There’s never a shortage of things to do in Nevada. The festivals in our state pull in thousands of people from all over the world. Join in the fun at these 14 festivals:
- Las Vegas Lucky Duck Family Festival
Foundation for Positively Kids/Facebook This fundraiser for the Foundation for Positively Kids is great family fun! Buy a rubber duckie (or several) and place it in the pond at Towne Square. If it “places” in the duckie race, you’ll earn prizes. Enjoy the food, entertainment and booths. The festival takes place on September 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Towne Square Park 6350 South Las Vegas Boulevard.
- Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con
Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con/Facebook You might typically expect to see some weird things on the Strip, but during Comic Con, you’ll see superheroes, villains and comic book characters wandering around the city. Attend the event for entertainment, to meet special guests and to hang with like-minded people on June 17 - 19;
- Pahrump Powwow
Pahrump/Facebook Paiute and Western Shoshone tribes come together during this powwow to celebrate Native American traditions. Dance competitions and exhibitions show tribal traditions, and there’s plenty of authentic food and crafts available. The festival takes place every November.
- Best Dam Barbecue Challenge, Boulder City
Best Dam Barbecue/Facebook Pitmasters come from all over the country to compete in this BBQ challenge. More than 40 teams compete for $12,000 and a spot at the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational. Admission for spectators is free, and there’s plenty of delicious food, live entertainment and kids activities. (May 27th and 28th)
- Las Vegas Bike Fest
Las Vegas Bike Fest/Facebook At this festival, you’ll see lots of live entertainment, bike displays, builders and metal artists and food. Win one of four bikes during the festival. Don’t miss the daredevil riders in the Globe of Death! (September 29 - October 2)
- Lantern Fest, Reno
Lantern Fest/Facebook This is quite possibly the most beautiful festival in the state. Thousands of festival goers release lanterns into the night sky. Enjoy music, dancing, s’mores and a general feeling of community and love. (June 11th and 12th)
- Las Vegas PRIDE
Las Vegas PRIDE/Facebook A celebration of LGBT pride, the PRIDE parade kicks off the festival on October 21st at 8:00 p.m. The festival runs October 22nd and 23rd. There’s tons of entertainment, food vendors, beer gardens and a Family Activity Zone for kids.
- Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend/Facebook This huge festival in April includes four days of music and fun. Events include car shows, tattoo lounge, bowling, pool parties, guitar festival and burlesque classes.
- Reno Air Races
Reno Air Races/Facebook Thousands of spectators (more than 150,000 in 2015) come from around the country to attend the Reno Air Races every summer. You’ll see air shows, military displays and performers, including the Blue Angels. (September 14th through the 18th)
- Helldorado Days, Las Vegas
Heldorado Days/Facebook This four-day festival includes rodeos, contests, an art show, auction, poker tournament and carnival. If that’s not enough, you’ll also enjoy live music and a variety of food. (May 13th through the 15th)
- Hot August Nights, Reno
Hot August Nights/Facebook If you’re a fan of vintage cars, this is the festival for you. The six-day festival runs from August 2nd to August 7th. You’ll see parades, drag races, displays, live entertainment and of course, tons of beautifully-restored cars.
- Nevada Day, Carson City
Nevada Day/Facebook Nevada Day celebrates Nevada’s statehood with a four-day celebration that includes a parade, run/walk, chili feed, beard contest, balloon launch and tons of free entertainment. (October 29th)
- Reno River Festival
Reno River Festival/Facebook Celebrate at one of Reno’s largest, most popular festivals in May. In addition to tons of live entertainment, music and food, several events are particularly fun and interesting. Decorate your bike, don a costume and ride in the Reno River Roll. The whitewater events include kayak races, paddleboard races and boatercross.
- Burning Man, Black Rock Desert
Burning Man/Facebook This is the biggest party ever held in the middle of a desert. Burning Man focuses on a commodity-free festival, meaning that it doesn’t have corporate sponsors. It relies on donations. The festival is non-stop fun and entertainment. (August 28 through September 5th)
Which Nevada festival do you look forward to every year?
Foundation for Positively Kids/Facebook
This fundraiser for the Foundation for Positively Kids is great family fun! Buy a rubber duckie (or several) and place it in the pond at Towne Square. If it “places” in the duckie race, you’ll earn prizes. Enjoy the food, entertainment and booths. The festival takes place on September 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Towne Square Park 6350 South Las Vegas Boulevard.
Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con/Facebook
You might typically expect to see some weird things on the Strip, but during Comic Con, you’ll see superheroes, villains and comic book characters wandering around the city. Attend the event for entertainment, to meet special guests and to hang with like-minded people on June 17 - 19;
Pahrump/Facebook
Paiute and Western Shoshone tribes come together during this powwow to celebrate Native American traditions. Dance competitions and exhibitions show tribal traditions, and there’s plenty of authentic food and crafts available. The festival takes place every November.
Best Dam Barbecue/Facebook
Pitmasters come from all over the country to compete in this BBQ challenge. More than 40 teams compete for $12,000 and a spot at the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational. Admission for spectators is free, and there’s plenty of delicious food, live entertainment and kids activities. (May 27th and 28th)
Las Vegas Bike Fest/Facebook
At this festival, you’ll see lots of live entertainment, bike displays, builders and metal artists and food. Win one of four bikes during the festival. Don’t miss the daredevil riders in the Globe of Death! (September 29 - October 2)
Lantern Fest/Facebook
This is quite possibly the most beautiful festival in the state. Thousands of festival goers release lanterns into the night sky. Enjoy music, dancing, s’mores and a general feeling of community and love. (June 11th and 12th)
Las Vegas PRIDE/Facebook
A celebration of LGBT pride, the PRIDE parade kicks off the festival on October 21st at 8:00 p.m. The festival runs October 22nd and 23rd. There’s tons of entertainment, food vendors, beer gardens and a Family Activity Zone for kids.
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend/Facebook
This huge festival in April includes four days of music and fun. Events include car shows, tattoo lounge, bowling, pool parties, guitar festival and burlesque classes.
Reno Air Races/Facebook
Thousands of spectators (more than 150,000 in 2015) come from around the country to attend the Reno Air Races every summer. You’ll see air shows, military displays and performers, including the Blue Angels. (September 14th through the 18th)
Heldorado Days/Facebook
This four-day festival includes rodeos, contests, an art show, auction, poker tournament and carnival. If that’s not enough, you’ll also enjoy live music and a variety of food. (May 13th through the 15th)
Hot August Nights/Facebook
If you’re a fan of vintage cars, this is the festival for you. The six-day festival runs from August 2nd to August 7th. You’ll see parades, drag races, displays, live entertainment and of course, tons of beautifully-restored cars.
Nevada Day/Facebook
Nevada Day celebrates Nevada’s statehood with a four-day celebration that includes a parade, run/walk, chili feed, beard contest, balloon launch and tons of free entertainment. (October 29th)
Reno River Festival/Facebook
Celebrate at one of Reno’s largest, most popular festivals in May. In addition to tons of live entertainment, music and food, several events are particularly fun and interesting. Decorate your bike, don a costume and ride in the Reno River Roll. The whitewater events include kayak races, paddleboard races and boatercross.
Burning Man/Facebook
This is the biggest party ever held in the middle of a desert. Burning Man focuses on a commodity-free festival, meaning that it doesn’t have corporate sponsors. It relies on donations. The festival is non-stop fun and entertainment. (August 28 through September 5th)
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