Category Archive: Parties

  1. November Events in Las Vegas

    Leave a Comment

    November is a wonderful time to visit Vegas. The falling temperatures are perfect (with an average high of 67 F, low 42 F, rainfall 0.43”), and tourist crowds are beginning to thin. Combine those two facts, and you’re in for a relaxed, comfortable trip.

    In addition to hitting the Strip, this is a great time of year for outdoor day trips, like visiting Springs Preserve (see below to find out how you can do that for free this month), or outdoor sports like golfing. We recommend packing and dressing in layers to accommodate the range of temperatures you’ll encounter.

    Icons of Comedy: Natasha Leggero ($)

    Nov 2–4 at 10:30 p.m.

    Starlite Theatre

    http://newsite.rivierahotel.com/events/natasha-leggero/

    We’re so excited to be hosting Natasha Leggero at our own Starlite Theatre this November! There’s a good chance you already recognize this celebrated comedienne from her appearances on Chelsea Lately, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Last Call with Carson Daly and multiple stand-up shows on Comedy Central. This is one fun show that’s sure to tickle your funny bones.

    First Friday Art Celebration (Free)

    Friday, November 2, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
    Downtown Arts District
    http://www.firstfridaylasvegas.com/faq.htm

    Vegas celebrates its arts community the first Friday of every month. It’s a fun and family-friendly event that includes artists, vendors and activities. It’s also free, but you may want to bring along some cash if you plan on purchasing any art or taking advantage of the many, many food trucks. The celebration also usually features multiple live bands and live performance “paintings.” It’s one of our favorite events to take the family, get away from the Strip for an evening and discover a cornucopia of artisans specializing in all kinds of media, like painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and more.

    For more information about getting there and what it includes, visit their website.

    2012 Dinosaur Ball – End of the World Party! ($)

    Saturday, November 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

    Las Vegas Natural History Museum, 900 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV

    http://www.lvnhm.org/

    Will this be the party to end all parties? For the 2012 Dinosaur Ball, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum drew inspiration from the Mayans, whose calendar ends (yeah, right!) on December 21.

    Details haven’t been announced yet, but the Dinosaur Ball is typically a high-class fundraising affair for the museum, including cocktails, dinner, a silent auction, and live entertainment. Last year, tickets started at $250.


    View Larger Map

    Aviation Nation 2012 (Free)

    November 10–11, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Nellis Air Force Base, 4700 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Nellis AFB, NV

    http://www.nellis.af.mil/aviationnation/

    One of the largest and most diverse aviation events in the nation, Aviation Nation shines a spotlight on America’s military achievements around the globe. The event includes approximately 100 ground aircraft displays as well as aerial demonstrations. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the two-day event.


    View Larger Map

    Motor Trend International Auto Show – Las Vegas ($)

    November 23–25, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV

    http://www.motortrendautoshows.com/lasvegas

    Events this November are going to give you vertigo. Coming down from the high of Aviation Nation 2012, we look forward to being firmly grounded at the Motor Trend International Auto Show, which will showcase hundreds of current and upcoming car and truck models. Tickets start at $7.

    The Las Vegas Convention Center is about a ten-minute walk from the Riviera:


    View Larger Map

    ZOPPÉ – An Italian Family Circus ($$)

    November 1–4, 2012, show times vary by day
    The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV
    http://zoppe.net/

    Napoleone and Ermengilda Zoppe’ founded Circo Zoppe’ in 1842, and the modern incarnation manages to capture all the charm and magic of an old-school circus brought into the modern world. Audiences in the small arena will be treated to acrobatics, equestrian showmanship, clowns and more. This circus provides an intimate experience – rife with audience participation! – that’s often missing from bigger productions, without losing any of the thrills or humor. Tickets start at $28.


    View Larger Map

    Bank of America Museums on Us® (Free)

    November 3 & 4

    Various museums

    http://museums.bankofamerica.com

    Are you a Bank of America debit or credit cardholder? Then you have automatic free admission the first full weekend each month to several museums and attractions in the Las Vegas area.

    For example, we’ve already told you about the lovely Springs Preserve. This program offers a great opportunity to explore it at no cost.

    Participating museums in the BofA program include:

    • Las Vegas Natural History Museum
    • Lied Discovery Children’s Museum
    • Springs Preserve

  • Halloween in Vegas

    Leave a Comment

    We don’t want to brag, but Vegas has no shortage of monsters and creeps. Haven’t you seen Casino? But we digress: if you were spooked that being in Vegas on October 31 meant you’d miss out on the Halloween fun, you haven’t yet learned that Vegas takes every opportunity to go wild. Indeed, there are so many Halloween events and attractions throughout the area, around every dark corner and behind every unsuspecting façade, that Vegas is just to die for on the scariest night of the year. You could pick no better place to haunt.*

    Here’s a sampling of some of the many sublime Halloween treats, some family-friendly and others not-for-kids, for you to savor during your stay in Vegas.

    * Disclaimer: To our knowledge, no one has actually died in our Halloween festivities. But we keep trying.

    Haunted Vegas Tour (All ages)

    Nightly at 9:30 p.m.

    Tour starts at the Royal Resorts near the Las Vegas Strip on Convention Center Drive

    http://www.hauntedvegastours.com/

    Here’s a good place to start: Vegas has more than its fair share of grisly deaths, unsolved murders and tragic celebrities who never left town. Here’s your chance to see how what happens in Vegas … really stays in Vegas. As one of the guides has said, “Many of them have not left the building.”

    This two-and-a-half-hour tour, which starts just a ten-minute walk from the Riviera, will take you to all the hot spots sure to give you the chills. One thing we like about this tour: it’s not cheesy. The guides have selected hauntings that have been researched and featured in studies and specials on stations like the Discovery Channel. As a result, the tour is of as much historical interest as paranormal.

    Interesting tidbit: one of the guides is also a professional mortician. Good to know, just in case you die of fright along the way.


    View Larger Map

    Las Vegas Zombie Run (All ages)

    October 28 at 9 a.m.

    Sunset Park, 2601 East Sunset Road, Las Vegas, NV

    http://lasvegaszombierun.com/

    This is the perfect opportunity to practice for the zombocalypse. It’s an easy 5k and 1-mile run/walk with a twist: zombies. Every runner will carry flags (like flag football), which the zombie minions will target. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: survive. If you lose your flags, you’ll join the zombie ranks among the undead. But at least you’ll get some exercise in the process.

    Tickets start at $40. All proceeds benefit local charity Generation Vegas.


    View Larger Map

    Town Scary Halloween (All Ages)

    October 31 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

    Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89119

    http://www.mytownsquarelasvegas.com/events-a-programs/town-square-events/details/610-town-scary-halloween.html

    The streets of Town Square will transform into a haunted Halloweenscape for one night only. Retails and restaurants will be passing out candy to wee trick-or-treaters, with additional games and activities throughout the area. You might check out Town Scary before heading over to the Las Vegas Halloween Parade (below).


    View Larger Map

    The Third Annual Las Vegas Halloween Parade (All ages)

    October 31 at 6 p.m. (line up) and 7 p.m. (parade)

    Line up on Garces and 4th; After Party on 3rd between Ogden and Stewart

    http://www.thelasvegashalloweenparade.com/

    Free and open to all ages: The Las Vegas Halloween Parade has been steadily gaining steam – last year’s drew more than 12,000 participants and spectators – and its third year promises to be its best yet. Activities and attractions cover the gamut, including elaborate floats and parade cars, giant puppets, music, dance – and, of course, costumes. This is one of the best spots to check out some of the most creative, elaborate costumes you’ll see in Vegas – and if you brought your own, it’s your key to joining the parade! Plus, you can participate in a costume contest (registration begins at 5 p.m. the day of the parade). Award categories include: best group costume, best illuminated costume, best Vegas costume and best baby costume ages 0-10.

    The Third Annual Las Vegas Halloween Parade (All ages)

    Map of the parade route, courtesy of thelasvegashalloweenparade.com

    Bonnie Screams Ranch (All ages)

    Bonnie Springs Ranch, 16395 Bonnie Springs Road, Blue Diamond, NV 89004

    http://www.bonniesprings.com/ranch-happenings.html

    We’ve already introduced you to Bonnie Springs Ranch. Built in 1843 as a wagon stopover, Bonnie Springs is just 25 miles out of town. And from mid-October through Halloween, it transforms into a ghost town in the best tradition of the Old West. With haunted houses, entertainment and a ghostly train ride, this is a wonderful outing for families or those not quite up to the R-Rated attractions elsewhere. Visit the website for more information.


    View Larger Map

    Haunted Harvest (All ages)

    October 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

    Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107

    http://www.springspreserve.org/apps/event/details.cfml?id=163

    We introduced you to Springs Preserve back in April; it’s one of our favorite getaways, one that explains at a glance why Las Vegas (Spanish for ‘the meadows’) earned its name.

    In October, it transforms into the Haunted Harvest, a fun themed carnival featuring a haunted house, trick or treat stations, games, entertainment and more. Additionally, the Springs Café will stay up late with a special menu of spooky treats. Tickets start at $5, no reservations required.


    View Larger Map

    Eli Roth’s Goretorium (Teens & Adults)

    Open year round

    3717 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, 89109

    http://goretorium.com/home

    Goretorium is the brainchild of Eli Roth, director of horror movies “Hostel” and “Cabin Fever.” The huge and intricate haunted house tells the story of the mythical hotel and casino, The Delmont, and of the guests who never left. The $10 million, 15,000 square foot attraction has pulled out all the stops, creating an interactive, multisensory experience that will leave hearts racing and screams ringing in your ears. It’s also gruesome: this is not a destination for kids. Just how scary is it? According to CEO Robert Frey, “We don’t think most people will make it through. That’s our goal.”

    Will you be one of the few? Tickets start at $35.


    View Larger Map

    Madame Tussauds Las Vegas After Dark (Teens & Adults)

    October 26 through October 28

    3377 Las Vegas Blvd S, Suite 2001, Las Vegas, NV

    http://www.madametussauds.com/LasVegas/NewsAndEvents/AfterDark/default.aspx

    This one can get a bit intense, so we don’t recommend it for children. Can you tell the difference between real and wax? Don’t be so sure. Madame Tussauds’ “After Dark” adventure will put your perception and courage to the test.


    View Larger Map

    Freakling Bros. Horror Shows Presents The Trilogy of Terror (Teens & Adults)

    September 28 through October 31, hours vary

    AMC Theatres Rainbow Promenade 10, 2321 North Rainbow Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV

    http://www.freaklingbros.com/

    The Trilogy of Terror presents three mature haunts in one location:

    • Gates of Hell: the trilogy’s pièce-de-résistance and the only R-rated Haunted House in Nevada, the Gates of Hell is “a sadistic experiment in absolute sensory overload” culminating in a face-to-face with the Prince of Darkness himself. Maybe you can ask him what he really thinks of Sin City.
    • Castle Vampyre: an interactive haunt that makes excellent use of design tricks to ratchet up the tension. This is an attraction that may well have you on your knees before you’re done.
    • Circus of Horrors: a true freak show, the Circus of Horrors will present a collection of freaks, oddities and monstrosities you’ll never be able to forget. Got a thing about clowns? Just wait.

    One of our favorite things about the Trilogy of Terror? Creativity. Creators Duke and JT Mollner stay away from clichés – like replicating scares from movies – and substituting quantity for quality – like throwing wave after wave of actors at guests. Instead, they use ingenious design elements and carefully orchestrated actors to terrify. And it works. Pardon us while we take the Chicken Exit now.

    Tickets start at $12.


    View Larger Map

    Anywhere Along the Strip

    Frankly, Halloween is so big in this town, all you really have to do is walk out your door and down the street. Almost everywhere you turn – at hotels, casinos, clubs, even libraries (yeah, that’s how serious we are about All Hallows Eve here) – there will be special Halloween events and attractions. The Strip itself will turn into a smorgasbord of costumes both ghastly and fabulous on Halloween: the people-watching is bar none. So take a seat, grab a drink and feast your eyes on the ghoulish delights of Sin City on Death’s Holiday.