NEON SPEAKS FESTIVAL & SYMPOSIUM 2026
Save the dates:
Reno: Sept 11, 12, & 13
San Francisco: Sept 19
Oakland: Sept 20
Online: TBA

Neon Speaks 2026 is produced by SF Neon in proud partnership with the Light Circus Nevada Neon Museum, Roxie Theater, Letterform Archive, Neon Works, and the Tenderloin Museum. Hosts: Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan of SF Neon.

We are excited to support the opening of Will Durham’s Light Circus Nevada Neon Museum by bringing the Neon Speaks Festival & Symposium to this museum in Reno! Save the dates for the weekend of September 11, 12, & 13. (Don’t worry, we’ll be back at the Verdi Club next year). The 3-day schedule is still under development, but it will include symposium speakers, preservation panels, film, tours, and the sparkling collection of vintage neon in the museum. The Light Circus is inside the National Bowling Stadium in Reno. Early Bird tickets are available, space is limited.

Check out all the Light Circus Nevada Neon Museum details and progress on the new lightcircus.org website (designed by Randall and developed by Will Durham, Annie Sanders, and Gary Weisberg). The museum in on target for a grand opening day in May 2026.

2026 Schedule at-a-Glance

RENO AT THE LIGHT CIRCUS NEVADA NEON MUSEUM

Day 1, Saturday September 11: Downtown Reno twilight walking tours and evening social mixer in the museum

Day 2, Saturday, September 12: All-day neon symposium (speakers TBD, includes quiz) in the museum and no-host dinner at the Half-Way Club
Day 3, Sunday, September 13: Morning neon preservations panelists (TBD) in the museum, afternoon screening of “NEON“.

SAN FRANCISCO

Day 4, Saturday, September 19: Letterform Archive tours and VIP reception/screening (TBD) at the Roxie Theater

OAKLAND
Day 5: Sunday, September 20: Neon Works Shop Tour. A rare opportunity to see a working neon shop in action with live fires and tube-bending demo with Adam Taylor. Don’t miss Jim Rizzo’s fine collection of restored vintage signs and sign boneyard. Al and Randall will be in the neon boneyard to give histories of this collection of rescued Bay Area neon. Back by popular demand, photography encouraged.

Neon Quiz Experts

  • Stephen Coles, San Francisco
  • Dydia DeLyser, Los Anglese
  • Paul Greenstein, Los Angeles
  • Eric Lynxwiler, Los Angeles
  • Todd Matuszewicz, Denver
  • Debra Jane Seltzer, Ventura

2026 Credits

Staff Box

Neon Speaks Festival Hosts and Producers
Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan of San Francisco Neon.

In proud partnership with Lex Sloan of the Roxie Theater and our fiscal sponsor the Tenderloin Museum. Thanks to the entire staff of the Tenderloin Museum, particularly Katie Conry and Alex Spoto.

Production Team
A round of applause for our ace production team:
SHOW RUNNER: Allen Sawyer
VIDEO ARCHIVING: Evatt Carrodus
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS Stephen Coles, Katherine J. Rinehart

Advisors
A million thanks to this year’s wise advisors: Dydia DeLyser, Shawna Peterson, Allen Sawyer, Steve Spiegel, Jim Van Buskirk, and Kate Widdows.

Sandman Motel, Reno  Photo: Heather David