The Reno Air Races are no more — the competition will start flying over Roswell, New Mexico next September — but aerial thrills are back this weekend at Reno Stead Airport nevertheless. And that's just part of a rather packed weekend — in Sparks, the Nugget is hosting its first-ever Oktoberfest, and Reno has an electronica-heavy lineup for the annual Off Beat Music Festival.
Weather-wise, Reno-Sparks may see the last 90-degree days of the year this week, and there's a decent chance we won't see high temperatures in the 80s for after this weekend, either. Here's how you can get outside and enjoy one of the last few weeks before jacket weather sets in.
Northern Nevada events, Sept. 30-Oct. 6
Dragon Lights Reno, now through Nov. 30: The festival of light, art and nature has returned to the Wilbur D. May Arboretum in Reno's Rancho San Rafael Park. For details and tickets, visit dragonlightsreno.org .
Benise, Oct. 3: This guitarist and performer returns to the Pioneer Center for his latest show, “Fiesta,” which includes Latin music, classical favorites and classic rock anthems in what became a hit on PBS. It takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Pioneer Center, 100 S. Virginia St., Reno. Tickets are $40-$100. More details at pioneercenter.com .
Reno Air Show, Oct. 4-6: The Reno Air Racing Association is commemorating six decades of the National Championship Air Races with a (non-racing) air show featuring the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the Canadian Royal Air Force Snowbirds flight demonstration teams. It's set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Reno Stead Airport, 4895 Texas Avenue in Reno. For details and tickets, visit renoairshow.org .
More: Reno Air Show: Where and when to see Blue Angels, Canadian Snowbirds this weekend
High school football, Oct. 4-5: Carson, Damonte Ranch, Fernley, Hug, Incline, McQueen, Reed, Reno, South Tahoe and Truckee all play home games under the Friday night lights at 7 p.m., and Virginia City hosts a home game on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. For matchups and game times, visit niaa.com .
Dark Corner Haunted House, Oct. 4-5: This year's Dark Corner immersive haunted house is at the National Bowling Stadium, 300 N. Center St. in Reno. For details and tickets, visit darkcornerhaunt.com .
Off Beat Music Festival, Oct. 4-6: The latest lineup of this annual music fest includes more electronica/dance music than in the past. Among the headliners are Tommy Guerrero, Maddy O’Neal, Ghost Funk Orchestra and Emily Nenni. Shows take place on all three days at various venues along Fourth Street. Tickets range from $50 per day to $80-$150 for multi-day passes. Get more details at offbeatreno.com .
Oktoberfest at the Nugget, Oct. 4-6: This Sparks casino is hosting its first German-themed party. The headliner plays on Saturday night, modern swing band Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Also on tap for entertainment is Spazmatics, Oompah Kings and First Take OomPah. It all begins at 4 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday and Sunday at the Nugget Event Center, Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks. For details, call 775-356-3300 or visit nuggetcasinoresort.com .
King Iso, Oct. 4: Midwestern rap is some of the most intriguing in the country, and this rapper from Nebraska is a big part of that loose but distinctive scene. King Iso is part of Tech N9ne’s Strange Music label (also Midwest-based) and last released an album, “iLLdren,” in 2023. The show takes place at 8 p.m. at Cypress, 761 S. Virginia St., Reno. Tickets are $20-$25. Details at cypressreno.com .
Nora En Pure, Oct. 4: For the past decade or so, this DJ/producer from Switzerland has been a leading light in the deep house genre, while also including elements of classic house and tech music in her sound. She’ll perform at 8 p.m. at Glow Plaza, J Resort, 670 W. 4th St., Reno. Tickets are $40-$80. For details, call 775-348-2200 or visit jresortreno.com .
Riot Ten, Oct. 5: El Paso, Texas, is home to this DJ/artist who is mixing dubstep with trap music for a danceable yet aggressive sound. He’ll play at 9 p.m. at Cargo, Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 N. Virginia St., Reno. Tickets are $20-$30. For details, call 775-398-5400 or visit cargoreno.com .
Magique, Oct. 5-6: The Theatre plays host to a dazzling performance of illusions and special effects by Reno duo Kevin & Caruso. The magic begins Saturday night at 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. at 505 Keystone Avenue. Tickets start at $50. For details, visit wethetheatre.com .
Northern Nevada weather, Sept. 30-Oct. 6
Monday: Sunny, with highs near 90 in the valleys and in the low 70s to low 80s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows in the low 50s in the valleys and in the mid-30s to mid-40s at higher elevations.
Tuesday: Sunny, with highs in the low 90s in the valleys and in the low 70s to low 80s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows in the low 50s in the valleys and in the mid-30s to mid-40s at higher elevations.
Wednesday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 80s in the valleys and in the low 70s to low 80s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows in the low 50s in the valleys and in the mid-30s to mid-40s at higher elevations.
Thursday: Sunny and cooler, with highs in the low 80s in the valleys and in the upper 60s to upper 70s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows in the low 50s in the valleys.
Friday : Sunny, with highs in the low 80s in the valleys and in the upper 60s to upper 70s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows near 50 in the valleys and in the mid-30s to mid-40s at higher elevations.
Saturday: Sunny and cooler, with highs near 80 in the valleys and in the mid-60s to mid-70s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows near 50 in the valleys and in the low 30s to low 40s at higher elevations.
Sunday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 70s in the valleys and in the mid-60s to mid-70s at higher elevations. Clear overnight, with lows in the upper 40s in the valleys and in the 30s at higher elevations.
Northern Nevada roadwork, Sept. 30-Oct. 6
I-80, west Reno: Lane reductions and overnight ramp closures are set to begin Monday to kick off a multiyear project to repave and improve the stretch of freeway between West McCarran and Keystone. Expect lane shifts and speed reductions.
Lakeside Drive, Holcomb Ranch Lane and West Huffaker Lane, Reno: Lane and road closures will take place through late fall as the Nevada Department of Transportation works to resurface 3 1/2 miles of State Route 671. Expect closures of up to 30 minutes.
Steamboat Parkway, south Reno: Crews will expand the stretch of Steamboat Parkway from four lanes to six between Marketplace Drive and Veterans Parkway through November.
U.S. 395, North Valleys: Northbound traffic will continue be reduced to two lanes on 395 through mid-2025 due to NDOT's work to widen 395 between North McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road. The on-ramp at Panther Valley north of Reno will be closed through late 2024. Watch for intermittent ramp closures overnight.
Mark Earnest contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Blue Angels, Oktoberfest, Off Beat Music Festival this week in Northern Nevada
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