Elvis Presley, in the song Viva Las Vegas, sang that every trip to Vegas is different. The King of Rock and Roll couldn’t have been more right.
At any given time, there’s something new happening in addition to a full calendar of recurring events throughout the year.
Given the huge amount of options we can’t plan your whole trip for you, but we can offer suggestions of some of our favorites.
Our curated list of things to do in Las Vegas allows you to hit the ground running as soon as your plane touches down at Harry Reid International Airport, or you hand off the keys to the hotel’s valet, no matter what time of year you’re coming to town.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Sporting Events for Every Season
January
Skiing at Lee Canyon on Mt. Charleston
Lee Canyon has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Hitting the slopes in Las Vegas has never been better. The Hillside Lodge addition offers a two story dining experience for ski-in/ski-out convenience. New chairlifts have been added to get more guests up the mountain faster and to more runs. And 450 more parking spaces gives everyone room to come and go. Mt. Charleston is also a great spot for engagement photo sessions. If you’ve gotten engaged over the holidays and are looking for a wintery backdrop for your engagement photos, this is the spot!
Area15 Immerses Guests in a Fantasy World
AREA15 is Las Vegas’ newest experiential entertainment district offering live events, immersive activations, monumental art installations, extraordinary design elements, unique retail, bars and eateries, and much more.
AREA15 is a wondrous mash-up of experiences and an immersive playground, all rolled up into one vibrant space. Perfect for winter days when you want to get out for some fun but don’t want to be outside.
February
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Your Sweetheart
Love is in the air and we sense the perfect opportunity to get out and see a show or have some dinner. If you happen to be getting engaged this V-Day, why not hire a professional photographer to capture the special moment as it happens?
Book a Romantic Room for a Mid-Winter Getaway
Vacation or stay-cation, it’s your call. Las Vegas has some of the best resorts in the world and for many people visiting Sin City from the east coast or the upper midwest, now is the perfect time to escape winter and chill out in the mild winter days of Las Vegas. Check into one of these stunning 5-star hotels and enjoy a February escape with our suggestions of where to stay.
March
NASCAR
The galaxy of stock car stars descend on Las Vegas Motor Speedway each spring for the third race of the NASCAR season. Driver appearances, a hauler parade down the Strip and Sunday’s big race for the checkered flag fill race week with roaring engines and some of the fastest speeds in the sport.
March Madness
The NCAA basketball championship tournament takes over Las Vegas for several weeks every March. It starts with a number of smaller tournaments with several Las Vegas arenas hosting men’s and women’s conference tournaments prior to the big dance. Fans and gamblers look forward to placing their bets and rooting for their teams to make a run to the Final Four with spectators crowding around TVs to watch the action streamed in from around the country.
Beginning of Pool Season
Spring breakers, snowbirds and locals rejoice! Spring is here and the pools are alive with the sounds of DJs. Many pools throw season-opening bashes with great fanfare and lots of food and drinks to go around as long as you remember to put some money in your swimsuit’s pocket. You don’t have to be a pool party goer to enjoy a day in the sun after a cold winter. There’s a pool for everyone and they each have different vibes all over town.
April
Drink Craft Brews at the Great Vegas Festival of Beer
The largest beer festival in Las Vegas takes over the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center in April. Enjoy unlimited sips of craft beer and cider by breweries from around the country. You can also wolf down food from a variety of food trucks, meet chefs and enjoy fun entertainment, including a silent disco.
NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The annual three-day National Hot Rod Association competition sees 40,000 total horsepower firing down the drag strip all at once. Hard running engines from top-fuel, funny cars, and sportsman’s classes fill the air with nitro and get the teeth rattling and eardrums shaking at every green light!
Take a Hike & Have Some Photos Taken
The spring weather is ideal for outdoor adventures at any of the amazing outdoor retreats. Some of our favorites are Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Valley of Fire State Park. These super photogenic spots are also great places for weddings, and vow renewals. Adventurous couples enjoy eloping trail-side and posing for photos amongst the striking red sandstone formations and dramatic mountain vistas.
May
Enjoy Some Water Sports
Although most people don’t think of lakes when they visit Sin City, Las Vegas is actually home to a handful of lakes that offer a range of activities like swimming, boating, and water skiing. Below are our picks for the best places to enjoy a day out on the water. Hitting the water is also on our list of 21 things for couples to do in Las Vegas.
Lake Las Vegas
Visitors can rent stand up paddle boards, relax on the man made beach, or splash their hearts out on the inflatable floating obstacle course.
Lake Mead
You can enjoy a variety of activities at Lake Mead, located just outside Boulder City, including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and even camping!
June
Go to Cowabunga Vegas Water Parks
There are two super fun water parks to enjoy as the heat of summer kicks into high gear; Cowabunga Bay and Cowabunga Canyon. Swimmers and sunbathers will enjoy water slides, the lazy river, wave pools and splash zones for the kids.
Check Out the Vegas Pool Clubs
As summer heats up the action at the city’s dayclubs really gets hot. Watch for theme days, celeb DJs, and plenty of eye candy all summer long. Take your pick from the top choices of Encore Beach Club, AYU Dayclub, Tao Beach, Wet Republic and Marquee Dayclub.
July
Celebrate America’s Independence Day like a local. Join the celebration at the parades in the morning and then sit back and watch the fireworks once the sun goes down.
Summerlin Patriotic Parade
The Las Vegas valley’s largest and most popular Fourth of July parade, attracting more than 35,000 Southern Nevadans each year, including community VIPs and local dignitaries.
Henderson Fourth of July Celebration
The City of Henderson, located 25 minutes from the Strip, celebrates every 4th of July with a daytime outdoor event that features food vendors, games, foam fun, water blaster tag, face painting, and more.
Boulder City Annual Damboree
The celebrations begin with a pancake breakfast for all, followed by an airshow by the Boulder City Veterans Flying Group. The vintage planes kick off a big parade with classical cars, offroad trucks, marching bands and much more. Get some lunch and then enjoy more of the festivities including live music, food, games, and a splash park!
Go Surfing on Planet Hollywood’s Flowrider
If everybody had an ocean then this Strip resort wouldn’t have had to build an artificial wave for board riders. The FlowRider in the Pleasure Pool is a wave-in-a-box machine that lets riders hang 10 poolside.
August
Dive-in Movies at the Cosmopolitan
Every summer, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas transforms their marquee at the Boulevard Pool into a giant movie screen for their extremely fun Dive-In Movie series. The hotel shows everything from childhood favorites to recent blockbusters every Monday night.
September
Life Is Beautiful
One of the best events of the year if you’re a music fan. This annual music, culinary, art, and learning festival takes over Downtown Las Vegas for a weekend every September.
San Gennaro Feast
Celebrate food, fun & family at the biggest Italian and International food festival in the Las Vegas Valley. PLUS Amusement Rides & Games, Live Music, Arts & Crafts Vendors + more. Fun for the whole family! There’s even fireworks at this multi-day festival!
Mexican Independence Day
Each year the celebrations get bigger as activities are added to days surrounding Mexican Independence Day. Latin music legends headline Vegas’ impressive arenas and swanky showrooms, oftentimes there’s a big headlining boxing match and don’t forget about the wonderful foods cooked up by local chefs.
October
NASCAR
The top stock car drivers return as they hunt for a championship. The sports playoffs are in full swing and every point matters. Will your driver play it safe or roll the dice during their pursuit of the checkered flag?
Visit the Springs Preserve
Cooler temperatures in October make for gorgeous days to take a stroll through this desert botanical garden. Hire a professional photographer for the afternoon and pretend like you’re royalty for the day. October afternoons in the garden are also great for wedding ceremonies, elopements and vow renewals!
November
Formula 1
Race fans from around the world visit Las Vegas for this grand prix style race down and around the Strip. Why not make this weekend extra memorable by exchanging your vows in an F1-themed micro wedding? Wave the green flag on marriage in style! If you’re going to the race itself, bring a jacket. Practices and the race take place late at night and it does get chilly.
Neon City Festival
Downtown resort-casinos and partnering businesses put on a free festival for all ages as a way to divert some of the week’s tourists to other parts of town during the Formula 1 race. This Vegas style block party/street fest will have food and drink specials and lots of live entertainment.
December
Holiday Displays
The city of neon lights puts on quite a show of holiday lights too! Check out some of these fun displays.
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
The whimsical floral display with a new holiday theme each year is perfect for holiday selfies created from vibrant flowers and living plant material. The winter wonderland display runs from early December to early January. Be sure to visit during the day to really see it sparkle, as sunlight pours in from the ornate glass ceiling.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Holly Jolly Lights
Stay snug in your personal vehicle with your friends and family along for the ride as you drive past, under and through millions of twinkling lights. See some of your favorite holiday themes and characters – all of which will bring a smile to your face.
Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory
The famous chocolatier opens their cactus garden to the public and invites you to enjoy the desert landscape adorned with holiday lights and cute displays. A magical holiday stroll for all ages.
Enchant
Embark on a holiday-themed treasure hunt as you make your way through a magical holiday lights forest. There are two attractions to enjoy each year. One at The Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin and one at Resorts World located towards the north end of the resort corridor on the Strip.
National Finals Rodeo
The biggest country and western party of the year takes place for a week and a half each December when the National Finals Rodeo gallups into town. A ten-day competition crowns the world champions of rodeo at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. It features rodeo’s top fifteen competitors, in terms of earnings from each of the events. There’s also a lot of ancillary events around town with country music’s biggest stars putting on concerts up and down the Strip, nightly watch parties, and the mega shopping event known as Cowboy Christmas. We’ve helped bunches of rodeo fans plan and execute their NFR-style Vegas micro wedding, give us a holler and we’ll do yours too!
Holiday Shopping
If you’re still making your list and checking it twice, Las Vegas is the perfect place to satisfy it. Finish your holiday gift shopping in style at some of the best malls around.
Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
With more than a literal mile of fabulous boutiques, restaurants, and attractions, it’s easy to spend a day—or a week—getting lost at the Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Fashionistas can enjoy its diverse selection of shops, as retail giants like Urban Outfitters and Sephora are complemented by specialty and designer stores like The Raider Image and True Religion Brand Jeans. Don’t forget to stop by Tipsy Robot, the world’s first land-based robotic bar!
Fashion Show Las Vegas
As the largest shopping mall on the Las Vegas Strip, Fashion Show Las Vegas clocks in at nearly 2 million square feet. Its exceptional lineup of anchor stores (including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Forever 21 and Nordstrom) is complemented by more than 250 shops and boutiques. The South Strip-side space also features a fabulous restaurant collection, entertainment, and regular fashion shows on a runway in its Great Hall. And for some great people-watching opportunities, take a seat at one of the restaurant bars lining Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Shops at Crystals
With 500,000 square feet of retail and dining space, The Shops at Crystals is one of Las Vegas’ premier shopping experiences. Its unprecedented array of the world’s most exclusive retailers, many of them brand flagship stores, includes Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Prada, and Christian Dior. With its center-Strip location and proximity to some of the most popular dining options on Las Vegas Boulevard, The Shops at Crystals is the destination for a luxury shopping spree—or an easy way to spend a few hours before your dinner and show reservations.
Las Vegas North Premium Outlets & Las Vegas South Premium Outlets
For shoppers looking for some serious savings, this pair of outlets offers nearly 400 designer and name-brand outlet stores. The outdoor shopping mall features department store outlets (like Saks OFF 5th) and an impressive list of designer stores, including Tory Burch, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, and many more.
Sporting Events for Every Season
There’s nearly always a game or match to attend in Las Vegas. Sin City has grown by leaps and bounds as a sports town in recent years. See some of your favorite sports action year-round.
NHL
Vegas Golden Knights, Regular Season — October through April (Playoffs through early June)
NFL
Las Vegas Raiders, Regular Season — September through January (Playoffs into February)
WNBA
Las Vegas Aces, Regular Season — May through September (Playoffs into October)
MiLB
Las Vegas Aviators, Regular Season — March through September (Playoffs into October)
USL
Las Vegas Lights FC, Regular Season — February through October (Playoffs into November)
NLL
Las Vegas Desert Dogs, Regular Season — December through April (Playoffs into May)
PVF
Vegas Thrill, Regular Season — February through May (Playoffs in mid-late May)
NCAA
Division I College Athletics — Teams in Action throughout the Year
