Top Things To Do In Las Vegas This October

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.

Read on to discover all the amazing events happening in Las Vegas this October.

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Las Vegas Residencies Happening This October

• Adele, Caesars Palace (Oct 25-26; additional dates in Nov.) – This is your last chance to see her before she takes her indefinite career break!
• Carrie Underwood, Resorts World (Oct 16-26)
• Maroon 5, Park MGM (Oct 2-12)
• Garth Brooks, Caesars Palace (Oct 3-13)
• Lionel Richie, Wynn (Oct 9-12)
• Santana, House of Blues (Oct 2-6, 30-31)
• The Eagles, MSG Sphere (Oct 11-19)
• U2: An Immersive Concert Film, MSG Sphere (Oct 2-31)

Concerts and Shows This October

• October 2-5: REO Speedwagon, The Venetian
• October 2-12: Maroon 5, Park MGM
• October 2-6, 30-31: Santana, House of Blues
• October 2-31: V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film, MSG Sphere
• October 3: That Mexican OT, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 3-13: Garth Brooks, Caesars Palace
• October 4: Two Feet, House of Blues
• October 4: XG, Virgin Hotels
• October 4: Steelheart, Golden Nugget
• October 4-5: Kool & The Gang, Westgate
• October 4-5: Sammy Hagar & Friends, Palms
• October 4-10: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Thomas & Mack Center
• October 4-12: Keith Urban, Fontainebleau
• October 5: Maoli, Virgin Hotels
• October 5: Iron Maiden, Mandalay Bay
• October 5: Sum 41 & The Interrupters, Planet Hollywood
• October 5: Flatland Cavalry, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 6: Dropkick Murphys & The Scratch, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 8: Lorna Shore, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 9: Architects & Brutus, Virgin Hotels
• October 9-12: Lionel Richie, Wynn
• October 9-19: Earth, Wind and Fire, The Venetian
• October 10: Clutch & Rival Sons, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 10: Niki, The Cosmopolitan
• October 11: Conan Gray, The Cosmopolitan
• October 11: Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, Resorts World
• October 11: John Milton Hypnosis Show, Westgate
• October 11: Jinjer, House of Blues
• October 11: Carly Pearce, Palms
• October 11: Marshall Tucker Band, Golden Nugget
• October 11-19: The Eagles, MSG Sphere
• October 12: Skillet, Saliva, & Royale Lynn, Virgin Hotels
• October 12: Rob Schneider, Palms
• October 12: Fleshgod Apocalypse & Shadow of Intent, House of Blues
• October 12: Hans Zimmer, T-Mobile Arena
• October 12: Hans Zimmer, Resorts World
• October 12: Junior H, Mandalay Bay
• October 12: Gino Vannelli, Westgate
• October 12: Tumua Tuinei, The Cosmopolitan
• October 13: Highly Suspect & Dead Poet Society, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 14: AJ Rafael, House of Blues
• October 15: Judas Priest, Planet Hollywood
• October 15: Rex Orange County, Fontainebleau
• October 16: Cold War Kids, House of Blues
• October 16-26: Carrie Underwood, Resorts World
• October 17: Ana Gabriel, MGM Grand
• October 17: GWAR, House of Blues
• October 17-18: When We Were Young Sideshow, Fontainebleau
• October 17-19: When We Were Young Sideshow, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 17-19, 31: Barry Manilow, Westgate
• October 18: Tommy James and The Shondells, Golden Nugget
• October 18-19: Brad Paisley, Wynn
• October 18-19: Toni Braxton & Cedric The Entertainer, The Cosmopolitan
• October 18-26: Lenny Kravitz, Park MGM
• October 19: Intocable, Virgin Hotels
• October 19: Lupita D’Alessio, Palms
• October 19: Parker McCollum, Planet Hollywood
• October 24: The Crane Wives, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 25: Bowling For Soup, Brooklyn Bowl
• October 25: Grand Funk Railroad, Golden Nugget
• October 25-26: Pretty Lights, MGM Grand
• October 25-26: Adele, Caesars Palace
• October 25-26: Sam Hunt, Fontainebleau
• October 25-26: Jess Glynne, The Venetian
• October 25-30: Foreigner, The Venetian
• October 26: Don Felder, Westgate
• October 26: Kehlani, Mandalay Bay
• October 26: Maxwell, Planet Hollywood
• October 26: IDKHOW, House of Blues
• October 26: Yuridia, Palms
• October 26: Sin City Halloween Ball, Virgin Hotels
• October 27: Taylor Shines – The Laser Spectacular, Virgin Hotels
• October 27: Asking Alexandria, House of Blues
• October 27: A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce, Westgate
• October 30: New Edition, Wynn

Comedy Shows This October

• October 2-5: Nate Bargatze, Wynn
• October 4: Ron White, The Cosmopolitan
• October 19-20: Nick Swardson, The Venetian
• October 20: Jeff Dunham, Planet Hollywood

Conventions and Conferences This October

• September 29 – October 1: Western States Roofing Contractors Association Annual Western Expo, Paris
• September 29 – October 2: ACEP24 Scientific Assembly, Mandalay Bay
• September 29 – October 2: IHFA Convention & Tradeshow, ARIA
• October 1-3: Airgas Truck Rodeo National Competition, Circa Resort
• October 2-5: Corporate Counsel Women of Color Career Strategies Conference, Bellagio
• October 3-7: ProSport Chiropractic Conference 2024, Horseshoe
• October 4-6: Drycleaning & Laundry Expo West 2024, Horseshoe
• October 5: Lowrider Las Vegas Super Show 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center
• October 6-9: Foundation of Flexographic Technical Association Fall Meeting 2024, M Resort
• October 6-13: FED 2024, MGM Grand
• October 7-9: Groceryshop 2024, Mandalay Bay
• October 7-10: G2E: Global Gaming Expo 2024, The Venetian
• October 7-11: Coalesce 2024, Resorts World
• October 8-10: IMEX America 2024, Mandalay Bay
• October 8-10: MWC Las Vegas 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center
• October 8-10: NACS Annual Meeting & Expo 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center
• October 10-18: Okta Oktane 24 User Conference, Caesars Forum
• October 11-12: The Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center
• October 12-15: Calix – Connexions Innovation and Customer Success Conference, Wynn
• October 14-17: Wireless Internet Service Providers Association WISPAPALOOZA 2024, Horseshoe
• October 14-18: Audit & Beyond 2024, The Cosmopolitan
• October 14-19: Gay Softball World Series 2024, Planet Hollywood
• October 15-17: InsureTech Connect 2024, Mandalay Bay
• October 16-17: CME Science: Advanced Breast Imaging, Wynn
• October 16-17: PSMJ Project Management 2024, Renaissance
• October 17-19: Mecum Collector Car Auctions 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center
• October 17-20: Alien Event Cosmic Command, Alexis Park
• October 17-20: BIOMED Expo 2024, Alexis Park
• October 20-22: OSMOSISCon, Planet Hollywood
• October 21-24: TechXchange 2024, Mandalay Bay
• October 22-24: NBAA Convention and Exhibition 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center
• October 23-25: Elevate Conscious Discipline: Embrace Possibilities
• October 24: LVMPD Trunk or Treat 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center
• October 24-26: AREAA National Convention 2024, Caesars Palace
• October 24-27: Center for Inquiry CSICon 2024, Horseshoe
• October 26: Art Knife Invitational 2024, Palms Casino
• October 27: Nevada Bridal & Wedding Expo, Las Vegas Convention Center
• October 27 – November 1: NCAI Annual Convention & Marketplace 2024, MGM Grand
• October 28-30: Urban Land Institute Fall Meeting 2024, Resorts World
• October 28 – November 1: SupplySide West Trade Show & Conference, Mandalay Bay

Reggae Rise Up Festival

October 4–6, 2024

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 4–5, 2024

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!

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 11–12, 2024

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 11. A block party with food trucks and drink stations gets underway an hour earlier near the main stage.

Then on October 12, the Las Vegas Pride Festival takes place with live entertainment on two stages, dancing, food, drinks, art, and a variety of designated areas ranging from a Kid’s Zone to an 18-and-over adults-only area. The festival is family-friendly until 7 pm and transitions to “Rated R” after 7 pm.

When We Were Young

October 19–20, 2024

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 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 here while you still can.

Downtown Brew Festival

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On October 29, 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 October 26, 2024.

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.

There’s even a Las Vegas Official Halloween Bar Crawl!

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: the quirky and oddly funny zombie-themed show taking place at Planet Hollywood!
• EscapeIT: IT-themed escape room
• SAW Escape Room: an escape room perfect for those who indeed “want to play a game”!

See Shin Lim’s all-new magic show

Shin Lim, the Asian-Pacific magician who stunned viewers on America’s Got Talent, has attracted nearly 1 million fans across more than 800 shows with no signs of slowing down.

With the closing of The Mirage this year, this top-selling magic show had to find a new home.

We’re happy to announce that starting in October 2024, he will bring his Las Vegas residency to his new home, The Palazzo Theatre at The Venetian Resort.

“Shin Lim has been mesmerizing audiences in Las Vegas since 2019 and we cannot wait for our guests to experience the magic of Limitless,” said Patrick Nichols, president and chief executive officer of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

Opening this October, tickets to Limitless go on sale beginning July 15.

Head Downtown for Miss Behave’s fabulous Mavericks show

If you missed it at Fremont Street’s Cheap Shot, get ready for your second chance this fall: Miss Behave’s Mavericks has found a new home at Plaza Hotel’s historic showroom, starting October 2!

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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