70% Free600+ EventsJuly 1-31, 2026

Artown 2026 — July 1–31 600+ Events at 100+ Venues

Artown 2026 runs the entire month of July — Wednesday July 1 through Friday July 31, 2026. Over 600 events at 100+ venues across Reno — the majority free — including the Monday Night Music Series at Rancho San Rafael and headliners like Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen (Ballets Jazz Montreal), Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA (Jul 2), Michael Feinstein, and the Kronos Quartet. Artown turns the entire city into a stage every July. Here's the 2026 schedule, headliners, free events, family programs, and venue guide.

Quick Facts

Dates

July 1-31

All month long

Events

600+

11+ categories

Cost

Majority Free

Some ticketed shows

Venues

100+

Parks, theaters, galleries

2026 Headliners

Major touring acts and signature programs confirmed for Artown 2026. Full headliner lineup with confirmed dates and ticket info at artown.org.

Direct from Sweden

The Music of ABBA

Thu, Jul 2

ABBA tribute concert opening week

Ballets Jazz Montreal

Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen

Referenced May 22

Contemporary ballet set to Leonard Cohen's catalog

Michael Feinstein

American Songbook performance

Date TBA

Multi-Emmy & Grammy-nominated vocalist

Kronos Quartet

Headliner appearance + masterclass

Date TBA

Five-time Grammy-winning string quartet

Wynton Marsalis

Listed in 2026 schedule materials

Date TBA

Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz trumpeter

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Listed in 2026 schedule materials

Date TBA

Big-band era classics performance

Headliner programming references the published Artown 2026 schedule materials. Confirm specific dates, venues, and ticket availability at artown.org before traveling.

💬

Locals Say

5.0 from 12 r/Reno locals

Quotes from r/Reno threads about Artown — what residents actually say about a month of arts in their city.

A month with the financial barrier removed

It's a month of free events with something happening daily; removing the financial barriers to experiencing culture.

— r/Reno local

It's got lots of cool free events for the kids, musical acts, installations, etc.

— r/Reno local

Every year the amount of paid events increases but there's still a lot of free.

— r/Reno local

It's free… so… that's good.

— r/Reno local

Civic pride & volunteer effort

It's one of the greatest things our city has and it's a labor of love put on by a small army of volunteers. We're downright lucky to have it.

— r/Reno local

It's one of those things that people under-appreciate until they move away. Not many places have 600+ (mostly) free arts and culture events stacked into a single month.

— r/Reno local

The Wingfield Park experience

It's one of the best things about living in Reno. Mike Love at Wingfield Park was peak Artown.

— r/Reno local

Love the free concerts at Wingfield Park.

— r/Reno local

A lot of variety to get to all month. With Wingfield being closed for all that project, that has been an obstacle as a venue — but they'll restore all that soon enough.

— r/Reno local

“The best month of the year”

It's the best month of the year.

— r/Reno local

Best event of the year. Something for everyone.

— r/Reno local

Every year when it ends I wish I went to more events.

— r/Reno local

What to Expect

Free Concerts

The Monday Night Music Series at Rancho San Rafael is the flagship event — free concerts with local and national artists. Bring a blanket, a picnic, and show up early for a good spot.

Summer Concerts Series

A wider rolling concert program across July at multiple venues including Wingfield Park amphitheater, MidTown stages, and outdoor parks. Genres span jazz, blues, world music, classical, and big-band.

Dance & Theater

Professional and community dance performances, stage plays, and theatrical productions throughout the month. 2026 features Ballets Jazz Montreal performing 'Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen.'

Dance in the Park

Free outdoor dance performances and participatory dance events at Wingfield Park and other parks. Open to all ages.

Movies in the Park

Free outdoor film screenings throughout July — family-friendly classics and themed nights at Wingfield Park and Rancho San Rafael. Bring chairs, blankets, and snacks.

Visual Arts & Galleries

Gallery walks, outdoor installations, and exhibition openings across Reno's MidTown and downtown art districts. The Nevada Museum of Art participates with special programming.

Kids' Arts Discovery Program

A free 22-day summer program at Wingfield Park with hands-on arts activities, performances, and workshops for kids. One of the best free family activities in Reno.

Workshops & Masterclasses

Hands-on classes in mosaics, painting, stained glass, and more — plus masterclasses with visiting artists like the Kronos Quartet. Most are free or low-cost.

Cultural Events

Gospel Fest, Buddhist chanting evenings, literary readings, film screenings, and historical talks. The 2026 theme ties into America's 250th birthday.

Headliner Productions

Major touring acts come through Artown each year. 2026 includes 'Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA' (July 2), Michael Feinstein, Kronos Quartet, Wynton Marsalis, and Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Key Venues (100+ Across Reno)

Artown 2026 fills 100+ spaces across Reno. Below are the major recurring venues; the full venue list lives on the Artown website and in the printed Little Book.

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

Main Stage

Main outdoor stage. Monday Night Music Series, opening night, closing night. Free parking but fills 60-90 min before showtime. Bring lawn chairs.

Wingfield Park

Downtown

Downtown island park amphitheater on the Truckee River. Movies in the Park, Dance in the Park, and the Kids' Arts Discovery Program are based here.

Nevada Museum of Art

Visual Arts

Special exhibitions, programming, and after-hours events throughout July at the Liberty Street museum.

Bartley Ranch Regional Park

Outdoor

South Reno park venue for select outdoor performances, often with theater and orchestral programming.

MidTown Reno Galleries

Galleries

Gallery walks, pop-up shows, and street performances throughout MidTown's arts corridor along S Virginia Street.

Riverwalk District

Downtown

Pop-up performances, busking-style shows, and open-air installations along the downtown Riverwalk corridor.

RNO Airport Performance Areas

Airport

Artown's airport performance series brings live music and visual installations into Reno-Tahoe International for arriving and departing travelers.

Nevada Sunset Winery

Talks

Saturday afternoon Artown Talks series — free historical and cultural presentations.

Neighborhood Theaters & Smaller Venues

City-Wide

100+ smaller venues across the city host film screenings, intimate performances, workshops, and cultural events. The Little Book has the full list.

Local Tips

Monday Night Music at Rancho San Rafael is the don't-miss event. Get there by 5:30 PM for a good spot. Bring food — there are usually food trucks but the lines get long.

Download the Little Book from artown.org — it's the complete schedule organized by date and category. Available in English and Spanish.

The free workshops fill up fast. If something interests you, register early through the Artown website.

July in Reno is hot (90s-100s). Evening outdoor events are the sweet spot — comfortable temperatures once the sun drops behind the mountains around 8 PM.

Artown overlaps with Hot August Nights at the end of the month (HAN starts July 31). If you're planning a trip, the last week of July gives you both.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Artown 2026? What are the dates?
Artown 2026 runs the entire month of July — Wednesday July 1 through Friday July 31, 2026. Opening night is July 1 at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. Closing night is July 31.
Who are the Artown 2026 headliners?
Confirmed 2026 headliners include Ballets Jazz Montreal performing 'Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen' (referenced for May 22 in the Artown calendar), 'Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA' on Thursday July 2, plus Michael Feinstein, Kronos Quartet, Wynton Marsalis, and Glenn Miller — all referenced in the Artown 2026 schedule materials. The full headliner lineup with confirmed dates is at artown.org.
Is Artown 2026 free?
The majority of Artown 2026 events are free — including the Monday Night Music Series at Rancho San Rafael, most concerts in Wingfield Park, kids' arts programs, dance performances, and workshops. A smaller number of headliner shows and special productions are ticketed; check artown.org for ticketed event details.
How many events and venues are at Artown 2026?
Artown 2026 features 600+ events at 100+ venues across Reno during July — making it one of the largest month-long arts festivals in the United States. Events span 11+ categories: music, dance, theater, film, visual arts, literary, workshops, kids' programs, and cultural celebrations.
Where are Artown events held in Reno?
Artown events take place at 100+ venues across Reno: Rancho San Rafael Regional Park (main outdoor stage for Monday Night Music Series and opening/closing nights), Wingfield Park (downtown amphitheater on the Truckee River), the Riverwalk District, MidTown Reno, Nevada Museum of Art, Bartley Ranch Regional Park, RNO airport performance areas, and dozens of smaller galleries, theaters, and outdoor spaces.
What is the Artown Monday Night Music Series 2026?
Free weekly concerts every Monday night in July at the Nevada State Bank Stage, Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. Bring a blanket or low lawn chairs (high chairs are restricted in some seating zones). Local and national artists perform. It's the signature Artown event and draws thousands. Arrive early — parking fills 60-90 minutes before showtime.
What kind of events are at Artown 2026?
Music (concerts, jazz, blues, world music, big band, classical), dance performances, theater productions, film screenings, visual art exhibitions, literary events, kids' arts discovery programs (22-day series), cultural celebrations, and hands-on workshops in mosaics, painting, stained glass, and more. Over 600 events across 11+ categories during July 2026.
Are there family events at Artown 2026?
Yes — Artown is one of Reno's best family festivals. Highlights include the free 22-day summer kids' arts discovery program at Wingfield Park, family concerts, Movies in the Park, Dance in the Park, and interactive workshops. Many evening Monday Night Music Series concerts at Rancho San Rafael are also family-friendly — locals bring kids, blankets, and picnics.
Where do I get the Artown 2026 schedule?
The complete 2026 schedule is at artown.org and in the Little Book — a free printed guide available at libraries, the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, and as a PDF download (in English and Spanish). Events are organized by date, category, and venue. The schedule is updated rolling through spring and summer as artists are confirmed.
Where do I park for Artown events?
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park has free parking but it fills 60-90 minutes before popular Monday night concerts — arrive early or ride-share. Downtown events at Wingfield Park are walkable from casino hotel parking and metered street parking. Bringing low lawn chairs and a blanket is recommended for outdoor shows.
How long has Artown been running?
Artown launched in 1996 and has run every July since. It's now one of the largest month-long arts festivals in the United States and the cultural anchor of Reno's summer.

More Reno Events

More Reno Guides

Keep exploring what Reno has to offer

Get Reno's best picks weekly