There is plenty to do in the Reno area this summer! Take a look at the festivals that are on the books over then next several months and make plans to come partake in the festivities.
Mariachi & Folkloric Festival - June, 24, 2023 11am-5pm
Location: Teglia's Paradise Park, 2700 Paradise Dr, Reno, NV 89512
This is an event for the whole family. A gathering of artists, dancers, and musicians representing the folkloric diversity in Northern Nevada. Plenty of food trucks, local vendors, and arts & crafts.
The Best Of The West Beard Festival - June 26, 2023 10am-9pm
Location: Wingfield Park, 2 South Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501 (Between 2nd & Island Street)
This is Nevada's largest beard festival including the world famous beard competition. There is live music all day to enjoy. Peach Fuzz City (kids area), local vendors galore to peruse and shop, some of Reno's tastiest food trucks, and a beer garden. All the proceeds raised will benefit The Altruistic American's Scholarship Fund! For more info and to learn about their mission, visit: www.thealtruisticamerican.com
RAGECON (Reno Area Gaming Expo) - June 30 - July 2, 2023 (Fri. 12pm-1am; Sat. 8am-1am; Sun. 8am-6pm)
Location: Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks, NV 89431
Whether you love board games, dice games, card games, role playing games, or miniture games, this expo is geared for fun! You can learn a new game from their extensive library or compete in play-to-win games. There will be RAGEBBUCKS raffles to win prizes and a vendor room if you would like to add to your gaming collection.
When buying your badges, be sure to take advantage of the select badges offering Military Discount (20%), Student Discount (20%), and Family Discount (20% for 3 or more badges).
To learn all you need to know about this event and purchase your badges, visit: RAGECON Expo
Dragon Lights - June 30 - August 13th, 2023
Location: Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 1595 N Sierra St, Reno, NV 89503 (located in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park)
While not a free event, this display of more than 40 groups of larger than life illuminated
lantern sculptures is a site to see. Interact and view these beautiful creations as you walk through the aboretum. This year the interactive playground area has been expanded due to popular demand. Food trucks will be present to meet your need for much enjoyed munchies.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Dragon Lights Reno
Art Town Opening Night - July 1, 2023 5pm-10pm
Location #1: McKinley Arts & Culture Center, 925 Riverside Dr, Reno, NV 89503
Location #2: Wingfield Park, 2 South Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501 (Between 2nd & Island Street)
Artown's Opening Night Celebration will begin at MckInley Arts lawn with family activities at 5:00pm. A parade with participants will commence on Riverside Drive continuing into Wingfield Park at 6:30 pm and a live performance will begin at Wingfield Park at 7:30 pm.
During the month of July there are numerous exhibits and music venues to attend. For more info on all of Artown's festivities and music venues, visit artown.org
Great American Craft Fairs Fall Fest - July 1 - October 1, 2023
These are FREE entry to the public events! Returning for Fall fest vendor arts & crafts fairs, food and drink vendors, a pumpkin throwing contest (now with 1000 pumpkins) and auto show.
- The Great Truckee Artisan Fair, Truckee River Regional Park, Truckee, CA – July 1st & 2nd
- The Great American Craft Fair, McKinley Park, Reno, NV – July 4th
- Food Trucks, McKinley Park, Reno, NV July 4th
- The Auto Exhibit, McKinley Park, Reno, NV – July 4th
- Great American Parade, Riverside Dr, Reno, NV – July 4th
- Art Walk on the Comstock, D Street, Virginia City, NV – August 19th & 20th
- Fall Festival, McKinley Park, Reno, NV – September 30th & October 1st
- The Auto Show, McKinley Park, Reno, NV – September 30th
- Pumpkin Throwing Contest, McKinley Park, Reno, NV – October 1st
For more info and event times, visit: greatamericancraftfairs.com
Movies In The Park, Presented by Cordillera International Film Festival - July 7-27, 2023 (Movies start at 9pm)
Location: Wingfield Park, 2 South Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501 (Between 2nd & Island Street)
Grab a blanket, lawn chair (or not), some munchies, family & friends and enjoy FREE movie nights this July! Come celebrate the movies with several evenings of free films, fun trivia, special guests, food, drinks, activities & giveaways inspired by the films.
- July 7th: Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark
- July 14th: The Goonies
- July 21: The Princess Bride
- July 27th: Summer Shorts! (The best short films from around the world with Q&A with the filmakers.)
Reno Basque Festival - July 15, 2023 10am-8pm
Location: Neil Road Recreation Center, 3925 Neil Rd., Reno, NV 89502
Come for the 10:00am Mass, stay for the lunch (12:30pm) and dancing (8:00pm). The Basque culture is alive and well here in Reno and they are sharing their hospitality and mouthwatering meals with any who want to experience authentic Basque culture.
For updated information, menu and food tickets, visit: Reno Basque Festival
Gospel Fest - July 16, 2023 6pm-9:30pm
Location: Wingfield Park, 2 South Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501
A Gospel Music Festival for the whole family with various artists performing.
5-Day Cordillera International Film Festival - July 27-31, 2023
Locations: To Be Announced Soon! Visit Cordillera International Film Festival 2023 for updates on this event.
Five days of 150+ films, panels and parties!
Biggest Little City Wing Fest - July 28 & 29, 2023 (Fri. 1pm-10pm; Sun. 12pm-10pm)
Location: The Row, Outside on Virginia Street from 2nd to 6th Street, Reno, NV
Just outside of the Eldorado, Circus Circus and Silver Legacy casinos is over 20,000 pounds of some of the tastiest wings in Nevada. Whether smoked, slathered in sauce, grilled or fired, the competitors will be making sure that there is plenty to go around. Awards will be presented on Saturday night.
For more information or to purchase a VIP tent, visit: Biggest Little Chicken Wing Fest
Reno Garlic Festival - July 29, 2023 3:30pm-8pm
Location: Dick Taylor Memorial Park, 1140 Beech St. Reno, NV 89512
Right off of Valley Road in Reno (the park right by the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center it's the most western part of the park right by the Kids Playground).
Welcome all garlic lovers! Celebrate our area's local growers and enjoy garlicky food galore!
... and so on.
Hot August Nights - August 1-6, 2023
Locations: Various
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa - 3800 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino - 2707 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino - 2500 E 2nd St, Reno, NV 89595
Nugget Casino Resort - 1100 Nugget Ave, Sparks, NV 89431
Baldini's Casino - 865 S Rock Blvd, Sparks, NV 89431
Bonanza Casnio - 4720 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89506
Summit Racing Equipment - 960 E Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431
Reno Events Center - 400 University Wy, Reno, NV 89501
Victorian Square - Victorian Ave, Sparks, NV 89431
This is considered one of the world's premier classic car events, including the popular Hot August Nights car auction. This year there are 5,500 officially registered classics taking over the streets of Reno and Sparks for this week of events. Come view these beautiful vehicles and enjoy many of the area's food/drink vendors, crafters and small businesses.
For complete event schedule and locations, visit Hot August Nights Events
Back To School Movie Night - August 11, 2023 7:30pm-10pm
Location: Huffaker Park, 1160 E. Huffaker Ln, Reno, Nevada 89511
This is a night for families to enjoy the park in the community, with the community, watch a fun movie together, finish out the summer, and ring in the new school year! There will be food/ice cream trucks, snacks and drinks to enjoy during the movie, and plenty of other fun activities to go around. The best part, everything is FREE except for the food/ice cream trucks.
For more info go to: hopereno.church
Nevada Humane Society Duck Races - August 12, 2023 10am-4pm
Location: Wingfield Park, 2 South Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501
This year the Duck Race & Festival will be hosted at Wingfield Park from 10-4pm on August 12, 2023. The ceremonial ducks will race at 2pm, and we can't wait to see you there! In addition to the ceremonial duck launch, we will also have lots of fun activities for the whole family beer garden, kitten adoptions, photo lounge, animal adoptions, food trucks, vendor booths, carnival games for the kids, face painting, and so much more.
Aloha Festival - August 19, 2023 10:00am-7:00pm
Location: Wingfield Park, 2 South Arlington Ave., Reno, NV 89501
One of Reno's youngest festivals, come enjoy the culture of the islands. This free entry event brings the music, dance and culture of the people of the Hawaiian islands into the heart of Reno. Plenty of food and local vendors to shop as the music transports you far from the Truckee River.
For more information and performance schedules, visit: www.renoalohafestival.com
Reno Water Lantern Festival - August 19, 2023 5pm-9pm
Location: Sparks Marina, 300 Howard Dr., Sparks, NV 89434
Pick-up your floating lantern kit on your way into the event and get creative! Munch on plenty of foodie finds as you create the perfect lantern while listening to music and just having some plain old fun.
The lantern launch is basically the scene from Tangled but bound to the water and not the sky...absolutely beautiful.For event schedule and to purchase tickets, visit: Water Lantern Festival
Fuego Latin Cultural Festival - August 19, 2023 12pm-10pm
Location: The Glow Plaza Festival Grounds, 670 W 4th St., Reno, NV 89503
This year markss the 1st for the Fuego Latin Cultural Festival in Reno! Come view works of local artists, vendors, musicians and food trucks.
Reno Chalk Art & Music Festival - Aug. 25-27, 2023 (Fri. & Sat. 8am-10pm; Sun. 8am-4pm)
Location: Parking lot West of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502
During this 3-day celebration, blacktop becomes a colorful artistic masterpeice with more than 150 of the best chalk artists coming in from all over the nation to compete during the Reno Chalk Art & Music Festival. There is event is the largest chalk art festival in the region. Come enjoy the live art installations, live music, food and drink vendors, and local art & craft shops. There is also a KIDS ZONE so that your youngsters can enjoy their time too! Come spend an hour or more watching these artists create their masterpeices for a variety of awards including Best Use of Color, Best Use of 3D, Best Reproduction of a Master’s Work, and the highly acclaimed People’s Choice Award. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy at this event...and if you feel like testing your luck you can head up the elevator into the Atlantis Hotel & Casino for some grown-up gaming.
Kids 17 and under are FREE! 3-Day entry tickets are only $10! (Yes, that's for entry all 3 days.)
For more information and to purchase your ticket, visit: Reno Chalk Art Fest
Best In The West Nugget Rib Cook-Off - August 30 - September 4, 2023 (Wed.-Sun. 10:30am-9:00pm; Monday 10:30am-5:00pm)
Location: 1100 Nugget Ave Sparks, NV 89431 (Victorian Square)
If you plan to barbeque for Labor Day Weekend, let the professionals do it for you! A 6-day BBQ, rib lovin', pulled pork savorin' festival unlike any other. Come enjoy all that the smokers and grills have to offer as 20+ invitation only competitors put on their game faces and strive to be the Best In The West! Your tastebuds and tummy will not complain from all that is available from competitors and Reno/Sparks food vendors, from sweet to savory and then back again.
For more information on parking, Rib Cookers, entertainment and more, visit: Nugget Rib Cookoff
The Great Reno Balloon Race - September 8-10, 2023
Location: San Rafael Regional Park, Rancho, Rancho Connector, Reno, NV 89503
Each year The Great Reno Balloon Race has taken flight with up to 100 balloons! This event has successfuly kept visitors in town the weekend between the State Fair and the Reno Air Races for 41 years, it is known as a world-renowned, and locally, a much beloved community tradition.
Food, drink and craft/art vendors are available each day to fulfill all of your family's wants.
For more info go to: greatamericancraftfairs.com
St. Anthony's 34th Annual Greek Festival - September 8 & 9, 2023 (Fri. 5:00pm-10:00pm; Sat. 12:00pm-10:00pm)
Location: Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Christian Church, 4795 Lakeside Dr, Reno, NV 89509
Experience Greek culture, food and true hospitality. Can it get any better than Greek food, music and dancing?! If you never have before, take a step into another culture in Reno you are sure to love.
For event schedule and ticket purchases, visit: Reno Greek Festival
Location: Virginia City Fairgrounds, 458 F St Virginia City, NV 89440
Just South East of Reno, and a drive up into the hills, you will find the most unexpected races there are...with plenty of laughs and fun for the whole family. Camels, ostriches, and zebras are raced by both professional and amateur jockeys in this event that started as a prank between two newspaper editors more than 60 years ago.
There is plenty to do before and after show times with plenty of Virginia City merchants, restaurants, saloons and other attractions. (The ice cream parlor in Red's Old Fashioned Candies is one of our family's favorite stops.)
For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit: The International Camel & Ostrich Races
41st Annual Great Italian Festival - October 7 & 8, 2023 (Sat. 10am-7pm; Sun. 10am-6pm)
Location: Eldorado Resort Casino, 345 N Virginia St., Reno, NV 89501
Little Italy comes to downtown Reno! Columbus Day weekend brings with it a celebration of Italian culture and traditionns for all to enjoy. Plenty of pasta, sauce cooking contest, grape stomping, food booths, an Italian farmers market, Kiddie Land with games & face painting, and free live entertainment all weekend long.
For more information, visit: Great Italian Festival
Euro Fest - October 13-15, 2023 (Times TBA)
Location: The Glow Plaza Festival Grounds, 670 W 4th St., Reno, NV 89503
"Beats, Brats, Brews" Live music, delicious European food, and fun activities for the whole family!
For more information and vendor applications, visit Williams, LTD - EuroFest 2023
