September has music festivals and incredible weather in Las Vegas
Average temperature low and high: 65° - 95°
After the triple-digit heat of summer, Vegas finally begins to cool down in September. The crowds start to level off as well, offering a win-win situation for checking out Sin City. Find time to party at Life is Beautiful and the iHearRadio Music Festival while squeezing in excursions to Lead Mead and other attractions that show off the beauty of nature. Book early to find the best deals on hotels.
It’s become an annual fall tradition in Las Vegas. The Life is Beautiful festival takes over several blocks of Downtown, bringing together food, art and music on multiple stages. Stretched out over a three-day weekend, the festival draws tens of thousands each day to enjoy a sense of community and culture.
The music lineup is diverse and eclectic. Top names this year include Post Malone, the Black Keys, Chance the Rapper and Vampire Weekend. It’s a festival in which emerging artists like Billie Eilish can be seen along with rap icons like Lil Wayne, pop hit-makers like Carly Rae Jepsen and classic acts like Toto. The presence of electronic dance music has grown dramatically over the years and Zedd is one of the biggest names at this year’s festival.
When is Life is Beautiful?
Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22 in Downtown Las Vegas
What Can I Expect at the Festival?
Even if you’re not there to specifically see any of the music acts, Life is Beautiful is an enjoyable experience for the atmosphere alone. The city streets are closed to traffic, allowing pedestrians to wander comfortably among art installations, food vendors and grassy lounge areas. One of the best things about the event is stumbling upon an unfamiliar musician or guest speaker who turns out to be a new favorite.
How to Get to Life is Beautiful?
To avoid the stress of parking, many attendees turn to ridesharing services like Uber of Lyft — or even RTC buses — to reach the festival. If you arrive early in the day, it’s possible to find spaces at parking garages in the Fremont Street area. However, if those are full, head to World Market Center, where shuttles travel back-and-forth between festival grounds. Those who plan on attending all three days of Life is Beautiful often book a hotel room at the Plaza, Golden Nugget or Downtown Grand — all of which have package deals for festival-goers.
What to Wear at Life is Beautiful?
Stay casual. With mild temperatures, shorts are okay, but bring a sweater or light jacket if you plan to be around at night. Sunglasses and a hat aren’t a bad idea if you plan to spend time roaming the festival early in the afternoon. No matter what, wear comfortable shoes.
Things to do in September in Las Vegas
Maren Morris (Photo: Joe Janet)
iHeartRadio Music Festival
This event, sponsored by one of the biggest radio conglomerates in the world, is all about big hits and big names. Top acts in pop, rock, country, R&B, rap and EDM will play the T-Mobile Arena September 20-21. There’s usually one or two classic acts thrown in as well. An outdoor stage at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds features up-and-coming artists like Juice WRLD and Maren Morris.
Labor Day
Labor Day Weekend bridges August and September this year. Las Vegas is always busy during any four-day holiday weekend, so expect big crowds at popular Strip destinations like The LINQ and The Park. Nightclubs will also be busy with an extra day of partying. Buy tickets in advance to avoid getting stuck in a line outside.
The Eagles
The classic rock band is reuniting for its only two U.S. dates this year. Led by Don Henley, the Eagles will hit the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 27-28.
Photo: Mark Seliger
Keith Urban
Country superstar Keith Urban will be the first act to play the Colosseum at Caesars Palace after the venue completes a renovation project to modernize its image and make it more competitive with newer mid-size theaters on the Strip. Urban will play two dates September 6-7. The ACM Entertainer of the Year is currently touring behind his Graffiti U album.
Rod Stewart
Another act hitting the newly renovated Colosseum at Caesars Palace is Rod Stewart, who plays his only Vegas gigs of the year on eight select dates between September 18 and October 5. Unlike Keith Urban, Stewart is a resident headliner with a long tack record at the theater. He’s promoting his 2018 album Blood Red Roses, but as the name of “Rod Stewart: The Hits: suggests, expect the performances to be heavy on the singer’s decades-long run of chart-topping singles.
Atomic Saloon
The atomic Saloon makes its debut inside the Grand Canal Shoppes on September 8. No it’s not a bar, but s new show by Spiegelworld, the same production company behind Absinthe and Opium. Like those shows, this one promises to be wacky and racy, but in a more intimate setting. Expect comic actors, acrobats and other performers doing a variety show in a futuristic Wild West environment.
