Tuesday Oct 13 | 6pm | Free
BAC Exhibition Hall
Poetry Open Mic
Kick off the festival with Spoken Views Collective and Poet Laureate Emeritus Jesse James Ziegler for BAC’s regularly scheduled monthly poetry night.
Poets may sign up at the event and have 3-5 minutes to share their work. There will be space for many voices. Poets are welcome to perform original work or share a cover poem – just be sure to give credit where credit is due.
Spoken Views Collective has a mission to provide a platform and safe spaces for spoken word expression as well as build a community of spoken word artists and poets. With the help of many local businesses SVC has been able to throw events and open mic nights, sharing the spoken word experience, elevating the organization to the premier spoken word hub and collective in Northern Nevada.
Wednesday Oct 14 | 7pm | $50
BAC Ballroom
Cocktail Competition
Picon Punch is the official cocktail of Nevada and we want you to come out and help us choose the best in the state!
Join us for an evening of tastings from bars and mixologists across the silver state along with a delicious Basque buffet, music, and an all around family style good time.
Each ticket receives a sample from each competitor and a Basque dinner. Additional picon punches and a full bar will be available for purchase.
This event is 21+
Thursday Oct 17 | 12pm | Free
Nevada State Library
Author Talk
Back by popular demand after his 2025 talk, Nevada State Folklorist Brad McMullen presents a new series of Twain inspired musings titled The Nevada Spirit Of Welcome.
Thursday Oct 17 | 2pm | Free
Departs From Nevada State Museum
Walking Tour
Follow Dan Neverett along the Kit Carson Trail and through the historic west side while visiting sites including the Orion Clemens House where Twain hung his hat while in Carson City.
Friday Oct 16 | 4pm | $70
Eastgate Depot
Twain Train
All aboard for an unforgettable journey through Nevada history, scenery, and storytelling. The Twain Train returns for a spirited new take on this signature rail excursion.
Settle in for an epic three-mile round trip into the Carson River Canyon. Sip a handcrafted elixir from a keepsake souvenir glass, savor specially curated snacks, and feel the vibrant power of the steam engine as breathtaking canyon views and brilliant fall colors unfold outside your window.
Along the way, roaming entertainers will fill the railcars with music and larger-than-life tales inspired by the wit and adventurous spirit of Mark Twain. Seats are limited—reserve yours and experience an autumn outing unlike any other.
Friday Oct 16 | 7:30pm | $30
Nashville Social Club
Concert: The Delta Wires
The Delta Wires are a big, bold, rockin’ harmonica-and-horns blues band straight out of the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area! Known for their high-energy shows and powerhouse sound, they’ve earned a place in the California Blues Hall of Fame and were named “Best Live Band” by Oakland Magazine and East Bay Express.
Saturday Oct 17 | 9am-4:30pm
Nevada State Railroad Museum
Train Rides and Harvest Festival
Fun is full steam ahead for the Harvest Train festival featuring:
-Games in the Park
-Steam Train Rides
-Handcar Rides 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
-Pumpkin Patch
-Food Trucks
Saturday Oct 17 | 10am-4pm | Free
Curry Street, between 2nd and 4th
Treasure Hunt Mystery
Follow clues, complete challenges, and solve the mystery
Saturday Oct 17 | 11am-4pm | Free
Curry Street, between 2nd and 4th
Author, Artist, & Vendor Fair
Bring the whole family for a day of adventure including author talks, poetry readings, live music, rare and exotic books, vendors, kids activities, and more.
Saturday Oct 17 | 11am-4pm | Free
3rd St Stage/McFadden Plaza
Live Music
Hosted by Poet Laureate Emeritus Jesse James Ziegler
11:30a: Grandpa Rabbit
12:30p: Christian Macnamara
1:30p: Aaron Acquafondata
2:30p: Carson Street Ragtime Band
Saturday Oct 17 | 11am-4pm | Free
Bub’s Bookstore
Pop-up Book Shop
Desert Winds Rare & Exotic Books will be set up inside Bub’s Bookstore. Don’t miss this opportunity to browse and purchase books you may never see again.
Saturday Oct 17 | 11am-3pm | Free
The Fox Brewery & Pub
Have A Beer With Bulette
Join Chautauquan Kim Harris for an interactive experience as she portrays Julia Bulette, the famous folk figure from Virginia City.
Julia C. Bulette was perhaps Virginia City’s most infamous “working girl”, as well as a cherished member of Virginia Company #1’s volunteer fire department.
Pop into The Fox’s Mark Twain Room to enjoy a Langhorne Lager and a bite while Julia speaks about her relationship with Twain and her other experiences in Virginia City.
Saturday Oct 17 | 11am-2pm | Free
Curry Street
Wagon Rides
Ride alone with Mr. D and his mules, Valkrie, Svana, and Freydis, and experience traveling around Carson City like Mark Twain would have!
Wagon rides are pay what you want and benefit Silver Saddle Ranch.
Saturday Oct 17 | 11am-2pm | Free
Downtown Carson City
Downtown Passport
Pick up your passport from the BAC booth at the vendor fair or Carson Jewelry & Loan, then enjoy a stroll through downtown collecting stamps from participating business.
When you’re finished, return your entry page where you got it and get entered into a drawing to win 1 of 10 prizes.
Saturday Oct 17 | 7pm | $20
BAC Performance Hall
Concert Presented by Loud As Folk
The Sugar Thieves have been winning fans over world wide with their high energy, soulful live shows since 2006. Over the years they have honed there brand of American roots music, creating a sound that is all their own. Moving between blues, country, folk, gospel, rock and roll, and elements of jazz, freely they honor the tradition that makes American music so great. From smokey dive bars, to big festival stages, this band has what it takes to move the people.
Opening the show is Reno, NV based genre-bending singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kat Heart.