Boo-tifall Reno Tahoe

Fall goes fast. Good thing Reno Tahoe knows how to make the good times last, with some of the West’s best harvest fairs, haunted happenings, and only-in-Reno celebrations.

Boo There It Is!

In Reno Tahoe, stranger things come naturally, thanks to a creative culture that embraces the unexpected. It’s what makes the harvest and Halloween season so bewitching.

Just 20 miles southeast of Reno, Virginia City has a colorful history. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 put this historic mining town on the map, and plenty of its Old West character lives on today. Some say its former residents do, too. Take a ghost tour to hear their stories, then get on board the Virginia & Truckee Railroad for a ride through Virginia City’s storied past. In October, the railroad operates special Pumpkin Patch Trains, departing Virginia City and traveling the historic rail line to a pumpkin patch, where you can choose a pumpkin to take home.

If you’d rather just walk among the dead, there’s a Zombie Crawl for that (October 17)! Reno’s downtown transforms into a sea of the undead. With about 20,000 participants, this crowd of costumed people roams Reno’s walkable downtown amid live music, food and drink deals, and a host of participating venues ready to fill your crawl cup. You’ll be dying to go back next year.

Not done walking? Go on an immersive, fright-filled adventure in a real 19th-century prison. Reno Tahoe’s Dark Prison (September 25 to November 1) beckons with three immersive experiences featuring elaborately created sets and props throughout the halls. Actors are also on site to give you a fright. The actual prison dates to 1862 and closed in 2012, meaning there are 150 years of tales and history whispering along the walls. The bonus bar can help calm your nerves, as can some games set up along the way. There are some no-scare options on certain nights, but if you’re up for a real freak-out, it’s lights out on November 1 for Flashlight Night, when the prison goes dark, and groups each get just one flashlight.

RENO TAHOE’S HARVEST + HALLOWEEN FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Gourd Big or Go Home!

Farmily-owned Ferrari Farms and Andelin Family Farm put a Reno spin on classic harvest-season fun for the family, with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides, dog-friendly options, and plenty more that’s all part of their signature Fall Festivals every September and October.

Ferrari Farms keeps the good times flowing (it’s set along the Truckee River) and growing with more than 40 varieties of pumpkins and gourds, hayrides, farm animals, food, and more. Its mission? To keep things fun, family-friendly, and affordable. The farm famously throws unique events like Pups in the Patch (aka, four-legged cuteness in costumes among the pumpkins) and a costume Barn Dance for all ages. Haunted Maze: Navigate Ferrari’s corn maze by day, but beware that on select nights it transforms into a haunted labyrinth. Who dares to ghost there?!

At Andelin Family Farm in Sparks, see if you can make your way through the 5-acre corn maze, or keep it easy on board the Andelin Express Train, saying hello to the farm’s goats, alpacas, emus, and capybaras. The kid-friendly activities are like a mini-Olympics, harvest-style: hay jumping, duck racing, slingshot shooting, lasso, pumpkin carving—oh, there’s more! Zombie Paintball: Help fight off a horde of zombies with paintball. Board a bus and head out to zombie land, where you’ll take aim and see if you can hit your target (wayward zombies!) with your paintballs. Boom, zombie down!

RENO TAHOE’S HARVEST + HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN

Try Strumthing New

Reno Tahoe marches to its own beat at two of its quirkier music events. Uke it up at the Reno Ukulele Festival (October 21–24). Join a workshop or check out open mics and late-night pajama jams that keep four strings swinging late into the night.

For an unforgettably vibrant, cultural, and deeply meaningful experience, head to downtown Reno’s Día de los Muertos (November 1), where colorful ofrendas bloom with flowers, flickering candles, photos, and treasured offerings—all in remembrance and celebration of loved ones.

BONUS FALL COLORS: Striking gold in Reno is even easier this time of year, when changing foliage and low-angle light transform the high desert into a glimmering palette from sagebrush to peaks. Find plenty of autumn adventure on Reno’s well-planned urban trail system, including the Tom Cooke Trail along the Truckee River. Popular with local hikers, mountain bikers, and four-legged trail buddies, the route really hits the jackpot as seasonal color washes across the scenery in the warm afternoon glow.

FALL EVENTS AND OUTDOORS IN RENO TAHOE

PRO TIP (Winter is Coming!): Fall goes fast, but Reno Tahoe isn’t done yet. When the snow starts falling, come back for a whole different kind of weekend.