Some of my favorite Reno memories aren't tied to one big festival; they're the simple traditions that make every week of summer feel special.

When: Every Sunday morning, year-round

Cost: Free admission; food, drinks and local goods available for purchase

I love starting Sunday mornings at the Riverside Farmers Market, Reno's only year-round farmers market. Coffee (or boba tea) in hand, I'll wander along the Truckee River while local musicians play nearby and vendors greet familiar faces. Between colorful produce, artisan goods, fresh flowers, and homemade treats, I somehow always end up making one more lap before heading home for the week.

Tip: Bring a reusable tote bag! You'll almost always leave with more goodies than you planned.

When: Every Wednesday evening during the summer

Cost: Free admission; food and drinks available for purchase

Wednesday evenings almost always mean Feed the Camel. I'll meet up with a few friends, grab dinner from whichever food truck I’m craving most, then find a spot on the lawn. You’ll often find favorites like Slater’s Ding A Wing and Silver State Pie Co. alongside other local food trucks, so there’s always something new to try. Somehow, what starts as a quick dinner almost always turns into spending the rest of the night at McKinley Arts & Culture Center. And if we’re not ready to head home, the Reno Riverwalk is just across the street, making it easy to continue the evening with a stroll along the Truckee River.

Tip: Check the weekly lineup before you go. It’s typically posted on Feed the Camel’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and while many favorite food trucks return throughout the summer, there are usually a few new additions each week.

When: Every Wednesday in July

Cost: Free admission

A July tradition I look forward to is Pack Picnics on the Quad at the University of Nevada, Reno. There's something relaxing about unpacking dinner on a blanket, listening to live music, and watching the Quad fill with families, friends, and neighbors enjoying the evening together. It's one of those simple summer traditions I never want to miss.

Tip: Pack your own picnic with sandwiches, pastries, or other treats from one of Reno's local delis or bakeries before heading to campus.

When: Every Friday from early June through early August

Cost: Free admission; food and drinks available for purchase

When Friday arrives, it's time for Food Truck Friday at Idlewild Park. One of my favorite parts is deciding which food truck to try because I almost never order the same thing twice. After grabbing dinner, I'll find a spot in the park and enjoy live music from local artists. Every once in a while, I’ll even recognize someone I went to elementary school with performing, which always makes the evening feel a little more like Reno. There’s also a beer garden for anyone looking to enjoy a drink while listening to the music.

Tip: My sweet spot is arriving between 5 and 6 p.m. The lines are usually shorter, it's easier to find a place to sit, and you'll have more time to enjoy the evening.

When friends ask me which events are worth planning an entire trip around, these are always at the top of my list.

When: Memorial Day Weekend for two days (May)

Cost: One-day and two-day passes; General Admission and VIP

The Drifters Music Festival has quickly become one of my favorite summer weekends. I love spending the day at the J Resort Festival Grounds, where there’s plenty of room to spread out, grab food from local vendors and enjoy the music without feeling shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowd. By the end of the festival, I always have new songs and artists added to my playlist. With past headliners like Walker Hayes and Dustin Lynch, it’s become one of Northern Nevada’s can't-miss music weekends.

Tip: If you're planning to stay all day, I'd recommend upgrading to a VIP ticket. Having a dedicated entrance, exclusive viewing area, private food and beverage options, and restrooms makes it easy to enjoy every set without missing a beat.

When: Mid-to-late June for 10 days

Cost: Day-specific rodeo tickets, with optional VIP experiences and carnival attractions

No Reno summer feels complete without experiencing the Reno Rodeo. Known as the "Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West," it's a tradition that has brought generations of locals and visitors together for more than a century. One of the things I look forward to most each year is seeing who I'll run into. It never fails; I always bump into old friends, former classmates, or familiar faces while wandering the grounds. The excitement starts long before the first rodeo event, with carnival rides, vendors, barbecue, and crowds filling the grounds. Once the rodeo begins, the cheers from the grandstands, the thundering hooves, and the incredible talent of the cowboys and cowgirls make it easy to understand why it's one of Northern Nevada's most beloved traditions.

Tip: Explore beyond the arena; the vendors, exhibits, and carnival are all part of the Reno Rodeo experience.

Bonus Tip: Thursday through Saturday are the most popular performances, so buy your tickets as soon as they go on sale. If you're local, watch for the Reno Rodeo Locals Presale that typically happens each October for early access before the general public.

When: Mid-July for five days (two practice days with three tournament days)

Cost: Practice-day, tournament-day and weeklong passes

The American Century Championship brings celebrities, professional athletes, and golf legends to the beautiful shores of Lake Tahoe. I love walking the course because you never know who you'll see next…one minute you're watching a golf legend tee off, and the next you're spotting a favorite athlete or celebrity interacting with fans.

Tip: I always recommend going on Friday. It's a great balance of exciting tournament action without some of the larger weekend crowds. And wear sunscreen!

When: Late July to early August for three days

Cost: Free admission; food, drinks and VIP experiences available for purchase

The Biggest Little City Wing Fest is one of my favorite downtown traditions. Hosted by the Silver Legacy, Eldorado and Circus Circus, the festival fills downtown Reno with the smell of grilled wings, live music, and friendly competition as restaurants serve their best recipes in hopes of earning bragging rights. Whether you love sweet, smoky, or spicy flavors, there's always something new to discover.

Tip: Stay for the FREE live concert after you've eaten. It's the perfect excuse to relax before deciding if you have room for one more round of wings.

When: Late March/Early April through September

Cost: Varies by game and seating selection, from general admission to premium seating

I don’t have to be a baseball expert to enjoy a Reno Aces game. For me, it's less about the score and more about spending a summer evening with friends, grabbing classic ballpark food, and soaking up the atmosphere at Greater Nevada Field. It's one of those outings that's just as fun for first-time visitors as it is for longtime locals.

Tip: Check the promotional schedule before buying tickets. Fireworks nights and themed games are always worth planning around.

Before summer comes to an end, there are two traditions I never miss.

When: During the first full week of August

Cost: Free admission; vehicle registration required for participants, with food and drinks available for purchase

During Hot August Nights, it feels like the entire Reno-Sparks community celebrates together. Beautifully restored classics, custom hot rods, and vintage trucks are displayed throughout the city, making it easy to stumble upon incredible cars no matter where you go. Even after attending for years, I still find myself discovering vehicles I've never seen before.

Tip: Check the daily event schedule before you go. Different venues host cruises, show-and-shines, and entertainment throughout the week, so no two days are exactly the same.

When: Wednesday before Labor Day through Labor Day Monday

Cost: Free admission; food and drinks available for purchase

The first question isn't whether I'm going to the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off…it's which rib booth I'm heading to first. Part of the fun is wandering through the event, comparing sauces, trying different styles, and debating with friends over who has the best ribs. Between the live music, local vendors, and incredible ribs, it's one of those traditions that's just as much about spending time together as it is about the food.

Tip: Visit on Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the biggest crowds, then grab a few friends and share plates so you can sample ribs from multiple competitors.

For me, fall doesn't officially begin until I find myself standing in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park before sunrise.

When: The weekend after Labor Day from Thursday to Sunday

Cost: Free admission; elevate your experience with VIP packages, balloon rides and VIP parking, or purchase general parking

No matter how many times I've attended The Great Reno Balloon Race, waking up before sunrise is always worth it. There's something peaceful about watching the park slowly come alive as families unfold blankets, volunteers prepare for the morning, and the first balloon burners break the silence. No two mornings are exactly the same…Super Glow, Dawn Patrol, and the colorful Mass Ascension each offer something unique, making the entire morning unforgettable. Best of all, it's completely free, making it one of Reno Tahoe's most cherished traditions.

Tip: If I could give one piece of advice, it'd be to visit on Thursday or Friday. You get the same unforgettable experience as the weekend, but with smaller crowds and a little more space to take it all in.

Even after the balloons land, there's still plenty to celebrate before winter arrives.

When: Late September through the end of November

Cost: Adult and children's tickets

Dragon Lights is one of my favorite ways to spend a fall evening. I always think I'll walk straight through, but I inevitably stop every few minutes to admire another lantern display or snap another photo. It's one of those events that's just as fun with family as it is with friends.

Tip: Arrive around sunset. You’ll get to see the gardens transition from daylight to illuminated lanterns, giving you two completely different experiences in one visit.

When: Columbus Day Weekend for two days (October)

Cost: Free admission; food and drinks available for purchase

Every October, I find myself in the heart of Reno for the Great Italian Festival. Between the fresh pasta, live music, and bustling streets, it's impossible to leave hungry. I always save room to try something new while wandering through the festival because every vendor seems to have something worth stopping for.

Tip: Check the entertainment schedule before you go! Live performances and the grape stomp happen throughout the weekend, so it’s worth planning your visit around the activities you don’t want to miss.

When: The Saturday following the last Friday of October

Cost: Free

I've celebrated Nevada Day more times than I can count, and it never gets old. Watching the parade through downtown Carson City and seeing the community come together is a tradition I always enjoy. It's one of the few events that feels uniquely Nevadan and a fun way to celebrate the state we call home.

Tip: Skip the traffic by parking a few blocks away and enjoying the short walk to the parade route. Afterward, take some time to explore downtown Carson City…the shops, museums and local businesses are all part of the Nevada Day experience.

When: Early September to late November

Cost: Tickets, food and drinks available for purchase

Fall in Reno also means Nevada Wolf Pack Football, and there's nothing quite like the atmosphere around Mackay Stadium on game day. Tailgate parties fill the parking lots, fans proudly wear blue and silver, and the roar of the crowd grows louder with every big play. Whether I'm meeting friends before kickoff or cheering from the stands, it's one of my favorite ways to spend a fall Saturday while showing my PACK PRIDE.

Tip: Arrive early to enjoy the tailgating atmosphere before kickoff.

The best part about summer and fall in Reno Tahoe isn't just the iconic events; it's the traditions that fill every week in between. It's sipping coffee while wandering the farmers market, relaxing on a blanket during Pack Picnics, singing along at a concert, sharing wings with friends downtown, watching the sunset from an Aces game, and waking up before dawn to see dozens of colorful balloons drift across the sky.

These are the events I look forward to every year, and I hope they become part of your Reno Tahoe story, too.