From festivals and concerts to sports and cultural celebrations, Reno Tahoe packs the calendar with high-energy events through the end of summer
RENO, Nev. (July 28, 2025) – Amid the busy summer travel season, Visit Reno Tahoe announces the close of the summer events season and a kick-off to fall. The urban basecamp is primed with opportunities for outdoor adventure, diverse dining experiences, and more, amongst the backdrop of the changing seasons.
“Summer continues to bring thrilling events to the destination and, as we look ahead to fall, we’re keeping that momentum going with a dynamic lineup of experiences for visitors and locals,” said Mike Larragueta, President and CEO of Visit Reno Tahoe. “From community celebrations to culinary experiences and music festivals, the end of summer in Reno Tahoe sets the stage for a vibrant and unforgettable season ahead.”
Visit Reno Tahoe’s end-of-summer and fall calendar is filled with a high-energy lineup of events, offering visitors a variety of ways to experience the region’s vibrant culture, outdoor adventure, and entertainment. Below are a few key highlights:
- Artown, Visit Reno Tahoe’s month-long arts festival, celebrates its 30th anniversary this July with daily events showcasing creativity across the city. With over 500 live performances and exhibitions—including at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport—the festival offers something for everyone. From cabaret dancers and fashion shows to gallery exhibits and a summer concert series, Artown brings the city to life with art in every form.
- The destination will continue to welcome live music at RNO through the rest of 2025. Aligned with special events in Reno Tahoe, travelers can expect a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere as they step off the plane. Travelers can see live music at the airport during Hot August Nights on August 1; Burning Man on August 24; Best In The West Nugget Rib Cook Off on August 27; The Great Reno Balloon Race on September 5; and Eldorado Great Italian Festival on October 11.
- Hot August Nights, taking place from August 1-10, is considered one of the world’s premier classic car events, with more than 5,000 vehicles from this golden era of design being showcased with activities all over Reno and Sparks.
- Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival takes place throughout the summer with performances of Twelfth Night and Peter and the Starcatcher from July 5-August 24 at the Warren Edward Trepp Stage in Sand Harbor State Park. Attendees can enjoy live performances from professional actors while enjoying a gourmet meal and drinks against the backdrop of the sunset of Lake Tahoe.
- The J Resort Festival Grounds will host the Now or Never Music Festival on August 2nd, with performances from Quinn XCII, Chelsea Cutler, Maggie Lindeman and Leah Kate.
- Burning Man will once again return to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert from August 24-Sept. 1. This year’s theme is Tomorrow Today, an invitation to imagine the future in new ways and will showcase Burning Man’s global culture of art and innovation.
- From August 27-Sept. 1, Best in The West Nugget Rib Cook Off will kick off at The Nugget Casino Resort in search of its annual Best in the West cookoff winner.
- The Great Reno Balloon Race returns from September 5-7 for its annual three-day celebration, offering travelers the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event. Up to 100 different balloons rise into the sky with special displays including Super Glow Shows, Mass Ascension Launch, and more.
- On September 6th, Northern Nevada Pride transforms the destination into a celebration of love, inclusivity, and activism, complete with a one-mile parade and booths from local artisans and food and beverage vendors.
- The Reno-Tahoe International Art Show is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing fine art events in the country. This year’s event will take place from September 11-14 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
- Visit Reno Tahoe’s Street Vibrations Fall Rally will be held September 25-28, 2025, drawing over 35,000 attendees to celebrate motorcycles, music and metal. The festival will feature poker runs, live entertainment, stunt shows, ride-in shows and more across several locations in the region, including Historic Virginia City, Reno Harley-Davidson, Michael’s Reno POWERsports, and Battle Born Harley-Davidson in Carson City.
- Dragon Lights Reno returns to the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Rancho San Rafael Park September 26-November 30. This year’s theme is ‘Odyssey of Waves & Woods,’ with three captivating zones showcasing iconic Chinese dragons, a vibrant underwater world and a whimsical forest escape. Tickets go on sale August 18.
- THE ROW’s 43rd Annual Great Italian Festival will be held on Columbus Day Weekend, October 11-12, 2025. In celebration of Italian culture and traditions, see downtown Reno become its very own Little Italy with a sauce cooking contest, a variety of pasta dishes, an Italian Farmer’s Market, grape stomping and live entertainment.
Along with the following highlighted list of events, a full lineup of all happenings and details can be viewed here.
From new flight routes to recently renovated accommodations at top hotels, travelers can enjoy the best of what’s new in Reno Tahoe:
- Peppermill Resort Spa Casino welcomes a new era of luxury, with completed renovations on its Deluxe King and Deluxe Two Queen rooms, as well as its 1,205 sq. ft. Penthouse Suites. Updates include modern furnishings, steam showers, plush bedding, and upgraded in-room amenities.
- The City of Reno accepted Grand Sierra Resort’s permit for construction on the first phase of its $1 billion arena project.
- Phase II construction of the Oddie District has officially broken ground, with a 175,000-square-foot redevelopment project transforming a vacant former home improvement store into a multi-faceted business innovation hub.
- Starting August 14th, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport will welcome a new, seasonal nonstop flight from Spirit Airlines from San Diego (SAN). The seasonal route will fly three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
- Perenn Bakery will open a new location at the Nevada Museum of Art on August 15. The new café will offer a curated selection of the bakery’s most beloved items, such as fresh pastries and organic coffee and specialty lattes as well as salads, sandwiches and more for guests of the museum to dine in or take out.
- The Nevada Museum of Art is inviting the community to celebrate the grand opening of the museum’s expansion and the Charles and Stacie Mathewson Education & Research Center on August 23-24. A gala/opening celebration for museum members will take place in the evening on August 23.
- The Reno Experience District (RED) announced new offerings for visitors and locals, including Electric Pickle, a premium entertainment venue which will debut in early 2026 with state-of-the-art pickleball courts, golf simulators, bocce ball facilities and live music performances. Fallon, NV-based Country Creamery, known for its handcrafted ice cream flavors and sustainable farming practices, will also join RED.
To learn more about all that Visit Reno Tahoe has to offer, visit: https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/
See images here.