Hot August Nights 2025 schedule, events and locations: See guide

People attend a Hot August Nights Show-n-Shine in Downtown Reno on Aug. 7, 2024.

Hot August Nights, Northern Nevada’s signature classic car celebration, is rolling into town this week.

The chrome-packed event spans multiple days with car shows in Virginia City and throughout Reno, plus concerts, vendor booths and a downtown parade to wrap things up.

Here’s a look at when Hot August Nights takes place, where events are happening and everything else you need to know.

What day does Hot August Nights start? When does it end?

Hot August Nights kicks off Friday, Aug. 1. The event will wrap up with a parade and award show on Aug. 10.

What concerts will there be at Hot August Nights 2025?

Hot August Nights has events throughout its more than week-long run. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, J Resort, Nugget Casino Resort and the University of Nevada will each host multiple show-n-shines, live music and merchandise booths.

Live music is scheduled for:

• Aug. 2:
  • New Wave Crave will perform at J Resort located at 345 N. Arlington Avenue from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 4:
  • DJ Axle will perform at the Peppermill at 2707 S. Virginia Street from noon to 7 p.m.
  • Greg Golden Band will perform at the University of Nevada's outdoor stage located at the upper parking lot near the northern intersection of Virginia Street and McCarran Boulevard. They are scheduled to play from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
  • The Breakfast Klub will perform at the Peppermill from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m.
  •  Mitch Polzak & The Royal Deuces will perform at the Peppermill from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 5:
  • DJ Steve West will perform at the University of Nevada at 11 a.m.
  • DJ Axle will perform at the Peppermill from noon to 7 p.m.
  • Mitch Polzak & The Royal Deuces will perform at the Peppermill from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • MVP Dance Studio will perform at the Atlantis located at 3800 S. Virginia Street at 6:30 p.m.
  • The Breakfast Klub will perform at the Peppermill from 7:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
  • Spazmatics, the headliner, will perform at the University of Nevada at 8:15 p.m.
• Aug. 6:
  • DJ Rich West will perform at the Nugget Events Center at 1040 Victorian Ave. in Sparks at 10 a.m.
  • DJ Steve West will perform at the University of Nevada at 11 a.m.
  • DJ Axle will perform at the Peppermill from noon to 7 p.m.
  • New Wave Crave will perform at the Atlantis from 5 to 9 p.m.
  • Mitch Polzak & The Royal Deuces will perform at the Peppermill from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • The Breakfast Klub will perform at the Peppermill from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m.
  • The Legends of Classic Rock will headline an event at UNR at 8:15 p.m.
  • Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats will headline an event at the Nugget Events Center at 8:15 p.m.
• Aug. 7:
  • DJ Rich West will perform at the Nugget Events Center at 10 a.m.
  • DJ Steve West will perform at the University of Nevada at 11 a.m.
  • DJ Axle will perform at the Peppermill from noon to 7 p.m.
  • Arizona Jones will perform at the University of Nevada from 5 to 9 p.m.
  • James Intveld will perform at the Peppermill from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • The Breakfast Klub will perform at the Peppermill from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m.
  • Headliner Tower of Power will perform at the University of Nevada at 8:15 p.m.
  • Headliner Boogie Knights will perform at the Nugget Events Center at 8:15 p.m.
• Aug. 8
  • DJ Rich West will perform at the Nugget Events Center at 10 a.m.
  • DJ Steve West will perform at the University of Nevada at 11 a.m.
  • DJ Axle will perform at the Peppermill from noon to 7 p.m.
  • Escalade will perform at the Atlantis from 5 to 9 p.m.
  • James Intveld will perform at the Peppermill from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • The Breakfast Klub will perform at the Peppermill from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m.
  • Headliner Grand Funk Railroad will perform at the University of Nevada at 8:15 p.m.
  • Headliner John Waite will perform at the Nugget Events Center at 8:15 p.m.
• Aug. 9
  • DJ Rich West will perform at the Nugget Events Center at 10 a.m.
  • DJ Steve West will perform at the University of Nevada at 11 a.m.
  • DJ Axle will perform at the Peppermill from noon to 7 p.m.
  • Carnaval will perform at the Atlantis from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • James Intveld will perform at the Peppermill from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • The Breakfast Klub will perform at the Peppermill from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m.
  • Headliner Loverboy will perform at the University of Nevada at 8:15 p.m.
  • Headliner Commodores will perform at the Nugget Events Center at 8:15 p.m.

Where are the Hot August Nights show-n-shines/car shows?

You can see the various car displays in Virginia City from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 1-2. There will also be show-n-shine at the J Resort the same days and times.

Aug. 3 will be a slower day for Hot August Nights events, but there will still be a car show at the Bonanza Casino located at 4720 N. Virginia Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Aug. 4, the Peppermill will host a show-n-shine from noon to 10 p.m., the Atlantis will have a show from 5 to 9 p.m. and the University of Nevada will have cars on display from 3 to 9 p.m. Show-n-shines are scheduled all day Aug. 5 at each beforementioned location as well.

The university and several casinos will have cars on display throughout Aug. 6. That day also marks the start of Hot August Nights events in downtown Reno and downtown Sparks, with shows at both locations from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 7–9 will feature additional show-n-shines at those locations, along with events at the Nugget.

When is the Hot August Nights parade?

Hot August Nights 2025 will wrap up with a parade starting at 9 a.m. through downtown Reno. Car enthusiasts will then head to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center at 4590 S. Virginia Street for the grand finale, which will feature car shows, vendor booths and awards.

What’s the vehicle year cutoff for Hot August Nights?

People wanting to participate by registering their classic vehicle in Hot August Nights may be wondering if their vehicle is old enough. According to the Hot August Nights website, a vehicle must be a 1979 model or older to participate.

"We are a nostalgic event," the website reads.

How many people attend Hot August Nights in Reno?

According to their website, Hot August Nights attracts around 6,000 participants and around 500,000 attendees. For context, 500,000 is about the entire population of Washoe County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Where will the venue change in Hot August Nights 2025?

Hot August Nights is partnering with the University of Nevada to feature it as its main location for 2025. The main events typically happen at the Grand Sierra Resort, but the change in venue became necessary because the GSR is working on a billion-dollar capital improvement project at the hotel-casino, which will include a new arena.

Is Hot August Nights free?

With a few exceptions, almost all of the events associated with Hot August Nights are free to the public.

Hot August Nights full event schedule, additional information