Street Vibrations, Candy Dance, Dragon Lights: 30 things to do in Reno-Tahoe

Reporting by Brett McGinness, Reno Gazette Journal

Fall officially began at 11:19 a.m. Monday, and some of the region’s favorite fall activities are back, too—including Street Vibrations, the Dragon Lights Festival, the Genoa Candy Dance and the Cordillera Film Festival.

The region’s weather should be more of the same, with highs hovering near 80 throughout the week, and only a slim chance of rain in the middle of the week.

Here’s what else is happening for the week of Sept. 22-28.

‘The Princess Bride’ in concert, Sept. 23-24: The classic film is being shown on the big screen at Grand Sierra Resort, accompanied by a live musical score by the Reno Phil. This two-night-only event begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday and 6 p.m. Wednesday inside the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. 2nd Street. For details, visit grandsierraresort.com or renophil.com.

P.U.N.K. Poetry Slam, Sept. 23: Reno Little Theater hosts this monthly poetry slam event, presented by Poetry Under No King. It starts at 7 p.m. at 147 Pueblo Street. For details and tickets, visit renolittletheater.org.

The Struts and Dirty Honey, Sept. 24: Two of the more popular bands bringing classic styles to modern rock are teaming up for this show at 7:30 p.m. at the South Shore Room, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino, 18 Highway 50. Tickets are $35-$50. Details at caesars.com/harrahs-tahoe.

High school football, Sept. 25-27: Schools hosting home games this week include North Valleys on Thursday; Coral Academy, Dayton, Douglas, Fallon, Galena, Hug, Reno, Lowry, Spanish Springs and Yerington on Friday; and Sierra Lutheran and Truckee on Saturday. For matchups and game times, visit niaa.com.

Street Vibrations Fall Rally, Sept. 25-28: This year’s music lineup includes ZZ Top tribute band Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers and Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Skynnyn Lynnyrd, along with New Wave Crave, Jason King Band, Caroline Dolan and Big Red and Buddy Emmer. The event starts at 10 a.m. each day at J Resort, 345 N. Arlington Avenue. Details at roadshowsreno.com/fall-rally.

Cordillera International Film Festival, Sept. 25-29: More than 150 films are set for the film festival, plus celebrity panels, parties and more. For details and tickets, visit ciffnv.org.

A Suture Kit, Sept. 25: Grindcore and hardcore come together in the sound of this Los Angeles band. The local undercard is particularly strong, with diverse punk or metal bands Giant Skunk, Ultra and Furrow. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at Pizzava, 670 E. Prater Way, Sparks. There is a $10 cover. Details at instagram.com/pizzava.showspace.

Empire of the Sun, Sept. 25: With most of its original live lineup intact, this heavily costumed and visually striking Australian group still bring its electro-rock and synth-pop music to audiences around the world. They return to Reno for this show at 8 p.m. at the Grand Theater, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, 2500 E. 2nd Street. Tickets are $80-$90. For details, call 775-789-1115 or visit grandsierraresort.com.

Empire of the Sun

Wuki, Sept. 25: This electro/house DJ/producer performs at 9 p.m. at Virginia Street Brewhouse, 211 N. Virginia Street. Tickets are $20-$55. Details at jmaxproductions.net.

Desert Moon, Sept. 26-27: It’s the inaugural version of this electronic music fest, featuring headliners Sullivan King and ATLiens. It starts at 4 p.m. on both days at Reno City Plaza, 30 N. Virginia Street. Only two-day passes are available at $105 to $145. Details at rvltnevents.com.

TripWire Music Festival, Sept. 26-27: At the same time as the EDM fest above, there will be louder fare available at this other inaugural event. Puddle of Mudd headlines on the first day, while the excellent Black Stone Cherry tops the bill the second night. It takes place starting at 6 p.m. at the Festival Grounds, J Resort, 345 N. Arlington Avenue. Tickets are $60 to $80 each day, or $110 to $145 for a two-day pass. Details at tripwirefestival.com.

Dark Prison Haunted House, Sept. 26-Nov. 1: It’s a spooky season takeover of Carson City’s historic Nevada State Prison, created by the Dark Corner team that has hosted haunted houses at Reno’s National Bowling Stadium in recent years. The full schedule, tickets and details are available at darkprison.com.

Dragon Lights Reno, Sept. 26-Nov. 30: The festival of light, art and nature begins its 2025 run at the Wilbur D. May Arboretum in Rancho San Rafael Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. in Reno. The spectacle is open seven days a week between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., but reservations for specific times are necessary. Tickets are $22 to $25 for adults, $16 to $18 for kids 3-11. For details, visit dragonlightsreno.org.

People enjoy the Dragon Lights display at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno on July 21, 2023.

The Ransom Brothers, Sept. 26: Southern rock meets traditional country with this excellent band from Texas. They will play at 7:30 p.m. at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. There is another Ransom Brothers show scheduled for Sept. 28 at The Club at ArrowCreek. Details at forthesong.org.

Robin Trower, Sept. 26: This legendary blues-rock guitarist will play at 7:30 p.m. at South Shore Room, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino, 18 Highway 50. Tickets are $65-$80. Details at caesars.com/harrahs-tahoe.

Fruition, Sept. 26: An Oregon band that merges both acoustic and electric folk and roots-rock styles, Fruition will play at 8 p.m. in the Crown Room at Crystal Bay Club Casino, 14 State Highway 28, Crystal Bay. Tickets are $22-$27. For details, call 775-833-6333 or visit crystalbaycasino.com.

Perreo Electrico, Sept. 26: Twin-brother DJ/artists Otebnsolrac perform at this show that mixes reggaeton and Latin house styles. It all begins at 9 p.m. at Virginia Street Brewhouse, 211 N. Virginia Street. Tickets are $15-$20. Details at jmaxproductions.net.

Cyclops, Sept. 26: A bass music DJ/producer from Boston, Cyclops will perform at 9 p.m. at Cargo, Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 N. Virginia Street. Tickets are $20-$25. For details, call 775-398-5400 or visit cargoreno.com.

It’s Not Cute Anymore, Sept. 26: Headlined by this emerging Reno indie/math rock band, this local bill also featuring Murdering Whore and Church Ladies takes place at 9 p.m. at Midnight Coffee Roasting, 1401 S. Virginia Street., Suite 250. Admission is $10. Details at midnightcoffeeroasting.com.

Genoa Candy Dance, Sept. 27-28: Genoa’s century-plus tradition is back this weekend featuring food vendors, arts and crafts — and yes, candy. For details, visit genoanevada.org.

AnimeVerse, Sept. 27-28: The Reno Events Center is hosting this two-day convention on all things anime, cartoons, gaming and more. Doors open at 9 a.m. each day at 400 University Way; tickets start at $12. For details and tickets, visit animeversefest.com/reno-home/2025/.

Reno Jazz Orchestra, Sept. 27-28: The longtime local group with top local jazz players will be playing the music of Donny Hathaway during these shows. They take place at 6 p.m. for the first night and 3 p.m. the following day at the Celebrity Showroom, Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks. Tickets are $50-$75. For details, call 775-356-3300 or visit cnty.com/nugget.

The Mafia Wedding Murder Mystery Train, Sept. 27: Take a ride on the V&T Railroad between Virginia City and Gold Hill as you attempt to solve a murder involving two crime families, acted out right in the aisles. Tickets are $58; departure times are 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the F Street Depot, 166 F Street in Virginia City. For details, visit virginiatruckee.com.

Punk Rocktober Fest 2025, Sept. 27: This annual event that brings together great punk and punk-adjacent bands is back. The bands this year: One Ton Dually, Midnite Swim, The Scattering, Last One Down, Sad Giants and No Assumption. It all begins at 1 p.m. at Shoe Tree Brewing Co., 1496 Old Hot Springs Road, Carson City. Details at shoetreebrewing.com.

Mexican Slum Rats, Sept. 27: This excellent, up-and-coming Southern California alternative rock band (with a wonderfully cheeky name) plays at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta Street. Tickets are $16-$20. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.

Decline To State, Sept. 27: This local indie/alternative rock band headlines this show featuring California band Pretty Kitty and locals Irreplaceable Beings, Midnite Swim and Tiny Paper Hearts. It takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Virginia Street Brewhouse, 211 N. Virginia Street. Tickets are $10-$15. Details at renobrewhouse.com.

The English Beat, Sept. 27: This excellent ska-punk-reggae group still features lead singer Dave Wakeling leading a mostly newer backing band through signature songs like “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Save It for Later” and “Doors of Your Heart.” They play at 8 p.m. at Cargo, Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 N. Virginia Street. Tickets are $20-$40. For details, call 775-398-5400 or visit cargoreno.com.

The English Beat

‘Twilight’ in concert, Sept. 27: Members of the Reno Phil will provide the musical score as the 2008 romance film is shown on the big screen amid a candlelit atmosphere. It’s starting at 8 p.m. at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia Street. For details, visit pioneercenter.com.

Oona Dahl, Sept. 27: A DJ/artist from NYC, Dahl performs at 8 p.m. at Lo-Bar Social, 445 California Avenue. Tickets are $10-$15. Details at lobarsocial.com.

Guerilla Toss, Sept. 28: Dance punk from New York is as popular in the indie world as it ever was, including this group that will release its sixth album, this time on the Sub Pop label, a couple weeks before this show. They play at 7 p.m. at Holland Project, 140 Vesta Street. Tickets are $16-$18. Details: 775-742-1858 or hollandreno.org.

Reno-Tahoe weather, Sept. 22-28

Monday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s in the valleys and in the mid-60s to mid-70s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s in the valleys and in the upper 30s to upper 40s at higher elevations.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a slight chance of afternoon showers. Highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s in the valleys and in the upper 60s to upper 70s at higher elevations. Partly cloudy with a continuing chance of showers overnight, with lows in the upper 40s to upper 50s in the valleys and in the upper 30s to upper 40s at higher elevations.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers; highs in the low to mid-80s in the valleys and in the upper 60s to upper 70s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the upper 40s to upper 50s in the valleys; a slight chance of evening showers at higher elevations, with lows in the upper 30s to upper 40s.

Thursday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s in the valleys and in the upper 60s to upper 70s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s in the valleys and in the upper 30s to mid-40s at higher elevations.

Friday-Saturday: Mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s in the valleys and in the mid-60s to mid-70s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s in the valleys and in the mid-30s to mid-40s at higher elevations.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, with highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s in the valleys and in the upper 60s to mid-70s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the low 40s to low 50s in the valleys and in the mid-30s to low 40s at higher elevations.

Northern Nevada roads, Sept. 22-28

I-80 between Sparks and USA Parkway: Overnight lane closures will continue through December as the Nevada Department of Transportation removes litter and conducts preliminary surveys in advance of the future widening of I-80.

Veterans Parkway-Geiger Grade roundabout, Reno: Construction to improve the roundabout at Veterans Parkway and Geiger Grade will continue through December. Expect lane closures and delays.

Mill Street, Reno: Work on Mill Street continues, with both night and day shifts from Sunday night through Friday.

Arlington Avenue, Reno: The bridges over the Truckee River on Arlington Avenue have been demolished, and traffic is being re-routed to nearby bridges. Replacement bridges will be completed in summer 2026.

Arrowcreek Parkway, Reno: Pavement rehabilitation continues on Arrowcreek between Wedge Parkway and Thomas Creek Road. Work will continue through November.

Sparks Boulevard, Sparks: Work continues on the Sparks Boulevard Capacity Improvement Project, which will expand the route from four lanes to six on the roughly two-mile stretch between I-80 and Baring Boulevard. Work also will include improvements to bike lanes, sidewalks, sound walls and ADA infrastructure. Expect possible delays.

Mark Earnest contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Street Vibrations, Candy Dance, Dragon Lights: 30 things to do in Reno-Tahoe

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