parade of lights in Somersett and the Cold Springs light competition and tree lighting, Reno offers plenty of opportunities to see holiday lights.

Here's a list of Reno neighborhoods and nearby towns that have Christmas light displays, competitions and parades, and how to see them.

Where to see Christmas lights in Reno

Christmas light displays can be found throughout Reno each December. Even a short walk through many neighborhoods is likely to turn up festive decorations and twinkling lights.

If you come across a glowing display or want to share your own, send a photo and the location (street and block number, or cross streets) to RGJ Managing Editor Jeffrey Meehan at jmeehan@gannett.com. Reader submissions will be used to build an interactive map and gallery that will update throughout the season.

For those looking to go beyond their own neighborhood, here are areas in and around Reno with confirmed Christmas light events, competitions and parades.

Hidden Valley Parade of Lights

The Hidden Valley Community Alliance has gone all-out on holiday decorations for more than four decades.

Judging will take place tonight, Dec. 12, and tomorrow night, Dec. 13, between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., so visitors are sure to see a spectacular display, with contestants expected to have their lights on. Those who want to see the contest winners can visit after Dec. 14, when yard signs will be distributed. The contest ends Jan. 1, when the signs are collected and prizes are awarded.

To visit, head to south Reno on Veterans Parkway and enter the neighborhood by heading east on Pembroke Drive or Mira Loma Drive.

For details, visit hiddenvalleyhomeowners.com.

Cold Springs Lights of the Valley contest

Voting for the Annual Cold Springs Holiday Lights Decorating Contest starts today, Dec. 12, and runs until Dec. 28 with winners announced on Dec. 30.

In addition to the lights contest, the Cold Springs community is hosting a Christmas tree lighting tonight, Dec. 12, from 5-6 p.m. at the Cold Springs Family Center (18400 Village Pkwy.) There's also a holiday bazaar at the same location tomorrow, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To visit the Cold Springs neighborhood, travel north from Reno on the 395 and turn right on the White Lake Parkway exit.

You can find more information about the Cold Springs' community's Christmas events at https://coldspringsfamilycenter.com.

Somersett Neighborhood of Lights

The Neighborhood of Lights is underway in west Reno’s Somersett neighborhood. The competition will continue until Dec. 14. Categories for contest winners include: Classic decorating, Griswold: Over-the-top fun, Young People's Choice, Just Decorating and Best Street.

Somersett contains some gated communities, but gates will be open from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 12-14 so visitors who do not live in Somersett can see the lights.

To get there, travel west from downtown Reno on Interstate 80 and exit at Sharlands Avenue, which leads to Somersett Parkway and into the neighborhood.

You can find more information at the Somersett Neighborhood of Lights Facebook page.

Lights of Tanea

This light show is in a residential neighborhood in south Reno. Just head north on Wedge Parkway from Mount Rose Highway, and then head east on White Cedar Drive to Tanea Drive.

This year's display began Dec. 4 and runs nightly from 5 to 10 p.m., according to the Lights of Tanea Facebook page. Visitors are asked to turn their headlights off, avoid blocking driveways, and tune in to 106.1 FM to catch the synchronized audio.

Virginia City Parade of Lights

Virginia City is a short drive from Reno and was named the best Christmas town in Nevada by HGTV. The Northern Nevada city's downtown is currently decked out in twinkling lights in honor of the Christmas holiday.

Virginia City is also holding a parade of lights event down C Street on Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. which features glowing floats and Christmas fireworks.

To get there from Reno, drive south on U.S. 395 from Reno's downtown, exit on the southbound South Virginia Street exit and travel down the street before turning left on Geiger Grade Road. Geiger Grade will lead drivers up the hill to Virginia City.

Did we miss anything? If you know of any other Christmas light displays around Reno, email the Reno Gazette Journal's Connect reporter Carly Sauvageau at CarlyS@rgj.com.