Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Nevada
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) across the State of Nevada, including events in Reno, Las Vegas, and Lake Tahoe.Reno River Festival
May
Reno, Nevada
Attracting more than 32,000 spectators each year, America’s premier whitewater event, the Reno River Festival, takes place at the Truckee River Whitewater Park in downtown Reno. Known for enticing the world’s top whitewater athletes for an action-filled weekend, the event features professional competitions, competitions open to amateur paddlers, whitewater clinics, and an expo with all of the latest, hottest gear for whitewater athletes. Other events at this year’s festival include mountain bike speed trials and the Run Amuck relay race.
For more information visit: http://renoriverfestival.com
Reno Rodeo
June
Reno, Nevada
Billed as the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West!" the 90 year old
Reno Rodeo is now a 10-day event and is a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) sanctioned sporting event. A nonprofit organization made up over 350 volunteers, the Reno Rodeo is the 4th richest PRCA tour rodeo attracting more than 120,000 fans each year. The rodeo has been nationally televised on CBS Sports, Fox Sports Net, Versus, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Classic.
For more information visit: www.renorodeo.com
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
July / August
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
For more than 35 years, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has drawn visitors to come and relax on Lake Tahoe’s pristine beaches in Sand Harbor State Park with wine and cheese to enjoy the Bard at his best. Now one of the state’s most popular summer cultural events, the festival, performed on an open-air stage, attracts more than 30,000 attendees each year.
For more information visit: www.laketahoeshakespeare.com
Reno-Tahoe Blues Fest
August
Reno-Tahoe, Nevada
Annually, the Reno-Tahoe Blues Fest celebrates the history, culture and spirit of the blues with a two-day festival attracting audiences from around the country to hear some of the biggest names in blues. The event’s mission is to support music education for youth in the Reno-Tahoe area through a scholarship program and ongoing assistance for school music equipment purchases and jazz band programs.
Headliners in the past have included Gladys Knight, The Whispers, Jonny Lang, Betty Wright, and Bobby Rush.
For more information visit: www.renotahoebluesfest.com
Burning Man
September
Black Rock Desert, Nevada
Nevada is the host to one of the country’s (or world’s) biggest counterculture festivals every year. With over 40,000 people in attendance, the city created by attendees, named Black Rock City after its location on the Black Rock Desert, is one of the ten largest cities in the state.
For more information visit: www.burningman.com
OR ... TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP EVENTS USA FEATURE PROFILE ABOUT THE BURNING MAN FESTIVAL
Best of the West Nugget Rib Cook-off
September
Sparks, Nevada
The cook-off continues to be one of the largest outdoor barbecue events in North America, with more than 500,000 visitors and more than 100 tons of ribs served.
Large activities within the event, including a world-championship rib-eating contest, and top-notch entertainment – not to mention the best BBQ in the country – all come together to draw massive amounts of people to Victorian Square in Sparks.
For more information visit: www.nuggetribcookoff.com
The Great Reno Balloon Race
September
Reno, Nevada
The Great Reno Balloon Race is the largest free hot air ballooning event in the Nation. From its humble beginnings in 1982 with just 20 balloons, The Great Reno Balloon Race has taken flight with more than 100 balloons each year. Attracting an average of 140,000 visitors each year, The Great Reno Balloon Race has won many awards over the years including 'Best Special Event in Reno' and 'Best Special Event in Northern Nevada.'
For more information visit: www.renoballoon.com
Nevada Day
October
Carson City, Nevada
Highlight of Nevada Day is the parade in Carson City - a huge celebration to salute the state and look ahead to its future, to remind visitors and citizens alike how and when Nevada became a State. In fact, Nevada is the only state to continue celebrating their historical entry into the Union in the Nation. The parade began in 1938.
For more information visit: www.nevadaday.com
Pahrump Powwow
November
Pahrump, Nevada
Since 1998, Pahrump Valley has celebrated the spirit and culture of the region’s earliest American Indian inhabitants with its annual social powwow.
Festivities include tribal dancers resplendent in native dress, traditional songs, arts and crafts, tribal booths, and authentic Indian teepees. There are also cash prizes of $6,000 each awarded to the winners of a dance competition and drum competition. The Grand Entry is scheduled between 11:30 a.m. and noon both Saturday and Sunday.
For more information visit: www.powwows.com
National Finals Rodeo
December
Las Vegas, Nevada
Organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the National Finals Rodeo, held at the Thomas & Mack Center at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, is the grand finale of the modern professional rodeo circuit. It has been held in Las Vegas since 1984,
Known as the Super Bowl of Rodeo, this ten-day event puts the talents of the nation's top fifteen money-winners to the test and they compete for championship titles.
For more information visit: www.prorodeo.com
