6 Summer Events in Reno You Should Check Out

When school’s out and the days turn longer, it’s officially summer in Reno, Nevada. If you’re looking for a way to stay entertained during the dog days of summer, there are plenty of events in the Reno area. From car shows to art exhibits to outdoor theater, there’s a summer event for everyone to enjoy. Here are six of the biggest events taking place in the Reno area to check out this summer.

Hot August Nights

During the month of August in Reno, there’s nothing hotter than Hot August Nights — not even the temperatures. Hot August Nights began in 1986 as a way to attract tourists to the area in August while raising money for local charities. It’s a celebration of the cars, music, and nostalgia of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. The event typically features over 5,000 classic vehicles on display, making it a must-see event for car enthusiasts. Others attend to see free entertainment and visit local vendors. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone at Hot August Nights.

The event takes place throughout downtown Reno, Sparks, and Virginia City. Highlights include drag races, show-n-shine competitions with celebrity judging, and classic car cruises. The 2022 schedule is jam-packed with tons of events, so it’s helpful to plan the ones you want to attend before the festival begins. This year, Hot August Nights takes place from July 29 through Aug. 7. Many concerts and events are free, while others are ticketed. Visit the event’s website for a full list of entertainment. You can also apply online to enter your car into the event.

Reno Chalk Art and Music Festival

You’ve heard of rock and roll, but what about chalk and roll? At the Reno Chalk Art and Music Festival, you can show off your artistic talents by creating vibrant chalk drawings. Artists can participate individually or as part of a team. If your artistic skills are more limited, come to the festival to view others’ work and enjoy the atmosphere. Presented by Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, this year’s festival will feature local arts and crafts vendors, live music, and a variety of food and drinks.

The Reno Chalk Art and Music Festival awards prizes to the top artists in several categories, including an individual, team, and student division. There will also be a people’s choice award given to the artist who receives the most votes from the public. This year’s festival takes place July 8 through July 10 at the Atlantis West Parking Lot at 3800 S. Virginia St. in Reno. Admission to the festival is free.

Biggest Little City Wing Fest

What’s better than a festival devoted to food? A festival devoted specifically to chicken wings, of course. At the Biggest Little City Wing Fest, bibs are optional, but the fun is not. The event, now in its eighth year, will offer more than 20,000 pounds of chicken wings cooked to perfection in a variety of sauces to tempt every palate. Cooks will compete over two days to show off their sauces and culinary techniques. In addition to wings, the event also features an outdoor street fair with craft vendors and live entertainment.

The Biggest Little City Wing Fest will take place on July 29 and July 30 in downtown Reno on Virginia Street.

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival

Every summer, the beach of Sand Harbor becomes an outdoor stage for Shakespearean theater and other popular performances. This year, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival will present performances of William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” and the smash-hit musical “Mamma Mia!” Shows begin on July 1 and continue through late August. On Monday evenings, you can catch one of the festival’s Showcase Series performances, which include a tribute to the band Queen and a performance of “Swan Lake” by the Sierra Nevada Ballet.

The performance venue, about 40 miles from Reno, is located at Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, 2005 Highway 28, Incline Village, Nevada. It costs $10 to $15 per vehicle to get into the state park. Tickets for a single show begin at $15. Food and beverage are available for purchase, and small coolers are allowed in some sections of the venue.

Artown

Every July, the city of Reno transforms into an art showcase spotlighting local, regional, and international artists. When it began in 1996, Artown aimed to revitalize downtown Reno and encourage people to visit the city. Now, it’s one of the premier art festivals in the country. This year, the 31-day festival will feature 429 events, concerts, and workshops, along with plenty of live entertainment.

The theme for this year’s festival is “Everybody Artown,” which celebrates the cultural diversity and accessibility of the festival. Artown opens and closes each year with a concert, and events in between include a downtown public art and mural tour, street dancing, fashion shows, movies in the park, and a music series. There are also workshops and classes held throughout the festival, such as salsa classes, drawing workshops, and soap making.

Artown will take place from July 1 to July 31 at various locations in Reno. Many of the events are free to attend. Visit the event’s website for a full schedule of events and more information.

Nevada Humane Society Duck Race

After a two-year racing hiatus, the (rubber) ducks are back and ready to compete at the Nevada Humane Society Duck Race. Members of the public can “adopt” a rubber duck to be entered into the event. After the ceremonial duck race launch, the humane society names the winners of the race. This year, the top winner will receive a brand-new Toyota or $10,000 donated by Carson City Toyota.

In addition to the duck race, the 2022 event will feature a beer garden, a photo lounge, food trucks, vendor booths, pet adoptions, and children’s games, making it a fun outing for the whole family. The event benefits the Nevada Humane Society, which works to place homeless animals into loving homes. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 27 at Wingfield Park, located at 2 S. Arlington Ave. in Reno.

Now you know all about six summer events happening in the Reno area this summer. Which ones do you plan to attend? If you’re a local, did we miss one of your favorite summer events? Send a message to De Castroverde Law Group and let us know. We enjoy spotlighting the events and attractions that make Reno such a great place to live and work.