Rock Out at When We Were Young in Las Vegas
The biggest event of October is the inaugural When We Were Young festival, headlined by My Chemical Romance and a newly reunited Paramore. The rest of the lineup includes emo, power-pop and punk acts from the early 2000s, including Dashboard Confessional, Avril Lavigne, Taking Back Sunday and dozens more. The same lineup repeats all three days at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds October 22-23 and a week later on the 29th. Special "side show" concerts take place at the House of Blues, Brooklyn Bowl and the Pearl Concert Theater.
See a Concert in Las Vegas
Aside from When We Were Young, it's a busy month for concerts. Stars like Aerosmith and Usher at Dolby Live, Miranda Lambert and John Legend at Zappos Theater, Lionel Richie at the Wynn, Barry Manilow at Westgate and Donny Osmond at Harrah's are all continuing residencies. Van Morrison returns with limited dates inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Adam Lambert has "The Witch," a three-date mini-residency at the Wynn leading up to Halloween. Sarah Brightman and The B-52s (on their retirement tour) play three dates apiece at the Venetian Theatre.
Shaq brings together stars like Maroon 5, Maren Morris and John Mulaney for The Event, a benefit for the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on October 1. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band play the same venue on Oct. 9. The T-Mobile Arena welcomes Roger Waters Oct. 1, My Chemical Romance Oct. 7, Karol G. Oct. 14 and Vegas' own Panic! At the Disco Oct. 21.
See more concert headliners in October.
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. Show your Las Vegas Pride with a colorful parade through Downtown the evening of October 7 and a festival 12-11 p.m. at Craig Ranch Regional Park on October 8.
Eat, Drink and Dance at an Outdoor Festival
October is a month for big events in Las Vegas. The RiSE Festival is October 7-8 with food, drink, live music and a 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, Rebelution and Stick Figure at the Las Vegas Events Center October 7-9. The Downtown Brew Festival is October 22 at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater with at least 200 beers to sample from more than 60 breweries. The WhiskeyX is October 29 on the Cosmopolitan's rooftop pool deck with music by St. Paul and the Broken Bones and a variety of whiskey samples.
See a Comic Perform in Las Vegas
Bring the laughs! See Ray Romano & David Spade Oct. 2, Daniel Tosh Oct. 7-8, Iliza Shlesinger Oct. 14-15, Chelsea Handler Oct. 22 and Tom Segura Oct. 28-29 at the Mirage. You can also check out Sebastian Maniscalco at the Wynn Oct. 8-9 and Steve-O Oct. 16 at the Virgin Hotels Theater.
See more comedy clubs and shows in Vegas.
Spend Time Outdoors in Las Vegas
October provides fantastic weather for visiting the Downtown Container Park, an outdoor attraction built from cargo shipping containers. Enjoy brunch on the rooftop deck of Downtown Terrace or grab a hot dog from Cheffini's.
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.
