Once upon a time, Las Vegas was known for its Strip.
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Throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, most Americans regarded the Strip as a sleazy place where vices seemed to collude. From casinos to title fights, Vegas slowly became an entertainment mecca. But the moniker of ‘Sin City’ fit well.
By the early 2000s, Las Vegas was evolving into a new approach to entertaining the masses. One that refocused on bright-lights showmanship more than your-secrets-are-safe-here type of establishments.
I’d call this the start of the City of Lights era. Family establishments and kid-friendly shows popped up, along with luxury services of all stripes.
This latest iteration of Vegas is a lot more varied than its predecessor.
Do you like nature, for example? Head to Seven Magic Mountains or take a helicopter to the Grand Canyon.
What about culture? From fine arts to world-class performances, you won’t have time to fit it all into your weekend trip.
Are you a foodie instead? You can eat your heart out at top-tier eateries.
I could go and on. From spas to art galleries to fringe museums, Vegas has it all. (Except a reliable source of fresh water, but I won’t spoil the mood.) And there’s no better way to experience that full range of entertainment than on New Year’s.
According to some estimates, a whopping 400,000 head to the city to ring in the new year.
Want to see the City of Lights at its brightest? Here’s what you need to know about celebrating at the biggest parties on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas.
Best parties on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas: the basics
There are three rules you must follow for a good experience over NYE in Las Vegas.
- Book as early as possible—the city is flooded with almost half a million partiers around the end of December
- Save up—prices balloon over NYE
- Stay together when you go out or decide on a meeting place just in case—the city will turn into a zoo on the big night
Best parties on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas
Fremont Street Experience
This is the New Year’s Eve party in Vegas, thrown by the city and home to four massive live-performance stages. Fremont is a five-block entertainment district that has overtaken the city’s oldest streets.
You’ll get to soak up live music, street performances, LED light shows, and the SlotZilla zip line—an 11-story zipline attraction. Plus, casinos. Casinos everywhere.
Omnia Nightclub
Steve Aoki is headlining NYE at Omnia. As one of the world’s most popular electronic DJs, he’s a well-known quantity. Oh, and he likes to interact with the crowd by ‘caking’ people.
That’s exactly how it sounds: you show up with a sign begging to get caked, then Mr. Aoki pulls out a family-sized dessert and throws it at you—and he’s dangerously accurate. (He once threw a cake over 80 feet to hit one of his wheelchair-bound fans.)
My point: Steve Aoki is fun as hell, even if you aren’t a fan of EDM.
Marquee Nightclub
The Marquee Nightclub is just as famous as Omni in the city and has been a mainstay of the Cosmopolitan for years. This year, Alesso is headlining—which means you’ll get standard EDM music all night long with plenty of crowd favorites.
Though I’m a techno or drum’n bass girly myself, I wouldn’t mind spending the night throwing my hands in the air to a few remixes of well-known hits. It’s fun when there are lyrics!
Hakkasan Nightclub
DJ Pauly D is headlining Hakkasan Nightclub, one of the bougiest new projects in the city from MGM. (Yes, that Pauly D from MTV’s Jersey Shore.)
While that might seem like a far cry from Steve Aoki, it might not be in terms of entertainment. I imagine the music is better at Omnia and Marquee, but Pauly D knows how to throw a party. Plus, Hakkasan has a slight edge compared to other major Vegas clubs.
Sahara Las Vegas
If you aren’t wooed by an outdoor block party or an exclusive nightclub, then don’t worry—you’ve got options. The Sahara Las Vegas throws a pretty solid party for New Year’s Eve at its on-site AZILO Ultra Lounge & CASBAR.
You can choose from different ticket tiers that include open bar options and dining. There’s also a pool in case you want to swim into 2025.
Rainforest Café
Here’s my favorite family-friendly selection. Though many events are strictly 21+ in Las Vegas, the Rainforest Café has a blowout party that’s fun for people of all ages.
The New Year’s Eve event includes a buffet dinner with unlimited soft drinks. After dinner, the party gets started with a fireworks show, face painting, and a live DJ and dancefloor.
