Top 5 Don't-Miss Events
TL;DR — The signature Reno events
Great Reno Balloon Race
🎈 Must-SeeSep 10-13
Hot August Nights
🚗 IconicJul 31 - Aug 9
Burning Man
🔥 GatewayAug 30 - Sep 7
Reno Rodeo
🤠 LegendaryJun 18-27
Reno River Festival
🚣 Summer KickoffMay 29-31
💡 Pro Tip: The Great Reno Balloon Race is completely FREE and a must-see. Arrive by 5:30 AM for the magical Dawn Patrol. Hot August Nights is the largest classic car event in the world — book hotels early!
2026 USBC Open Championships
World's largest bowling tournament at the National Bowling Stadium — FREE admission for spectators
Featured Events
Signature Reno experiences you don't want to miss
2026 USBC Open Championships
📍 National Bowling Stadium
The 2026 USBC Open Championships come to Reno's famed National Bowling Stadium. The largest annual bowling tournament in the world — thousands of bowlers compete over 4 months. A massive economic driver for downtown Reno.
Reno Fest
📍 Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
10 days of carnival rides, Food Truck Alley, Vendor Village, and daily themes like Pet Day, College Night, and local performances. Carnival wristbands available for early access pricing!
NCVA Far Western Volleyball - Weekend 3 (17s-18s)
📍 Reno-Sparks Convention Center
NCVA Far Western National Qualifier - Weekend 3 features 17s and 18s divisions. Fills hotels across Reno.
Reno Aces Home Games
AAA Baseball at Greater Nevada Field
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri Mar 27 | vs. Tacoma Rainiers | 2:05 PM |
| Sat Mar 28 | vs. Tacoma Rainiers | 4:05 PM |
| Sun Mar 29 | vs. Tacoma Rainiers | 1:05 PM |
| Tue Apr 7 | vs. Salt Lake Bees | 6:05 PM |
| Wed Apr 8 | vs. Salt Lake Bees | 6:05 PM |
| Thu Apr 9 | vs. Salt Lake Bees | 6:05 PM |
| Fri Apr 10 | vs. Salt Lake Bees | 6:35 PM |
| Sat Apr 11 | vs. Salt Lake Bees | 6:05 PM |
| Sun Apr 12 | vs. Salt Lake Bees | 1:05 PM |
📍 Greater Nevada Field • 250 Evans Ave, Downtown Reno
Nevada Wolf Pack Events
UNR Athletics, Arts & Campus Events
🏀 Wolf Pack Athletics
| Game | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🎷Reno Jazz Festival | Fri, Apr 24 | All Day |
⭐ Special Events & Lectures
Innovation Day
Showcase student innovation and research
🎓 Spring 2026 Commencement
📍 The Quad • May 14-16, 2026
🐺 Go Pack! For full schedules and event details, visit events.unr.edu or nevadawolfpack.com
Convention Center Events
Reno-Tahoe Convention Center
Expos, Trade Shows & Conventions
📍 4590 S Virginia St, Reno
| Event | Dates | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 🎪Reno Expo | Mar 26-29 | Expo |
| 🏐NCVA Far Western Volleyball - Weekend 1 (12s-14s) | Apr 3-5 | Sports |
| 🎡Reno Fest | Apr 10-13 | Festival |
| 🏐NCVA Far Western Volleyball - Weekend 2 (15s-16s) | Apr 10-12 | Sports |
| 🏐NCVA Far Western Volleyball - Weekend 3 (17s-18s) | Apr 17-19 | Sports |
| 🎡Nevada State Fair | Jun 11-13 | Festival |
All Events
Browse by month
March 2026(3 events)
Toytopia
📍 Wilbur D. May Museum
Interactive toy exhibit at the Wilbur D. May Museum in Rancho San Rafael Park. Final day April 26.
2026 USBC Open Championships →
📍 National Bowling Stadium
The 2026 USBC Open Championships come to Reno's famed National Bowling Stadium. The largest annual bowling tournament in the world — thousands of bowlers compete over 4 months. A massive economic driver for downtown Reno.
Cirque Alice
📍 Eldorado Casino
Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatic show running through summer at Eldorado.
April 2026(27 events)
What the Constitution Means to Me
📍 Brüka Theatre
Heidi Schreck's acclaimed play exploring the Constitution through personal stories. A powerful, funny, and deeply moving theatrical experience on the Brüka mainstage.
Riverside Farmers Market
📍 Idlewild Park
Reno's seasonal farmers market at Idlewild Park. Local produce, artisan goods, baked goods, and food vendors. Spring through fall.
Reno Fest
📍 Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
10 days of carnival rides, Food Truck Alley, Vendor Village, and daily themes like Pet Day, College Night, and local performances. Carnival wristbands available for early access pricing!
Reno Jazz Festival
📍 University of Nevada, Reno
Three-day jazz festival with headline concerts and student clinics.
NCVA Far Western Volleyball - Weekend 3 (17s-18s) →
📍 Reno-Sparks Convention Center
NCVA Far Western National Qualifier - Weekend 3 features 17s and 18s divisions. Fills hotels across Reno.
Virginia City Grand Prix
📍 Virginia City
Legendary off-road motorcycle race through the historic streets and trails of Virginia City. One of the oldest hillclimb races in America.
As If! Bringing the Definitive '90s Rock Show
📍 Reno Public Market
90s rock tribute show at Reno Public Market.
Brooks & Dunn
📍 Nugget Event Center
Country legends Brooks & Dunn at Nugget Event Center.
Jay Leno (Comedy)
📍 Silver Legacy Casino
Comedy legend and car enthusiast Jay Leno at Silver Legacy.
C-KAN, MC DAVO & DHARIUS
📍 Cargo Concert Hall
C-KAN, MC DAVO & DHARIUS at Cargo Concert Hall.
Nate Smith
📍 Grand Sierra Resort (Grand Theatre)
Nate Smith at Grand Sierra Resort (Grand Theatre).
Donner Party Chautauqua: James & Margret Reed
📍 Good Luck Macbeth Theatre
Living history performance by local authors David & Gayle Woodruff recounting the Donner Party survivors and rescuers. 7:30 PM at GLM.
Science Distilled: Drive-in for Science
📍 West Wind El Rancho Drive-In, Sparks
Outdoor science event at the drive-in theater. 7:30-9 PM. Ticketed admission.
Reno Mimosa Day Crawl
📍 Downtown Reno (25+ venues)
Bar crawl hitting 25+ downtown venues. Noon - 6 PM. Limited tickets. 21+.
Piano Heist: Keyboard Explosion (Free Family Series)
📍 Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
FREE family-friendly performance from Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin — classical piano, boogie woogie, and 300 years of music mashed together with modern technology. Saturday 3:00-4:30 PM. No reservations required.
Little Chefs: CHOP, Slice & Dice It — Veggie Burgers
📍 Urban Roots Farm (1700 E. 2nd St.)
Parent-child cooking workshop from Urban Roots (the Dead Plant Society people). Your little chef learns knife skills while making veggie burgers with farm-fresh ingredients. Ages 2-4 and 5-13, split into groups. Saturday 10:00 AM-12:30 PM, $35 per child, scholarships available.
Reno Margarita Crawl
📍 Downtown Reno
Pub crawl through downtown Reno bars with margarita specials. Wristband event with multiple participating venues.
Black Veil Brides
📍 Grand Sierra Resort (Grand Theatre)
Black Veil Brides at Grand Sierra Resort (Grand Theatre).
Warren Zeiders
📍 Cargo Concert Hall
Country/rock artist Warren Zeiders performs at Cargo Concert Hall.
Farm Day at Rancho San Rafael
📍 Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
Family-friendly farm day with farm animals and agriculture-themed activities. 10 AM - 1 PM. Free.
Architects
📍 Grand Sierra Resort (Grand Theatre)
Architects at Grand Sierra Resort (Grand Theatre).
Community Conversation: How to fight TRUTH DECAY
📍 Reno Public Market
Community discussion event at Reno Public Market.
UNR Spring Dance Concert
📍 Redfield Proscenium Theatre, UNR
UNR Dance showcases new choreography by faculty and guest artists. Thu-Fri 7:30pm, Sat 1:30pm & 7:30pm.
Untamed: 99 Short Plays
📍 Good Luck Macbeth Theatre
99 short plays ranging from 30 seconds to over 5 minutes. Chaotic, creative, unforgettable.
May 2026(26 events)
Incline Village Farmers Market
📍 Incline Village Library (Lake Tahoe)
Incline Village Farmers Market at the library near Lake Tahoe. Local produce, baked goods, crafts. Combine with a beach day at Sand Harbor.
Art After Dark: Salsa Night
📍 Nevada Museum of Art (Sky Room)
21+ salsa night with Tiempo Latino Dance Company — beginner-friendly lesson, social dancing, faux stained glass craft, libations, and a photo booth. Friday 7-10 PM in the Sky Room.
Gentle Reminders — Steve deBruyn Solo Reception
📍 The Potentialist Workshop
Free opening reception for Canadian artist Steve deBruyn — his first solo show in the USA. Friday 6-9 PM at the Potentialist Workshop.
Hoofbeat Heroes Paint & Sip Fundraiser
📍 The Potentialist Workshop
A Paint & Sip fundraiser for Hoofbeat Heroes Equine Rescue. 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM at The Potentialist Workshop.
Makers Masquerade
📍 The Potentialist Workshop
Late-night maker masquerade at Reno's largest immersive studio, in partnership with Krystal K and Poem Harvest. Saturday 7 PM-12 AM. Costumes encouraged.
Reno Cinco de Mayo Festival
📍 Downtown Reno
Reno's annual Cinco de Mayo celebration — live music, authentic food, dancing, family activities, and community spirit.
Comedy Night at Midnight Coffee Roasting
📍 Midnight Coffee Roasting
Monthly Friday comedy show at Midnight Coffee Roasting. 8:00 PM. Craft coffee and food available. Local comics perform in an intimate setting.
Hot August Nights Spring Fever
📍 Reno
Spring preview of Hot August Nights — classic cars, cruising, and rock 'n' roll.
Leonard and Friends Painting Party
📍 The Potentialist Workshop
Special painting party hosted at the Potentialist. Friday 6-9 PM.
Moms on the Run 5K
📍 Downtown Reno
Mother's Day weekend 5K run/walk. Family-friendly event celebrating moms. Proceeds support local charities.
Tahoe City Spring Festival
📍 Tahoe City
Annual spring festival in Tahoe City — live music, food vendors, craft booths, and outdoor activities. 45 min from Reno.
Weirdo Art Night
📍 Nevada Fine Arts
Free after-hours art meetup hosted by Chris (@chris_dogt) every other Friday, 5:30-7:30 PM. Any medium, any age — from sewing machines to Posca markers. Bring a project, grab pizza, hang with other artists.
UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell
📍 Reno Events Center
Reggae legends. 'Red Red Wine' live! 7:00 PM.
Hot August Nights Spring Fever Revival
📍 Downtown Reno
The spring preview of Hot August Nights — classic car shows, live music, and nostalgia in downtown Reno. A taste of the main summer event.
Great Basin Food Co-op 2026 Seedling Sale
📍 Great Basin Community Food Co-op (240 Court St)
Annual seedling sale featuring plants acclimated to Reno's high-altitude desert. Online pre-orders April 16-May 8; pickup Saturday May 16 from 8 AM-Noon at 240 Court St. Farmers retain 100% of sales.
Reno Craft Beer Crawl
📍 Downtown Reno
Walk between Reno's best breweries and bars sampling local craft beer. Wristband event with exclusive pours and specials.
Claypool Gold: Primus, Les Claypool's Frog Brigade & The Claypool Lennon Delirium
📍 Reno Events Center
Triple bill featuring Primus and Les Claypool's side projects. 7:00 PM.
Ron White
📍 Grand Sierra Resort
Blue Collar Comedy Tour legend. 'Tater Salad' himself!
Memorial Day Weekend at Lake Tahoe
📍 Lake Tahoe
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off summer at Lake Tahoe. Beach openings, boat launches, outdoor events, and the unofficial start of lake season. 45 min from Reno.
Reno Tech Challenge Showcase
📍 The Discovery
FREE STEM showcase for 4-12th graders! Teams present engineering projects they've designed and built. Prizes up to $100 awarded. FREE Discovery admission for participating teams and families. Registration deadline: May 1. Register by April 17 for free T-shirts.
May Fairy Fair
📍 The Potentialist Workshop
Mystical market with local vendors, food trucks, and live bands. Saturday 12 PM-8 PM at the Potentialist.
Reno Riverwalk Wine Walk (May)
📍 Reno Riverwalk District
Second spring wine walk along the Riverwalk District. Sample wines from local and regional wineries with live music and food.
Alabama Shakes
📍 Grand Sierra Resort
4x Grammy-winning rock band. Brittany Howard's incredible vocals live!
Reno River Festival →
📍 Idlewild Park
3 days, 30 acts, 2 stages at Idlewild Park. Friday & Saturday headliners TBA. Larger food fest, 100+ vendors, Reno Tahoe Adventure Park Carnival, whitewater rafting, 18-hole bucket golf course, coed softball tournament, expanded Hops & Happiness beer tour, sing-along bar, Dog Jog 5K/K-9K, bark park, art classes, yoga, and kickboxing. Summer begins here.
Sweat by Lynn Nottage
📍 Reno Little Theater
Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about factory workers facing layoffs and division. Directed by Lily Baran. Pay-what-you-wish on May 30. Talkback on June 7.
June 2026(5 events)
Juvenile and the 400 Degreez Band
📍 Grand Sierra Resort
Hip-hop legend. 'Back That Azz Up' live!
Nevada State Fair →
📍 Nevada State Fairgrounds
The official Nevada State Fair returns to Reno after 16 years! Livestock shows, 4-H expo, Governor's Sale of Champions, farmers market, carnival, and more. Tickets on sale April 15.
Reno Rodeo →
📍 Reno Livestock Events Center
The Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West! 10 days of rodeo action.
BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival
📍 Downtown Reno
Downtown summer kick-off: BBQ vendors, craft beer, live blues/rock.
Hell's Kitchen (Broadway)
📍 Pioneer Center
Alicia Keys Broadway musical.
July 2026(8 events)
Artown
📍 Citywide (Downtown & Midtown)
Month-long arts & culture festival with HUNDREDS of events. Many FREE!
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: Macbeth
📍 Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe
Shakespeare's Macbeth performed outdoors at Sand Harbor on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Directed by Sara Bruner. One of the region's premier summer theater experiences.
Silver Age Comic Con 2026
📍 Reno-Sparks Convention Center
Comic book and pop culture convention.
The Sound of Music (Broadway)
📍 Pioneer Center
The classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.
Wynonna Judd & Melissa Etheridge — Raised on Radio Tour
📍 Silver Legacy Resort Casino
Wynonna Judd and Melissa Etheridge perform at the Reno Ballroom at Silver Legacy. Tickets on sale 3/13 at 10 AM via Ticketmaster.
Night in the Country
📍 Yerington, NV
Nevada's premier country music festival — 26+ acts across 5 stages over 3 nights, plus daytime experiences and afterparties. 72+ hours of music with friends. Camping available. 25 years and counting. 90 min from Reno.
Hot August Nights (40th Anniversary) →
📍 Reno & Sparks (Multiple Venues)
Reno's iconic classic car and nostalgia festival turns 40! The largest classic car event in the world.
Biggest Little City Wing Fest
📍 Silver Legacy / Virginia Street, Downtown Reno
12th annual wing festival — 20,000+ lbs of chicken wings, live music, games, arts & crafts vendors. Fri 1-10PM, Sat 12-10PM, Sun 12-9PM. Same weekend as Hot August Nights kickoff.
August 2026(3 events)
Shinedown with Coheed and Cambria
📍 Nugget Event Center
Rock powerhouses Shinedown and Coheed and Cambria at Nugget Event Center.
Reno Aloha Festival
📍 Wingfield Park, Downtown Reno
Annual celebration of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture at Wingfield Park. Music, food, hula, and family activities. Dates TBC for 2026.
Burning Man →
📍 Black Rock City (via Reno)
80,000+ people pass through Reno en route to Black Rock City. Reno is the gateway to the burn.
September 2026(3 events)
Great Reno Balloon Race
📍 Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
World's largest FREE hot-air ballooning event! Dawn Patrol starts at 5:30 AM.
Biggest Little Latin Festival
📍 Virginia Street, Downtown Reno
Annual celebration of Latin culture on Virginia Street. Music, food, vendors, and family-friendly activities at The Row. Dates TBC for 2026.
Los Tigres del Norte
📍 Grand Sierra Resort
Norteño legends Los Tigres del Norte at Grand Sierra Resort.
October 2026(2 events)
Apple Harvest Festival
📍 Victorian Square, Sparks
Fall harvest celebration in Sparks with apple-themed food, craft vendors, live music, and family activities. Dates TBC for 2026.
Grand Sierra Beer & Chili Festival
📍 Grand Sierra Resort
12th annual beer and chili fest at GSR. Unlimited tastings, live music, awards. 21+ only. Tickets ~$60. Noon-6PM.
Recurring Events
Local traditions that happen weekly or monthly
First Thursday at Nevada Museum of Art
📍 160 W Liberty St, Reno
Long-standing locals tradition: live music + drinks + galleries.
View Schedule →Riverside Farmers Market
📍 Idlewild Park
Year-round market with local growers, bakers, and artisan vendors.
Market Info →Laugh Factory at Silver Legacy
📍 Silver Legacy (The ROW), Downtown
Reno's major comedy club with rotating national headliners.
Show Schedule →Community Theaters
NewFour local theater companies with shows almost every weekend — recommended by r/Reno locals.
Reno Improv
📍 The Foundry, Downtown
Reno's dedicated improv theater — open 50 weekends a year. Improv Against Humanity is a local favorite.
Show Schedule →Bruka Theatre
📍 99 N Virginia St, Downtown
Now showing: The Tempest (running 3 weekends through Mar 29). Intimate black box theater in the heart of downtown.
Current Shows →Restless Artist Theater (RAT)
📍 Sparks
Eclectic independent theater company in Sparks. Known for bold, unconventional productions.
Upcoming Shows →Reno Little Theater
Reno's oldest continuously operating community theater — since 1935.
renolittletheater.org →Good Luck Macbeth
Experimental theater company — Shakespeare, new works, and immersive experiences.
goodluckmacbeth.org →Event Calendars to Bookmark
For the most up-to-date listings
Planning your day? What to Do in Reno Today has coffee, food, and activities — morning to night, all in one page.
Every Friday (Spring–Fall): Food Truck Friday at Idlewild Park — Reno's biggest weekly food event. Pro tip: Feed the Camel on Wednesdays has shorter lines.
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