Mark your calendars, pick up an Artown Little Book and start making plans for July.
The 2026 Artown Little Book is now available, giving residents their first comprehensive look at the monthlong arts festival that will bring hundreds of events to Reno and northern Nevada from July 1 through July 31.
The free guide became available June 1 and serves as a roadmap to one of the region's largest annual celebrations of arts and culture.
Since its founding in 1996, Artown has worked to inspire community through the arts while promoting local artists and creative participation. What began as an effort by civic leaders, business leaders and the arts community to draw more people downtown and help revitalize Reno has grown into a monthlong festival featuring more than 600 events produced by more than 100 organizations and businesses at more than 130 locations throughout the region.
The first Artown lasted three weeks and attracted an estimated 30,000 participants through a combination of free and ticketed events. Today, the festival draws local, regional and international artists while offering a mix of performances, workshops, exhibitions and cultural experiences.
Artown Executive Director Beth Macmillan said the festival is building on the momentum generated during its 30th-anniversary celebration in 2025.
"This year also commemorates the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. We will honor American art forms and artists while celebrating the voices of artists from around the globe. Closer to home, we are proud to showcase the vibrant creativity of artists throughout our region, presenting a rich and colorful tapestry of artistic expression."
One of the festival's signature events will take place July 4 at Mackay Stadium, where Artown is inviting the community to an admission-free celebration featuring Reno Phil, flyovers and a 500-drone light show.
This year also marks the debut of the Artown Passport pilot program. Inspired by Macmillan's pilgrimage along the Camino from Portugal to Spain, the program will allow participants to collect stamps at select events throughout July. A limited number of passports will be available for purchase, and attendees who complete the challenge of attending 31 events in 31 days and collecting stamps from each will receive an Artown Passport T-shirt.
Macmillan encouraged attendees to use both the festival website and the Little Book to explore the lineup and build a personalized schedule for the month.
Many of Artown's major admission-free events, including Opening Night, Closing Night, Cultural Connections and Movies in the Park, will be held at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, while venues across the region will host performances, exhibitions and workshops representing a wide range of artistic disciplines.
Support from sponsors, foundations and donors helps Artown continue bringing nationally and internationally recognized artists to northern Nevada while maintaining many free and low-cost events for the public.
For those looking to make the most of July, organizers say the first step is simple: grab a Little Book and start planning.
A total of 55,000 free Little Books are available at select locations throughout the community, including Nevada State Bank branches, Port of Subs restaurants, Washoe County Library locations, Raley’s supermarkets, Sprouts Farmers Market stores, Reno Public Market, and Wild River Grille. A digital version of the Little Book is also available at Artown.org/littlebook.
