Every July, Artown Reno fills the Biggest Little City with artistic events, exhibits, and activities. This city-wide, month-long arts festival includes music, dance, theater, visual arts, workshops, art walks, and more.
Since 1996, Artown has brought art to Reno by offering mostly free events and activities. Artown showcases Reno’s local talent and brings artists of the highest caliber to perform and exhibit.
Artown Reno events you should check out
In 2019, Artown Reno will bring more than 500 activities in 31 days to Reno. That means that for every day in July, you can find multiple events every day to explore. Here are 31 we'd suggest checking out for each day of the event:
July 1: Opening Night
New Breed Brass Band will open Artown Reno with their New Orleans inspired fusion of funk, rock, jazz, hip-hop, and second-line brass band music. Then, singer Paul Thorn will headline the evening.
- When: Gate opens at 5 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave.
July 2: Truckee River Walking Tour
Stroll along the Truckee River and learn about some of Reno’s eclectic architecture and historical personalities. The tour goes from the McKinley Arts and Cultural Center to the Lear Theater and talks about the area’s homes through colorful anecdotes.
- When: 5:45 p.m.
- Where: McKinley Arts and Cultural Center, 925 Riverside Drive
July 3: Discover Young Chautauqua
Historical figures come to life in this award-winning program when young scholars research and portray famous characters. Through monologues and question-and-answer sessions, young scholars, in and out of character, engage their audience in lively discussions.
- When: 9:30—11:30 a.m.
- Where: McKinley Arts and Cultural Center, 925 Riverside Drive
July 4: American Salute July 4 Celebration
In celebration with Artown, the Reno Phil Orchestra and Chorus will perform patriotic and classical favorites for the Fourth of July at Wingfield Park in Downtown Reno. Conducted by Laura Jackson, this event is free and will conclude with a fantastic firework finale.
- When: Gate opens at 5 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave.
July 5: Galena Campfire Program Series
Relive the joy of gathering around the campfire with the Galena Campfire Program Series. Each week features a different performer, fun educational programs, and marshmallow roasting.
- When: 8 p.m.
- Where: Eagle Meadow - Galena Creek Regional Park, North Entrance, 18250 Mt. Rose Highway
July 6: Reno Mural Expo Tour
Learn about and explore Reno during this docent-led tour highlighting murals painted during the 2017 Reno Mural Expo. International, national and local artists painted more than 20,000 square feet of art during a 3-day weekend in October 2017.
- When: 9:45 a.m.
- Where: City Plaza, 10 N. Virginia St.
July 7: Sunday Music Brunch
Chez Louie hosts live music and brunch every Sunday at the Nevada Museum of Art. With a refined menu of artful dishes, mimosas, and a Bloody Mary Bar, Sunday Music Brunch is the perfect precursor to an afternoon in the galleries. Museum members save 10%. Reservations strongly encouraged at 775-284-2921.
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St.
July 8: Creativity Explored: Abilities In Art Reception
Abilities in Art highlights mixed media pieces created by adults with a disability who participate in free weekly classes at Arts for All Nevada. Classes are partly funded with support from the Reno's Access Advisory Committee and the City of Sparks. Meet the artists and instructor and tour the mansion during this free reception
- When: 4-6 p.m.
- Where: Arts for All Nevada at the Lake Mansion, 250 Court St.
July 9: Dancing In The Park: Sierra Nevada Ballet
Grab a blanket and picnic basket and join Sierra Nevada Ballet for a free concert filled with various styles of dance, song, and live music. Dancing By The River features the SNB company and international tap star, Sam Weber, joined by popular singer, Cami Thompson, and her trio.
- When: Gate opens at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
- Where: Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave.
July 10: Lazy 5 Summer Music Series
Come get your groove on at Lazy 5 Regional Park with free Wednesday evening concerts featuring a different band and genre of music. A food truck and mobile pub will be available at each show, and coolers are welcome.
- When: 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Lazy 5 Regional Park, 7100 Pyramid Way, Sparks
July 11: The Sun Rays Live
Meet friends and explore the galleries at this lively social event featuring live music, performances, and specialty refreshments. Hosted by Great Basin Brewing Company and KTHX Radio, this long-standing gathering welcomes guests and members alike. Wine sponsored by Whispering Vine Wine Company.
- When: 5–7 p.m.
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St.
July 12: 4th Annual Reno Chalk Art & Music Festival
Watch in awe as chalk paintings come to life at the 4th Annual Reno Chalk Art & Music Festival. Using pavement for canvas, artists create spectacular masterpieces. Experience three days of art, food, live entertainment, artisan crafters, and more at this festival.
- When: 8 a.m.
- Where: Atlantis Casino Resort & Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St.
July 13: Mural Marathon: Hosted By Circus Circus At The Row
Witness art in action at the Mural Marathon, hosted by Circus Circus At The Row. Artists must paint an original, almost 20-foot by 14-foot mural in less than 48 hours. Seven muralists will compete for cash prizes up to $3,000.
- When: 4 p.m., Friday, July 12 – 10 a.m., Sunday, July 14
- Where: Virginia street between 4th and 6th Streets
July 14: Gordon Avenue Artists
Gordon Avenue Artists are a diverse group of local artists who enjoy participating in Artown and other events. Their third annual Artown show takes place in a colorful Old Southwest patio garden setting on Gordon Avenue. See and buy abstract and nature photography, acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings, fun up-cycled yard art creations, handmade quilts, jewelry, pottery, and more.
- When: 10 a.m.
- Where: 1019 Gordon Ave.
July 15: Sweet Vibrations: Reno Modern Brass
The Reno Modern Brass meets at the intersection of composer, performer, and audience by curating thought-provoking programs of new compositions and reimaginings of songs from across the musical spectrum. This concert, specially designed for performance at Artown, will feature new works written by members of the quintet, as well as arrangements of some unexpected pop favorites.
- When: 6:45 p.m.
- Where: First United Methodist Church, 209 W. First St.
July 16: Moonlight Art Talks
Experience a moonlight talk with the artist team creating the Washoe ArTrail’s new public art, and stories of this place from local residents. The ArTrail weaves together the community by promoting and discovering art, history, and culture along our river and our rural landscapes. The ArTrail will route along the Truckee River through Reno and Sparks, turn north up to historic Lake Pyramid on Paiute Tribal land, and continue to the Gerlach area in the far northern region of the county.
- When: 7 p.m.
- Where: Washoe County Crystal Peak Park, 561 Crystal Park Road, Verdi
July 17: The Reno Story, 1868 – 1950
Visit Nevada's oldest cultural institution and learn Reno's interesting history with a multimedia presentation of photographs and stories. Hear about the early railroad coming to Reno, the mining booms, making gambling illegal in 1910 and legal again in 1931, Reno as Sin City with gaming, divorce and uncomplicated weddings, the history of the Reno arch and Reno as the biggest town in Nevada from 1887 through 1950. Following the presentation, attendees may peruse the galleries on their own.
- When: 10:30 a.m.
- Where: Nevada Historical Society, 1650 N. Virginia St.
July 18: Art On 4th
Take a walking tour to experience the vibrancy of the small business community now calling E. 4th St home. Enjoy live art, great beer, fantastic food, live music and meet our talented local maker community as the Brewery District presents Art on 4th.
- When: 4 p.m.
- Where: 4th Street
July 19: Vortex, The Ballet That Rocks
The grace of ballet grace and passionate rock, dance, and alternative music combine as A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents the rock ballet Vortex. Artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne has choreographed an exciting contemporary ballet. Imagine ballerinas performing grande jetés to music by popular rock artists.
- When: Gate opens at 7 p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m.
- Where: Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road
July 20: Dressing For The Photographer: Georgia O'Keeffe And Her Clothes
Georgia O'Keeffe's sartorial style became an intimate part of her artistic identity. She dressed like she painted, highly valuing abstraction, simplicity, and seriality. In a lecture titled, “Dressing for the Photographer: Georgia O'Keeffe and Her Clothes,” art historian and Living Modern guest curator, Wanda M. Corn will explore the way O'Keeffe used her distinctive taste in clothes to model for photographers, creating a public persona for O'Keeffe that still dominates the American imagination
- When: 11 a.m.
- Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St.
July 21: Garden Art
This fun two-hour class is an excellent way for students of all levels to try glass fusing. Create a garden inspired projects as you learn to cut, design, and learn how glass reacts in the kiln. Projects may include garden row markers, sun catchers, colorful flowers or birds or other colorful glass elements to embellish your garden.
- When: 2 p.m.
- Where: Fused Finery, 1 Booth St.
July 22: Family Series: Mariachi Acero De Las Vegas
Mariachi Acero takes pride in learning the most recent contemporary Mariachi exitos of today while preserving the classic Canciones of yesterday! Mariachi Acero also strives in serving as a creative and positive organization for its members and its community.
- When: 6 p.m.
- Where: Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave.
July 23: Metallic Acrylic Pour Onto Canvas Class
Enjoy the wonders of pouring as a professional artist, Dana Childs, aka d'Lauren, teaches you how to create modern-abstract fluid effects with metallic acrylic paint pouring onto stretched canvas. Childs has been painting professionally for more than two decades, and playing with acrylic pouring is one of her new fascinations. In addition to this class, she will be offering an array of painting classes at Nevada Fine Arts, all with a focus on technique and expressiveness.
- When: 10 a.m.
- Where: Nevada Fine Arts, 1301 S. Virginia St.
July 24: RFC 48 Hour Film Competition
Filmmakers have 48 hours to write, shoot, edit, and submit their short films. The shorts can be any genre or topics, as long as they are based on the prompts the filmmakers are given when they start.
- When: Gate opens at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.
- Where: The Library, 134 W. 2nd Street
July 25: Artown Reno Presents: The Steeldrivers
Grammy-award-winning band, The SteelDriver's, are world-class session players and artists that have always made it about the music. Part of their lure is the freedom each musician gets to express themselves without any reservation, even as the group maintains their signature sound.
- When: Gate opens at 6 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m.
- Where: Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road
July 26: Didgeridoo Down Under
Didgeridoo Down Under a high-energy, Australia-themed show that combines music, culture, science, comedy, character building and audience participation. The didgeridoo, usually a hollow tree trunk, has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years and is known for its otherworldly sound.
- When: 10:15 a.m.
- Where: Sparks Library, 1125 Twelfth St.
July 27: Romantix
Toccata returns to Artown Reno/Bartley Ranch for its first Romantic presentation. Russian violinist Alex Eisenberg performs the magnificent Sibelius Violin Concerto, and the 40 piece Tahoe Symphony Orchestra performs Beethovens happiest Symphony #8 in F major. The audience will smile as the trumpets stand up in the rousing finale to Rossini's William Tell Overture.
- When: Gate opens at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.
- Where: Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road
July 28: Midtown Concert Series: Whitney Myer
A nexus of RnB, hip-hop and Rock n Roll, Whitney Myer's soulful vocals and electrifying live performances have mesmerized audiences, earning her featured appearances at Lightning in a Bottle, The Bounce Festival, and SXSW. Drawing inspiration from musicians like Prince, Little Dragon, and Bjork, Whitney Myer has shared the stage with the likes of Allen Stone, DEV and Fitz And The Tantrums.
- When: Gate opens at 7 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m.
- Where: Brasserie Sant James, 901 South Center St.
July 29: Mid Summer Celebration
Enjoy Reno's favorite vocal ensembles singing hot and cool jazz, a cappella and accompanied. A fun variety show brought to you by Nevada Vocal Arts directed by Leslie Fudge featuring the Andrew Sisters Act, ZeeDop, and the amazing Bill Hecht Jazz Trio. Bop, Pop, Swing, and Boogie for all ages!
- When: 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Good Luck Macbeth Theatre, 124 West Taylor Street
July 30: Dancing In The Park: Collateral & Co. Presents “Dust Settled”
Dust Settled is the sequel to Dust Horizon, a dance work performed initially at the Nevada Museum of Art in April 2019. Collateral & Co. continue their exploration of the Nevada landscape and the poetry of Gailmarie Pahmeier with new work inspired by two guest poets, Joanne Mallari, and Melanie Perish. Inspired by two Nevada locations, Washoe Lake State Park and Valley of Fire, Collateral & Co. will investigate what it means to be a Nevadan after the sun has set and the dust has settled.
- When: Gate opens at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
- Where: Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave.
July 31: Closing Night: Squirrel Nut Zippers
Jimbo Mathus, along with drummer/percussionist Chris Phillips, formed the band as a casual musical foray among friends and family in the area. It wasn't long before the band's quirky mix of jazz chords, folk music, and punk rock leanings spread out of the region and attracted a national audience.
- When: Gate opens at 5 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Wingfield Park, 2 S. Arlington Ave.
