Skip to ContentVirginia City’s camel and ostrich races began as a newspaper hoax in 1959. The 67th races ran September 11 to 13, 2026; 2027 dates are not posted yet.
Checked November 2, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 67thrunning, Sept 11-13, 2026
- 1959hoax story
- 1960first race, camels from the SF Zoo
- $14-$202026 general admission
The Races
The Virginia City Tourism Commission lists the 67th International Camel & Ostrich Races for September 11 to 13, 2026, with camels, ostriches, zebras and emus, plus food trucks, craft vendors and camel rides. Shows were Friday, September 11 at 5 p.m. (Hot Camel Nights); Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with a Camel Hump to C Street walk at 12:30 p.m.; and Sunday, September 13 at noon (Family Day, first 100 kids ride a camel free). Tickets ran from $14 to $20 general admission, $30 premium seating and $65 to $450 VIP.
Where It Came From
The organizers tell it as a prank war: in 1959 the Territorial Enterprise editor wrote a fake story about camels racing in Virginia City, the San Francisco Chronicle printed it, and in 1960 racers borrowed camels from the San Francisco Zoo.
Know Before You Go
- Kids 2 and under are free on a lap.
- No pets, umbrellas, outside food or drink, or weapons inside the venue; service animals have separate rules.
- Rain or shine; tickets are non-refundable.
- Parking at the Virginia City Fairgrounds and Arena and in town, with a free golf cart for people who need help.
2027 dates and prices are not posted yet on the page we read.
Legends And Lore
Stories people tell about this place, each labelled and checked against the record.
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- 2027 dates, schedule and prices (Virginia City Tourism Commission event page).
- Races are held at the Virginia City Arena and Fairgrounds; the organizer page we read gives no street address.
More to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Virginia City camel races?
The 67th was September 11 to 13, 2026. 2027 dates are not posted yet; check the Tourism Commission.
Sources
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “International Camel and Ostrich Races,” itsreno.com, checked November 2, 2026.