Home β€Ί Car Shows β€Ί Hot August Nights

Hot August Nights

The world's largest classic car and music festival

πŸ“ Reno, Nevada πŸ“… Every August, Reno, Nevada
Official Website β†’

Hot August Nights is the world's largest classic car and music festival β€” a week-long celebration of 1950s and 1960s American car culture in the neon-lit streets of Reno, Nevada. Every August, 5,000+ pre-1973 vehicles descend on Reno for car shows, a swap meet, a massive vendor exposition, poker runs, a cruise night on Virginia Street, and live music from artists performing period-accurate rockabilly, doo-wop, and early rock and roll. With 750,000+ attendees, it's one of the top ten largest events in Nevada each year.

πŸ’‘ Did You Know?

🎸

Hot August Nights started in 1986 with roughly 800 cars. By 1991 it drew 750,000 people. The organizers hadn't predicted anything close to that growth β€” the event essentially outgrew its management structure in five years.

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Reno's casinos play an active role in Hot August Nights β€” many host their own judged car shows in their parking lots, with casino credits and hotel stays as prizes. It's the only major classic car event where you can go from a concours judging to a slot machine in sixty seconds.

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The Hot August Nights Auction, held alongside the festival, has featured some of the finest 1950s and early 1960s American cars to come to market in any given year β€” drawing serious collectors who pair the purchase with the festival experience.

History

Hot August Nights began in 1986 with about 800 cars and a simple street cruise. Within five years it had grown to the point where Reno's city government became directly involved in management and promotion. The event expanded beyond cars to encompass the full cultural package of the era β€” music, fashion, food, and the neon aesthetic of postwar American optimism. Reno's existing casino and hotel infrastructure made it uniquely suited for a week-long event of this scale.

🏎️ Cars Often Featured at This Event

Browse current listings of the makes that define Hot August Nights.

Quick Facts

Location Reno, Nevada
Venue Multiple venues along Virginia Street
When Every August, Reno, Nevada
Cars Vintage, Custom, Muscle, Hot rod
Official Website β†’

Browse These Makes

Chevrolet β†’ Ford β†’ Pontiac β†’ Dodge β†’ Plymouth β†’ Mercury β†’ Buick β†’ Oldsmobile β†’

Browse by Category

Vintage Cars β†’ Restomods β†’ Muscle Cars β†’ Hot Rods β†’

πŸ† Featured Dealers

Elite dealers with inventory of these makes

C
Classic Car Deals
Cadillac, Michigan
Elite
H
HaggleMe
Indiana
Elite
W
WeBe Autos
Riverhead, New York
Elite
M
MGM Classic Cars
Addison, Illinois
Elite

Other Major Shows

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Every August (third Sunday), Pebble Beach, California
Woodward Dream Cruise
Every August (third Saturday), Woodward Avenue, Michigan
NSRA Street Rod Nationals
Every August, Louisville, Kentucky
View all shows β†’