Las Vegas festivals offer more than just entertainment—they give a real sense of the diverse communities and culture in Southern Nevada.
If you’re thinking about moving to Vegas, whether for business or a fresh start, these events show off the city’s history and heritage. Beyond the Strip, you’ll find food festivals, cultural celebrations, and family-friendly gatherings that make living here exciting year-round.
This guide breaks it down month by month so you can see how locals celebrate, connect, and enjoy life in a city that never slows down—but knows how to balance work, family, and fun.
Table of contents: Month-by-month guide to Las Vegas festivals
- Las Vegas Festivals overview
- January festivals in Southern Nevada
- Las Vegas February festivals
- March festivals in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas festivals in April
- Las Vegas festivals in May
- Southern Nevada festivals in June
- July festivals across Southern Nevada
- Las Vegas Festivals in August
- Southern Nevada Festivals in September
- October festivals in Las Vegas
- Southern Nevada November festivals
- Las Vegas December festivals
- There’s always something to celebrate in Las Vegas
- Read more about living in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Festivals overview
Las Vegas festivals showcase more than just the Strip—they highlight the culture, history, and creativity of the entire region, from Henderson to Boulder City and North Las Vegas to Mesquite.
The busiest months for Las Vegas festivals and other events throughout Southern Nevada are March through June and then September through December. The slowest months are January, July, and August.
In this monthly guide, we’ve included the top festivals that are family-friendly and popular community events.
January festivals in Southern Nevada
Festival season starts slow in the new year, probably because everyone is still recovering from the excitement of the holidays and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
This is also a busy convention month, with CES coming to town. That event alone draws about 150,000 people.
Mesquite Motor Mania
Take a cruise about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas to Mesquite Motor Mania. Taking place every January at the CasaBlanca Resort, it features over 900 vintage, custom, and muscle cars, along with burn-out contests, slow drags, and open header cruises.
Chinese New Year
Depending on the year, the Chinese New Year festivals around Las Vegas happen between January 21 and February 20. Chinese New Year in the Desert™ is one of the best spots to celebrate the event, according to Forbes Magazine. A parade takes over Fremont East Entertainment District. Then, Container Park becomes a Chinese New Year event stage filled with performances and dance parties.
Las Vegas February festivals
Things are still slow in February if you’re looking for a festival, but we’ve rounded up a few that give you a chance to explore the larger footprint of Clark County.
Dam Short Film Festival
More than just a play on words, the Dam Short Film Festival in Boulder City rolls out the red carpet for Nevada’s largest short film festival. Held every February at the historic Boulder Theatre, this annual event showcases hundreds of films across genres, from quirky comedies to heart-wrenching dramas. Just 30 minutes from Las Vegas, it’s the perfect escape for cinephiles looking to discover emerging filmmakers. Expect thought-provoking storytelling, lively Q&As, and a charming small-town atmosphere, which are the ideal getaways for Indie film lovers. Plus, you can make a long weekend of it and visit the Hoover Dam.
Mesquite Western Roundup
Western music lovers find something poetic about the Mesquite Western Roundup in late February. Held annually, it showcases talented musicians, cowboy poets, and storytellers who bring the spirit of the Old West to life. Expect heartfelt ballads, humorous cowboy tales, and classic Western tunes in an intimate, small-town setting.
March festivals in Las Vegas
Spring brings one of those “perfect” weather months, especially if you like to enjoy the cool breezes of the seasonal shift. Plus, the Las Vegas festivals are starting to gear up.
Boulder City Beerfest
Head toward the Hoover Dam but stop when you get to Boulder City Beerfest. With dozens of local and regional breweries pouring unlimited samples, plus food trucks, live music, and beer-centric games, it’s a laid-back yet lively way to sip your way through the best brews in the Southwest. Bonus: Boulder City’s small-town charm makes for a refreshing escape from the Strip.
St. Patrick’s Day
As a celebration of all things Irish for more than 50 years, the St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Parade in Henderson packs a lot of fun and luck into a three-day weekend every March. Expect the largest parade in Southern Nevada, carnival rides, Irish dance performances, and plenty of green beer. Families love it for the festive atmosphere, while locals keep coming back for the community vibes and massive parade that turns Henderson into a mini Dublin for the weekend.
Tacos & Tamales
Tacos and Tamales is basically a love letter to Mexican street food, and Vegas shows up hungry. Held every March at Desert Breeze Park, it’s a paradise of handmade tamales, sizzling tacos, and enough hot sauce to make you sweat. Add in live mariachi, lucha libre wrestling, and cold cervezas, and it’s more than a food fest—it’s a full-on cultural celebration.
Bark in the Park
The Bark in the Park event in Henderson goes to the dogs as it has for almost 20 years. Bring your pet (we’ve even seen lizards and birds here) for games, photo ops, vendors, and K-9 dog competitions. This ranks as one of the most popular people and pets events across Southern Nevada.
Mint 400
Look for the dust kicking up in the Las Vegas foothills, and you’ll know you’re heading toward the Mint 400. It’s one of the toughest, grittiest off-road races in the world. Each year, hundreds of high-powered trucks, buggies, and motorcycles tear through the unforgiving desert terrain, battling deep sand, jagged rocks, and relentless competition. Spectators line up for high-octane action, a rowdy off-road festival and a chance to witness racing legends and adrenaline junkies push their limits in the “Great American Off-Road Race.”
Las Vegas festivals in April
April is a busy month for Las Vegas festivals, from music to food to spirits.
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend happens every April at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. As the world’s largest rockabilly festival, guests celebrate 1950s music, fashion, and culture. The event features live rockabilly bands, classic car shows, vintage fashion, burlesque performances, and dance contests. It attracts fans of retro Americana from all over the world. It’s a must-visit for anyone into vintage vibes and old-school Vegas flair.
Great American Foodie Fest
Great American Foodie Fest comes twice a year in Las Vegas—typically once in the spring (April or May) and again in the fall (September or October). The exact dates and locations can vary, with past events taking place at Galleria at Sunset in Henderson and other large venues. It remains one of the biggest food festivals in the region, drawing top food trucks and vendors from across the country. If you’re into creative, over-the-top eats, it’s a must-visit event.
Holo Holo Music Festival
The Holo Holo Music Festival is an annual celebration of Polynesian culture and music, featuring a diverse lineup of island and reggae artists. The festival takes over the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center with a vibrant atmosphere, offering live performances, cultural food vendors, and family-friendly activities. A small experience as to why Las Vegas is sometimes referred to as the 9th island.
Great Vegas Festival of Beer
Nevada’s largest annual craft beer event pours into Downtown during the Great Vegas Festival of Beer. Organized by Motley Brews, the festival showcases over 500 beers from more than 100 breweries, complemented by culinary creations from local chefs. Attendees can enjoy live music, interactive games, and a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the city’s dynamic craft beer culture. Not a fan of beer? Mixologists get a chance to shine here as well.
Las Vegas festivals in May
May brings one of the busiest festival months across Southern Nevada.
Electric Daisy Carnival
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Las Vegas glows as the city’s biggest music festival and a full-blown sensory experience. Held every May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it’s three nights of nonstop electronic dance music, massive neon-lit art installations, and over-the-top carnival rides.
Think of it as part music festival, part futuristic playground, with top DJs from around the world spinning for crowds up to 400,000 people strong. It’s an unmatched, high-energy spectacle that turns Vegas into the ultimate neon dreamscape.
Home + History Las Vegas
Home + History Las Vegas celebrates southern Nevada’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Four days of guided tours refocus your eyes and mind from the neon on The Strip to the historic districts, underground icons, and celebrity stories that would otherwise go untold. There’s so much more to Las Vegas than what the average tourist knows, and this is one of the best ways to get the real story.
Spring Jamboree
Boulder City’s Spring Jamboree has been a seasonal tradition since 1977. This family-friendly festival mixes car shows, food tents, live entertainment, and carnival rides for the perfect weekend of warm weather fun. The festival takes over the historic district downtown and covers four public parks.
Art Festival of Henderson
As a Mother’s Day weekend tradition, the Art Festival of Henderson brings a beloved crowd for two days of artisan crafts, local food vendors, fashion, and live entertainment. Check the schedule of live art creation demonstrations. Enjoy the shops of the Water Street District while you wander around this local community favorite.
Best Dam Barbecue Challenge
Savor the smoky, slow-cooked perfection at Boulder City’s Best Dam Barbecue Challenge in late May. This annual competition brings together some of the best pitmasters in the West, serving up mouthwatering ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. Plus, you get to eat championship-level BBQ while strolling through historic Boulder City. You’ll rethink everything you thought you knew about barbecue.
Southern Nevada festivals in June
As the temperatures start to heat up, the outdoor festivals in the valley slow down. However, we’ve gathered some great summer events that offers a great escape.
Las Vegas Restaurant Week
Las Vegas Restaurant Week happens a week each June. It features top restaurants across the city offering special prix-fixe menus, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Three Square Food Bank to fight hunger in Southern Nevada. Expect everything from fine dining to hidden local gems, with exclusive dishes and deals you won’t find any other time of year. Whether you’re craving steak, sushi, or gourmet desserts, it’s the perfect excuse to indulge while supporting a vital community cause.
Revelry Las Vegas
Revelry Las Vegas at Wynn Las Vegas brings together the world’s top chefs, mixologists, and vintners for an unparalleled gastronomic experience. Enjoy four days of pop-up tastings, collaborative kitchen sessions, multi-course dinners, and The Feast finale. All the foodie fun is folded into live entertainment with a vibrant atmosphere that transcends traditional food festivals.
International UFC Fight Week
Organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), International UFC Fight Week celebrates mixed martial arts in the Fight Capital of the World. This week-long event features fan experiences, autograph signings, training sessions, and interactive exhibits. The highlight is a major UFC fight card, often hosted at T-Mobile Arena. Other events include the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony, amateur tournaments, and live broadcasts of UFC-related content. It’s the ultimate gathering for MMA fans in the city that UFC headquarters calls home.
Mountain Fest at Lee Canyon
Check the calendar for Mountain Fest at Lee Canyon. A couple of thousand people head for the hills in the sweltering summer heat to find the perfect seasonal weather 6,600 feet above the valley floor. Expect lawn games, live performances, food vendors, and family-friendly fun in a more reasonable summer sun.
July festivals across Southern Nevada
Southern Nevada knows how to celebrate the Fourth of July with events that range from dazzling fireworks displays to small-town festivals full of charm.
4th of July in Southern Nevada
Las Vegas lights up the night with spectacular fireworks shows at some of its biggest resorts. Caesars Palace, The STRAT, and Resorts World often host large-scale pyrotechnic displays, with crowds gathering along the Strip for a front-row view. Meanwhile, Fremont Street Experience adds to the excitement with live entertainment and patriotic performances beneath its massive LED canopy.
For a more community-driven event, head off the Strip to some of the amazing communities across Southern Nevada.
🎆Summerlin’s Patriotic Parade is a local favorite, drawing thousands to watch elaborate floats, marching bands, and larger-than-life balloons roll through the streets.
🎆Over in Henderson, 4th of July events take over Heritage Park, featuring live music, food trucks, and a fantastic fireworks finale.
🎆Families looking for an all-day celebration often head to Boulder City’s Damboree, an old-fashioned Independence Day festival with a pancake breakfast, parade, water play zones, and fireworks over Veterans Memorial Park.
🎆Mesquite’s Rockets Over the Red Mesa offers a similarly relaxed yet exciting evening, with a stunning display set against the scenic desert backdrop.
🎆For those who prefer a lakefront celebration, Lake Las Vegas hosts a fireworks show, where visitors can enjoy the spectacle from a boat, kayak, or the shore. The combination of fireworks reflecting off the water and the warm summer air makes for an unforgettable Fourth of July experience.
Las Vegas Tribute Festival
Escape the summer heat of July and head inside for the Las Vegas Tribute Festival at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. You’ll walk in the footsteps of music legends like Elvis Presley, who once performed here. Every performance through the five-day event honors the musical history of the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Las Vegas Festivals in August
August is a great month to take in a show, enjoy the local pools, or head to Mount Charleston. You can also go in search of gold.
Goldfield Days
Take the high road two and a half hours from Las Vegas to take a trip back to the Nevada mining era. It also helps that Goldfield Days is 3,000 feet higher in elevation, offering respite from the intense August heat of Southern Nevada. Goldfield isn’t just another ghost town—it’s a living relic of the Wild West, packed with eccentric history, quirky characters, and a touch of mystery.
Goldfield Days brings the town’s past to life with a lively parade, land auctions, and historic building tours. You’ll find gunfight reenactments, a classic car show, and even a bed race down Main Street. With its legendary haunted Goldfield Hotel and remnants of the 1906 gold boom, the town itself is a time capsule worth exploring.
Southern Nevada Festivals in September
With the hottest part of summer now behind you, it’s time to get back to the Las Vegas festival season in the fall.
iHeartRadio Music Festival
The iHeartRadio Music Festival is typically held every September in Las Vegas. The event spans two days and features some of the biggest names in music across multiple genres, with performances at T-Mobile Arena and a daytime festival at AREA15 or another outdoor venue. Since its launch in 2011, it has become a major annual event, drawing fans and industry insiders for a high-energy mix of pop, rock, hip-hop, and country performances.
Life is Beautiful
Life is Beautiful takes over the Fremont East District with a mix of live music, immersive art, and thought-provoking speakers. The festival blends big-name headliners with indie acts, creating a unique mix of sound and culture against the backdrop of old-school Vegas. Beyond music, it features large-scale art installations, culinary experiences, and comedy performances, making it more than just a concert—it’s a full-on creative takeover of downtown. If you’re into music, art, and community vibes, this is one of the best festivals in the city.
San Gennaro Feast
The San Gennaro Feast draws such big crowds that it must be held twice a year, usually in April and September. As a local favorite, San Gennaro Feast features authentic Italian cuisine, live music, carnival rides, and traditional Italian performances. Inspired by the famous feast in Naples, it brings a taste of Italy to Vegas, making it a favorite event for food lovers and those looking for a lively cultural experience.
Great Basin Astronomy Festival
Did you know Nevada offers one of the most underrated national parks in the system? Drive four hours to the Great Basin Astronomy Festival for a festival under some of the darkest skies in the country. Held every September around the new moon, expect telescope viewings of planets and galaxies, talks from astronomers, and even night sky art sessions.
You can tour a research observatory, learn about astrophotography, and soak up celestial wonders without city lights ruining the view. It’s free but bring warm layers—it gets chilly after dark. While you’re there, book a Lehman Caves tour or summit Wheeler Peak, more than 13,000 feet high.
October festivals in Las Vegas
Living in Las Vegas means a busy October, and that’s beyond anything to do with Halloween!
RISE Lantern Festival
The RISE Lantern Festival is an annual event held in October in the Mojave Desert, about 25 miles south of Las Vegas. It’s a breathtaking experience where thousands of participants release biodegradable lanterns into the night sky, creating a glowing spectacle against the desert backdrop. More than just a visual marvel, RiSE is about personal reflection, renewal, and celebration. Attendees often write messages, wishes, or remembrances on their lanterns before letting them go. It’s a quieter, more spiritual alternative to the typical Vegas festival scene.
Las Vegas Pride Festival
Las Vegas Pride Festival celebrates LGBTQ+ pride, diversity, and inclusion. The festival includes a parade in downtown Las Vegas, usually along 4th Street, followed by a weekend-long festival featuring live entertainment, food vendors, and community events. The celebration extends beyond the main festival, with pool parties, drag performances, and cultural events happening throughout the city. Henderson and North Las Vegas also host their own PRIDE events, making it a region-wide celebration.
Renaissance Festival
The Age of Chivalry: Renaissance Festival turns Sunset Park into a full-blown medieval playground every October, a fall festival tradition for more than 30 years. Expect jousting knights, fire-breathing performers, turkey legs the size of your head, and more corsets than a Bridgerton binge. Whether you’re here to test your axe-throwing skills, grab a goblet of mead, or just yell “Huzzah!” at strangers, this fest is pure, old-world chaos—in the best way possible.
Art in the Park
Visit one of the largest outdoor art festivals in the Southwest U.S. at Boulder City’s Art in the Park. What started as a small-town hospital fundraiser more than 50 years ago now brings in crowds of 100,00 people looking for unique artwork and crafted treasures. Admission is free. Proceeds go to the Boulder City Hospital.
Dragon Boat Festival
Experience the thrill of the Lake Las Vegas Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Las Vegas, where vibrant dragon boats slice through serene waters in a display of teamwork and tradition. This annual event, organized by the Dragonboat Racing Association Group of Nevada, brings together paddlers from all walks of life to race, celebrate, and support local cancer services. Beyond the races, enjoy cultural performances, food vendors, and a festive atmosphere at this treasured Henderson spot.
When We Were Young
Emo and pop-punk music takes center stage at the When We Were Young event held at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. The event brings together legendary bands and fan-favorite artists from the 2000s and beyond. Expect high-energy performances across multiple stages, a wave of nostalgia, and a festival atmosphere that feels like a time capsule of Warped Tour days.
Southern Nevada November festivals
Tucked into a busy month of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and the holiday season kickoff, November brings a busy slate of Las Vegas festivals and events.
Helldorado Days
Helldorado Days started in 1934 as a way to entertain Hoover Dam workers and boost tourism. For decades, it was the biggest annual event in Southern Nevada. After a hiatus in the 1990s and early 00s, the city’s centennial in 2005 brought it back. Today, Helldorado Days continues to celebrate Las Vegas’s Western heritage with events like the Helldorado Days Rodeo, with a chance for kids to try mutton bustin’, and the annual parade with 100 entries celebrating the city’s iconic history.
Viva Taco Fest
The Viva Taco Fest is North Las Vegas’ ultimate taco showdown, held every November at Craig Ranch Regional Park. It’s a full-on celebration of all thing’s taco, with top vendors slinging everything from classic carne asada to wild, over-the-top creations. There’s live music, lucha libre wrestling, margaritas flowing, and enough spice to keep things interesting. Whether you’re here to devour tacos or just soak up the fiesta vibes, it’s the kind of event that proves Vegas knows how to throw down—on and off the Strip.
Paws in the Park
Find out just how friendly Las Vegas is at Paws in the Park, held every November at Desert Breeze Park in Clark County. Explore vendor booths showcasing the latest pet products, enjoy live music, and indulge in a variety of food and beverages. Rescue organizations are on-site, offering valuable information and opportunities for pet adoptions, aiming to find forever homes for deserving animals. A highlight of the event is the heartwarming puppy-kissing booth. Your four-legged friend will be in dog heaven.
Pahrump Social Powwow
Head “over the hump” to Pahrump for the Pahrump Social Powwow. Held the weekend before Thanksgiving, this event preserves Native American culture and heritage. Attendees can experience traditional dancing, drumming, and singing, with participants from various tribes showcasing elaborate regalia. The event also features artisans selling handmade crafts, authentic Native American food vendors, and educational opportunities to learn about indigenous traditions.
Dis de los Muertos Festival
Las Vegas’ Dia de los Muertos Festival is a vibrant community event honoring Mexican and Latin American traditions. Hosted by the city, this colorful festival brings people together with live entertainment, interactive activities, artisan vendors, food, and beautifully decorated altars created by local groups. Families can enjoy face painting, music, and cultural performances in a joyful tribute to loved ones who have passed.
Las Vegas December festivals
December in Las Vegas means two things—holiday celebrations and the biggest rodeo event of the year.
The Las Vegas Great Santa Run
Santa ditches the sleigh and puts on his running shoes with thousands of other people for The Las Vegas Great Santa Run in Downtown Las Vegas. The festive 5K and one-mile fun walk benefits Opportunity Village and all runners get a Santa suit for the trek. You can also be part of an attempt to break the world record for the “largest gathering of Santa Clauses.”
National Finals Rodeo
December also means the best cowboys in the country come to town for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), a 10-day event packed with family-friendly activities. NFR isn’t just about bull riding and barrel racing—it’s a full-blown Western extravaganza. Beyond the arena, Las Vegas comes alive with NFR-themed concerts, celebrity meet-and-greets, and the massive Cowboy Christmas expo, where you can shop for everything from custom boots to ranch gear.
Local Holiday Events
Southern Nevada glows with holiday lights for many hallmark events that many locals love. A few of our favorites are:
- Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden Lights
- The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
- Tamales & Mariachi Festival
- Downtown Summerlin Holiday Parade
- WinterFest in Henderson
- Parade of Lights on Lake Mead
- Boulder City Christmas House
And, of course, there’s the New Year’s Eve celebration that includes local events in every community across Southern Nevada.
There’s always something to celebrate in Las Vegas
All the festivals and events in this list are updated as of early 2025, but new additions are coming all the time. To that end, some Las Vegas Festivals might be called off or have their name changed. We encourage you to visit the city and county websites to see the most updated list of events. Most of these Las Vegas festivals can also use volunteers to help make the event happen.
If we can help you learn more about living here, please contact the LVGEA today. Let’s start planning an upgrade to your quality of life.
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