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September 2026 Events and Activities in the Reno Region

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Burning Man
	Art festival in the Black Rock Desert.

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September is National Preparedness Month. Make sure you and your family are ready for any of the natural disasters that can occur in the Reno region, including wildfire, earthquakes, and flooding. Get more information from "Make a Plan."

September is also Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15).

Big events during September, 2026 include...

• Nugget Rib Cook-Off
• Labor Day Weekend
• Great Reno Balloon Race
• Street Vibrations

Burning Man 2026 - Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert is from August 30 through September 7, 2026. The 2026 art theme is "Axis Mundi."

Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off - Wednesday through Sunday, September 2 - 7, 2026. The Nugget Rib Cook-Off is really a cooking competition between the professional barbeque teams that will also be serving ribs and fixins to the public during the event. Admission to the Nugget Rib Cook-Off and parking are free. Held at Victorian Square in Sparks.

Annual Numaga Indian Days Pow Wow - Friday through Sunday, September 4 - 6, 2026. This free, family-friendly annual event is held over Labor Day weekend and features some of the best Native American dancers, singers and drummers in the country. Besides the memorable pow wow entertainment, over 50 vendors sell traditional native foods and handcrafted silver work, bead work, baskets and other American Indian art. The event is at Hungry Valley Powwow Grounds, 501 Many Nations Road in Sparks. Hungry Valley is 18 miles north of downtown Reno in scenic Eagle Canyon.

Labor Day Weekend - Friday through Monday, September 4 - 7, 2026. This weekend is the last big holiday weekend of the summer. There are plenty of things to do for your last summer fling, including train rides, hiking, picnicking, swimming and water play, visiting museums, the Nugget Rib Cook-Off, and more.

Wolf Pack Football - Saturday, September 5, 2026, 7:30 p.m. The Pack takes on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Mackay Stadium. Next is another home game vs. the Montana State Bobcats on September 12. An away game follows against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 19.

Senior Fest 2026 - Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Held at the Reno Town Mall, Senior Fest provides seniors with the opportunity to connect with senior service providers and businesses. Businesses and agencies will be on hand offering a wide range of resources for seniors, boomers, and retirees. It is free and open to the public. The Reno Town Mall is at the corner of S. Virginia Street and Peckham Lane, across from the Atlantis Hotel Casino.

45th Great Reno Balloon Race - Thursday through Sunday, September 10 - 13, 2026. You have to get up real early, but it's worth it to enjoy the colorful spectacle of the world's largest free hot air balloon event. It is held annually at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno.

Sierra Nevada Yarn Crawl - Thursday through Sunday, September 10 - 13, 2026. It's a free event designed to celebrate friends, community and all things fiber. We welcome you into our shops, homes, ranches, warehouses, and more. Visit the website for more details.

67th Annual International Camel & Ostrich Races - Friday through Sunday, September 11 - 13, 2026. Bring the family to Virginia City to enjoy this hilarious event, a tradition that dates back to the 50s. Friday is Hot Camel Nights starting at 5 p.m. On Saturday, two shows at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday Family Day races start at 12 noon, plus there are lots of other activities around town throughout the weekend. First 100 kids on Family Day get a free camel ride. No umbrellas, weapons or pets allowed.

Reno Greek Festival - Friday and Saturday, September 11 - 12, 2026. Come and enjoy Greek food, live music, dancing, tours of Saint Anthony Greek Church and just a great time together as a community. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 12 noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday. General admission is $12. Advance tickets for $12 get you $10 worth of food credit. Kids 12 and under are free. At St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, 4795 Lakeside Dr. in Reno.

Free Family Concert - Tchaikovsky Discovers America - Saturday, September 12, 2026. Pre-concert family activities 3 p.m., show 4 p.m. This isn’t your typical sit-still-and-be-quiet concert. Tchaikovsky Discovers America combines the Reno Phil live on stage with actors, dance, storytelling, and some of Tchaikovsky’s most famous music, including favorites from The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, the 1812 Overture and more. No tickets or reservations required. At the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. in Reno.

Community Pride Parade and Festival - Saturday, September 12, 2026, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The festival will be in Wingfield Park. General admission is $10. Everyone is invited. Proceeds benefit the local LGBTQ+ community center. The parade is free to watch and starts at 10 a.m. It runs along California Ave. between Arlington and Sierra St.

Hands ON! Second Saturdays - Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come to the Nevada Museum of Art for a day of fun family activities and free admission for all. The theme is different each Second Saturday and is sometimes related to one of the current exhibits. Enjoy free admission and activities at the Museum. Participate in hands-on art projects and storytelling.

Social Science: The Heist - Saturday, September 19, 2026, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ages 21+. Explore the art of the steal at this Social Science inspired by the science and tech used to pull off the biggest heists. Get ready to steal the crown jewels when you take part in activities that'll have you grabbing the gold, creating Italian Job pasta art, escaping a laser maze, posing for your mugshot, and a whole lot more. This is a popular event with limited capacity - it is recommended to buy tickets online in advance.

National Championship Air Races and Air Show - Wednesday through Sunday, September 16 - 20, 2026. The world's fastest motor sport also features extensive static displays along with spectacular military and civilian aerial entertainment. The races are at a new venue, Roswell, New Mexico.

Fall into the Holidays Craft Fair - Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors will feature photography, glass art, mosaics, metal art, woodwork, kitchen items, yard flags, clothing, jewelry, books and much more. Entry into the event is free. Proceeds will benefit the City of Sparks Arts Fund and Sparks Parks and Recreation Leisure Without Limits programs for people with disabilities. At the Parks and Recreation Gym, 98 Richards Way in Sparks.

Reno Wine Walk - Saturday, September 19, 2026, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Riverwalk Merchants present this fun event every third Saturday of the month. Visit any of the participating merchants with $30 and receive your wine glass and hand stamp (with photo ID), then make the rounds sampling wines at numerous businesses in the area. This is a 21+ event. Pets and strollers are not advised. For more information, call 775-825-WALK(9255).

Truckee River Cleanup Day - Saturday, September 26, 2026, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cleanup and beautification projects span from Verdi to Lockwood. Projects include storm-drain stenciling, litter pickup, graffiti removal, in-the-river trash removal, weed pulling and park beautification projects. The main sponsor is Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB). To register, visit the KTMB volunteer signup page.

"Sleeping Beauty" at The Pioneer Center - Saturday and Sunday, September 19 - 20, 2026. Re-staged and re-choreographed by Alexander Van Alstyne, Sleeping Beauty is the story of a beautiful princess who is cursed by the evil Carabosse. Professional dancers from throughout the country will star in the lead rolls along with the large cast from A.V.A. Ballet Theatre. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the score. The Saturday performance is at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.

Sparks Water Lantern Festival - Saturday, September 19, 2026, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. At Sparks Marina Park, 300 Howard Drive in Sparks. This is a family friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven't met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience. Water Lantern Festival brings people together to Light The Water in a magical night that includes food, music, and beauty as the lanterns reflect upon the water. Visit the website for online tickets.

Dozers & Dirt - Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Join us and get dirty digging-in your shovels to support local children battling cancer. We invite big and little kids alike to operate more than 35 pieces of heavy construction equipment, experience up-close displays of the RAVEN helicopter, a bomb unit, police cars, fire trucks, and more. All proceeds benefit the Northern Nevada Children's Cancer Foundation. Tickets available online from the website. Event is at Western Materials Aggregate Plant (USA Parkway), 22585 E I-80, Sparks, NV 89434. Closed-toe shoes required.

Fiesta on Wells - Sunday, September 20, 2026, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come say hi and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music, folkloric dancers, entertainment, delicious food, and more. Free fun for the whole family. We close several blocks on South Wells Avenue for this big street party.

Street Vibrations Fall Rally - through Saturday, September 24 - 26, 2026. New location at J Resort Glow Plaza. There is now a $10 entry fee. Otherwise, details are pretty sketchy.

National Public Lands Day - Saturday, September 26, 2026. Enjoy an entrance fee free day at hundreds of units of our National Parks system and other public lands administered by agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. You can also volunteer and help with public lands projects across the country. Locally, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Friends of Black Rock-High Rock will be hosting service projects.

Ranger Walk: Fall Photo Hike at Crystal Peak Park - Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10 a.m. Join Ranger Brett for a guided walk of Crystal Peak Park with tips and talk about outdoor photography. There will be opportunities to shoot scenic ridgelines, towering pines, historic artifacts, and possibly some wildlife. Please meet in the lower parking lot. The event is free, but you are asked to register online.

Genoa Candy Dance Arts & Crafts Faire - Saturday and Sunday, September 26 - 27, 2026. This event carries on a tradition started in 1919. There will be over 400 exhibitors, music and entertainment, and 3,000 pounds of homemade candy. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets required for the Candy Dance and Dinner. (775) 782-8696. Please do not bring dogs. They are not allowed in Mormon Station State Park during large events.

Reno Startup Week - Monday through Friday, September 28 to October 2, 2026. Bringing together founders, innovators, dreamers, makers, and business owners for a week-long celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit in Northern Nevada. The week will offer a variety of activities, workshops, discussions, speakers and networking opportunities to foster innovation and collaboration among entrepreneurs of all stages. Visit the website for details.

Jurassic Park in Concert - Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 6 p.m. Now audiences can experience Jurassic Park as never before, projected in HD with Jason Altieri and the Reno Phil performing John Williams' iconic score live to picture - brought to you by the Reno Philharmonic and others. In the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno. Tickets available online.

Dragon Lights Reno - October 2 to November 29, 2026. Dragon Lights Reno will again illuminate the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Rancho San Rafael Park with all new lantern displays. Dozens of larger-than-life lantern sculptures, lit by thousands of LED lights, will transform the arboretum into a luminous wonderland during mid-summer nights. Dragon Lights Reno includes an interactive playground with lantern displays that visitors can touch, play with, and even sit on. Inside the arboretum, visitors will also find a Lantern Food Court that offers a wide selection of food and drinks from both local and traveling food vendors. It is best to purchase tickets online ahead of time. Tickets at the box office may not be available on any night that the festival reaches capacity. Be sure to visit the website for more details about the event and obtaining tickets.

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