Las Vegas Events and Festivals

(Las Vegas, Nevada - NV, USA)

The residents of Las Vegas like to party and there are many exciting events that are held throughout the year in Las Vegas. The popular events and festivals in Las Vegas include numerous lively street fairs, carnivals, parades and sporting events. Many of the events draw sizable crowds of both participants and spectators.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day
• 12th February - Lincoln's Birthday
• Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday
• Third Monday in April - Patriot's Day (Massachusetts)
• Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
• 4th July - Independence Day
• First Monday in September - Labor Day
• Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
• 11th November - Veterans Day
• 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving
• 25th December - Christmas Day

Las Vegas Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Super Bowl High Rollers - amateur bowlers compete for USD 1 million at this week-long tournament held at the Showboat Hotel during January
• OKC Gun Show - this event is one of the largest gun shows in America and is held at the Cashman Field Center
• Chinese New Year - day-long Las Vegas festivities mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year

February

• Las Vegas International Marathon - attracting thousand of participants and spectators, this race begins in Sloan and finishes at the south end of the Strip during February
• Mardi Gras - Saturday evening before Ash Wednesday, with a large Cajun buffet, ballroom dancing and general celebrations, this event takes place at the Charleston Heights Arts Center on South Brush Street

March

• Kite Carnival - first Sunday in March, this popular kite festival takes place at the Freedom Park
• Busch Grand National - this speedway Series 300 race is held at the 1.5 mile / 2 km oval at the Motor Speedway
• Corporate Challenge - mid-March to April, 20,000 amateur athletes compete on behalf on their companies at various sporting events throughout the city
• St. Patrick's Day Parade - March 17th, held in downtown, this Irish-based celebration includes parades with floats and many of the casinos serve green beer

April

• Mardi Gras - early April, New Orleans-style carnivals are held at the Rio hotel casino, the Orleans hotel casino and at the Freemont Street Experience, with Cajun food and stage shows
• World Series of Poker - mid-April to early May, over 4,000 players compete in 21 poker tournaments at Binion's Horseshoe hotel casino
• Las Vegas Senior Classic - some of the top golfers tee off for the prize of USD 1 million at the Tournament Players Club event at the Canyons
• Earth Fair - held on the Saturday closest to Earth Day (April 22nd) this popular fair attracts around 50,000 people, who enjoy its carnival and general festivities

May

• Cinco de Mayo - on or close to May 5th, this day celebrates Mexico's victory against French forces in 1862
• Cinco de Mayo Dos - around May 5th, the Freemont Street Experience hosts a three-day celebration, with parties and general entertainment
• Craft Fair and Rib Burnoff - mid-May, this popular fair draws large crowds and attractions, including handicrafts, country music and lots of food
• AMA Supercross - top US dirt bike racers complete at the Las Vegas Sam Boyd Stadium Park

June

• Helldorado Days - held at the Thomas and Mack Sports Center, this four-day event in the city features nightly rodeos, barbecues and bull riding
• Winston Cup West - this 150-mile / 241-km race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is an exciting event and attracts large crowds
• International Food Festival - held at the Cashman Field Center, on the northern side of the city, this festival features cuisine from more than 20 different countries during June

July

• High Rollers - this is the largest of the annual amateur bowling events in Las Vegas and is held at the Showboat hotel casino during July
• World Figure Skating Champions - some of the biggest names in ice skating put on a spectacular summer show at the Thomas and Mack Sports Center on Tropicana Avenue in the city

August

• Sundown Bluegrass Concerts - some of the best bluegrass music in the region is played on the first two Sunday evenings in August at Jaycee Park
• Kidzmania - held at the Cashman Field Center in north Las Vegas, this event features games shows and karate demonstrations and is popular with children in the city
• Police Olympics - this fun police event includes members of the police force from all around the world competing in 22 events and is held at various Las Vegas venues during August

September

• Las Vegas Cup Hydroplane Race - this two-day event is held in front of Boulder Beach, Lake Mead and features some of the fastest boats in the world
• Greek Food Festival - late September / early October, this food festival is held at St. John's Orthodox Church and includes Greek music and dancing

October

• Lebanese American Festival - held the second friday to saturday of the month, a celebration of Lebanese food, music and culture
• Jaycee State Fair - held at the Cashman field in north Las Vegas, this six-day event includes exhibits, food and big-name bands playing jazz, rock and Latin music
• Las Vegas 500K - indy cars travel in circles at great speeds at the Motor Speedway
• Las Vegas Balloon Classic - held at the Sam Boyd Stadium Park during October, this three-day event includes more than 100 colorful hot-air balloons from all over the world
• Rio's Italian Festival - held at the Rio hotel casino, this event is a celebration of Italian food

November

• Craftsman Truck Series - held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, this event includes 70 modified pickup trucks racing at speeds of over 150 miles-per-hour
• LPGA Tour Championship - the top 30 money winners on the women's tour compete for a large amount of prize money in this event at the Desert Inn Country Club
• Strut You Mutt Day - this fun dog show attractions hundreds of dogs and the event is held at the Dog Fancier's Park in the city during November
• Thanksgiving Senior High Roller - held at the Showboat hotel casino in November, this week-long holiday tournament attracts amateur bowlers over 50 years old who compete for USD 500,000

December

• National Finals Rodeo - featuring the top 15 rodeo performers in the region, this popular event is held at the Thomas and Mack Sports Center at Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas
• Las Vegas Rugby Challenge - held at Freedom Park during the first week of December, this rugby competition attracts top rugby teams from all over the world
• New Year's Eve - huge street parties and general festivities are enjoyed throughout the city, culminating in spectacular firework displays at midnight