September events in Reno/Sparks represent the height of Northern Nevada’s special events season. Almost every weekend has one of Reno and Sparks’ iconic events, such as The Great Reno Balloon Race, National Championship Air Races or the Street Vibrations Fall Rally. In addition to these large, multi-day events, there are also many smaller, single day events. Looking for other things to do to in Reno and Sparks? You can do yoga with bunnies, see a camel race, or explore the more than 30 urban murals.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Barrels & Bites 2019

  • When: Friday, Sept. 6, 2019
  • Where: Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St., Reno
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Calling all beer lovers, professional wine-rs, and cocktail connoisseurs! Barrels & Bites is back and better than ever. Arguably one of Reno’s best nights out, Barrels & Bites 2019 will feature more than 100 themed alcohol and spirit booths and delicious food provided by eight of Reno’s hottest local eateries. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: The Great Reno Balloon Race

  • When: Friday, Sept. 6–Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019
  • Where: Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N Sierra St, Reno, Reno
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Its the world’s largest free hot-air balloon festival! Soaring high above the Reno skyline, more than 80 beautiful hot-air balloons take flight. It has been one of Reno’s most colorful and spectacular events for over three decades and is located just 2 miles from downtown Reno. Sure, it might be a bit earlier than you’re used to, but it’s worth the wake! Accolades include “Best Special Event in Reno” and “Best Special Event in Northern Nevada.”


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Reno Greek Festival

  • When: Friday, Sept. 6–Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019
  • Where: Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church, 4795 Lakeside Drive, Reno
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Be Greek for the weekend! Authentic Greek cuisine infuses the neighborhood with delicious scents of olive oil, lemon, and oregano. Traditional food, dance, music, desserts, and imports create a Mediterranean atmosphere and family-friendly environment.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: International Camel & Ostrich Races

  • When: Friday, Sept. 6–Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019
  • Where: Virginia City
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Camels, ostriches and even zebras descend on Virginia City for the 60th annual International Camel & Ostrich Races. This hilarious yearly tradition dates back to the 1950’s. It features jockeys precariously perched on their beasts as they maneuver the track at high speeds, aiming for a win among the cheering audience in this historic mining town. A comical racing spectacle that the entire family will enjoy. New for 2019, Hot Camel Nights—a special Friday evening performance.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Reno Open Studios Gallery Crawl

Every year local Reno artists open their studio doors for a weekend to thousands of art lovers. This year artists within Nevada Marketplace including Great Wildlife Photos will join about 40 individual artists in participating in Reno Open Studios. This year celebrates the organization’s 10th anniversary. Reno Open Studios aims to support fine arts education and sponsors a University of Nevada, Reno scholarship to do so.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Docent-Led Reno Mural Expo Tour

Photo by Scott Sady / Courtesy Art Spot Reno

In 2017, 32 dynamic artists, including two international, 12 national and 16 local, participated in the Reno Mural Expo. These exceptional artists transformed 31 empty walls and alleys into an outdoor urban art gallery. This two-hour docent-led walk will give insights into the event, artists and impact public art has on a community.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Reno Running Fest

The Reno Running Fest is happening, and there is a race for everyone! Try out the Reno Mile on Saturday where you can get timed with your age group, run in the fun heat with anyone or run with your pooch. The 51st Annual Journal Jog 8K run/walk happens on Sunday with many pair and team options plus a caterpillar division and a competitive running stroller division. Participate both days and earn more bling—the Double Dare Medal!


September Events in Reno/Sparks: National Championship Air Races

  • When: Wednesday, Sept. 11–Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019
  • Where: Reno-Stead Airport, 4895 Texas Ave., Reno
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The National Championship Air Races combines the world’s fastest motorsport with spectacular military and civilian air entertainment to offer the most unique air racing event in the world. This exciting, one-of-a-kind event showcases six different classes of race planes and up-close access to aircraft, pilots, and crews in the “pits.” Gather your friends and family and experience the roar of planes as they streak past you at just 50 feet from the ground. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019
  • Where: Venues along California AvenueReno
  • More Information: nevadahumanities.org

The sixth annual Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl celebrates the abundant literary talent in our state. The event presents notable local, regional, and national authors at venues throughout downtown Reno, where they give readings of fiction, non‐fiction, and poetry. The day also includes writing workshops, panel discussions, art installations, and performances. Access to all events is free, and all ages are welcome to participate in a variety of family-friendly readings and activities. Some venues are 21+.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Edible Pedal 100

  • When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019
  • Where: Bowers Mansion Regional Park, 4005 Bowers Mansion Road, New Washoe City
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The Edible Pedal 100 is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Reno Sunrise. In cycling terms, it’s a century bike ride, not a race. A century ride is typically an organized 100-mile road bike ride that includes rest stops every 15-20 miles. Edible Pedal 100 includes five ride distances: 10, 32, 50, 74 and 100 miles. Start times are staggered with the 100 milers leaving first. The fabulous post-ride barbecue features locally sourced food.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Holi Festival Of Colors

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 21–Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019
  • Where: Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N Sierra St, Reno, Reno
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Interactive Dance, Mantra Bands, DJ’s, Yoga, Colors, Cuisine, Free Hugs, Lotsa Love. Holi is celebrated in India as a spring festival. After the chill of winter, people come outdoors, bury the hatchet, and loosen uno by throwing multi-colored powders on each other. The colors represent all the colors of spring and the diversity among human and animal kind, which makes life interesting and profitable. Our east-meets-west version of this exuberant festival includes yoga, mantra bands, DJ’s, Hip Hop, Bollywood Dance, vegan food, free hugs, and, of course, colors.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: DogFest Reno

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019
  • Where: Dick Taylor Memorial Park, 140 Beech St., Reno
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Join us for DogFest Reno, a family- and dog-friendly festival benefiting Canine Companions for Independence! The University of Nevada, Reno and the City of Reno have once again teamed up with Canine Companions to host DogFest Reno. This event encourages philanthropy and civic engagement among Reno residents and the University of Nevada, Reno students. Help Canine Companions continue to place expertly-trained assistance dogs with adults, children, and veterans with disabilities free of charge.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Reno-Sparks Walk to End Alzheimer’s

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019
  • Where: Sparks Marina, 300 Howard Drive, Sparks
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The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Social Science: Sci-Fi Strikes Back

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019
  • Where: Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, 490 S. Center St, Reno
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Social Science is The Discovery’s wildly popular adults-only, brain-building event series with science demonstrations, hands-on labs, expert presentations, a live D.J., food, and drink. Use the force, blast into hyperspace, phone home, and get beamed up during an evening of intergalactic exploration inspired by a galaxy far, far away. Get ready to get hands-on with the science that makes the fiction fantastic. Beer, wine and tasty bites provided by IMBĪB Custom Brews, Vin Sauvage of Northern Nevada and Pola Poke Bowls.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Peter Pan

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 21–Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019
  • Where: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St., Reno
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The fall season, the A.V.A. Ballet Theatre opens with the classic ballet, Peter Pan. Re-staged and re-choreographed by Alexander Van Alstyne, Peter Pan is the captivating story of Peter Pan and Wendy and their adventures in Neverland. Fairies, pirates and the Lost Boys all have starring roles in this fantasy adventure. This classic story is filled with mesmerizing dance, intrigue, and is fun for the entire family. The composer of the wonderful Peter Pan score, Carmon DeLeone, will be conducting the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Street Vibrations Fall Rally

  • When: Wednesday, Sept. 25–Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019
  • Where: Downtown Reno
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It’s the last great motorcycle rally of the season. This event takes it to a new level, with live entertainment on six outdoor stages, more than 250 vendors, scavenger hunts and poker runs, a spectacular fireworks display in downtown Reno, custom bike auction, bike builder’s show, and competition and a tattoo expo. Free to the public to enjoy the outdoor concerts and vendors. Families are welcome, and some of the bikes are incredible works of art. Downtown Reno is the heart of activities, but events will also take place in Virginia City and Carson City. Enjoy rides to Lake Tahoe.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: Reno Bunny Yoga Festival 2019

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019
  • Where: Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive, Reno
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Join us for the first-ever The Bunny Yoga Festival. What’s that you say? “Bunnies doing yoga? Well then, I’m all ears!” Participate in yoga sessions, meet-and-treat adorable bunnies, peruse local and bunny-centric vendors, dance, and eat tasty food from local food trucks. It all started with just two cute bunnies who were (sadly) let loose in a park. Three years and 800 more bunnies later, there was a crisis. If you followed this story, you know that many of those rabbits ended up in Reno. With dozens of hobby breeders, accidental pregnancies, and pet-store Easter bunnies, Reno is hopping with pet bunny owners. The Bunny Yoga Festival is a collaboration in partnership with Shape Up Reno. Bunnies are provided by Reno Rabbit Rescue and classes are presented by Good Elephant.


September Events in Reno/Sparks: KTMB Truckee River Clean Up 2019

Since 2004, KTMB has organized the Truckee River Cleanup Day where more than 800 volunteers come together to keep our Truckee River clean and pristine for all to enjoy. Cleanup and beautification project span from Verdi to Lockwood, and also include river tributaries. Projects include storm-drain stenciling, litter pickup, graffiti removal, in-the-river trash removal (by kayakers and flyfishers), weed pulling and park beautification projects.


At Dickson Realty, our team of local experts knows about the best events, activities, and places to live. To learn more about how to enjoy the Reno/Sparks region, contact one of our Realtors today.