Hot August Nights

Hot August Nights is the world's largest classic car and music festival — 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.

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 — 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.