March Mania, Live Music and the Arts Highlight Reno’s Weekend

Reno wrapped up a lively weekend as college basketball, live music and classical performance converged across downtown. Despite cool spring weather, residents and visitors turned out in strong numbers, filling casinos, concert venues and the Pioneer Center.

March Mania Draws Crowds to Downtown

College basketball fans packed the Silver Legacy and Eldorado resorts for March Mania events tied to the NCAA tournament.

At the Silver Legacy sportsbook, doors opened early Sunday for a full slate of tournament games shown on large-format screens. Guests could purchase drink wristbands and settle in for all-day viewing, creating a steady buzz inside the resort.

Over at the Eldorado Convention Center, fans gathered Saturday morning for a similar watch-party experience. Reserved tables and stadium-style food gave the event a big-game feel, with groups arriving early to secure spots for their teams.

The watch parties kept foot traffic flowing along Virginia Street throughout the weekend, as the tournament heads into its next round.

Reggae Rock Energizes Virginia Street

While basketball dominated daytime crowds, live music carried the momentum into the evening.

Virginia Street Brewhouse hosted The Expendables on Sunday night, drawing reggae rock fans for a high-energy performance. The Santa Cruz-based band’s Reno stop added another layer to an already packed entertainment calendar in the city core.

Smaller venues across downtown also reported strong attendance, as many visitors paired tournament viewing with nightlife. The mix of sports and live shows kept sidewalks active well into the evening hours.

Philharmonic Offers a Classical Counterpoint

On Saturday evening, the Reno Philharmonic presented its Mendelssohn Violin Concert at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.

The orchestral performance offered a classical balance to the sports-heavy weekend, welcoming families and longtime patrons into the heart of downtown. As fans filled sportsbooks and bars nearby, the Pioneer Center provided a more traditional concert experience just blocks away.

With major sporting events, concerts and performing arts happening simultaneously, local businesses saw a welcome boost during the final stretch of March. Restaurants, bars and nearby shops benefited from the overlapping crowds, capping off a weekend that showcased Reno’s range of entertainment offerings.

Sources

• https://www.ticketmaster.com/march-mania-2026-at-silver-legacy-reno-nevada-03-22-2026/event/3900634ADF008DC5
• https://www.ticketmaster.com/march-mania-2026-at-eldorado-convention-reno-nevada-03-21-2026/event/3900634FD8D09A78
• https://myrockshows.com/event/1018825-the-expendables-virginia-street-brewhouse/
• https://nationaltoday.com/us/nv/reno/events/2026/03/21/