Virginia City International Camel & Ostrich Races

About

Running in its 67th year, the International Camel & Ostrich Races is held in Virginia City each September and draws crowds for quirky racing, live entertainment, and a vendor marketplace. The event features professional and amateur jockeys racing camels, ostriches, zebras, emus, and more across four shows over three days. Expect strong foot traffic, an established audience, and a wide vendor mix — craft vendors, food trucks, beverage vendors, and merchandise sellers all participate. Born from a 1959 prank between two rival newspapers, this Nevada tradition sells out quickly.

Details

Type

Festival

Season / Event Date(s)

Sep 11–13, 2026

Venue

Virginia City Fairgrounds & Arena, 758 F St

Vendor Pricing

Tags

• camel-races
• food-vendors
• craft
• annual