Your Ultimate Guide to Las Vegas Music Festivals
With Las Vegas music festival season in full swing and many music festivals coming to town this year, you might be visiting Vegas a lot to catch your favorite acts. Our city has had some of the top talent for years, so it’s only natural that it’s becoming one of the country’s biggest hot spots for music festivals. See which festivals to add to your roster, what to expect, and how to plan with this Las Vegas music festival guide!
Popular Las Vegas Music Festivals
Before knowing how to prepare for a music festival, knowing which one you’ll attend is important! Over the years, the Las Vegas music festival scene has grown to include a range of styles and genres, making it a great place to visit no matter your music taste. From Reggae to EDM, punk rock to Latin music and more, you can find festivals happening mostly through the spring into fall, taking advantage of that Vegas desert heat! While dates change from year to year, they generally stay within the same season. See what to expect from your favorite music festivals in Vegas with some popular options below, listed in A-Z order:
Best Friends Forever
Celebrate the indie and emo music scene at the Best Friends Forever Festival, happening in October at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Featuring acts like Cap’n Jazz, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Bright Eyes, this inaugural event offers a packed lineup of beloved artists.
EDC Las Vegas
One of the biggest Vegas music festivals is EDC Las Vegas, happening in May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With performances from the biggest names in EDM, stunning art installations, and carnival rides, EDC offers a magical atmosphere under the electric sky where music lovers celebrate peace, love, unity, and respect.
Holo Holo
If you’re into island vibes and feel like jammin’, join the Holo Holo Music Festival in April at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center! Celebrate with a weekend of reggae vibes, delicious food, tropical drinks, and live performances from a lineup that will make you feel like you’re on the beach with some of your best friends.
iHeartRadio Music Festival
Experience the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, featuring chart-topping artists across multiple genres. Held at the T-Mobile Arena, this two-day festival delivers incredible live performances, celebrity appearances, and exclusive fan experiences that make this event a must-attend event for music lovers.
Jackpot
Celebrate the end of the year at the Jackpot EDM music festival in December at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Featuring some of the biggest and best EDM acts, this high-energy event is the perfect way to say goodbye to the past year in true Vegas fashion. Get ready for a night of unforgettable music and memories!
Life is Beautiful
Celebrate music, art, and creativity at the Life is Beautiful Festival, one of the biggest events in Downtown Las Vegas. This immersive experience transforms the city streets into a vibrant playground featuring world-class performances, interactive art installations, and top-tier cuisine. Join thousands in this unforgettable two-day block party.
Punk Rock Bowling
Get ready for Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival, happening in May at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. This iconic festival features a stellar lineup of punk rock bands, bowling tournaments, and late-night club shows. Join punk rock fans from around the world for three days of music, fun, and community.
Neon City Festival
Get ready for the inaugural Neon City Festival in November in Downtown Las Vegas. This free, all-ages event features a vibrant mix of live music, dazzling light shows, culinary experiences, fireworks, interactive art, and more. Check out performances and exhibits under the iconic Viva Vision lights for an unforgettable weekend!
Reggae Rise Up
Reggae Rise Up returns to Las Vegas in October at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Celebrate with a weekend of laid-back vibes and performances from some of the biggest names in reggae. Featuring food vendors, craft stalls, and art displays, this family-friendly festival is the ultimate gathering for reggae lovers of all ages.
Rumbazo
In September, you can celebrate Mexican Independence Day Weekend at Rumbazo Festival at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. This two-day event features live music, art, food, and an all-star lineup that will make you want to dance the night away at the biggest Mexican block party of the year!
SEMA Fest
SEMA Fest comes to Las Vegas in November, bringing together automotive culture and live music. This high-energy music festival features top-tier performances alongside motorsports exhibitions like drifting and BMX. Car enthusiasts and music lovers alike can enjoy a day packed with adrenaline-pumping action.
Sick New World
One of the sickest events comes to Las Vegas in spring. Experience the Sick New World Festival in April at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Featuring performances from iconic rock, metal, and alternative bands across multiple stages, this Vegas music festival promises an adrenaline-packed day of music.
Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend
Get ready for Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend in April at The Orleans Hotel. This iconic event celebrates all things retro and rockabilly with live music, car shows, burlesque performances, and vintage fashion. Join thousands of fans for an unforgettable weekend of dancing, shopping, and retro culture.
When We Were Young
Experience the nostalgia of the emo and pop-punk scene at When We Were Young, happening in October at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Featuring legendary bands from the early 2000s, this festival brings back the golden era of alternative music for a weekend of performances that will give you a chance to relive the best of your youth.
Las Vegas Music Festival Guide
Where to Stay
Where you stay can make your Las Vegas music festival weekend a lot more convenient. With so many festivals taking place in or near Downtown Las Vegas, it’s a great idea to book a room in the area. Not only will you be close to the venue for easy access to the event, but you’ll also be right in the heart of DTLV for bars, restaurants, and activities to enjoy while not at the show. Since you will probably be spending more time at the event than in your room, comfort and convenience are key.
But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself and your festival crew to a weekend of luxury by booking a suite for a true Vegas experience. Book the bunk suite at Circa Las Vegas to have the ideal space for you and seven of your crew. After long days of dancing and walking around the festival grounds, you’ll be happy to come home to a hotel room that has all the perks, from the basics like nice, cold air conditioning to luxury items like premium sheets and bath products that will help you feel fresh after a long day. The view of Las Vegas doesn’t hurt, either.
How to Pack
While Las Vegas has a lot of shopping to help replace anything you might have forgotten, take extra care to pack all your music festival essentials before you leave. This includes your ID, ticket, festival outfits (and maybe some alternative options to choose from), comfortable shoes, reusable water bottles or hydration packs, toiletries, and small bags like a fanny pack or compact backpack. If you plan on bringing small personal care items like hand sanitizer, lip moisturizer or gum, make sure it’s new and sealed as many venues do not allow opened items. Don’t forget to bring some non-festival outfits as well so you can lounge around your room or explore Las Vegas between festival hours!
For those items you may have forgotten at home, Circa Collections offers a number of items – whether you need more sunscreen or a designer piece to finish your festival outfit.
Ways to Get Around
Music festivals always bring in bigger crowds, which means getting where you need to go might prove to be a little more difficult than your typical Las Vegas weekend. Make a plan for how you’ll get to and from the music festival and factor in some wait time while you’re at it. Many of these music festivals are centrally located and within walking distance of Downtown Las Vegas or the Strip, which is a huge help in not needing to call an Uber or Lyft.
For events located further from the city like EDC Las Vegas, shuttles are typically available to help with venue transportation, but rideshare is often a quicker option for a slightly higher price. If you plan on driving to your venue or around town, don’t forget to book a rental car.
What to Expect
Going to a music festival in Las Vegas is one of the most exciting experiences, but it’s good to also manage your expectations when things aren’t as fun. Music festival season in Las Vegas can make the city a little busier than usual. Long lines, crowds, expensive transportation, and the Las Vegas heat can sometimes make for a stressful time before and after your festival ends. But preparation is key to avoid the bad vibes and focus on the good ones! Just remember to stay positive, stay hydrated, stay cool, and most importantly, stay safe. It’ll all be worth it to catch some of your favorite artists and dance along with your crew once you’re in the venue!
When you’re in town for your next music festival in Las Vegas, be sure to book a room at Circa Las Vegas. Not only will you be able to rest and recover in ultimate comfort, but you’ll also have access to restaurants and bars to replenish your body, an incredible pool to soak in, a casino and the world’s largest sportsbook to fill your time between festival hours, close proximity to Downtown Las Vegas events and attractions, and so much more.
