New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas is one of the biggest parties of the year for the entire country. The Las Vegas Strip shuts down and fills hundreds of thousands of visitors and locals in the casinos who are walking along Las Vegas Boulevard for the night of their lives (it’s called America’s Party for a good reason). Fremont Street also throws a pretty wild shindig that’s perfect for those looking for less chaos.
The Biggest New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Las Vegas
While the celebration is a bucket list item for many, there are numerous rules and considerations to take in. Here’s our guide to the best New Year’s Eve celebration in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Strip
The Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) closes to vehicle traffic every year for multiple events, from parades to marathons and New Year’s Eve. It’s one of the few nights that pedestrians can walk the street free from cars, buses, and bikes. Road closures for the Strip often begin around 4 p.m. and complete at 8 p.m. If you are bringing a vehicle, plan to park at one of the properties off the Strip or with off-Strip access. If you want to park at a Strip casino or resort, expect to pay event fees. You may be able to find parking north or south of the road closures (north of Spring Mountain Boulevard and South of Reno Drive) but higher parking fees may be instituted there as well.
Though the party is part of the fun, the fireworks are, of course, the show’s main star. According to the official Las Vegas Tourism Board website, fireworks will be shot from nine resorts this year—ARIA Resort & Casino; Caesars Palace; Fontainebleau Las Vegas; MGM Grand Hotel and Casino; Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino; Resorts World Las Vegas; The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower; Treasure Island Hotel & Casino; and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. The fireworks show usually lasts for about 8-10 minutes and the best viewing spots are from the higher floors of the Strip’s hotels or from the north end of the Strip for a panoramic view.
Plan to arrive early if you hope to get a great view, but given that the locations that will be shooting fireworks are all along the Strip, you’ll likely have a decent view from just about anywhere. More of the locations are on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, so if you want an abundance, this is where you will find it.
As always, exercise caution and keep an eye on your belongings and your surroundings. Thieves thrive in crowded spaces, and few spaces are often as congested as Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Be vigilant and prepared to ensure your safety and peace of mind!
Fremont Street
Fremont Street also closes for New Year’s Eve to allow pedestrians to move more freely and safely from cars, buses, and bikes. The party on Fremont Street is exclusively for those 21 and over, making it a special and exclusive event that will require you to get a sitter for the kids!
Tickets are available in advance here and can be bought at any gate entrance after 7 p.m. (when gates open) on December 31. Ticketholders will each be issued a wristband and will be allowed access to the adjacent Fremont Street casinos and hotels. Unlike Times Square in New York City, there are readily available bathrooms at Las Vegas celebrations, ensuring your comfort throughout the night.
There are bag restrictions for New Year’s Eve, so check here for details on what you can and cannot bring (the Fremont Street Experience site lists clear Ziplocks up to gallon size, small clutches, and size-restricted clear bags on the okay list). No coolers, weapons of any kind (including fake), strollers, blankets, chairs, packed drinks, signs, speakers, glass, aluminum, or masks are allowed. Mobility aids are permitted.
Prepare for many casinos and hotels to allow hotel guests only or to have higher parking fees due to the large-scale event. According to the Fremont Street Experience site, rideshare can be accessed outside the gates on 1st Street and Ogden Avenue, and the corner of 4th Street and Fremont Street (if you forget, think of the Panic! at the Disco song). Additional gates without rideshare can be found at Third Street and Ogden Avenue, and on Main Street by the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino).
