The Last Days of Summer in Reno

Summer rarely leaves Reno all at once. September afternoons still feel warm, but the mornings are cooler, the mountains are starting to change, and the calendar has one last burst of activity before fall settles in.

This is the stretch when hot-air balloons fill the sky before breakfast, baseball gives way to football, and one of Nevada’s strangest traditions returns to Virginia City. Here’s what to catch now, plus a few reasons to come back as the season continues.

Start Before Sunrise

The Great Reno Balloon Race returns to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park September 10 through 13. It is the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event, but the size of it is only part of the appeal.

The best part happens early. Very early.

Gates open at 3:30 a.m., followed by the Super Glow Show at 5 a.m., Dawn Patrol at 5:30 and the mass ascension at 7. Watching dozens of balloons lift off as the sun reaches the mountains is worth the alarm clock.

Bring layers, a blanket and coffee. Once the balloons are in the air, you still have most of the day ahead of you.

View the Balloon Race schedule

One Last Series, One New Season

September is the rare moment when Reno baseball and Nevada football overlap.

The Reno Aces close their home season with a six-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes, ending September 13 at Greater Nevada Field. The ballpark is just a few blocks from Whitney Peak, making it an easy walk through downtown.

Across town, the Nevada Wolf Pack has already returned to Mackay Stadium. Nevada hosts Montana State on September 12 and Air Force on September 26, with more home games following later in the fall.

See the Reno Aces schedule
See the Nevada football schedule

A Newspaper Hoax That Got Out of Hand

The International Camel & Ostrich Races return to Virginia City September 11 through 13 for their 67th year.

The event began with a fake newspaper story. In 1959, the editor of Virginia City’s Territorial Enterprise wrote about imaginary camel races. The San Francisco Chronicle printed the story as fact. The following year, actual camels were borrowed from the San Francisco Zoo and brought to Virginia City to race.

Naturally, it became an annual tradition.

Today, the lineup includes camels, ostriches, zebras and emus, plus food, vendors and camel rides. It is chaotic, deeply Nevada and well worth the drive up the mountain.

View race times and tickets

See a Show Downstairs

Fall also brings a packed calendar to Cargo Concert Hall, located inside Whitney Peak Hotel.

The room changes dramatically from one night to the next. September brings house and bass music, while October moves through electronic pop, alternative rock and melodic death metal. Upcoming shows include AYYBO on September 19, Madeon on October 6, Nekrogoblikon on October 11 and New Constellations on October 22.

The best part for hotel guests is the commute afterward: upstairs.

Explore Cargo’s fall lineup

A Quieter Kind of Fall

Not everything on a fall trip needs a ticket.

The Truckee Riverwalk is a few blocks from the hotel and gets noticeably quieter once summer festival season winds down. As the leaves begin to change, Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, Mayberry Park and the Tahoe Rim Trail are all good options for a morning outside.

You can stay close to downtown or follow the color toward the mountains. Either way, fall is one of the best times to explore the region without the summer crowds or winter weather.

Find fall-color routes around Reno and Lake Tahoe

Save Room for October

Downtown’s fall calendar continues with the Great Italian Festival, October 10 and 11. Virginia Street fills with food booths, live music, a farmers market, grape stomping and the festival’s annual sauce cook-off.

It also falls directly within Whitney Peak’s Fall Break Family Stay, available October 5 through 16. Guests can save 15% with offer code FALL26.

[Book the Fall Break Family Stay](INSERT BOOKING LINK)

Stay in the Middle of It

Whitney Peak puts downtown Reno outside the front door, with Café Whitney, BaseCamp Climbing Gym and Cargo Concert Hall all inside the hotel. Spend the morning under the balloons, catch a game or head into the mountains, then come back without having to leave downtown behind.

Fall is arriving. Reno still has a few things to do before it gets here.

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