|
January
College Baseball
From the crack of the bat to the slide on into home, NCAA baseball packs a wallop of home run frenzy for what’s oft called America’s favorite pastime. Diamond action starts in January, continuing through most of June. UNLV Rebels
Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade
This annual parade down Fourth Street, from Coolidge Avenue to Ogden Avenue, honors Martin Luther King, Jr. with floats, marching bands and an awards ceremony to recognize those who have contributed to the Dream. Usually the Saturday just prior Dr. King's birthday (January 12). Sponsored by the Second Baptist Church on Madison Avenue. Call (702) 648-6155 for more information.
High Roller Super Bowl
A Super Bowl weekend celebration at the Showboat Casino Hotel famous for its lavish free buffets and prizes. Several wide screen TVs to accommodate the crowd. Call (702) 385-9150 for more information.
Las Vegas Marathon
Thousands gather in Sloan for a 26 mile run to downtown Las Vegas in this all-day charity event. The day is full of parties and banquets for non-participants before, during and after the event. Usually the first Sunday in February. Call (702) 876-3870 for more information.
February
Tennis Channel Open
Darling Memorial Tennis Center is the site for this annual competition held during February and March.
Chinese New Year
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Asian-Pacific Cultural Center, this annual event is Celebrated with a number of different events held all over Las Vegas. Usually the beginning of February. Call (877) VISIT-LV for more information.
Black History Month
A number of events in February celebrate the African-American influence on the culture and entertainment of Las Vegas, notably the kickoff breakfast at Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino, the largest Black-owned hotel and casino in the United States, and the family cultural event held towards the end of February at Neonopolis. Call (800) 274-LUCK for more information.
World Archery Festival
The National Field Archery Association sponsors the first of a series of tournaments that concludes later in Atlantic City, with an accompanying trade show featuring archery equipment, accessories and clothing, hosted at the Riviera Hotel and Casino which offers a substantially reduced rate for tournament attendees. Usually in late February. Call (800) 811-2331 for more information.
March
NASCAR Winston Cup UAW Daimler / Chrysler 400
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts this annual event in early March.
NASCAR Busch Grand National Series
The Sam's Town 300 race is the part of the Busch Grand National series of races held in Las Vegas, in early March.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Mayor presides over a series of parades and general partying in the downtown area, with plenty of green beer, sponsored by the Sons of Erin for the benefit of charity. Call (702) 388-1177 for more information.
The Great Crafts Festival
Local craftsmen gather at the Cashman Center for their annual exposition, during the third week in March. Call (877) VISIT-LV for more information.
Monster Jam World Finals
During the third week of March, monster trucks gather each year at the Sam Boyd Stadium. Call (702) 895-3900 for more information.
April
World Series of Poker
For a one thousand dollar entry fee, you can compete in a million dollar poker competition at Benny Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas, which lasts an entire month and draws top name gamblers from around the country, beginning in the middle of April. Call (702) 382-1600 for more information.
Clark County Fair and Rodeo
Las Vegas celebrates its annual regional fair of livestock, local music, amusement rides and country cooking in mid-April in the town of Logandale. Call (888) 876-FAIR for more information.
Fremont Street Mardi Gras
Cajun bands and New Orleans-style partying highlight this annual event at the covered Fremont Street arcade, around the third week of April. Call (702) 678 5777 for more information.
City of Light Jazz Festival
Jazz musicians from all over the country congregate at Hills Park in Summerlin, during the last week of April. Call (800) 969-VEGAS for more information.
National Pro-Am City Leagues Championship
Forty teams from across the nation participate in this basketball tournament for men, women, and children sponsored by the National Pro-Am City Leagues Association. Call (516) 292-4055 for more information.
May
THQ Supercross
Sam Boyd Stadium hosts this racing competition during the first week of May.
Cinco de Mayo
Freedom Park is the center of festivities in this annual celebration sponsored by the Mexican Patriotic Committee, which includes clowns, parades, food boths and celebrations in local bars and parks throughout Las Vegas, held on the weekend, culminating on the Sunday, closest to May 5. Call (702) 284-6800 for more information.
University of Southern Nevada Golf Tournament
The SouthShore Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas Resort hosts this annual golf tournament, with proceeds to benefit USN student services, pharmacy, nursing and MBA scholarships. Call (702) 968-2055 for more information.
Summer Jam
Radio station KLUC 98.5 hosts the latest in live music at the Sam Boyd Stadium, around the middle of May. Call (888) 464-2468 for more information.
Stars, Cars & Guitars Motorhead Festival
For the entire family, the Cars Stars & Guitars Motorhead Festival rocks with tons of awesome street rods, bikes, classics, trucks, exotics, and collector vehicles. Related events include The Wing Thing to determine who rates the Real Brag’N Rights for the “Best Wings in Las Vegas.” Call (702) 259-1975 for more information.
International Myeloma Foundation's Fundraiser to Benefit the "Bank on a Cure" Program
In mid to late May, the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower, in Rancho Mirage, hosts a special program and raffle to benefit research on a cure for myeloma. Call (760) 345-3040 for more information.
Jazz in the Park
From mid-May to mid-June, Clark County Parks and Community Services and radio stations KUNV and KNPR host a series of evening outdoor concerts at the Clark County Government Center amphitheater. Call (702) 455-8200 for more information.
TopCoder Open
The Aladdin Resort and Casino is where 64 top programmers from around the world vie for $150,000 in prizes during TopCoder Open finals for competition that begins earlier in the year on-line in component design, algorithm, and more. Call (860) 633-5540 for more information.
June
Shawn Ray's Colorado Pro Am Classic
Starting in the spring and continuing throughout the summer, several health and fitness expositions are held in downtown Denver venues around the Colorado Convention Center relating to strength and fitness, self defense and martial arts, bodybuilding, sports equipment and business, and other themes. Shawn Ray's expo for strength and fitness is held in early June. Call (303) 228-2000 for more information.
International Truck Show
The annual exposition of trucks, including a truck beauty contest and many other amusements and activities are hosted by the Las Vegas Convention Center during the last few days of June. Call (702) 892-0711 for more information.
Lied Animal Shelter 'Best in Show'
The Orleans Arena hosts more than 50 dogs from the Lied Animal Shelter, competing in small, medium and large breed categories, judged by reps from the American Kennel Club. Call (702) 284-7777 for more information.
Gourmet Grazer
In late June, the Alliance of Black Culinarians hosts the annual Gourmet Grazer at Cashman Field Exhibit Hall, to provide scholarships to aspiring culinarians. Call (702) 296-3224 for more information.
July
Fourth of July Fireworks
Las Vegas is the place to be on the Fourth, where you can enjoy the most spectacular fireworks at a number of venues, including Cashman Field, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Sante Fe Station Pavilion, Desert Breeze Park, Hills Park in Summerlin, Bicentennial Park in Boulder City, Morrell Park, the Stratosphere Lounge and the Primm Valley Casino. Call (877) VISIT-LV for more information.
August
Newport Pacific Jazz Festival
At the DragonRidge Country Club in Henderson, Newport Pacific Jazz Festival proceeds go to the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Hospital and the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra. Supporting Sharon Osbourne and friends are such performers as Joani Sledge of Sister Sledge, Susan Anton, Rick Latham and the Groove Doctors and many others. Call (702) 285-3562 for more information.
Def Con X Underground
The Alexis Park Hotel and Resort hosts a convention of the largest number of computer hackers in one place, where you can learn state of the art security techniques and how to defend yourself from those who know best, in the first week of August. Call (800) 453-8000 for more information.
September
College Football
NCAA Football, created in 1997 to promote college football ideals, makes no bones about the importance of each game. Losing at any time during the season can thwart a team's chances for postseason action or an NCAA Championship. No wonder NCAA Football marketers have adopted a tagline of "NCAA Football: Every Game Counts."
Best in the Desert
Gather at the Sunset Hotel for a 300 mile desert and mountain race from Las Vegas to Reno, over a three-day period, in the longest off-road race in the country. Call (702) 636-7111 for more information.
Mexican Independence Day
A number of venues in Las Vegas host live music, food and craft booths, most notably a fair and picnic at Freedom Park sponsored by the Mexican Patriotic Committee as a fundraiser for student scholarships. Call (702) 649-1198 for more information.
San Gennaro Feast
Staged in honor of San Gennaro, this Las Vegas festival features ethnic food vendors, live entertainment, a carnival midway and family fun. Call (702) 286-4944 for more information.
Blue Sky International Film Festival
Independent film directors screen their latest documentaries and short features in late September at Nevada's largest film festival, at Regal's Village Square Cinemas. Call (702) 737-3313 for more information.
Greek Food Festival
Towards the end of September, Greek cuisine and culture is celebrated on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Churh with folk dancing, live music and a bazaar. Call (702) 248-3896 for more information.
October
U.S. Open of Supercross
In mid-October, top supercross riders compete in pro-racing in and around the hotels of the Las Vegas strip. All of the superstars and current champions are invited.
Viva Las Vegas
Las Vegas hosts tours, parties and concerts for gay and lesbian visitors and residents, ending with a full day party at Wet 'n' Wild theme park. Call (702) 892-0711 for more information.
Professional Bull Riders Championships
Towards the end of October, winning riders and the most challenging bulls meet for a four-day competition at the Thomas and Mack Center. Call (702) 895-3761 for more information.
Art in the Park
Artists, jewelers, portrait painters and other craftsmen gather in early October at Bicentennial Park in Boulder City for a public picnic and fine arts celebration to benefit the Boulder City Hospital Foundation. Call (702) 294-1611 for more information.
Invensys Classic
This annual five-day PGA tournament is sponsored by the Southern Highlands Golf Club and TPC at Summerlin and at the Canyons, in the middle of October. Call (702) 242-3000 for more information.
Mr. Olympia and Fitness Olympia Competitions
Fitness products and programs on health are offered at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, in conjunction with these two world bodybuilding competitions, in the middle of October. Call (702) 632 7777 for more information.
Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball
One of the more popular events is presented by the purveyors of adult products, as exhibitionists and others congregate in costume at the SportsCenter to enjoy live music and assorted contests, on the weekend closest to Halloween. Call (702) 474-4000 for more information.
November
College Basketball
First devised by James Naismith in 1891, with the first recorded collegiate game in 1893, legions testify there’s no sound so soothing as a basketball whooshing through the net after a flick of the wrist. NCAA basketball brings grass roots hoop dreams to an entirely new level each fall, building toward March Madness, the NCAA Division Basketball Championships.
COMDEX
In mid-November, technology buyers flock to COMDEX at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the big picture on IT solutions in one place and to gain savvy for making informed purchasing decisions. COMDEX is where hardware manufacturers, software vendors and service providers launch products, where leaders discuss industry trends, and where the media spotlights what’s hot in the $915 billion IT industry. Call (415) 905-2300 for more information.
Las Vegas Odyssey
During November, the Las Vegas Odyssey is a four-day celebration of food, wine and art, held in a variety of venues, with proceeds benefiting Le Cordon Bleu Culinary College Scholarship Program and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Call (702) 257-2345 for more information.
Pennzoil World of Outlaws
Small cars with big engines race at 150 mpg in the middle of November at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Call (702) 632-8252 for more information.
Motor Trend International Auto Show
The Las Vegas Convention Center hosts an annual exposition of new cars, mini-vans, SUVs and trucks in late November. Call (702) 892-0711 for more information.
Strut Your Mutt
Dogs run free at Dog Fancier's Park in mid-November, where they can enter contests and you can listen to a variety of intructional programs and obtain adoption assistance. Call (702) 455-8200 for more information.
December
National Finals Rodeo
Rodeo competitors from all over the world gather at the Thomas and Mack Center for a week of steer wrestling, bronco bucking and calf roping, towards the middle of December. Call (702) 895-3761 for more information.
Ethel M Chocolate Light the Night Spectacular
The Mars chocolatier family hangs thousands of lights on their desert plant garden and hosts special tours of their facility, beginning in late November and extending through early January. Call (702) 433-2500 for more information.
New Year's Eve Downtown
For a more organized alternative to the Strip celebration, enjoy popular live bands and a synchronized fireworks display at the Freemont Street arcade. Call (702) 678-5777 for more information.
New Year's Eve on the Strip
The entire Strip is packed with partying street crowds and top name entertainers everywhere. Call (702) 892 0711 for more information.
|
|
