Las Vegas hosts over 22,000 conventions and major events each year, from massive trade shows that fill every hotel room (find where to stay in the neighborhoods guide) in the city to music festivals that draw hundreds of thousands of attendees. This guide covers the major annual events and festivals in Las Vegas, with details on dates, venues, and what to expect so you can plan your trip around the city’s packed calendar. For monthly weather data, see our detailed guides.
Las Vegas Events in January
CES (Consumer Electronics Show)
CES takes over the Las Vegas Convention Center and multiple Strip hotels during the first full week of January. With 170,000+ attendees, it is the largest convention in Las Vegas and one of the biggest trade shows in the world. Hotel rates across the entire city spike to 3 to 5 times normal levels during CES week. If you are not attending CES, avoid Las Vegas entirely during these dates. The show is industry-only and not open to the public.
Las Vegas Events in March
March Madness (NCAA Tournament)
The first two weekends of the NCAA basketball tournament transform Las Vegas sportsbooks into packed viewing parties. The Westgate, Caesars Palace, and Circa sportsbooks are the most popular viewing spots. You need to arrive before 7am on the first Thursday and Friday to secure a seat at any major sportsbook. Hotel rates are elevated but not as extreme as CES or New Year’s Eve. Betting lines form hours before tipoff. Many sportsbooks require minimum food and beverage spends for reserved seating.
Las Vegas Events in May
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)
EDC Las Vegas is the largest electronic dance music festival in North America, held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway over three nights in mid-May (typically the third weekend). Attendance reaches 150,000+ per night across eight stages running from dusk to dawn (7pm to 5:30am). General admission passes start at US$400 for all three days if bought early; prices rise closer to the event. The Speedway is 24km (15 miles) northeast of the Strip; shuttle passes cost US$120+ and are strongly recommended since rideshare surge pricing can exceed US$200 one-way. Book hotels 6+ months ahead as EDC weekend fills every room on the Strip. Shuttles depart from specific Strip hotel pickup points.
Las Vegas Events in Summer (June through August)
World Series of Poker (WSOP)
The WSOP runs from late May through mid-July at the Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally’s) and Paris Las Vegas on the Strip. Over 100 bracelet events are played with buy-ins ranging from US$400 to US$250,000 for the high roller events. The Main Event (US$10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em) runs in early July and draws 8,000+ players. Spectators can watch final tables for free. Registration for events closes 24 hours before each tournament. The cash game area runs 24/7 during the series with stakes from US$1/$3 to US$500/$1,000.
Las Vegas Events in September
Life is Beautiful Festival
Life is Beautiful takes over 18 city blocks of Downtown Las Vegas during a weekend in late September. The festival blends major music acts (past headliners include Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Green Day) with large-scale art installations and a culinary program featuring top chefs. Single-day tickets start at US$180, three-day passes at US$380. The festival footprint is entirely outdoors and daytime temperatures in late September can still reach 35°C (95°F). The festival has a strong food-and-art focus that distinguishes it from purely music-driven events.
Las Vegas Events in November
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix runs on a 6.2km (3.8 mile) street circuit that includes a 1.9km straight down the Las Vegas Strip, with the start/finish line near the Bellagio. The race happens on a Saturday night in mid-to-late November. Ticket prices for the 2024 race started at US$500 for general admission and US$2,000+ for grandstand seats. The Strip closes to vehicle traffic during race weekend and pedestrian bridges are restricted. Hotel rates during race weekend are the second highest of the year after New Year’s Eve. If you are not attending the race, avoid Las Vegas on this weekend: casino access is limited and the entire Strip is disrupted by track construction for weeks beforehand.
Las Vegas Events in December
National Finals Rodeo (NFR)
The NFR runs for 10 days in early December at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus. It is the Super Bowl of professional rodeo, with the top 15 contestants in each event competing for world championships. Attendance is around 170,000 across the 10 performances. Tickets run US$60 to $400 per performance. The NFR fills hotels across the city, especially properties that cater to the rodeo crowd like the South Point and MGM Grand, which host NFR after-parties and viewing events. Cowboy Christmas, a massive Western gift show at the Convention Center, runs concurrently and is free to enter.
New Year’s Eve on the Strip
America’s Party on the Las Vegas Strip draws 300,000+ people on December 31. The Strip closes to all vehicle traffic from 5pm until 3am, turning Las Vegas Boulevard into a massive pedestrian party. Fireworks launch simultaneously from eight Strip hotel rooftops (MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, Venetian, Resorts World, and STRAT) at midnight in a 10-minute show. Hotel rates for December 31 are the highest of the year, typically 3 to 5 times normal rates, with two or three night minimum stays at most properties. Book 6 to 12 months ahead if you want a Strip hotel room with a view of the fireworks. Temperatures hover around 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F) so dress warmly. Between events, check the things to do in Las Vegas for daytime activities and attractions.
