Another night out, another after dark under the blinding lights of Las Vegas
Off The Strip is celebrating the holiday season with a 30-days of stories counting down to the big day Dec. 25! Our #WYD Holiday Guide features all the best places to go, experiences to have, festive displays, party destinations, holiday cocktails and dinners—plus where to shop local and cool ways to give back! Check out the features »
Tis the season for office Christmas parties and other get togethers, but if you have some free time over the next four nights, you’ll want to spread some of that holiday cheer with these things to do in Las Vegas. From downtown to the Strip, and beyond, here are the places you’ll go after dark
Thursday, November 9
GIDDY UP: Yeah that’s right, National Finals Rodeo is still happening, and the Strip is getting its fill of country music artists as the annual event winds down. On Thursday, Cody Johnson plays his second night at The Cosmopolitan’s Chelsea theater. The “Diamond In My Pocket” artist just dropped his A Cody Johnson Christmas holiday album – see, Christmas isn’t canceled! – featuring renditions of “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” and “White Christmas.” Fellow country singer Ian Munsick opens the show. 8 p.m., $35, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
DANCE: Resorts World Las Vegas is still Rodeo World, at least for a few days, and it’s going to celebrate with a “Neon Cowboy” themed bash at Zouk Nightclub. Dee Jay Silver provides the tunes. Heads up: Zouk’s dress code is “upscale nightclub attire” so rodeo fans may want to leave their 10-gallon hats and other cowboy costume accessories at home. 10:30 p.m., $20-$30, zoukgrouplv.com
Meanwhile, The Venetian’s TAO Nightclub is the reason for season, as it hosts a “Bad Santa” bash featuring a $5,000 “Santa’s Naughtiest Helper” contest and DJ Mike Attack behind the decks. 10:30 p.m., $20-$30, taolvnc.taogroup.com
Friday, November 10
TASTE: We love our holiday pop-ups in Las Vegas, and if you haven’t checked out Park on Fremont’s “Naughty Nutcracker” theme, you’ll want to head over for seasonal cocktails that include the “Hottie Tottie,” “Kissing Mrs. Clause,” and “S’more Cocoa Please!” Take a minute to go through your closet before you head over, as Park on Fremont is collecting gently used clothing – in exchange for a complimentary drink – to be donated to SafeNest. naughtynutcrackerdtlv.com
EXPERIENCE: You like horses? Sure you do, so hit up Downtown Summerlin early in the evening to see the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. They’re serving as grand marshal in Friday’s edition of Downtown Summerlin’s holiday parade, and when it’s over, you can take pictures with them on The Lawn. 5:50 p.m., summerlin.com
And, you don’t often have to travel far for anything in Southern Nevada, but if you’re getting away to Laughlin for the weekend you can catch The Nutcracker at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort. The show wraps its run on Sunday, Dec. 12. 7 p.m., $17-$40, visitlaughlin.com
CHEER: It’s going to be a busy weekend at T-Mobile Arena, with the Vegas Golden Knights back at home Friday to face the Philadelphia Flyers. Will Gritty be there? 7 p.m., t-mobilearena.com
LAUGH NFR doesn’t just bring the country musicians to Las Vegas, it also brings those “blue collar” comedian fellows, like Ron “Tater Salad” White, who’s playing the Mirage tonight. BTW, that “Tater Salad” thing is not an insult, he actually likes it. 10 p.m., $65.99, mirage.mgmresorts.com
GIDDY UP: With the rodeo wrapping up on Saturday night, you’re running out of chances to mingle with the boots and bolo ties crowd. Mosey on over to The Cosmopolitan for Dierks Bentley, who’s playing two nights at The Chelsea. It starts at 8 p.m., so you might still have time for “Tater Salad” when it’s over. $39, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
DANCE: If you really need to let some of that energy out after a long week you can get your freak on in front of Steve Aoki at OMNIA. 10:30 p.m., $30-$50, hakkasangroup.com
AND “Me Myself & Adderall” artists Lost Kings are taking over Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan. 10:30 p.m., $20-$30, marqueelvnc.taogroup.com
Saturday, November 11
EXPERIENCE: If you didn’t want to make the trip to Laughlin, Nevada Ballet Theatre will kick off its 50th anniversary with The Nutcracker at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Performances run through December 26, and include a Christmas Eve show. Preview
CHEER: It’s an American pastime, watching beefy brutes mangle each other in front of celebrities. Get set for the World Lightweight Championship (Oliveira v Poirier) and the World Bantamweight Championship (Nunes v Pena) plus more at UFC 269. 3 p.m., $275+, t-mobilearena.com
HEAR: It’s a big night for live music in Las Vegas, and you have your pick of genres. Will you get down with Nashville’s Barefoot Movement at Winterfest Live! in Henderson? 7 p.m., $10, cityofhenderson.com
Or, will you take in a special performance by Heath Sanders at the Official Live NFR Viewing Party at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas? 4 p.m., FREE, virginhotelslv.com
Over at Resorts World, Carrie Underwood wraps up the first leg of her “Reflection” residency on the last night of NFR. She’ll be back in March. 8 p.m., $75+, AXS.com/CarrieInVegas
Speaking of last chances, Saturday is your last chance to see GOAT band Journey at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. 7 p.m., $99, virginhotelslv.com
Meanwhile, one-time Life Is Beautiful headliners CHVRCHES are back in Las Vegas and playing Brooklyn Bowl with special guest Donna Missal. 7:30 p.m., $31-$51, brooklynbowl.com
And, what’s this? Can it be? The star of Leprechaun In the Hood, Dracula 3000, and the Daredevil director’s cut — the one and only Coolio — is playing M Resort. 9 p.m., $28+, themresort.com
If throwback hip-hop is your thing, you’ve got to make a Sophie’s Choice tonight. Will it be Coolio, or will it be Nelly at Drai’s Nightclub? 10:30 p.m., $40-$60, draisgroup.com
DANCE: Yeaaaahhh! Lil Jon is back at MGM’s Hakkasan Nightclub. 10:30 p.m., $25-$40, hakkasangroup.com
And if it’s been a minute since you’ve heard from The Chainsmokers, they’re back at Wynn’s XS Nightclub tonight. 10:30 p.m., $75-$100, wynnsocial.com
Sunday, Dec. 12
CHEER: You don’t have to stay home on Sunday night. You could be at T-Mobile Arena to see the Vegas Golden Knights (fingers crossed) put up a W against the Minnesota Wild. 6 p.m., t-mobilearena.com
DANCE: And when it’s over, get over to Marquee Nightclub for ”The Greatest Time of the Year” bash featuring sounds by Eric D-Lux. If you bring a toy donation for Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth you’ll get in free and get open bar for an hour. 10:30 p.m., $20-$30, marqueelvnc.taogroup.com