From small businesses to the public library, many spaces in Reno are hosting workshops in 2025. Check out where and when you can paint, craft, write, and more.

Many people pass through our city, but not many know how many enjoyable, off-the-beaten-path things there are to do in Reno. With more than 270,000 people calling Reno home, according to 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data, the city has its fair share of makers, teachers, and folks who enjoy both doing and passing on their skills to others. As such, Reno is full of workshops that see everyday people being led by experts to learn new skills. Want to learn how to dance? Write? Craft? You can do all of that and more in Reno—and sometimes even for free. 

Now more than ever, we need to band together with our community, and that means getting to know one another and learning from one another. One Reno high school has even expanded its wildfire training program to instill new skills in the children of tomorrow. We could learn a thing or two from them, huh? So, without further ado, check out these workshops that are bringing enjoyable lessons to the Biggest Little City in the World in 2025.  

1. Social Security Workshop

Where: South Valleys Library (15650-A Wedge Parkway, Reno, NV 89511)

When: Wednesday, April 2

Price: Free

Workshops are often related to crafting, but not always. Sometimes, they’re intended to help people connect with benefits that they deserve and need, as is the case with South Valleys Library’s Social Security Workshop on Wednesday, Apr. 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The workshop will go over everything from getting the most out of your Social Security benefits to learning the intricacies of whether you can apply if your partner still has regular work income. This workshop comes courtesy of Richard Breedwell, who’s been working in the finance field since the early ‘90s. Do note that materials to take notes will not be provided, so you’ll want to bring your own notebook and pen or pencil of choice.

2. Earth Day Workshop: Magazine Upcycling Fun

Where: Northwest Reno Library (2325 Robb Dr, Reno, NV 89523)

When: Tuesday, April 8

Price: Free

From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 8, the Northwest Reno Library will be holding its Earth Day Workshop: Magazine Upcycling Fun event, which will allow registered guests the opportunity to hand-craft sustainable household products. So, say goodbye to buying as many items from the store, as you’ll be replacing them with eco-friendly options that you had the pleasure of making yourself. You’ll save money and help save the planet at the same time—is there anything more fun than that? Plus, you’ll feel better using the items you make since they’ll be made with natural ingredients. This event will also be held on Tuesday, Apr. 29, for those who can’t make it to the first workshop.

3. Make It Crafterwork: Guided Project – Sustainable Sewing

Where: Northwest Reno Library (2325 Robb Dr, Reno, NV 89523)

When: Wednesday, April 9

Price: Free

The Make It Crafterwork: Guided Project – Sustainable Sewing workshop will be settling into the Northwest Reno Library on Wednesday, Apr. 9, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and registering sooner rather than later is encouraged due to the event having limited space and supplies. It’s also a 16-and-up event due to the crafts requiring a higher skill level. At this event, participants will have the pleasure of creating a reusable item of their choosing to celebrate Earth Day—and help protect the environment from more disposable products. As the workshop’s name suggests, sewing machines will be integral here, as will Cricut makers and other crafting machines and tools. Ultimately, workshops like this are just another reason why local libraries are so essential. 

4. Write Your Life: Memoir Workshop

Where: Incline Village Library (845 Alder Ave, Incline Village, NV 89451)

When: Monday, April 14

Price: Free

Sometimes, workshops are coworking spaces just as much as they are guided practices, and that’s where the Write Your Life: Memoir Workshop truly shines. Hosted at the Incline Village Library every month, this workshop is two hours long and helps people really sink their teeth into their writing. Every writer—and everyone who’s ever even thought about writing—knows that the hardest part is finding the time to actually bring pen to paper, and this workshop is a dedicated window for you to do just that. Plus, you can mingle with other local memoir writers, share experiences, and learn from each other. This is a magical workshop that we truly recommend, and it happens at least once a month like clockwork, so no matter how busy your schedule gets, you’ll always have this time to focus on yourself, your writing, and your goals.

5. Schluter Systems Innovation Workshops

Where: Schluter Systems Training Center (100 Germany Cir, Sparks, NV 89437)

When: Wednesday, April 23-Thursday, April 24

Price: Free

Schluter Systems is a leader in tile innovation, which is why this company hosting a series of Innovation Workshops just makes sense. The Innovation Workshop is a two-day event lasting from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and the next one is slated for Apr. 23 to Apr. 24. Other rounds this year are scheduled for May 7 to May 8 and Oct. 15 to Oct. 16. At this event, you’ll learn about “waterproofing tiled showers,” “ensured durable tiled floors,” and “protecting tile and accommodating movement,” among other valuable skills. What’s more, if you live more than an hour and a half away from the Schluter Systems Training Center, the company will pay for you to stay at the Grand Sierra Resort. Moreover, meals are provided for every attendant during the events. Overall, this is your chance to learn valuable skills that could set you up for success in the long run.

6. My Froggie Beads

Where: 1350 Freeport Blvd #107, Sparks, NV 89431

When: Varied

Price: $30-$200

My Froggie Beads is a glass-blowing business in Reno that hosts workshops each and every week for curious makers in the area. More specifically, the company specializes in beads, with workshop members getting to make their very own beads that they can later use for jewelry or anything else of their choosing. Materials are included, too, so you don’t have to worry about scavenging for anything.

There are a few tiers of workshops: The first is the $60 mini workshop, which is three hours long and acts as an introduction to making beads and wielding the oxygen/propane torch that’s necessary to make them. The second is the expanded mini workshop, which is $120 and two nights of the same fun (six hours in lieu of three), allowing you ample time to nail your technique. Finally, My Froggie Beads hosts Introduction to Glass Bead Making workshops, which are two days long—Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.—and equip you with all of the tools and knowledge you need to be successful at making hand-crafted beads. If that weren’t enough, the company regularly hosts Open Torch Nights, which are only $30 and offer you the chance to hone your skills further. At the time of writing, there are Open Torch Nights scheduled for most Tuesdays and Thursdays in April 2025, with mini workshops scattered throughout the month.

7. Debi’s Gifts and Crafts

Where: 20 Hillcrest, Unit B, Reno, NV, 89509

When: Varied

Price: $25-$50

Debi’s Gifts and Crafts founder Debi Lucas turned her side hustle into a fabulous business after taking up crafting when her sons moved out, and Reno was never the same. Since then, Debi and the rest of the crew at Debi’s Gifts and Crafts have been helping people make handmade mementos and decorations, as well as gifts for loved ones. In fact, the company often holds special workshops that don’t break the bank, covering everything from scrapbooking to Resurrection gardens and dried-flower glass frames. There’s always something fun happening here, so be sure to keep an eye on the website’s calendar. 

8. The Ballroom of Reno

Where: 2540 Sutro St #4, Reno, NV 89512

When: Varied

Price: $5-$15

The Ballroom of Reno has been building community in the city for years, and as you’ve likely guessed, it does so through the power of dance. In fact, the organization’s mission statement expressly notes that it’s not only here to help people become better dancers—it’s also here to put a smile on people’s faces and bring them closer together. It does this, in part, through workshops. And while you can become a member of the organization for only $30 per month, you don’t have to be a member to participate in classes here.

Our other favorite aspect is that there’s a set schedule for the classes, helping you to never forget when your next one is. For instance, the first Sunday of each month has a ballroom dance workshop for $10 at 6 p.m., while the third Saturday of the month has an Argentine tango milonga class also for $10. There’s even a weekly class called Dance with Me, which is specifically for community members with dementia. If that doesn’t make your heart sing, we don’t know what will!

9. Artisan Workshops at Copper Cat Studios

Where: 300 Kresge Lane, Sparks, NV 89431

When: Varied

Price: $45+

Copper Cat Studios calls itself a “healing arts studio,” a place where folks can make art but also just have a blast after a long day or week. This studio’s workshops are led by creators who are masters of their crafts, and there are many different options to choose from, with each carrying a different price tag. For example, you could sign up for the Silk Painting with Louise Noel event, which costs $175 to $185, depending on payment method, and will be held on April 3. Or, you could opt for the Glass on Glass Mosaic workshop on April 15, which costs $120 to $127, again based on payment method. Other options include Pressed Flower Plant Stake, Intro to Stained Glass, and Spinner Ring workshops.  

10. The Generator

Where: 2450 Oddie Blvd Suite 110, Sparks, NV 89431

When: Varied

Price: $0+

The Generator is a space in Reno specifically for creators. Makers are able to purchase a membership to use the space when they need it, and there are varying tiers, so there’s something for everyone. An extra perk is that The Generator also hosts workshops every single week. These include Intro to Sewing and Intro to MIG Welding—that’s “metal inert gas,” for those like us who didn’t initially know what it stood for (we’ll stick to writing). Memberships can cost as little as $20 per month, and with that membership, some workshops, like the welding class on April 12, are free. Others, like the sewing class on April 12, still cost money—$45 in this case. In addition to sewing and welding, you can gain hands-on experience working with wood, textiles, screen printing, spinning, and more in workshops at The Generator.