Dance All Night at EDC in Las Vegas
The Electric Daisy Carnival is the largest dance party of the year in Las Vegas, taking place over three nights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway October 22-24. The event usually happens in the spring, but was delayed several times during the pandemic. It’s officially sold out, but you can try your luck with a virtual waitlist. Yet it’s still a great time to be in town with Las Vegas nightclubs celebrating all week long. Make a point to visit the new Elia Dayclub at Virgin Hotels with sets by Deadmau5 and Above & Beyond.
See a Concert in Las Vegas
It’s a busy month for concerts. Sting kicks off his “My Songs” residency at the Colosseum inside Caesars Palace on October 29. Rod Stewart plays the same venue October 6-23. Adam Lambert has a mini-residency of six dates at the Venetian beginning October 20. Shaq brings together stars like Imagine Dragons and Kelly Clarkson for The Event, a benefit for the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on October 2.
Show Your Pride in Las Vegas
Las Vegas saves its biggest LGBTQ celebration for October, when the weather has recovered from the brutal summer heat. After going virtual during the pandemic last year, Las Vegas Pride returns as an in-person event with a parade through Downtown the evening of October 8 and a festival 12-11 p.m. at Craig Ranch Regional Park on October 9.
Eat, Drink and Dance at an Outdoor Festival
October is a month for big events in Las Vegas. The RiSE Festival is October 1-2 with food, drink, live music and an nighttime lantern release into the sky over the Mojave Desert near Jean. Reggae Rise Up brings together art, food and music by the likes of Slightly Stoopid and Dirty Heads at the Las Vegas Events Center October 9-10. The Downtown Brew Festival is October 16 at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater with at least 200 beers to sample from more than 60 breweries. Vegas UnStripped is a food festival in the Arts District on October 16 with bites handed out by some of the best local chefs in the city. The WhiskeyX is October 23 on the Cosmopolitan’s rooftop pool deck with music by Fitz and the Tantrums and a variety of whiskey samples.
Spend Time Outdoors in Las Vegas
October provides fantastic weather for visiting the Downtown Container Park, an outdoor park built from cargo shipping containers. Enjoy brunch on the rooftop deck of Downtown Terrace or grab a hot dog from Cheffini’s. The Container Park is also welcoming 10 new tenants, ranging from the pizza of Mob Pie to Shades Deluxe, a boutique sunglasses shop.
If exploring the desert is more your speed, take a ride with Las Vegas ATV Tours. Enjoy the adrenaline of riding among sand dunes and navigating canyon trails without the overbearing heat from summer.
Recommended October Attractions
Stroll the Strip: If your luck runs out at the tables or you need to burn off calories from the buffet, one of the best ways to enjoy Vegas for free is walking up and down the Strip. The mild weather is perfect in October. Be sure to use our interactive Las Vegas Strip Map to find walk times, restaurants, bars and activities. Try starting at the Aria and explore the CityCenter complex, which also includes the Waldorf Astoria, Vdara and Shops at Crystals. From there, wander across Harmon Blvd. to see the exciting Cosmopolitan where you can try a pick-up game of pool on the third floor. Finally, get a good spot in front of the Bellagio and soak in a spectacular fountain show before heading inside to see the seasonal floral display at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
Downtown Arts District: Fremont Street gets the most attention Downtown, but make sure to also visit the up-and-coming Arts District. Enjoy dinner at Esther’s Kitchen, order Jamaican-themed cocktails in the courtyard of Jammyland or sip on wine at Garagiste. The neighborhood is also a hub for coffeehouses and breweries.
More Things to Do in Las Vegas
Free Drinks in Las Vegas
If you’re looking to save on drinks, check out our Las Vegas bar page. It gives the inside scoop on open bar events at some of the top bars and nightclubs on the Strip. Login with your Facebook account to review the special offers.
