Events
With more than 40 hotels, casinos and resorts providing lavish shows, you don't
have to look hard for diversion in Las Vegas. In addition to the offerings of
various casinos, there's the nightly Fremont Street Experience light-and-sound
show, held in a pedestrian mall (every hour on the hour, 6 pm-midnight). The
events listed below are in addition to Resort/Casino-related offerings.
January
Late January:
Las Vegas Marathon.
More than 7,500 runners compete in the full marathon (26.2 mi/42 km),
half-marathon (13.1 mi/21 km) and 5K Friendship Run. A post-marathon party and
health-and-fitness expo are also part of the festivities. For information, call
702-240-2722.
February
Late February—World
Archery Festival. Archers compete in the first leg of the new 3 Star Tour
for one of the largest purses offered in indoor archery competitions. Also a
trade show with the newest equipment and accessories in the archery industry.
Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. S. For information, call
909-794-8512, or toll-free 888-739-4527 or 800-811-2331.
March
Mid March:
St. Patrick's Day Celebration.
This two-day celebration of Irish heritage features the Sons of Erin Parade
along Fourth Street, Celtic- and Irish-themed music on two stages, green beer, a
block party and more. The Fremont Street Experience. For information, call
702-678-5777, or toll-free 800-249-3559.
Late Marc: Laughlin River Stampede Rodeo. The country's best cowboys
compete in various contests in this PRCA-sanctioned event. Laughlin Events
Grounds, Laughlin (90 miles south of Las Vegas). For information, call
719-589-9444, or the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce toll-free at 800-227-5245.
Continues through early April
Early March: NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series Racing. More than
100,000 spectators are anticipated at the Nextel Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and
Busch Series Sam's Town 300. Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N.
For information and tickets, call 702-644-4444 or 702-644-4443.
Early March: Race Jam Weekend. Five city blocks are filled with a
classic car show, a demonstration racetrack, appearances by NASCAR drivers,
entertainment on two stages and more. For information, call 702-678-5777, or
toll-free 800-249-3559.
April
Early-Late
April through early September: Minor-League Baseball.
The Las Vegas 51s, a Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, play
regular-season home games at Cashman Field, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. N. For
information and tickets, call 702-386-7200. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at
702-798-7825 or 702-474-4000.
13-17 April: World Cup Show Jumping. Show jumping's prestigious World
Cup championship comes to Las Vegas with more than 40 top international
competitors. Thomas and Mack Center, 4505 Maryland Parkway, UNLV campus. For
information, call 702-260-8605. For tickets, call toll-free 866-388-3267.
Late April: City of Lights Jazz Festival. A lineup of top national jazz
musicians performs for 10 hours in Desert Breeze Park with a view of the Las
Vegas skyline. Spring Mountain and Durango roads. For information, call
702-228-3780. For tickets, call toll-free 800-969-8342.
Late April: Laughlin River Run. The West Coast's largest
motorcycle show features stunt demonstrations, a trade show and traveling
museum, along with casino games and live entertainment. Along the Colorado
River, Laughlin For information and tickets, call 714-694-2800, or toll-free
800-357-8223.
Mid April: Golf. Top female golfers from around the world compete
for US$1.1 million. Las Vegas Country Club, 3000 Joe W. Brown Drive. For
information and tickets, call 702-898-4653.
Mid April (date varies each year depending on the liturgical calendar):
Mardi Gras Festival. This free annual festival celebrates Mardis Gras
Vegas-style with elaborate parades, sound-and-light shows, live entertainment on
three stages and more. The Fremont Street Experience. For information, call
702-260-8605, 702-678-5600, or toll-free 800-249-3559.
May
Early-Late May: Laughlin Mile Dragon Boat Challenge. This ancient
Chinese sport comes to Laughlin as local and international teams of 20 rowers, a
steersman and a drummer paddle 44-ft. -long Chinese war canoes down 1 mi/1.5 km
of the Colorado River. The best viewing spot is the River Walk, where a cultural
festival with drumming contests takes place. 90 miles south of Las Vegas. For
information, call the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce toll-free at 800-227-5245.
Mid May: Las Vegas Cruise. This annual event showcases pre-1972
classic cars in the Show and Shine, in addition to a poker run, photo ops with
the owners and drivers of vintage cars, and other free entertainment. The
Freemont Street Experience. For information, call 702-678-5777, or toll-free
800-249-3559.
Early May: Cinco de Mayo. This commemoration of the 1862 Battle of
Puebla showcases the Banda Festival with well-known bands performing. Organized
by the Mexican Patriotic Committee. Freedom Park, Washington and Mojave. For
information, call 702-649-1198.
June
Mid June: National Open Chess Tournament. Dozens of national and
international chess masters of all ages compete in nine sections, including a
qualifier for the U.S. championship. Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas
Blvd. S. For information and tickets, call 702-734-5110, or toll-free
800-634-6753.
August
5-15 August: International Police and Fire Games. Las Vegas hosts
these biennial games with police, fire and military personnel and their spouses
from around the world competing in more than 40 sports events, ranging from
baseball, basketball, swimming and cycling to skeet, horseshoes, darts,
bench-pressing and arm wrestling. Various venues. For information, call
702-259-6350, 702-259-6351, or toll-free 800-863-9676.
27-29 August: Harvest Festival. More than 200 exhibitors showcase
handmade crafts and specialty foods. Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. N. For
information, call 707-778-6300, or toll-free 800-321-1213.
Throughout August and September: Minor-League Baseball.
The Las Vegas 51s, a Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, play
regular-season home games at Cashman Field, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. N. For
information and tickets, call 702-386-7200. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at
702-798-7825 or 702-474-4000.
September
Early-Late September—through May: Performance. The
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Performing Arts Center draws national and
international ensembles and artists in opera, ballet, classical music, jazz and
other performing arts. Corner of Maryland Parkway and Cottage Grove Street, UNLV
campus. For information and tickets, call 702-895-2787 or 702-799-3267.
16-19 September: Las Vegas Bike Fest. Events include a motorcycle
show, the world's strongest biker competition, rock concerts on Freemont Street
and a custom bike show with more than 100 entries. Fremont Street Experience and
other downtown venues. For information, call 702-450-7662, or toll-free
866-245-3337.
18 September: Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival. This annual
one-day festival showcases the sounds of the classic Mexican guitar, accompanied
by traditional Latin vocals and performed by some of the world's finest
mariachis. Aladdin Resort & Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts, 3667 Las
Vegas Blvd. S. For information and tickets, call toll-free 800-637-1006.
18, 19 September: Ho'olaule'a. Festival celebrating the culture
of the Pacific Islands, with entertainment, crafts demonstrations and other
activities. Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave. For information, call
702-382-6939.
19 September: Mexican Independence Day Celebration. One of the
city's two largest community Hispanic events features a Mariachi Fieston with
groups from Arizona, California and Mexico performing, along with Mexican arts
and crafts and food booths. Organized by the Mexican Patriotic Committee.
Freedom Park, Washington and Mojave. For information, call 702-649-1198.
25 September: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The Las Vegas
Speedway hosts the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Las Vegas 350. For information
and tickets, call 702-644-4444 or 702-644-4443.
Late September—May: Dance. Nevada Ballet Theatre presents
classic and contemporary balles at the Judy Bayley Theatre, UNLV campus, and
other venues. For schedule and venue information, call 702-243-2623. For tickets
to most performances, call the UNLV Box Office at 702-895-2787
Mid September: San Gennaro Feast. This popular celebration of
Italian-American culture features an ethnic food festival, carnival midway, live
entertainment from national names and children's activities. Corner of South
Rampart Boulevard and Alta Drive. For information, call 702-286-4944.
Mid September: Great American Motorcycle Experience. Motorcyclists,
dealers and manufacturers participate in the Motorcross Championship and road,
dirt, drag and desert racing, in addition to demonstrations, concerts and
fireworks. Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N. For information,
call toll-free 800-202-8832. For tickets, call 702-644-4444, or Ticketmaster at
702-474-2000.
October
31 Oct—Nevada
Day. Public holiday.
Late September; early October: Professional Bull Riders World Finals.
The top 45 national bull riders compete in the Pro Bull Riders championship. For
information, call 719-471-3008. Mandalay Bay Events Center, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd.
S., and Thomas and Mack Center, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, UNLV campus. For
tickets, call the Mandalay Bay box office toll-free at 877-632-7400,
Early-Late October—April: ECHL Hockey. The Las Vegas
Wranglers play regular-season home games at the Orleans Arena, 400 W. Tropicana
Ave. For information, call 702-471-7825. For tickets, call 702-284-7777, or
toll-free 888-234-2334.
Early-Late October - Continues through early May: The Las Vegas
Philharmonic, one of the newest and largest arts organizations in Nevada,
performs classical-music concerts at Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, UNLV campus.
For information and tickets, call 702-258-5438 or 702-895-2787.
November
Mid November: Aviation Nation. The largest free public event in
Nevada features the USAF Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron and the
second-largest air-racing event in the U.S. Flying demonstrations by U.S.
military and civilian performers. Ground displays showcase more than 100 vintage
and new-model aircraft. Nevis Air Force Base. For information, call
402-652-7556, 702-652-5697 or 702-497-9885.
28-30 November - early December: Miss Rodeo America.
Preceeding the National Finals Rodeo, Miss Rodeo America Inc. crowns its
scholarship winner in this annual rodeo competition. Orleans Hotel and Arena,
4500 W. Tropicana Ave. For information and tickets, call 719-948-9206.
December
Early-Late December—Holiday Festival. This festival kicks off with
a tree-lighting ceremony and includes appearances by Santa Claus and live
entertainment. Live theatrical shows on two stages continue throughout the
monthlong festival. The Freemont Street Experience. For information, call
toll-free 800-249-3559.
2 December: Downtown Hoedown. The 17th Annual Downtown Hoedown kicks off
the National Finals Rodeo with music from top country singers on stages along
five blocks. The Freemont Street Experience. For information, call 702-678-5777,
or toll-free 800-249-3559.
2-11 December: Cowboy Christmas Gift Show. At the National Finals
Rodeo's crafts show, approximately 400 exhibitors display a variety of
western-themed gifts, including western clothing from spurs to belts, jewelry,
southwest Native American arts and crafts and pottery, and official PRCA
souvenirs. Also rodeo contestant and celebrity autograph sessions, fashion shows
and other entertainment. North Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise
Road. For information, call 702-260-8605.
3-12 December: National Finals Rodeo. Top national rodeo contestants
compete for big prize money in the world's premier rodeo. Also fashion and
awards shows, country-music concerts, bronco and bull sales, a golf tournament
and more. Thomas and Mack Center, UNLV campus, and other venues. Tickets may be
hard to come by. For tickets, call 702-260-8605, or toll-free 866-388-3267.
31 December: America's Party New Year's Eve. This large New Year's Eve
celebration features a spectacular fireworks show over a 5-mi/8-km stretch of
the Strip and live concerts by international superstars. For information, call
702-206-8605.
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