Shows & Entertainment

Reno's entertainment economy is smaller than Las Vegas's and better for it in one specific way: the rooms are small, the tickets are cheap, and you are never far from the stage.

The casino showrooms carry most of the year-round programming — resident shows, tribute acts, comedy nights and touring musicians on the sort of routing that fills a Tuesday between bigger cities.

The larger touring acts play the arenas: the Reno Events Center downtown, Lawlor Events Center on the university campus, and the Grand Sierra's theatre.

Because the market is small, availability is unpredictable in both directions. A national act can be on sale a week out; a locally beloved resident show can sell out a month ahead.