Reno Mountain High
Fall Events and Adventures in Reno Tahoe
Take your vacation to new heights with some of the season’s most original events, and plenty of outdoors to explore. Fall for it all in Reno Tahoe.
High There, Great Reno Balloon Race!
We’re not full of hot air when we say the Great Reno Balloon Race is an absolute marvel. There’s no fee to attend, but you do have to get up early. Worth it!
Every September on the weekend after Labor Day, the Reno Tahoe sky becomes a rainbow of fanciful balloons rising high against the Sierra Nevada scenery. Arrive before dawn and watch as the balloons begin to glow. Then: up, up, and away they go … rise and shine! You’ll be picture-snap-happy, but remember to take in the awe—especially after the fifth selfie.
Yeah, you’re gonna smile. And the day’s just begun.
The Great Reno Balloon Race in Reno Tahoe
Take It Outside
Defying gravity isn’t just for the hot-air balloons. Feel like you’re on cloud nine hiking and biking Reno Tahoe’s wide-open spaces.
The 12-mile Truckee River Bike Path passes through downtown Reno, all the way to Sparks. Pit stop at scenic parks filled with original art and watch as locals and visitors make a splash tubing, rafting, or taking a quick dip in the river. Lounging on nearby slabs of rock is an art form here, too!
Prefer a hike that makes a splash? Hunter Creek Falls is a perennial favorite. This 6-mile out-and-back classic starts in a rugged canyon before rising to a towering forest of sugar pines on your way to the two-tiered waterfall oasis.
On the return, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of downtown Reno, flanked by the Sierra Nevada.
On the OffBeat Path
Okay, Reno’s Brewery District is worth a visit any day, but in fall you can expect to find some seasonal flavors brewing. The walkable, social district is everything you want in a post-adventure refresher or simply a place to kick back, relax, and savor the day.
Pair stellar food with craft beers, spirits, alcohol-free creations, and even artisan mead. Quick note on Black Rabbit Mead Co.: This isn’t your standard mead. Sierra Nevada-sourced honey is infused with unique herbs, spices, and fruits for a cider-like libation with just a hint of sweetness.
BONUS: On October 2–3, 2026, the Brewery District turns up the volume for the OffBeat Music Festival, where performances fill indoor and outdoor venues. Stroll from place to place, sampling beers and beats from funk and punk to soul and psych. Swing by local hotspots like Lead Dog Brewing, and just follow the music—and the flowing libations. That’s how you walk to the OffBeat of your own drum!
OffBeat Music Festival in Reno Tahoe
Go With the Dragon Glow
When in Reno, expect light! From sunset hikes at Huffaker Hills to watching the city’s neon rise to the occasion as darkness falls, a night in Reno invites you to glow wild.
From October 2 to November 29, Dragon Lights Reno brings the bright!
Celebrating the artistry and tradition of lantern art, Dragon Lights features three distinct zones throughout the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Wander a dazzling bamboo forest alongside a glowing panda before encountering galloping horses towering 5 meters high in the Asian Safari zone. Saunter through an African desert scene where a chameleon shifts colors, parrots perch overhead, and a glowing tortoise lights the way. Then travel way back in time as dinosaurs come (back) to life—including a huge Tyrannosaurus rex ruling this glowing Dinosaur World.
BONUS: Some of Reno’s favorite local food trucks will be on site, adding their own flavors to the artisan mix.
Way to glow!
