Hot August Nights 2025: Reno’s Classic Car Show From Street Cruises to Rock ‘n’ Roll Vibes

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As the high-desert summer ignites, Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks draws thousands of meticulously restored automobiles, transforming the streets into a rolling tribute to America’s automotive golden age.

Now in its 39th year, the event stretches from August 5 to 10, 2025, drawing collectors, families and casual observers to witness classics like 1957 Chevrolet Bel Airs and 1969 Dodge Chargers cruising beneath the iconic Reno Arch, or parked at one of the 12 venues from Sparks to Downtown Reno. Learn more

As engines roar and chrome gleams, the event not only celebrates mechanical ingenuity but also the communal spirit of preservation in an era of electric vehicles and autonomous tech.

Hot August Nights originated on August 1, 1986, as a strategic effort to invigorate Reno’s summer tourism and support local charities, notably Easter Seals.

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Drawing its name from Neil Diamond’s 1972 album “Hot August Night,” the inaugural gathering at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center emphasized live performances by artists such as the Righteous Brothers, Wolfman Jack and Jan & Dean, with classic cars serving as a secondary attraction.

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Over the years, the event expanded to encompass Virginia City and Sparks, incorporating auctions, swap meets and appearances by automotive icons including George Barris, creator of the Batmobile, and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, known for his custom Rat Fink designs.

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The festival has ballooned into one of the globe’s premier classic car spectacles. Through the Hot August Nights Foundation, established in 2007, it has channels funding into community initiatives, underscoring its role as more than mere nostalgia.

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Departing Sacramento, the three hour journey ascends through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where the first sightings emerge near Auburn. A pack of 1950s Chevrolet Bel Airs trailing a Ford Bronco, their tailfins slicing through the mountain air.

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