Things to do in Nevada this weekend (Sept. 19-21)

Hot air balloons over Reno. (Tucker Riggins/Unsplash)

By Jannelle Calderón

September 15, 2025

The autumnal equinox is this weekend! Celebrate by attending a community festival, or a free concert if you’re in Las Vegas. It’s also Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15—join the fun in a block fiesta in Reno. Or if you’re in Elko—enjoy the beautiful Ruby Mountains as the backdrop for mesmerizing hot air balloons. There’s something for everyone!

Goodman Plaza Free Grand Opening Celebration — Saturday, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Las Vegas Civic Center (525 S. Main St.) Free music performances, food trucks, and locally brewed alcoholic beverages for sale. Stay a while and invite your friends. Bring a blanket or low-back chairs to be more comfortable. The festival will feature artisan vendor booths, a kids’ zone, art activity, and free face painting.

Los Plátanos: Hi-Energy Latin Funk Band — Saturday, Sept. 20 from 3-4 p.m. at Windmill Library (7060 W. Windmill Lane) in Las Vegas. Los Plátanos’ music is a culmination of funk, jazz, salsa, reggae, samba, and more. The band encourages crowd interaction, whether it’s dancing, singing along, or participating in their unique percussion breaks. This concert is free, and seating is first-come, first-served.

Fiesta on Wells — Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on S. Wells Ave. in Reno, between Burns and Vassar streets. This free event celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food trucks, dance, arts, vendors, folklore, resource information booths, and more.

Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival — Sept. 19-21 in Elko (weather permitting). Friday: Balloons over Elko — 6:30 a.m. launching from various locations in town. Western States Propane Balloon Glow — 6 p.m., followed by a showing of the movie “UP” at Elko City Park. Saturday and Sunday: Mass ascensions — 6:30 a.m. at Elko City Park. Each year, the Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival showcases the beauty and magic of balloons soaring above the breathtaking landscape.

Jannelle Calderón

Jannelle Calderón is The Nevadan / El Nevadense newsletter editor. A bilingual storyteller, she’s passionate about highlighting the human side of policy and showcasing Nevada’s vibrant cultures. She previously reported for The Nevada Independent and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Jannelle also writes Vegas Somos, a weekly Spanish-language newsletter dedicated to breaking down the issues that matter most to Nevada’s Latino communities.

Have a story tip? Reach Jannelle at [email protected]. For local reporting in Nevada that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for Jannelle's newsletters.

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