What's the Best Time To Come for a Week in December?

We have a family event in Henderson on Saturday December 16. We're thinking of extending our trip for a week on one side or the other. Would be better off coming in on Sunday the 10th or Friday the 15h, then leaving on Friday the 22nd? My wife will want to see a show or two and I'll be happy not to have to face any lines and parking problems.

Whoever chose December 16 for a family event is doing you a big favor. It's just about the perfect day to plan a trip around, whether it's the week before or after.

One thing we can say about the before or after is that the National Finals Rodeo will be taking place the week before, December 7-16. If your wife likes country music, dancing, and concerts, she'll be happy that week, but it can get pretty crowded, especially around Thomas and Mack Center, where the competitions take place.

Since NFR ends on the day of your event, we'd recommend that you arrive on Thursday the 14th or Friday the 15th and stay beyond the family shindig. Leaving on Thursday the 21st or Friday the 22nd, you'll be heading in the opposite direction of the hordes arriving for Christmas weekend and the very busy week between Christmas and New Years.

If it were us, we'd opt for Thursday to Thursday. That way, you'll be acclimated for the family affair, not have to deal too long with the NFR crowds, and have four-five solid days to be here at the traditionally slowest (least expensive and least crowded) several days of the year. After you experience the lack of traffic and lines, booked-up hotels and restaurants, and sold-out shows, along with the good rates for rooms and rental cars and the relaxed friendly atmosphere and holiday spirit of the place, you might never come to Las Vegas at any other time of the year.

Also, plenty will be going on that week. True, there isn't an abundance of headliners and some shows go dark (no performances) for an extended period, but vacation schedules tend to be staggered throughout December and early January, so there’s always a good choice.

Every year in the December Las Vegas Advisor, we publish all the dark days for shows. So you can see what will be playing on the dates you'll have available and probably have your choice of tickets. Lounge acts and smaller shows are in abundance, and all the free spectacles continue with no pause for the holidays.

Have fun, good luck with seeing what you want, and let us know how you like the dog days of December in Las Vegas.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

Kevin Lewis Nov-01-2023

Good advice

That blessed respite between when the horsey people leave and the Christmas hordes arrive is a great time to visit Vegas. And while there are no such things as bargains in Vegas any more, there will be a relative lack of gouging during that period. For instance: Tight-Ass Tacos on the corner of Gouge and LV Blvd only charges $17 for a bean burrito ($38 during NFR and Xmas).

Of course, if I lived in Vegas, my response to a "family event" would be to climb on a plane and have everyone meet us in some other--any other--city. Even--gaah--Phoenix.

Texas Transplant Nov-01-2023

I come in to LV as the NFR attendees are flying out.

For the last 7 years my best friend and I have been getting together in Las Vegas, and come in on the Sunday afternoon right after the rodeo ends.  Works out perfectly for us.  

This year we are scheduled to land on Sunday the 17 and leave on Friday the 22.  Minimal crowds, good room rates, great gambling promotions, relatively reasonable  car rentals, etc.  Shows are "dark" but we don't care about shows at all.

For the last 6 years we've only stayed downtown, better VP odds, great December room and gambling promotions.  We've found that 4Q's downtown location is within walking distance of a lot of "Happy Hours" with discounted food and drinks.

Also, with fewer people around during that week, the cocktail waitresses seem to be around more often. If they appear friendly often give them $5 "Merry Christmas" tip for my second drink.  They tend to be very appreciative and take very good care of you
Also that week will be pretty much the last chance to use the 2023 LVA coupons.

Raymond Nov-01-2023

Around Christmas

Since I don't do any Christmas "celebrations" and have no family obligations then, I usually spend Christmas in Las Vegas.  I fly in around the 19th-20th and leave a week later.  It's not crowded compared to NFR or NYE, people are usually not stressed as much, and I still manage to see a few shows.  Even having fewer restaurants open on Xmas Day than normal isn't that bad--there are still lots of places open.

Last year, I booked myself in on the 18th and out on Christmas, and I got caught in that Southwest Hell at Midway going home, but that's not Vegas' fault!  This year, if I make the trip, I'll probably come in on the 19th and leave on the 26th.

Question of the Day - 01 November 2023

Comments