Get out your planners—it’s time to incorporate this August calendar of events in Reno into your summer fun plans! Some of Northern Nevada’s longest-standing and biggest events are back, like Hot August Nights. There are also art classes, outdoor concerts, festivals, and networking events for your enjoyment and education.
August Calendar Of Events In Reno
Hot August Nights
- When: Tuesday, August 3, 2021–Sunday, August 8, 2021
- Where: Downtown Reno and Sparks
- More Information: hotaugustnights.net
The Biggest Little City revs into high gear for Hot August Nights, the country’s largest classic car and nostalgic event. Visitors pay tribute to the exquisitely powerful automobiles and electrifying music of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. The world’s premier classic car event, more than 5,000 vehicles from the golden era of design are showcased with events throughout Reno and Sparks. Restored hot rods and sexy muscle cars give car enthusiasts a first-hand experience of popular decades gone by.
Lazy 5 Summer Music Series 2021
- When: Wednesday, August 4, 2021–Wednesday, August 25, 2021
- Where: Lazy 5 Regional Park, 7100 Pyramid Way, Sparks
- More Information: washoecounty.us/parks
Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space is proud to announce the Lazy 5 Summer Music Series of 2021. In August, four concerts will feature four local artists to entertain families, friends, and neighbors in the Spanish Springs and Sparks area. Every Wednesday evening from Aug. 4-25, under the shade of the elm trees in the beautiful Lazy 5 Regional Park. Free! Food truck and mobile pub present at every show. Arrive early and bring a blanket/chair, your mask, and good vibes.
Schedule:
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- Aug 4: The Bayberry Cast (Jazz/Latin/Funk)
- Aug 11: Buddy Emmer Blues Band (Rockin’ Blues)
- Aug 18: Hot Rod Rebellion (Rockabilly/Vintage Rock’n’Roll)
- Aug 25: Escalade (Variety/RandB/Motown Dance Covers)
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An Evening With The Aces For The G3
- When: Thursday, August 5, 2021
- Where: Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., Reno
- More Information
Three local Reno Theatre Companies will partner with the Reno Aces for an evening of community and great Aces baseball, with a portion of each ticket sold supporting the companies. The evening promises to be a fun and entertaining evening of summer baseball with the Reno Aces playing The Tacoma Rainiers in the beautiful downtown Reno Aces Park.
Colors Of The Coast
- When: Thursday, August 5, 2021, Thursday, August 12, 2021, and Thursday, August 19, 2021
- Where: Lake Mansion, 250 Court St., Reno
- More Information: artsforallnevada.org
Take a deep breath and capture on canvas saltwater breezes, crashing waves rolling on the surf, warm sand, and sunsets of the beach during this painting series.
Schedule:
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- Thursday, August 5, 2021: Black Sands Beach (Hawaii) by Viki Snyder
- Thursday, August 12, 2021: Water’s Edge (Oregon) by Paul Henderson
- Thursday, August 19, 2021: Bolivar Suite #4 (Gulf Coast) by Mark Nesmith
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Participants will learn the many factors that weave unique color tapestries, from location and weather to time of day and season. This class is perfect for all levels of artistic talent. Instructors will offer one-on-one creative guidance to help participants paint a 16″ x 20″ canvas masterpiece in a fun, social environment. This class takes place in the Garden Pavilion.
Wyld Women Networking: Woman Is My Superpower
- When: Thursday, August 5, 2021
- Where: The Virgil, 301 Vassar St., Reno
- More Information: wanderingwyld.com
Discover, claim and embody feminine strength in all areas of our lives. Join us for this special workshop led by entrepreneur, writer, thought leader, movement, and meditation teacher Meg McKracken and get inspired to own your feminine superpower!
A Closer Look: Landscapes In Nevada
- When: Friday, August 6, 2021
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., Reno
- More Information: nevadaart.org
Museum volunteer docents will lead you through current exhibitions, including The Latimer School: Lorenzo Latimer and the Latimer Art Club, facilitating conversations centered around landscapes in Nevada and beyond.
Adopt And Drive
- When: Saturday, August 7, 2021
- Where: National Automobile Association, 10 S. Lake St., Reno
- More Information: automuseum.org
The National Automobile Museum partners with the Nevada Humane Society to help pets find forever homes. The Nevada Humane Society will bring some adoptable pets for this fun-filled event. People who adopt a pet at this event will take a ride in a classic automobile and receive a complimentary souvenir photo. The humane society will also sell ducks for their annual Duck Race fundraiser. By purchasing a duck to be entered in the duck race, participants are entered in the chance to win a brand new 2021 Toyota CH-R or $10,000 donated by Carson City Toyota.
MidTown Clean Up
- When: Saturday, August 7, 2021
- Where: Z Bar, 1074 S. Virginia St., Reno
- More Information: renomidtown.com
KTMB is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to creating a cleaner, more beautiful region through education and active community involvement. Through its Neighborhood Clean-up program, KTMB works with school groups, businesses, and clubs to organize cleanups in parks, business corridors, and residential neighborhoods. KTMB’s Neighborhood Cleanup program is essential to keeping our entire community beautiful year-round.
Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival
- When: Saturday, August 7, 2021–Sunday, August 8, 2021
- Where: Kings Beach State Recreation Area, 8318 North Lake Blvd, Kings Beach
- More Information: tahoenalu.com
Experience racing over the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe, surrounded by the majestic Sierra Nevada. The Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival is fun for all ages and skill levels and includes a reception party, yoga classes, live music on the beach, vendors and manufacturer exhibits, free paddle clinics, and demos for beginners and advanced paddlers. It is the oldest and longest-running stand-up paddle race in the world and was voted the “Best SUP Event” in the country by Outdoor Magazine.
The Music Of James Bond
- When: Wednesday, August 11, 2021
- Where: Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., Reno
- More Information: greaternevadafield.com/jamesbond
When it comes to the music of James Bond, nobody does it better than the Reno Phil. Broadway stars Hugh Panaro—best known as the Phantom in The Phantom of The Opera—and Morgan James, featured in Postmodern Jukebox, headline the show. The 25 Bond films that span five decades have produced some of the greatest movie music in history. From “Goldfinger” and “From Russia with Love” to “Diamonds are Forever” and Oscar-winning “Skyfall” by Adele, be prepared to be shaken AND stirred by the blockbuster Bond hits. A post-concert fireworks show will light up the sky above Greater Nevada Field, putting a wrap on this spectacular evening.
Hands ON! Second Saturday
- When: Saturday, August 14, 2021
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., Reno
- More Information: nevadaart.org
Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation Hands ON! Second Saturdays offers monthly free admission, hands-on art activities, storytelling, a docent-guided tour, live performances, and community collaborations. “Art Investigators” provides children the opportunity to engage with Museum staff and take a closer look at artwork while engaging in a dialogue about key pieces. New exhibitions, community collaborations, cultural explorations, guest performances, and monthly themes rotate in this engaging series of monthly programs.
Schedule:
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Free Admission for all Visitors
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Lamiter Art Club Paintout Demo
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Landscape Collage
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Patterned Landscape
- 11 a.m.: Public Tour (adult focus)
- 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Art Investigators: Kid Detectives Look at Art
- Noon and 1:30 p.m.: Musica Sierra Performance
Title sponsorship for Hands ON! The Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation provides second Saturdays.
Out Of The Shadows
- When: Saturday, August 14, 2021–Saturday, August 21, 2021
- Where: Carson City McFadden Plaza, 223 W. 3rd St., Carson City
- More Information: carsoncityghostwalk.com
The Carson City Ghost Walk reopens to the public for evening walking tours. Carson City’s rich and intriguing history is explored and theatrically re-lived in these seasonal tours, led by Madame Curry, a witty community spirit based on the widow of Carson City’s founder, Abe Curry. The Carson City Ghost Walks evening walking tours are a delightfully spooky and enjoyable way to experience Carson City’s Victorian era and diverse history. Hear about lingering spirits of the long-ago centuries, haunted and paranormal stories, and gossip from the past.
This is a spirit lead, guided walking tour of the downtown district’s west side historic homes and businesses. This is an outside tour leaving rain or shine. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the walk begins. Please dress for the weather and walking.
Third Thursdays
- When: Thursday, August 19, 2021
- Where: Victorian Square, Victorian Avenue, Sparks
- More Information: cityofsparks.us
The Sparks Museum and Cultural Center, 39 North Downtown, and Sierra Arts Foundation, along with the City of Sparks, have created a downtown experience with art surrounding the Sparks Arts Walk. Enjoy music, poetry reading, performances, art tours with food, and kids’ activities. Every month, come downtown to enjoy the museum, train, and historical schoolhouse.
Virtual Art Discussion: Land Art
- When: Thursday, August 19, 2021
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., Reno
- More Information: nevadaart.org
Enjoy looking at a selection of art from the comfort of your home. Join the Nevada Museum of Art for a Virtual Art Discussion on Land Art. Virtual Art Discussions are led by experienced docents that will share interesting perspectives and invite inquiry and discussion. This program will be hosted on Zoom. Please have Zoom downloaded with audio and video features turned on. A Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants the morning of the program.
Northern Nevada Dragon Boat Festival
- When: Saturday, August 21, 2021
- Where: Sparks Marina, 300 Howard Drive, Sparks
- More Information: gwndragonboat.com
Celebrate an ancient Chinese sporting tradition with your whole family at Sparks Marina. Decked out in bright and colorful designs, each dragon boat features teams of 20 paddlers who are synchronized to the rhythmic pulse of a ceremonial drummer. Along with catching all the action and excitement on the water, this annual festival includes a health and wellness village, vendors, food trucks, artist exhibitions, and so much more,
Thursday Painting Class: Moonlight Saguaros by Theresa Paden
- When: Thursday, August 26, 2021
- Where: Lake Mansion, 250 Court St., Reno
- More Information: artsforallnevada.org
If you can’t escape the heat, you might as well embrace it with a painting exploring the warm colors of the desert. Receive one-on-one creative guidance to paint your own 16″ x 20″ canvas masterpiece in a fun, social environment. This class is perfect for all levels of artistic talent. This class takes place in the Garden Pavilion
Ark at Dark
- When: Saturday, August 28, 2021
- Where: Animal Ark, 1265 Deerlodge Road, Reno
- More Information: animalark.org
Wolves and coyotes howling and big cats growling in the night: it’s Ark at Dark! Enjoy a guided flashlight tour and see our nocturnal predators in their element. Reservations are required! Make your reservations early as this event fills quickly!
Nevada Museum of Art Guided Tour
- When: Saturday, August 28, 2021
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St., Reno
- More Information: nevadaart.org
Personalize your experience with a guided tour. A docent will guide you through the galleries, offering insight and history to the artwork on view. Guided tours are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. Reservations are recommended.
