Las Vegas – Local Festivals
There’s always something to do in Las Vegas, whether it’s seeing a world-class show, partying the night away, or enjoying an unforgettable meal. In addition to these classic Vegas activities, the city regularly hosts festivals to offer new experiences to visitors.
No matter when you’re visiting Las Vegas, there’s probably an exciting festival to check out. Below are some of the most popular.
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend
Every Easter weekend, the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend gives visitors an alternative way to celebrate. This massive, four-day festival is the largest rockabilly event in the world, with 20,000 attendees annually.
Activities include a burlesque show, live music performances, a vintage swimwear pool party, a fashion show, and a tattoo lounge for those who want a permanent souvenir. Viva Las Vegas is also the home of the country’s largest vintage car show, the ultimate destination for fans of pre-1960s automobiles.
Viva Las Vegas also holds the title of the longest-running music festival in Las Vegas. Previous performers include Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Dita Von Teese.
To truly embody the rockabilly spirit, guests can get their hair and makeup professionally done at the festival. All four days are jam-packed with events and activities, making Viva Las Vegas one of the best annual festivals in Las Vegas.
Great Vegas Festival of Beer
The Great Vegas Festival of Beer has been part of the Las Vegas festival scene since 2010. It has gained lots of recognition since then, to the point where the Las Vegas Review-Journal named it one of the best food and drink festivals in the city.
Over 100 breweries take over Downtown Las Vegas, bringing more than 500 craft brews for attendees to sample. Guests can opt for an early entry ticket, which provides access to unlimited beer tastings an hour before the rest of the crowd.
In addition to sampling beers, attendees can learn about the process of beer brewing by taking part in educational sessions. The Great Vegas Festival of Beer also has outdoor lawn games, an arcade, a silent disco dance party, a karaoke stage, live music, chef demonstrations, and art displays. Beer enthusiasts of all kinds are sure to have a great time at the Great Vegas Festival of Beer.
South Point 400
Every year at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway one of the biggest auto-racing events comes to town. South Point 400 is a NASCAR event that attracts approximately 70,000 fans to enjoy three days of high-speed, automobile action. Guests spend the day watching race cars zoom around the track at over 200 miles per hour.
In addition to general admission tickets, guests can add on the Neon Garage / Pit Road Pass. This gives guests access to the speedway garages before the races, where they’ll see drivers and their crews working on the cars before they hit the track. This pass also gives guests close access to the victory lane. The victory lane is where the end-of-race celebration takes place, and pass holders can get up close. This pre- and post-race access adds another exciting layer to the experience.
Electric Daisy Carnival
Electric Daisy Carnival, also known as EDC, is one of the biggest electronic dance music festivals in the world. This massive, three-day event brings some of the most popular names in music to Las Vegas.
While the main music of choice is EDM, artists of all genres perform on EDC’s stages. Each stage in the festival has a distinct design, making each performance a unique experience. The creative stages are works of art and need to be seen to be believed. Massive structures with neon flowers, spiraling lights, repurposed cars, and pillars of fire make up the nine distinct stages.
There’s more to the festival than just musical performances on amazing stages, though. Electric Daisy Carnival lives up to its name by featuring carnival rides like a Ferris wheel for guests to enjoy. There are also public art installations, bars, camping spots, and even a wedding chapel. This creates an immersive experience that goes far beyond your average music festival.
Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit
Every spring, Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit brings together some of the most famous chefs from all over the world. During this festival, culinary experts host food- and wine-oriented events throughout the city.
Uncork’d consists of more than 20 events throughout the weekend that vary in focus. There are upscale dinners, wine-tastings, cocktail creations, and outdoor barbecues. This huge festival is for upscale foodies interested in the most lavish dining experiences available.
In addition to tasting incredible food, guests can learn about what goes on before the meals are on their plate. Chefs and other culinary experts hold demonstrations and educational lectures to give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at their craft. The final, signature event is the Grand Tasting, where attendees watch chefs and bartenders handcraft their very own, unique dishes and drinks.
Vegas Uncork’d is not only one of the most popular food festivals in the United States but one of Las Vegas’ most popular festivals overall. Be sure to add it to your foodie bucket list!
Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival
Each September, Las Vegas hosts the Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival, a dynamic, four-day event that caters to a variety of interests. Comedy performances, educational seminars, live music, and dozens of food demonstrations fill Downtown Las Vegas, much to the enjoyment of thousands of attendees.
Some of the biggest names in music perform each year. Recent headliners include Lil Wayne, Post Malone, Zedd, Chance the Rapper, and The Black Keys. In addition to musicians, guests can listen to famous podcasters record live, attend talks given by celebrities like Jonathan Van Ness, check out famous comedians like Fred Armisen, and even watch a Cirque du Soleil performance.
Those with an appetite can check out the incredible food lineup at Life is Beautiful. This includes culinary villages hosted by some of the largest food companies in the country, such as Eataly and Shake Shack. Foodies can also attend demonstrations like Cocktail School or visit the Farm Stand, where a professional chef can whip up a creative meal just for you. Life is Beautiful goes beyond what you expect in a festival.