Northern Nevada has a rich history of events that draw people from around the world to our region. From Rib Cook-offs and Celebrity Golf tournaments to local community fairs and celebrations.
Here is a list of some of the best local Northern Nevada events enjoyed annually:
Reno
Reno Ballon Races
The Great Reno Balloon Race is the largest free hot-air ballooning event in the world. During three days in early September, you can look up into the Reno skies and see a rainbow of hot air balloons soaring about. From its humble beginnings in 1982 with just 20 balloons, The Great Reno Balloon Race has taken flight with up to 100 balloons each year. Read more…
Hot August Nights
During an evening night on August 1,1986, the Reno-Sparks Convention Center was bursting at the seams with hundreds of revelers who were partying, cheering and pushing to be let in to a first-time event. Inside, 10,000 spectators were massed together in anticipation of seeing and hearing a live event of the Righteous Brothers, Wolfman Jack, and Jan & Dean! It was that night when nostalgia was unleashed among an audience who excitedly relived their childhood years of the 50’s and 60’s – a time of innocence, prosperity, cars and the birth of Rock and Roll. The weather was HOT, the month of AUGUST was right, therefore, HOT AUGUST NIGHTS was born!
Reno Air Races
The National Championship Air Races is the last event of its kind, carrying on the tradition of the Cleveland Air Races of the 1920s, 30s and 40s. In 1964, Bill Stead organized an air race near Reno, Nevada, and the Reno National Championship Air Races were born. The event that Bill Stead started in the Nevada desert more than 47 years ago is still going strong.
Nugget Rib Cook-off
Come out and enjoy the country’s best rib competition and the best ribs in West as we once again transform Victorian Square in downtown Sparks into a must-attend culinary, music, craft, and family end-of-summer affair.
As always, parking and admission are free
The Great Italian Festival
For 34 years, the Eldorado has brought the sights, sounds and flavors of Italy to downtown Reno. The outdoor festival, held annually over Columbus Day weekend, is a celebration of Italian culture and tradition. Downtown Reno is transformed into Little Italy with music and food.
Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival
Fire up the grills, tap the kegs and crank up the tunes for Reno’s best summer kick-off party! The Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival is equal parts barbecue block party, microbrew tasting event with more than 40 microbrews from around the world and music festival with two stages featuring non-stop rock and blues.
Aces Baseball
The Reno AAA Affiliate for the Arizona Diamond Backs. Reno Aces Baseball is a great family event location all summer long in Reno. The Downtown Reno Stadium is a jewel, located next to the river and the railroad tracks.
Great Night Skis and fantastic baseball atmosphere with fireworks most Friday nights.
Bighorn Basketball
NBA D-League Basketball in the heart of downtown Reno. This exciting level of basketball is another great family event in Reno. These players are on the cusp of being on an NBA team and the Reno team has a history of being high scoring and electric.
University of Nevada Athletics
The University of Nevada is host to top-level Division I athletic teams. The Wolfpack have a great home tradition in Football, basketball and Baseball. On any given evening, you can see fans from around the region at one of the event centers hosting top collegiate teams from around the nation.
Carson City and the Carson Valley
Eagles & Agriculture
Eagle and Ag is the absolute best chance to view and photograph bald eagles. Bald eagles come to the area in February to kick off our Eagles and Agriculture event. Nature lovers and raptor aficionados throughout the world flock to this annual event, which features tours and workshops, including the Private Ranch & Eagle Tour, Welcome Dinner, Owl-Prowl Tour, a photo workshop and a raft/canoe trip on the Carson River.
The Genoa Cowboy Festival
The Genoa Cowboy Festival brings the finest western poets, musicians and craftsmen to Nevada’s oldest town for three days in May that are not to be missed.
The Annual Cowboy Festival in Historic Genoa, Nevada. Ride on out to Genoa for great music, food, entertainment, down-home family fun and so much more!
Carson Valley Days
Carson Valley Days in June, on the second weekend each year. This five-day event showcases small-town U.S.A and features a parade, carnival, concerts and a variety of unique activities that have been a tradition for over 100 years.
The Annual Genoa Candy Dance,
The Candy Dance is one of the largest fine arts and handcrafts fairs in the nation. Every year on the last weekend of September, thousands of people come from around the world to sample the town folks’ homemade candy and fudge, shop the hundreds of one-of-a-kind craft booths and antique shops, and sample the great food and cool drinks this small-town event offers.
Corley Ranch Harvest Festival
The Corley Ranch Harvest Festival is held the last weekend in September and every weekend through October. They celebrate fall with a Harvest Festival featuring a pig race, miniature horse rides, pick-your-own pumpkins in one of the largest pumpkin patches anywhere, and many other fun activities.
Photo by Cathleen Allison
Nevada Day Parade- State Holiday
Nevada Day is a grand celebration commemorating our admission to statehood on October 31, 1864. Nevadan’s have the distinction of holding the largest statehood celebration in the nation! With events all weekend, the highlight being the Nevada Day Parade.
A Designated State Holiday in Nevada. Happy Halloween.
V&T Polar Express
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride November 19 through December 22 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (with special runs the evenings of Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 22; no rides on Thanksgiving). Departs from the Carson City Eastgate Depot.
During the holiday season, characters, entertainment and Santa bring the story to life, with a souvenir silver sleigh bell to remember the journey. The one-hour long rides are fun for the whole family. VIP parlor car tickets also available!
Stewart Father’s Day Powwow
This event is geared to generate support and funding for the establishment of the Stewart Indian Cultural Center. The intent of the Cultural Center is to preserve the history and memorabilia of the school which closed in 1980 after 90 years of providing basic and vocational education and training for thousands of American Indian youth from Nevada,
The Annual Stewart Father’s Day Powwow was named the 2015 Event of the Year by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.
South Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Celebrity Golf Tournament
The annual American Century Championship. This made-for-TV event owned and broadcast by NBC Sports is the premier celebrity golf tournament, which also raises funds for local and national charities. The event features a record purse of $600,000. The tournament is a 54-hole modified Stableford format that features some of sports’ and entertainment’s greatest celebrities.
Lake Tahoe Shakespear Festival
Enjoy extraordinary entertainment in an exceptional setting. Imagine your toes in the sand, a fantastic bottle of wine nearby, a gourmet meal in hand and first-class entertainment before you… all while basking in a perfect Lake Tahoe sunset with your friends and family. You’re not dreaming, you’re experiencing the enchantment of Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor State Park.
4th of July over Lake Tahoe
The American Pyrotechnics Association rates South Shore’s spectacular Fourth of July fireworks celebration one of the top five displays in the nation.
The view from the lake is probably the most spectacular. The Tahoe Queen and M.S. Dixie II: South Shore’s two Mississippi paddle wheelers offer a unique opportunity to view the light show from the water. Both feature live entertainment and fantastic views of the evening’s display. (For a list of great viewing points click here)
Laura Moline is a multi-award winning Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates – Gardnerville, and is proud to serve Northern Nevada, including the Reno-Tahoe area, Carson City, Gardnerville, and Minden. Laura has consistently been recognized as a standout in her field, and was named
the 2015 top-producing agent in Nevada and the Southwest Region. Due to her 20 years of experience in the Real Estate market, Laura has a unique understanding of the challenges and frustrations inherent to the home buying and selling experience. Laura’s intuitive ability to understand her clients’ needs ensures that they will finish every transaction completely satisfied by not only the outcome, but by the process as well. 