Looking for the top things to do in Las Vegas this October? This is an exciting month to be visiting Vegas, that’s for sure!
Las Vegas is packed with SO many exciting events and festivities in October.
When you think of October, you’re probably picturing Halloween. Yes, Vegas does it big for Halloween! Get ready for some of the coolest Halloween parties around, where you can dress up and celebrate in true Vegas style.
But the rest of the month is speckled with fun stuff to do.
Aside from the MANY epic residencies taking place at various Las Vegas Strip hotels, don’t miss the Downtown Brew Festival, the Reggae Rise Up Music Festival (featuring a great lineup this year), or the When We Were Young music festival (perfect for reliving your alternative, punk, and emo days).
Plus, with the weather finally cooling down, the Pride Festival will be in full swing, celebrating love and diversity with parades, performances, and more.
VEGAS.com's 48-Hour Hotel Sale! Now thru June 15:
For 2 days only, shop the best hotel prices Vegas has to offer. From historical Downtown to the lively Vegas Strip and everywhere in-between.
Read on to discover all the amazing events happening in Las Vegas this October.
Las Vegas Residencies Happening This October
- Lionel Richie, Wynn (Oct 9-12)
- The Eagles, MSG Sphere (Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 31)
- Earth, Wind, & Fire, Venetian Resort (Oct. 10-12, 15, 17-18, 22, 24-25)
- Donny Osmond, Harrah’s (Oct. 7-11, 14-18, 21-25)
Concerts and Shows This October
- Full list coming soon!
Comedy Shows This October
- Full list coming soon!
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
TBD for October 2025
Wanna get spooky in a classical music kind of way?
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Las Vegas. For two days only, discover Halloween-inspired music at The Industrial under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Catch all your Halloween favorites like Thriller by Michael Jackson, the Stranger Things theme song, and songs from Halloween classics such as Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, Halloween, Psycho, Ghostbusters, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and so much more.
Candlelight shows are unique as heck — where venues are illuminated by hundreds of warm and atmospheric candles — but mix it with Halloween songs? We already know it’s going to be a spectacularly magical time.
Reggae Rise Up Festival
October 3–5, 2025
Where are all my reggae music lovers at? Don’t miss the Reggae Rise Up Festival this October!
Taking place at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, this 3-day reggae music festival features a legendary lineup stacked with talented artists like Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Wiz Khalifa, Dispatch, Atmosphere, Sammy Johnson, and more.
Besides the music, you can expect food trucks and unique vendors offering everything from handmade crafts to festival fashion.
RiSE Festival
October 3–5, 2025
RiSE Festival returns to the Jean Dry Lake Bed in the Mojave Desert with live music, food trucks, drinks, and of course… the release of thousands of bright lanterns into the night sky!
This year is the milestone 10th anniversary of RISE Festival and they’re doing it big with the lineup to celebrate. Acclaimed artists such as Rufus du Sol, Ben Böhmer, John Mayer, Calvin Harris, Disclosure, and Oliver Heldens are on the 2025 lineup.
With your admission, you’ll receive two lanterns upon which you can write your hopes, dreams, fears, and intentions. And twice per night, there will be the chance to light ’em and let ’em go.
The lanterns are 100% biodegradable and are collected after the event to leave no trace in nature. Upgrade to VIP for shaded seating, bites, and a private bar.
Las Vegas Pride
October 10, 2025
National Pride Month may take place in June, but Las Vegas’ celebration of Pride actually kicks off in October (when the weather’s a bit cooler to be outdoors).
While there are events taking place all month long, the main event in Las Vegas is the annual Pride Night Parade, which runs through Downtown on Friday, October 10. A block party with food trucks and drink stations gets underway an hour earlier near the main stage.
Age Of Chivalry Renaissance Festival
October 10–12, 2025
The Age Of Chivalry: Renaissance Festival, held at Sunset Park, is an annual celebration of medieval times, offering a full weekend of entertainment and activities for all ages.
Expect to witness thrilling jousting tournaments, costumed performers, and interactive guilds showcasing traditional skills like sword fighting and blacksmithing.
Stroll through a bustling marketplace filled with artisans selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to intricate costumes. Along with the fun, indulge in hearty medieval-style food and drink while enjoying live music and dance performances. Don’t skip on those juicy turkey legs!
Looking to elevate your experience? They even offer camping opportunities for the weekend!
When We Were Young
October 18 & 19, 2025
The When We Were Young music festival is a nostalgic celebration for fans of emo, punk rock, and alternative music. Taking place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, this 1-day festival brings together the best bands from the early 2000s and today, creating an unforgettable experience for music lovers.
Over the last two years, headliners and lineup artists have included Panic! At The Disco, My Chemical Romance, Simple Plan, Paramore, Blink-182, Green Day, Avril Lavigne, Jimmy Eat World, A Day to Remember, The Maine, Cobra Starship, Taking Back Sunday, and The Used. Basically… all the music we millennials used to listen to as angsty teens!
Attendees can look forward to high-energy performances, sing-alongs, and a trip down memory lane with their favorite anthems.
Because this event is so popular, they recently added a second day–with the same lineup each day. Snag your tickets while you still can.
Head Downtown for Miss Behave’s fabulous variety show
If you missed it at Fremont Street’s Cheap Shot, get ready for your second chance: Miss Behave’s Mavericks has found a new home at Plaza Hotel’s historic showroom!
This quirky variety show blends circus, comedy, burlesque, and vaudeville. Because of its always-changing acts and reliance on audience participation, no two shows are ever the same.
“It’s gonna be like the Muppet Show running riot round this beautiful ol’ Dame. We can’t wait,” said Miss Behave (Amy Saunders) in a media release. “It’s a marriage made in heaven. This beautiful showroom has been looking for an excuse to show off, and Mavericks is perfect for that. Let’s make Las Vegas Vegas again!”
Tickets range from $35 to $99 (no pesky ticket fees!) and are now on sale.
Downtown Brew Festival
October 24, 2025
On October 24, beer lovers will be gathering at the 12th annual Downtown Brew Festival featuring dozens of breweries.
Admission to the Downtown Brew Festival includes samples of more than 200 brews, live entertainment, and water. Food can be purchased from various vendors. If you’re a VIP, chef-inspired dishes are included for you in the VIP Pavilion (you’ll also get early entry too).
The centralized lawn area will feel like a backyard party with performances from local and regional bands, plus food from some of your favorite Vegas restaurants.
Celebrate Halloween… Vegas style!
During late October, Las Vegas hosts a number of fall celebrations, costume balls, and spooky events to celebrate Halloween!
For starters, you could head to AREA15’s Halloween event, scAREA15, or maybe party it up at Halloweekend at Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas. Slightly off-strip, there’s the Sin City Halloween Ball taking place at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Halloween weekend.
For a more casual experience (though dressing up is still highly encouraged), The Fremont Street Experience hosts a massive Halloween celebration with live music, costume contests, and a spooky light show.
Las Vegas is also home to some incredible ‘haunted house’-type experiences. The Asylum & Hotel Fear is a super popular choice, offering a terrifyingly immersive experience for people who love having their pants scared off their butts.
Here are some other year-round attractions that we think are perfect for this time of year:
- Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum: the guy who hosts Ghost Adventures (the TV show) curated this museum to house his extensive collection of haunted objects and oddities.
- Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood: the quirky and oddly funny zombie-themed show taking place at PH!
- EscapeIT: an IT-themed escape room… the clown pops up from time to time to apply more pressure on you to escape!
- SAW Escape Room: an escape room perfect for those who indeed “want to play a game”!
Shadows of Sin City – Walking Ghost Tour
While we’re on the topic of Halloween, why not celebrate the spooky szn and explore the Strip at the same time?
Ghost City Tours hosts a super unique walking tour in town, where chilling tales and haunted spots come alive under the neon lights. Led by expert storytellers, this walking ghost tour promises an unforgettable night of spooks and thrills. Perfect for those who love a good ghost story!
Locations you’ll visit during this 90 minute tour include The Mob Museum, Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel, and El Cortez Hotel.
I don’t know about you, but ghost stories are always much scarier with a couple of drinks in you!
See a Las Vegas show
Las Vegas has a world-class theater scene. It’s not NYC or London, but their shows are next level in their own way. And the best part is, there’s a show happening every single night in Vegas.
A few shows that we think are perfect for October include:
Awakening – The Wynn’s brand-new spectacular production featuring fantastical creatures, dazzling visuals, compelling narrative, and a touch of lighthearted comedy. We were so wowed by this show that we’ve got tickets to see it AGAIN!
Absinthe – Caesars Palace’s daring and provocative Las Vegas show that combines jaw-dropping acrobatics, risqué comedy, and awe-inspiring feats of strength and agility in an immersive circus-style setting.
“O” at Bellagio: Another mesmerizing Cirque du Soleil show, “O” combines water, acrobatics, and theatrical performances to create a unique and romantic experience.
Walk the Strip and see the iconic sights
Cooler weather means you’ll last longer when walking the Strip. After all, you won’t have 100-degree sunlight beating down on you during the month of October!
This is the perfect time to see and do all the iconic Las Vegas attractions you’ve had on your list, such as seeing the Bellagio Fountain show, cruising on an outdoor gondola ride at The Venetian, ziplining on Fly LINQ, and more.
If you’re daring enough, head to the north side of the Strip to try out the hair-raising SkyJump at The STRAT. This heart-pumping open-air bungee jump will see you hurtling at speeds of up to 40mph from a height of 855 feet!
Explore AREA15
When night falls, it’s time to get immersive at AREA15. AREA15 has got to be one of the coolest additions to Las Vegas, like ever!
This 200,000-square-foot immersive art collective is buzzing with all things creative and imaginative. Throw an axe or two, play games at an arcade bar, wander through a ‘supermarket’ that makes you question reality, take in high-tech / colorful art installations, or explore one of the many virtual reality experiences.
From retro to futuristic to totally trippy, there’s an experience for everyone at AREA15. Engage with the exhibits, dive into virtual reality experiences, or simply wander through and take in the eclectic environment. The AREA15 world is your oyster!
Learn more about the current exhibits here (many of them require separate tickets). If special events and concerts are what you’re after, check out their events calendar to see what’s happening during the dates of your trip to Vegas.
Explore Red Rock Canyon
If you’re looking for the perfect outdoor adventure that’s not too hot, Red Rock Canyon is where it’s at. Red Rock Canyon is locally famous for its unique rock formations painted in shades of red and orange against a backdrop of clear blue skies.
Plus, with temperatures that warm up to just the mid-70s during the day, you can explore to your heart’s content without worrying about overheating.
We like to go there for the hiking. There are both easy and challenging trails to choose from, making this a great option if you want to burn off all those Las Vegas buffet calories. Some of the most popular hikes here include the Calico Tanks Trail (2.2 miles roundtrip), Turtlehead Peak Trail (4.6 miles roundtrip), and Ice Box Canyon Trail (2.3 miles roundtrip).
If you’d rather not deal with the logistics of how to get there (or want to visit the park without hiking), there are tour companies that will take you there and show you the park in all its glory.
Go hiking at Valley of Fire State Park
Another otherworldly park to hike at is Valley of Fire State Park. If you can imagine yourself hiking among towering sandstone formations glowing with fiery hues of red and gold under the warm sun, you’re going to love Valley of Fire SP. Personally, this is one of my favorite parks in all of Nevada — I love it even more than the Grand Canyon!
Again, the weather in October is perfect for exploring miles of hiking trails and marveling at ancient petroglyphs etched into the rocks. Just be sure to pack lots of water, lots of sunscreen, and a sunhat!
If you only have time to do one hike, make it the 3.2-mile Fire Wave, White Domes, and Seven Wonders Loop. If you love hiking, make time to visit Valley Of Fire SP – you won’t regret it.
Visit a national park or two
If you’re open to venturing out further, you’ll be glad to know that there are at least three national parks within driving distance from Las Vegas.
From Vegas, you can easily visit Grand Canyon National Park and explore the breathtaking landscapes of the United States’ most recognizable natural monument. Two best-selling tours we like to recommend include:
- From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon National Park Tour (South Rim)
- From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam Tour (West Rim)
West Rim? South Rim? What’s The Diff?
If you’ve never visited Nevada or the Grand Canyon before, here’s a quick and easy breakdown of the two main areas you can easily visit by coach bus tours.
WEST RIM
The West Rim is the closest part of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, about a 2.5-hour drive from the city. The West Rim is great for quick daytrips from Vegas. Many of the tours based in Las Vegas will take you here.
The famous Skywalk is here, a glass bridge that extends out over the canyon (you’ll feel like you’re walking on air above the canyon floor). Other popular spots are Eagle Point and Guano Point, which many tours will take you to.
SOUTH RIM
On the other hand (and a bit further away from Vegas), is the South Rim, about a 4.5-hour drive from Las Vegas.
It’s located within the “Grand Canyon National Park”, so while it does take longer to get there, you’ll actually be on national park lands. Since this part of the canyon is part of the national park, you’ll find more developed facilities like visitor centers, museums, and trails for hiking. This area offers more traditional, expansive canyon views and a more diverse landscape.
Both are spectacular in their own ways, so your choice might depend on how much time you have and what kind of adventure you’re looking for!
Learn more about the differences and see which part of the Grand Canyon is best for you.
If you’re up for a longer adventure, a 2.5-hour drive will bring you to the spectacular views of Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.
These two parks showcase the wild landscapes of Utah, complete with orange-y red canyons, mountains, hoodoos (spindly rock formations), the world-famous Narrows hike and Angels Landing, and the famous Checkerboard Mesa.
Don’t have a car? Not a problem. There are lots of tour companies that’ll bring you out there as part of a full-day tour. They’ll take care of the driving and the itinerary so all you have to do is bring your camera, a comfortable pair of shoes, and your excitement.
Tips For Visiting Las Vegas In October
- Although daytime temperatures can be warm and pleasant, evenings can still get cool. Pack layers to stay comfortable throughout the day and into the night, especially if you plan to be out late.
- Even though the weather in October is not “blazing desert” hot, the sun will still be shining brightly during the day. Sunscreen is a must, especially if you’re doing outdoor activities.
- If you plan on doing a lot of paid attractions, Go City can save you money on multiple attractions with their All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass.
- October is the perfect time to explore The Strip on foot. The weather is nice and warm, but not heat-stroke-hot. Be sure to pack a pair of comfortable travel shoes that can handle lots of mileage and keep your feet blister-free.
- Traffic on the Las Vegas Strip is usually bad at all times of the year, so plan to leave earlier if you have reservations that require you to be somewhere at a specific time.
- Getting around by rideshare and taxi are equally as popular in Vegas. A taxi can even be cheaper than Uber/Lyft during peak hours, while an Uber/Lyft is cheaper during off-peak hours.
Planning Your Trip To Vegas?
Here are some of our other Vegas travel guides to help you plan an incredible trip:
- How To Snag Discounts On Las Vegas Attractions And Shows
- Here Are All The Absolute Must-Do’s In Las Vegas For First Timers
- 25+ Unique And Totally FREE Things To Do In Vegas
- Top Las Vegas Magic Shows That Will Knock Your Socks Off
- 15 Fun Places To Eat On The Las Vegas Strip
- 15 Kid-Friendly Shows In Las Vegas Perfect For Families
- 5 Cheaper Alternatives To Cirque du Soleil Shows In Las Vegas
- 10 Fun Rides and Roller Coasters In Las Vegas For Thrill Seekers
- 10 Secret Bars And Speakeasies On The Las Vegas Strip (+ Where To Find Them!)
- 20 Quirky And Fun Museums You’ll Only Find In Las Vegas
Other Posts You’ll Enjoy
25 Money-Saving Tips For Las Vegas (That Most Tourists Don’t Know About)
Chinatown Is Vegas’ Best Kept Secret: Here’s What To Do And Eat There
Las Vegas Summer Guide: Pool Parties, Concerts, and More
One Strip, Many Worlds: 10 Of Las Vegas’ Most Intriguing Exhibits
The Worst Months To Visit Las Vegas Are Upon Us
