The engines are firing, the chrome is polished, and the nation’s largest nostalgic car event is getting ready to roll. Hot August Nights, the fan-favorite celebration of classic car culture, kicks off its 10-day 2025 event with a jam-packed opening weekend, August 1 to 3, 2025, across Reno, Sparks and Virginia City. Plus, a passport competition for registered car participants valued at more than $7,000.

Before the event cruises into its new main venue at the University of Nevada, Reno — a homecoming, as this is where HAN launched back in 1986 — Opening Weekend participants can get a jumpstart on the fun at various locations throughout Northern Nevada.

Whether you’re a collector of classics or just ready to revel in the vintage vibes and V8s, check out these Opening Weekend highlights:

Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2

  • Car Participant Check-In and Registration – J Resort in downtown Reno, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days for all registered car participants; closed on Sunday, Aug. 3.
  • Show-n-Shines in Four Locations – Open to all Reno-Sparks registered participants, classic beauties will shine brightly from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Summit Racing Equipment, Sparks, Friday only
    • C Street, Virginia City, Friday and Saturday
    • J Resort, in Downtown Reno, Friday and Saturday
    • Victorian Square, Downtown Sparks, Saturday only
  • Official HAN Merchandise Booth – Stock up on swag at the J Resort, Victorian Square and at the Drag Races.
  • Drag Races presented by AMSOIL – Get ready for racing action both Friday and Saturday night starting at 6 p.m. at Nugget Casino Resort’s west parking lot; gates open at 5:30 p.m. Drag racing, burnouts, hydraulic demos and more. Opening weekend also brings nearly Sacramento’s West Coast Pro Street Outlaws to compete in a Triple Crown event, an official three-state drag racing qualifying event. Saturday is a $1,000 burnout competition fans won’t want to miss. Admission is $20, free admission and racing for registered car participants.
  • Judging and Awards – Saturday includes several Show-n-Shine Celebrity Choice and HAN Event Series judging competitions for participating registered vehicles. Consult the event schedule or Opening Weekend Passport for days and times.

Sunday, August 3

  • Cruisin’ for the Cure at Bonanza Casino – A heartfelt and horsepower-filled fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation with 100% of entry fees going to the foundation with a full match from Bonanza Casino. Expect trophies, live music, food, Hot August Nights merchandise trailer and prize packages for a cause that matters. Separate registration is required for participants.

Weekend Passport for Participants

Registered car participants are eligible for the $7,000 grand prize giveaway. Passports are available at the J Resort and in Virginia City. Participants need to have the passports stamped at all six participating locations. Once stamped, participants turn the passport to the Information Booth located at the main event venue at the University of Nevada Monday, Aug. 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. Winners are announced at 6 p.m. from the main entertainment stage from all eligible entries. The grand prize includes a 2026 registration, lodging, Insiders Club, VIP experiences and more, plus other prizes to be awarded. The passport includes rules and details.

Register Today

Registration remains open for 1979 and older cars, trucks, and emergency vehicles until sell out at 6,000 participants; approximately 900 registrations remain. 

Opening Weekend is your chance to experience the thrill of vintage vehicles, community spirit, and round-the-clock entertainment.

New Venue, New Traditions

As Hot August Nights prepares to cruise into its milestone week, it does so from its new home base: the University of Nevada. View the complete schedule; times, entertainment, and events are subject to change. Sign up for Hot August Nights e-newsletter or follow the event on Facebook, Instagram, or X to be the first in the know.

One of the largest and most iconic classic car celebrations in the country, Hot August Nights 2025 will take over Reno-Sparks from Aug. 1-10, 2025. For information about the annual event, visit HotAugustNights.net.

Hot August Nights, a nonprofit organization, is the 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.