The Best Time to Visit Las Vegas 2024: The Ultimate Guide
Found in the Mojave desert of Clark County in Nevada is a famous city called Las Vegas. Being in the desert, the city only receives about 4 inches of rain annually and has a relatively pleasant climate in every season. Most people think of this city as a place for gambling and casinos, and although that is definitely some of its main attractions, Las Vegas offers so much more. It has an incredible entertainment industry, some of the best food in the country, great sports teams and more than enough places to go shopping. There is little reason to wonder why Las Vegas often attracts over 41 million visitors per year!
In a busy city like this one, you can expect crowds of tourists all year round. Thankfully, it is home to over half of the world's top 20 biggest hotels and there are around 150,000 hotel and motel rooms in the entire city (plus 150 casinos!). You won't have to worry about finding sleeping accommodations at any point of the year, but when you are deciding what you want to do then the season that you choose to visit in can be important. There will always be a Las Vegas luggage locker ready for you to keep your bags. Weighed down by fashion finds? Want to try an amusement ride in a hotel? Store your stuff first and then enjoy the activities!
Summer in Las Vegas - June to August
If you are planning to visit Las Vegas in the summer months, be ready for some extreme heat and sunshine. It can almost be too hot to handle sometimes, and you will never appreciate air conditioning more. July is the hottest month but in general, the whole season can be pretty warm. On average, temperatures remain between 70 degrees and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, although some days even get to be about 133 degrees (about 21 to 40 degrees Celsius, sometimes reaching 56 degrees!). You will definitely want to watch out for heat stroke on those warm days, always bring a water bottle and wear lots of sunscreen.
This season might be a good time to plan indoor activities, at least during the middle of the day, and reserve outdoor attractions for early mornings or in the evening. Remember that if you are feeling too hot you should head inside and out of the sun! Thankfully the city does not usually get to be too humid, which does make the weather more bearable. This is still a good time to travel to Las Vegas since most attractions are inside. Chances are that your hotel will have a swimming pool, especially if you are staying on the Las Vegas Strip. Hotel prices will still be a bit high because lots of people like to travel here in the summertime.
When it is time to pack you will definitely want to bring some shorts and tank tops. Bring a light sweater for the evenings which can be cooler and quite pleasant for outdoor strolls, but you won't need much more than that. You will absolutely need a bathing suit to escape from the heat into the water, so don't forget to pack one.
If you are looking for some specific events happening during this season then the World Series of Poker is one to keep in mind. The series lasts for about three months, so feel free to watch or even participate yourself. Independence Day is also big here and there will be lots of celebrations around the city. The Reggae in the Desert music festival or the Vegas Fringe Festival in June are great events to attend. The next month brings the fireworks on the 4th of July and the Las Vegas Tribute Festival. If you are a fan of fashion then the MAGIC Fashion Marketplace is a must, and the Psycho Las Vegas and Vegas Tejano Music Week are some of the biggest events in August.
Fall in Las Vegas - September to November
Fall in Las Vegas is a great time to vacation in the city since temperatures do get lower and are quite comfortable. Expect the Las Vegas weather to remain between the pleasant temperatures of 50 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (which is around 10 degrees to 26 degrees Celsius). If you want to spend more time discovering the desert from outside of the casinos and hotels then this is the time to do it.
Although it is still warm, the climate won't be as hot in the summer so you can be outside for longer and not have to take as many breaks. Take advantage of this time to walk along the Las Vegas Strip or hike in the Death Valley national park. This is the shoulder season, so in general, the crowds of tourists will begin to diminish as the season goes on and will pick up again as it gets closer to winter. You might be able to save a bit of money and have the city to yourself if you visit in the fall! However, holidays like Labor Day weekend will bring in huge crowds.
For this season you should pack a few pairs of pants and t-shirts, and maybe a pair of shorts if you are visiting Las Vegas in early fall. A sweater or light jacket can be useful for later on in the season when temperatures begin to lower.
Thousands of festival-goers like to travel to Las Vegas for the iHeart Radio Music Festival in September. The Life is Beautiful festival , which is also happening in September, features some incredible art, music, and culinary events. Sports fans will be excited about the NHL season for the Vegas Golden Knights, and foodies will definitely enjoy the Greek Food Festival or the Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival happening in the following month. October also brings the annual Vegas Pride festival. The Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon in November is an event to mark in your calendar as well, alongside the Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival and Professional Bull Riders Championships in November.
Winter in Las Vegas - December to February
Winters in Las Vegas can get very cold compared to the summer temperatures, so you might want to bundle up. It does not get quite cold enough for snow, but it is definitely chilly especially if you aren't used to cold temperatures. In the coldest month, you can expect temps of about 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and the high temperatures remain at about 57 degrees (around 4 degrees to 14 degrees Celsius).
If you don't mind the cold then you can actually do quite a lot outside during the winter months, but those who prefer mild temperatures might want to plan for attractions happening indoors. There is lots to see in the city both indoors and outside, so you can take some time to explore the incredible hotels on the Strip. Walk through the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, discover the ornate Caesars Palace, see the lions at MGM Grand or explore all of the other sights on Las Vegas Boulevard. Flight and hotel reservations might be higher than in other months since many people want to be in Vegas for the major holidays. Watch out for an even busier city during the Super Bowl Weekend!
If you are traveling here in the winter you will want to pack a couple of pairs of good pants, some long-sleeved shirts, and sweaters. If you know that you will be outside a lot then a jacket is definitely necessary, especially in the middle of the season when temperatures are coldest.
You will see all kinds of special events during this season and many of them draw crowds from around the world. The Nevada International Film Festival is always a big hit, and so is the National Finals Rodeo which is accompanied by the Cowboy Christmas shopping mart. December also brings activities such as the Cosmopolitan Ice Rink made out of the Cosmopolitan Hotel pools on the rooftop. Of course, Las Vegas goes all out for New Year's Eve which is what you can expect from Sin City. January brings the Hot Air Balloon Festival, the Consumer Electronics Show, and the Adult Entertainment Expo, and the main activities in February include the Black History Month Festival or the Dam Short Festival. The latter is a combination of an awards ceremony and gala that take place after screenings at the Boulder Theatre, and it is the biggest event of its kind in all of Southern Nevada.
Spring in Las Vegas - March to May
Most people say that vacationing in Las Vegas is best in the spring, and there are several reasons why. First of all, the average high temperature remains at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature doesn't often go below 70 degrees (a total range of about 21 degrees to 26 degrees Celsius). With such agreeable daytime temperatures, there is no reason to not be spending lots of time outside!
You won't want to be inside much if you visit Vegas during this season, as the average temperature is really quite comfortable. Try exploring places like the Red Rock Canyon by foot or just relax in the outdoor patio of your favorite hotel. With such great weather in Las Vegas, it can be hard to imagine why people wouldn't want to visit now, but in reality, you will probably see more affordable room rates and fewer crowds except for during Spring Break or Memorial Day weekend when tourism is at its peak.
Although this season brings some of the best weather in Las Vegas, the temperatures can still get a bit chilly at night, especially in early spring. You won't need a jacket but a sweater will still come in handy, as well as some pants. If you are here at the end of the summer you might want to bring some shorts and lighter clothing for when it warms up during the daytime.
If you are looking for some Las Vegas special events happening while you are in town then you are in luck, since this season is filled with fun things to do. Beginning in the first week of March you will see pools opening up and parties happening around the city. This is also when the NASCAR Cup Series and March Madness basketball tournament are happening.
The Vegas ToyCon and CinemaCon are popular events that often attract celebrity guests. In April there is the Academy of Country Music Awards, the City of Lights Jazz Festival, and the Great Vegas Festival of Beer. Finally, in May you can experience Cinco de Mayo, the Vegas UnStripped event where you can try food from celebrity chefs, the Electric Daisy Carnival, the Exodus Festival, and Punk Rock Bowling which are all fantastic music events.
When is the Best Time to Visit Las Vegas for You?
There is a lot to take into account when you are planning a vacation. You will want to know how busy the city is, what the average high temperatures and average low temperatures are, how expensive flights and hotel rooms will be, and, most importantly, what events are going on during that season. Overall, the best time to visit Las Vegas will depend on you and what you have in mind for your vacation, since there is no bad time to travel here. The Las Vegas Strip has parties, special events, and nightlife all year round so there will always be something to do.
Those who are traveling on a budget will want to avoid the peak season as well as busy times of the year, like Spring Break, New Year's Eve, or other major holidays that always bring in more tourists. It is also important to consider how well you do in the heat or the cold since the weather in Las Vegas changes fairly drastically between seasons. As long as you pack well, do some research, and plan your trip in advance then you are sure to have an incredible time when you visit Sin City!
Know what you want to do during your trip to Las Vegas? Check out these guides for inspiration!
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