Hot August Nights
RENO, Nevada (Jan. 13, 2025) – The nation’s largest nostalgic classic car event, Hot August Nights, brings together the classic car community with 6,000 registered participants, attracting an estimated 500,000 plus attendees for the annual event. Celebrating its 39th year in 2025, the influx into the local economy is estimated at over $100 million and is the region’s largest special event marking 10 days at 12 venues.
“When we say that Hot August Nights takes over the area, that is not an understatement,” said Deny Dotson, executive director for Hot August Nights. “You’d be hard pressed to not see or hear a classic as sponsor parking areas are filled with 1979 and older vehicles of all shapes, sizes and models. Our goal is to inspire the owners and attendees to embrace our past while strengthening the classic car culture and community. It’s one great celebration and we are dedicated to preserving the tradition of delivering the ultimate car enthusiast experience.”
NEW FOR 2025
One of the biggest changes for 2025 is steeped in the event’s history. The main event venue location will move from the Grand Sierra Resort while the property undergoes a billion-dollar transformation to the University of Nevada campus starting Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, and continuing through Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Fun fact: that’s where Hot August Nights got its start back in 1986, making it a homecoming for the event. The Grand Sierra Resort remains a key partner and sponsor of the event.
With the addition of the University of Nevada, a new supercruise is mapped out for participants to cruise from the University, through downtown Reno under the arch and back through the venue. The venue opens Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.
Starting, Friday, Aug. 1, the new opening kickoff weekend includes events such as Show-n-Shines at The J Resort, Baldini’s Sports Casino and Virginia City, which is open to all Reno-Sparks registered participants, a cruise, concerts, Drag Racing presented by Amsoil at the Nugget and the Bonanza Casino returns with its signature Cruisin’ for a Cure event.
During the week, a new Builders Showdown takes place at Big Boys Toy Store offering cash prizes and bragging rights to the top professional and home builders.
Fans can count on the return of MAG Auctions at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, the Swap Meet at The J Resort, daily Show-n-Shines with prize money and awards totaling more than $80,000, Drag Races, free nightly entertainment at the University of Nevada venue and the Nugget Events Center, along with the events at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and the Peppermill Reno Resort.
The Hot August Nights Foundation is again teaming up with several automotive industry partners for the Youth Automotive Challenge. The event is open to youth (21 years or younger) to show off their vehicle expertise for an opportunity to win vocational scholarships and prizes totaling $15,000 with a grand prize of a $5,000 scholarship going to the winning team. The deadline for teams to register is July 1, 2025.
Photo by Marcello Rostagni c/o Hot August Nights
VIP RESERVED EXPERIENCES
Returning for 2025, are reserved experiences providing access to enhanced amenities at the University of Nevada and Sparks venues. All tickets and table options are available for purchase at HotAugustNights.net.
- The Garage at the University of Nevada presented by D&S Tow is located in prime viewing of the entertainment stage at the University and includes unlimited beverages and pub snacks. Individual tickets and reserved tables for eight are available.
- The Headlight Lounge offers reserved table seating located in the front area of the main entertainment stage at the University and includes dinner and unlimited beverages.
- In Sparks, get up close with the Drag Races presented by AMSOIL with the Burnout Bar presented by Big O Tires with reserved tables and individual ticket options – both options include two (2) beverages and pub snacks.
- The Garage at the Nugget presented by Quick Space offers individual tickets that include unlimited beverages and pub snacks. Another option is to purchase tickets to secure a seat for the Sparks nightly entrainment taking place at the Nugget Events Center.
- The Insiders Club is reserved parking for registered participants and is available at the University with covered and uncovered options and in downtown Sparks.
ENTERTAINMENT
Hot August Nights offers free nightly concerts featuring top-name entertainment at two venues starting at 8:15 p.m. nightly.
University of Nevada
- Tuesday, Aug. 5 – Spazmatics
- Wednesday, Aug. 6 – The Legends of Classic Rock
- Thursday, Aug. 7 – To be announced
- Friday, Aug. 8 – Grand Funk Railroad
- Saturday, Aug. 9 – To be announced
Nugget Events Center
- Wednesday, Aug. 6 – New Wave Crave
- Thursday, Aug. 7 – Boogie Knights
- Friday, Aug. 8 – To be announced
- Saturday, Aug. 9 – Commodores
Entertainment also takes place at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and the Peppermill Reno Resort.
To support the 10-day event, car participant registration opens Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Complimentary shuttles will offer transportation from multiple venues.
For information about the annual event, visit HotAugustNights.net. Keep up to date with the latest by following on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Hot August Nights, a nonprofit organization, is a world’s premier classic car event, annually drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators and participants to northern Nevada to revel in nostalgia, enjoy top entertainers from the 50s, 60s and 70s and participate in a variety of events including Show-n-Shines, controlled cruises, an auction, drag races and more. Since 1986 thousands of car enthusiasts from near and far have come to the Reno-Tahoe region to participate in one of the largest annual classic car events in the world.
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