What's Happening in Reno This Weekend — April 24-26, 2026
By Ask Reno
Three festivals, six concerts, a motorcycle hillclimb, and a mimosa crawl — all in one weekend. If you've been sitting around saying there's nothing to do in Reno, this is the weekend that proves you wrong.
Saturday is the strongest single day I've seen on the calendar this year. You could start with RenoFest in the morning, catch the Jazz Festival at UNR in the afternoon, hit the Mimosa Crawl downtown, and end with Brooks & Dunn at the Nugget or Nate Smith at GSR. Or skip all of that and watch motorcycles race uphill through Virginia City. Your call.
Here's the full breakdown.
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The Anchors: Three Festivals Running Simultaneously
Reno Jazz Festival (Through Saturday)
Where: UNR, Nightingale Concert Hall When: Through April 25
One of the oldest and most respected college jazz festivals in the country. Student ensembles from across the West Coast perform alongside professional headliners. Even if jazz isn't your default genre, the musicianship at this thing is worth experiencing. Evening shows in Nightingale Hall are the highlight.
55th Annual Virginia City Grand Prix (All Weekend)
Where: Virginia City (30 min south of Reno) When: April 24-26, all three days Cost: FREE to watch
Motorcycle hillclimb racing through the streets of a 160-year-old mining town. Bikes ripping uphill on C Street with saloons on both sides. This is one of the most unique motorsport events in the country and it's completely free to attend. Plan extra drive time — the road to VC gets backed up on race days.
RenoFest 2026 — Final Weekend
Where: Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center When: Through April 26 (Fri 4-10 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM-10 PM) Cost: FREE entry, ride wristbands $35
This is the last weekend of RenoFest's 10-day run. Saturday is the Children's Entrepreneur Market (noon-4 PM) with young local business owners plus Sierra Heights Harmony youth choir performing Disney music. If you haven't been yet, this is your last shot.
Friday Night: Warren Zeiders + Clutch
Warren Zeiders at the Grand Sierra Resort Grand Theatre — Doors at 7 PM. The country-rock artist behind "Pretty Little Poison" and "Ride the Lightning" has been selling out rooms across the country. He's back again Sunday at Cargo if Friday doesn't work.
Clutch at Cargo Concert Hall — Maryland's heaviest export. If you know, you know. "Electric Worry," "A Quick Death in Texas," 30 years of riffs. This is a don't-miss for anyone who likes their rock on the heavier side.
Saturday: The Best Single Day on the Calendar
This is the day to go all-in. Here's what's running:
Reno Mimosa Day Crawl — Noon to 6 PM, 25+ downtown venues. Limited tickets. This is the kind of thing that sounds like a tourist trap but actually works because you end up discovering bars you didn't know existed. 21+.
Brooks & Dunn at the Nugget Event Center — SOLD OUT. If you have tickets, you already know. If you don't, check resale.
Nate Smith at GSR Grand Theatre — Doors at 7 PM. The guy behind "Whiskey on You" brings genuine country energy. Solid alternative if you missed Brooks & Dunn tickets.
As If! 90s Rock Show at Reno Public Market — Free live music at the market. Casual Saturday vibes, grab food from the hall and enjoy.
Know Good + C-KAN, MC DAVO & DHARIUS at Cargo Concert Hall — Two shows, one venue. Latin hip-hop and live performance.
Science Distilled: Drive-in for Science — 7:30-9 PM at the West Wind El Rancho Drive-In in Sparks. Science talks at a drive-in theater. This is the kind of weirdly specific Reno event that you either love or have never heard of. Ticketed.
Children's Entrepreneur Market at RenoFest — Noon to 4 PM. Young local business owners selling their own products. Worth checking out even without kids.
Sunday: Wrap It Up
Farm Day at Rancho San Rafael — 10 AM to 1 PM. Free, family-friendly. Farm animals, agriculture activities. Good morning outing for kids before the weekend ends.
Black Veil Brides at GSR Grand Theatre — Doors at 5:35 PM. The theatrical rock band brings the full production. If your teenager has been begging, this is the one.
Warren Zeiders at Cargo Concert Hall — Second show of the weekend, different venue. Smaller room, more intimate energy than GSR.
Pop Evil at Cargo Concert Hall — Hard rock from Grand Rapids. "Trenches," "Footsteps," arena-level energy in a club-sized room.
Toytopia at Wilbur D. May Museum — Final day. Interactive toy exhibit that's been running since March. Last chance to catch it.
RenoFest wraps its 10-day run. 10 AM to 10 PM. Ride the rides one last time.
Also Happening
- Cirque Alice at the Eldorado — The acrobatic show continues through July.
- USBC Open Championships — The world's largest bowling tournament. Free to watch at the National Bowling Stadium. Guide →
- What the Constitution Means to Me at Brüka Theatre — Final night is April 25. Heidi Schreck's acclaimed play. Last chance.
The Play-by-Play: If You Only Have One Day
Saturday morning: RenoFest (10 AM) or Farm Day prep for Sunday Saturday afternoon: Mimosa Crawl downtown (noon-6 PM) or Jazz Festival at UNR Saturday evening: Brooks & Dunn (sold out) / Nate Smith at GSR / Science Distilled at the drive-in Sunday morning: Farm Day at Rancho San Rafael (10 AM) + Toytopia final day Sunday evening: Black Veil Brides or Warren Zeiders at Cargo
Saturday is the day. If you can only do one, do Saturday.
Related: Full Events Calendar → | What to Do in Reno Today → | RenoFest Guide → | Virginia City Grand Prix → | Jazz Festival →