2026 Nevada Day Weekend Schedule of Events
Nevada Day Gift Shop and Parade Office
Open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on parade day at 508 N Curry St., Carson City, NV 89703
The shop sells shirts, toys, local art, jewelry, and books.
Contact: 508 N Curry St., Carson City, NV 89703 Open year-round, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Phone 775-882-2600. Email nevadaday@nevadaday.com Website nevadaday.com.
Ongoing and Multi-Day Events
Nevada Day Treasure Hunt —
Oct. 1-31
The Nevada Day Treasure Hunt runs Oct. 1-31 or until the medallion is found. Daily clues lead to a hidden medallion placed somewhere in the area. The first person to locate it wins $1,000. Full details and clues are posted on the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt
Nevada Day Exhibit —
During Nevada Day week
Join CCHS this October for two spooky events: "Things That Go Bump in Nevada" with Janice Oberding on October 17, and "Nevada Nightmares" with Stephen and Sharon Provost on October 23. Both feature eerie tales from Nevada's past. Tickets and details are available online.
Harvest Train Ride Event —
Oct. 24-25
The Harvest Train Ride Event takes place Oct. 24-25 at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Families can enjoy train rides, a pumpkin patch, and autumn-themed activities. The museum hosts special demonstrations throughout the weekend. Tickets and schedules are online.
Nevada Day Powwow—
Oct. 30-Nov 1
Nevada Day Powwow begins Friday, October 30, 2026. Grand Entry begins at 7:00-11:00p. Saturday 2:00-5:00p. Saturday Evening 7:00-11:00p. Sunday 12:00-5:00p.
The event is free to the public. Family-friendly; all ages welcome. No alcohol or drug use allowed. No pets.
Single-Day Events
The Nevada State Museum hosts a free Trunk or Treat Block Party on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5-8 p.m. Vehicles will be decorated along N. Curry Street between Robinson and Washington streets. There will be food trucks, a “Spooky Critters Curator’s Corner,” and free access to “Haunted” Ghost Town and Mine exhibits inside the Museum. Families should note that this event is suitable for children and the public.
Strings, candlelight and a little October drama. Two performances pair Halloween classics with Vivaldi's Four Seasons at the Community Center.
The Carson City Ghost Walk takes place the evening of Oct. 24 in the Historic West Side. Guides dressed as Madame Curry and her Spirit Wranglers lead tours through Victorian-era homes, sharing legends and ghost stories. The walk combines history, theater, and walking. Tickets and meeting point info are found through the event’s website.
Select dates through Oct. 24
Walk inside one of Nevada's most storied institutions and get closer to more than 150 years of state history. History is considerably harder to ignore when you are standing in it.
“Fright at the Museum” runs on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6-9 p.m. at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. For ages 10 and over, visitors follow guides into haunted tours inside historic basement catacombs. Expect surprises and spooky decorations. Tickets are $15 per person at the door. This event is NOT appropriate for young children.
Carson City BOOnanza —
Thu., Oct. 29, 4-7 p.m.
Carson City BOOnanza runs Oct. 29 from 4-7 p.m. at Mills Park (1111 E. William St.). Trick-or-treating with 100 local businesses, food trucks, and library crafts are part of the event. The atmosphere is family-friendly and festive. Costumes are encouraged.
Tie-A-Thon — Fri., Oct. 30
Tie-A-Thon takes place Oct. 30 at Silver City RV Resort (3165 U.S. 395 N., Minden). Hosted by the Carson Fly Fishing Club, it features fly-tying, a sandwich lunch, and a raffle. More details, including exact timing, will be released in advance. Participants are welcome to join directly.
Historic East Side Walking Tour
Friday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m
Celebrate Nevada Day by taking a walk through Carson City history! CCHS historians Donna McLaren and Jed Block will lead a special walking tour through Carson City’s historic East Side, sharing stories about the people, places, homes, and events that helped shape Nevada’s capital city. The tour will meet at the Nevada State Capitol steps and depart at 10:00 a.m.
Nevada Day Open House at the Foreman-Roberts House Museum
Saturday, October 31, 3:00–5:00 p.m
After the Nevada Day Parade, continue the celebration with a visit to the historic Foreman-Roberts House Museum, 1207 N. Carson Street. Guests will be welcomed into one of Carson City’s treasured historic homes for special costumed, docent-led tours of the museum. Our docents will bring the house and its history to life while sharing stories about the people who lived there and Carson City’s fascinating past.
Nevada Day Parade Events
Coffee & Balloons —
Sat., Oct. 31, 6:00 a.m.
Coffee & Balloons starts Oct. 31 at 6 a.m. near Carson Mall. Enjoy coffee and mimosas while hot air balloons inflate and launch. This event kicks off the Nevada Day parade day festivities. Arrive early for the best views.
Nevada Day Pancake Breakfast — Oct. 31, 7–9:30 a.m.
The 36th Annual Nevada Day Pancake Breakfast will be held Nov. 1 from 7–9:30 a.m. at the Governor’s Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St. The event is hosted by the Carson City Republican Women’s Club and features pancakes, eggs, ham, juice, and coffee. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children under 10, with proceeds funding a scholarship for a local high school senior.
Nevada Day Balloon Launch —
Sat., Oct. 31, 8:00 a.m.
The Nevada Day Balloon Launch starts with the national anthem at 8 a.m. near Carson Mall on Carson Street. Balloon flights last about an hour, weather permitting. Sponsors may ride in balloons. Public viewing is free.
Nevada Day Vendors —
Sat., Oct. 31, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Come support the official Nevada Day Vendors, now located in the downtown corridor from Robinson St. to Proctor St. on both sides of Carson Main from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st. Full of local Nevada artists and local businesses.
Nevada Day Classic Race —
Sat., Oct. 31, 8:00 a.m.
The Nevada Day Classic Race begins at 8 a.m. on Nov. 1. The event includes an 8K and a 2-mile run/walk through Carson City’s west side. Costumes are highly encouraged and all finishers receive wooden medals. Net proceeds benefit Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Nevada Day Kid Market & Adventure Zone—
Sat., Oct. 31, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Come support the Nevada Day Kid Zone, located at the 200 S. Curry St. parking lot from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st. Full of family-friendly local vendors and activities for kids of all ages.
Festivities at Carson Mall—
Sat., Oct. 31, 9a.m.-4 p.m.
Nevada Day at the Carson Mall on South Carson Street. Visitors can enjoy live music, browse craft and merchandise booths. Come be a part of battle of bites! Find out who will win from food from local vendors. Come watch the cornhole challenge too. The atmosphere is festive and family-friendly throughout the day.
Nevada Day Parade —
Sat., Oct. 31, 10:00 a.m.
The Nevada Day Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. from William & N. Carson streets and runs about four hours. It features marching bands, floats, equestrian groups, Burning Man art cars and historic displays. The parade concludes at Stewart & S. Carson Street. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early.
World Championship Single Jack Drilling Contest —
Sat., Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m.
The Single Jack Drilling Contest begins at 10:30 a.m. on Curry st in frount or the Nevada Day Gift Shop Oct. 31. Contestants use hammers and steel bits to drill into Sierra White Granite; the deepest hole in 10 minutes wins. The event honors Comstock mining traditions. Spectators can watch nearby.
Nevada Day Chili Feed — Oct. 31, 12–2 p.m.
The 44th Annual Nevada Day Chili Feed takes place Oct. 31 from 12–2 p.m. in the Carson Nugget’s Sierra Room. Guests can enjoy free chili as part of this long-running Nevada Day tradition. Tickets are free and limited, available starting at 10 a.m. at the Carson Nugget Winners Club. Must be 21 or older to attend.
Nevada Day Beard Contest —
Sat., Oct. 31, 2:00 p.m.
The beard contest takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 on the main stage at McFadden Plaza (3rd Street). Categories include longest, fullest, reddest, whitest, best groomed, scruffiest, blackest, salt-and-pepper, and most bearded community. Entry is open to anyone with a beard; no fee required. Prizes and bragging rights awarded.
Tours of the Governor’s Mansion
Sat., Oct. 31, 2:00 p.m.
Governor and First Lady Lombardo will be hosting the Open House from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm on Saturday, October 31st.
Post-Parade Telegraph & Proctor Celebration —
Sat., Oct. 31, 3-6 p.m.
The Post-Parade Telegraph & Proctor Celebration runs 3-6 p.m. at Telegraph Square and West Proctor Street. Live music, food and drink vendors, children’s activities, and a beer garden will fill the area. It’s a social gathering of the community and a celebration after the parade. Admission is free.
Post Parade Events
Post-Nevada Day Trash Mob — Sun., Nov. 1, 7:00 a.m.
Post-Nevada Day Trash Mob meets at 7 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, in the parking lot at 3rd and Curry streets. Volunteers gathered to help clean up downtown after the parade yesterday. Gloves and bags are provided. Everyone is welcome.