Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Blog

Music's biggest names on one stage -- Billboard Music Awards returns to Vegas!

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:20:00 GMT

The top names throughout the music industry converge on Las Vegas for one incredible night when the Billboard Music Awards returns to the MGM Grand. It's all part of a weekend filled with celebrities, concerts, comics and club performances. Here's a look at who you'll find all weekend long in Vegas:

Friday, May 17

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Ditch Friday featuring Taboo of Black Eyed Peas at Palms Pool and Bungalows

NIGHTCLUBS

Calvin Harris at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Drop City Yacht Club at Lavo (The Palazzo)
Dillon Francis at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Saturday, May 18

CONCERTS & EVENTS

Tiger Jam with Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker at Mandalay Bay
Tim Allen at The Venetian
Shania Twain at Caesars Palace
Boyz II Men at The Mirage
Robert Cray Band at The Orleans

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Ditch Saturday with Alie Layus at Palms Pool and Bungalows
Benny Benassi at Marquee Dayclub (The Cosmopolitan)
Theophilus London at TAO Beach (The Venetian)
Steve Aoki at Wet Republic (MGM Grand)
Above & Beyond at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

Kaskade at Marquee (The Cosmopolitan)
Jay Sean at Haze (ARIA)
Miguel at TAO (The Venetian)
Tiesto at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Diplo at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Sunday, May 19

CONCERTS & EVENTS

Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand
Boyz II Men at The Mirage
Shania Twain at Caesars Palace
Robert Cray Band at The Orleans
Theory of a Deadman at Fremont Street Experience

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Richard Beynon at Rehab at Hard Rock
Kaskade at Marquee Dayclub (The Cosmopolitan)
Tiesto at Wet Republic (MGM Grand)
Sultan & Ned Shepard at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

Dada Life at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Psy performs at Lavo (The Palazzo)
Bruno Mars performs at The Bank (Bellagio)

For some old-fashioned fun in the spirit of the Wild West, check out Helldorado Days all weekend long in downtown Las Vegas. Take part in carnivals, parades, a rodeo and more!

You can always book rooms and get show tickets, club passes and more at the all-new LasVegas.com!

See a side of Vegas you never knew existed!

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:51:00 GMT

The weather is perfect for exploring a side of Las Vegas you may not even know exists - the scenic beauty that surrounds the world's most exciting destination. Check out gorgeous rock canyons, majestic mountains and more!

The western edge of Las Vegas offers spectacular outdoor adventures, so start your day from the comfort of Red Rock Resort, Suncoast Hotel, or JW Marriott Resort. You'll be minutes from a beautiful hike through the gorgeous red sandstone cliffs at Red Rock Canyon. Picnic areas, cycling, hiking, climbing and horseback riding are available to enhance your experience and the visitor center contains historical and geological exhibits, a cactus garden and even a bookstore. Enjoy the scenic 13-mile drivable loop which meanders throughout Red Rock Canyon.

Take a tour of the wondrous Hoover Dam and don't miss the photo op with the new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge! Or, better yet, from the bypass parking area, climb the designated stairs to the top, and peer back down at the Hoover Dam from high atop the pedestrian walkway! It's not for the faint of heart! Be sure to stop by the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum to see the history behind this amazing structure. Enjoy lunch and a stroll down main street of this charming small town, or spend the night at the historic Boulder Dam Hotel, Boulder Inn and Suites, Milo's Inn at Boulder, or many other charming accommodations.

If you want to take your Vegas experience to new heights, take a ride up to Mount Charleston Recreation Area and explore the Spring Mountains of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The lower foothills are covered with pinion pine and juniper trees, and you may encounter a variety of wildlife, including Rocky Mountain elk, desert bighorn sheep, mule deer and others. There are numerous hiking trails and camping is also available. Stop for buffalo or ostrich burgers at Mount Charleston Lodge, or enjoy lunch with a view at The Resort on Mount Charleston.

You can also go horseback riding at Bonnie Springs Ranch, enjoy train rides and even a petting zoo. There's a lot to see outdoors, so come experience Vegas in a whole new way!

Vegas Weekend: The Stones, Elton John, Ne-Yo, Olly Murs and more!

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:44:00 GMT

Legendary artists invade Las Vegas this weekend as the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Jerry Lewis and more take the stage. The nightclub scene is also sizzling with live performances by Ne-Yo and Olly Murs, along with the world's top DJs. Here's who's where, and when, this weekend in Vegas:

Friday, May 10

CONCERTS & EVENTS

Elton John at Caesars Palace
Ray Romano at The Mirage
Boyz II Men at The Mirage
The Osmonds at The Orleans
Andrew Dice Clay at Hard Rock
Jerry Lewis at South Point
Great White at Boulder Station
The Fabulous Thunderbirds at The Smith Center

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Ditch Friday featuring Mark Stylz with Alie Layus at Palms Pool and Bungalows

NIGHTCLUBS

Ne-Yo performs at 1 OAK (The Mirage)
Dash Berlin at Marquee (The Cosmopolitan)
Calvin Harris at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Zeds Dead at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Saturday, May 11

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Ditch Saturday with Lisa Pittman at Palms Pool and Bungalows
Avicii at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

Olly Murs performs at Pure (Caesars Palace)
DJ Vice at TAO (The Venetian)
Bingo Players at Hakkasan (MGM Grand
Porter Robinson at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Sunday, May 12

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Eric Prydz at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

R3hab at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Charli XCX performs at Lavo (Palazzo)

You can always book rooms and get show tickets, club passes and more at the all-new LasVegas.com!

Vegas Weekend: Cinco de Mayo celebrations

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:09:00 GMT

On Cinco de Mayo weekend, you can find a fiesta everywhere you look in Las Vegas. Check out this list of scintillating shows and sizzling nightlife:

Friday, May 3

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Ditch Friday featuring Busta Rhymes at Palms Pool and Bungalows
Fedde Le Grand at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

Mario Lopez hosts at TAO (The Venetian)
Tiesto at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Frankie J performs live at Pure (Caesars Palace)
Nero at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Saturday, May 4

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Skylar Grey at Bagatelle Beach (Tropicana)
Armin van Buuren at Marquee Dayclub (The Cosmopolitan)
Grand Opening at TAO Beach (The Venetian)
Redman and Method Man at Palms Pool and Bungalows
Nectar Saturdays with The Disco Fries at Hard Rock Pool
Tiesto and R3hab at Wet Republic (MGM Grand)
Steve Angello at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

Diddy hosts post-fight party at Palms Pool and Bungalows
Trinidad James performs at TAO (The Venetian)
Chris Brown performs at 1 OAK (The Mirage)
Kaskade at Marquee (The Cosmopolitan)
Calvin Harris at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Fat Joe at LAX (Luxor)
House of Pain at Haze (ARIA)
Lil Jon & Sidney Samson at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Sunday, May 5

CONCERTS & EVENTS

Boyz II Men at The Mirage
Paul Williams at South Point

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Avicii at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

Tiesto at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)

Fuel up all weekend on authentic food - and enjoy a delicious margarita - at any of Las Vegas' many Mexican restaurants and hot spots. Señor Frog's at Treasure Island features steak tacos and a fajitas platter along with a yard of beer or signature drinks, with live bands and DJs to entertain. You can also have devilish fun at Diablo's Mexican Cantina at Monte Carlo or enjoy the scenic views, not to mention the chile rellenos, tacos al carbon or shrimp quesadillas, at Taqueria Cañonita at The Venetian. And for a spectacular view of the Strip, check out the red-rocker, Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina at Planet Hollywood for great food and one-of-a-kind tequila!

Wherever you choose to spend Cinco de Mayo in Vegas, you can always book rooms and get show tickets, club passes and more at the all-new LasVegas.com!

Vegas Weekend: The pool scene is heating up

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:10:00 GMT

Top DJs and musical performers are bringing the party to the Las Vegas pool scene, so pull out your swimwear and head to Vegas for a weekend of fun! It's also a rare chance to see Prince in Las Vegas, and your final opportunity to see Tim & Faith's residency, so come enjoy nightlife and entertainment that only Vegas can deliver! Here's who you'll find this weekend:

Friday, April 26

CONCERTS & EVENTS

Prince at Hard Rock
Whitney Cummings at Treasure Island
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill at The Venetian
Ron White at The Mirage
Boyz II Men at The Mirage
Josh Wolf at South Point
Westcare We Care Benefit: Ca$h & ZAZA, Ekoh, with special guests at House of Blues

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Ditch Friday featuring Alie Layus w/Mark Stylz at Palms Pool and Bungalows

NIGHTCLUBS

Miguel hosts at Pure (Caesars Palace)
Deadmau5 at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Deniz Koyu at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)
DJ Homicide at Haze (ARIA)

Saturday, April 27

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Avicii at Marquee Dayclub (The Cosmopolitan)
Nectar Saturdays at Hard Rock Pool
Calvin Harris at Wet Republic (MGM Grand)
will.i.am at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

Big Boi performs live at Pure (Caesars Palace)
Sander van Doorn at Marquee (The Cosmopolitan)
Calvin Harris at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Taboo at Moon (Palms)
Sean Paul at Haze (ARIA)
Nero at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Sunday, April 28

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Aokify at Wet Republic (MGM Grand)
Eric Prydz at Encore Beach Club
Justice at Rehab Pool at Hard Rock

NIGHTCLUBS

Laidback Luke at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Vice Sundays with Mr. Mauricio at Lavo (Palazzo)

If you love jazz, Vegas is the place to catch the smooth signature sounds of some of the top jazz performers of our generation at the 21st Annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival, Saturday and Sunday at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater.

Hungry for more Las Vegas weekend fun? Fuel up all weekend at Las Vegas Foodie Fest at the Silverton, where you can sample savory dishes from 40 gourmet food trucks and 15 food booths, as well as enjoy a beer garden, carnival rides, live entertainment and much more.

Wherever you choose to have fun in Vegas, you can always book rooms and get show tickets, club passes and more at the all-new LasVegas.com!

Vegas Weekend: Hakkasan joins the nightlife mix

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:42:00 GMT

More than 80,000 square feet covering five levels - welcome to Las Vegas' newest restaurant and nightclub experience, Hakkasan at MGM Grand. Just another reason to check out the unparalleled shows, events and nightlife you'll find in Vegas every weekend! A look at who's where, and when:

Friday, April 19

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Floatopia at Palms Pool
Steve Angello at Encore Beach Club

NIGHTCLUBS

Lil Jon at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)
Hardwell at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Benny Benassi at Marquee (The Cosmopolitan)
Common at The Bank (Bellagio)

Saturday, April 20

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Robbie Rivera at Hard Rock Pool
Hardwell at Wet Republic (MGM Grand)
Steve Angello at Encore Beach Club
Mile-High Takeover at Bare Pool (Mirage)

NIGHTCLUBS

Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano at Marquee (The Cosmopolitan)
Bingo Players at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)
Bow Wow performs live at LAX (Luxor)
Sean Paul at Haze (ARIA)
Bassnectar at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Sunday, April 21

CONCERTS & EVENTS

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Deadmau5 at Wet Republic (MGM Grand)
Avicii at Encore Beach Club
Season opening party with Sublime at Rehab Pool at Hard Rock
Dash Berlin at Marquee Dayclub (The Cosmopolitan)

NIGHTCLUBS

Tommy Trash at Hakkasan (MGM Grand)

Enjoy some authentic Hawaiian culture all weekend long at the Pure Aloha Festival at the Rio All-Suite Hotel.

Sample amazing food - and a Hawaiian staple, shaved ice - along with nonstop entertainment, with hula dancing and live music throughout the weekend. Aloha!

Wherever you choose to have fun in Vegas, you can always book rooms and get show tickets, club passes and more at the all-new LasVegas.com!

Vegas Weekend: Rihanna is ready to rock Vegas this weekend

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:45:00 GMT

One of music’s top pop stars invades Vegas Friday when Rihanna performs at Mandalay Bay! It’s part of another jam-packed weekend of entertainment and nightlife. Here’s a rundown of the artists, celebrity appearances and top DJs playing in town:

Friday, April 12

CONCERTS & EVENTS

NIGHTCLUBS

Eric Prydz at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Saturday, April 13

CONCERTS & EVENTS

Power of Love: Quincy Jones & Sir Michael Caine 80th Birthday Celebration at MGM Grand
Jerry Seinfeld at Caesars Palace
Jay Leno at The Mirage
Queensryche at Santa Fe Station
Tracy Lawrence at Silverton
Everclear at The Cannery
Foals at Mandalay Bay
Yeah Yeah Yeahs at The Cosmopolitan

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Season Opening Party at Bagatelle Beach (Tropicana)
DJ Pauly D at Liquid (ARIA)

NIGHTCLUBS

ASAP Rocky at TAO (Venetian)
Vanilla Ice at LAX (Luxor)
DJ Pauly D at Haze (ARIA)
Bassnectar at Surrender (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)
Skinny Lister at Backstage Bar & Billiards

Sunday, April 14

CONCERTS & EVENTS

Bronx Wanderers at South Point

POOLS/DAYCLUBS

Avicii at Encore Beach Club
Disco Fries at Palms
Tommy Trash and Nervo at Wet Republic(MGM Grand)
Sander Van Doorn at Marquee Dayclub(The Cosmopolitan)

Wherever you choose to have fun in Vegas, you can always book rooms and get show tickets, club passes and more at the all-new LasVegas.com!

How you see it: A wave of popular pools in Vegas surface

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:23:00 GMT

Vegas is known for its lavish pools and eventful pool season, but with so many luxurious and popular pools to choose from, where do you start? Perhaps you should take the advice of your peers. We recently asked our Facebook and Twitter fans to give us their favorite Vegas pool, and soon, we were drowning in suggestions.

After wading through the responses, two popular responses were the GO Pool at the Flamingo, and the pool at the Golden Nugget, home of The Tank, where those daring can literally swim with the sharks.

A look at some of your favorite Vegas water wonderlands ...

From Facebook:

Dora in Vancover, B.C.: Mandalay Bay

Barbara in Cumming, Georgia: One word - Bellagio

Katie in New London, Iowa: Golden Nugget

Johnny in Boca Raton, Florida: Hard Rock

Doris in New Castle, Pennsylvania: Flamingo is awesome!

Maryanne in Winnipeg, Manitoba: Loved the pool at the Wynn.

Joe in West Seattle, Washington: It's not even close, The Mirage.

Juanita in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.: Palms

Tammy in Milford, Illinois: Orleans

From Twitter:

Kayleigh in Essex, United Kingdom: wave pool at Monte Carlo is one of my faves :-)

Brittany Couch: Aria, the Cosmo, Mandalay Bay and of course Rehab

Team Hi Power in Winslow, Arizona: Golden Nugget and
Mirage!

Forget socks or a tie -- Vegas is a much better Father's Day gift!

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:59:00 GMT

Let's face it -- your dad has socks. And probably a tie. This Father's Day, get him something he really needs. A trip to Las Vegas! And hey, just to make sure he has a good time and all that, maybe you should join him, to make up for all those times he helped chaperon you.

Start with a relaxing round on the links. Las Vegas has more than 55 championship golf courses crafted by some of the game's greats, such as Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, Tom Weiskopf and Arnold Palmer.

Then, help Dad update his wardrobe with some stylish threads. You'll find everything you need to get Dad decked out in Las Vegas' amazing shopping centers.

Once he's dressed to kill, it's time to fuel up. First, dinner -- most Dads love to eat, and Las Vegas has some of the most award-winning restaurants anywhere on the globe. Treat him to a memorable steak dinner at Charlie Palmer Steak at the Four Seasons, or Cut by Wolfgang Puck at The Palazzo. If he's a seafood lover, American Fish by Michael Mina at ARIA Resort has dishes ranging from Copper River salmon to Great Lakes walleye, or treat him to fresh steamers, shrimp, lobster, crab, clam chowder and calamari at the Oyster Bar at Harrah's.

Finally, treat Dad to any of Las Vegas' unbeatable shows and you've got the perfect Father's Day gift -- a Las Vegas excursion that he'll think about fondly all year long.

Vegas Weekend: Saddle up! Vegas Goes Country all weekend long

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:42:00 GMT

The biggest names in country music descend on Las Vegas this weekend, so saddle up and get ready to party when Vegas Goes Country!

The Fremont Street Experience downtown has free performances on Friday night (Gary Allan, Kip Moore, Joe Nichols and Sunny Sweeney) and Saturday night (Jake Owen, Jana Kramer, Randy Houser, Chris Janson) and every country fan can have a blast at The ACM Experience all weekend at The Orleans, culminating with The ACM Fan Jam with Brad Paisley on Sunday.

The main event of the weekend for country fans is on Sunday with the 48^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand, and on Monday, top stars perform in the same venue at ACM Presents: Tim McGraw's Superstar Summer Night.

The celebrations in Vegas aren't limited to country, however. Catch great music in downtown Las Vegas during First Friday, not to mention the work of more than 100 artists, including painting, ceramics, mixed media, photography, jewelry, textile arts and sculpture. Also, the Las Vegas Soul Festival is at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday and Sunday, and you can always find the top DJs spinning throughout Vegas clubs all weekend long.

Friday, April 5

CONCERTS & EVENTS