How Many Times Have the Strip Lights Been Dimmed to Honor Someone?

How many times have the machines/lights stopped in Vegas to honor a notable person? I was just reading about Sinatra’s death.

The last time the lights on the Vegas Strip were dimmed was on October 1, 2018, to mark the first anniversary of the deadly mass shooting that took place exactly a year earlier.

The Strip has gone dark for 60 full minutes for Earth Hour, held on the last Saturday in March. An annual event staged to conserve energy and raise awareness of climate-change issues, Las Vegas has participated, albeit patchily, each year since 2009.

Before that, a three-minute dimming was held on June 11, 2004, in memory of President Ronald Reagan. This gesture is usually reserved for ex-Strip headliners and Reagan topped the bill at the Last Frontier for two weeks in 1954.

On Sept. 14, 2001, three days after 9/11, non-essential lights were doused all night long at Caesars Palace, Bally's, Paris, the Las Vegas Hilton, and the Flamingo. Other casinos do not appear to have followed suit, although the Venetian, New Frontier, Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mirage, Treasure Island, New York-New York, and Golden Nugget all suspended casino play for an entire minute at midday.

Strip lights dimmed "albeit briefly and haphazardly" on May 15, 1998 (according to an article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal), one day after he died, in honor of the Chairman of the Board himself, Frank Sinatra. That ceremony was a bit prompter than the one for Dean Martin on Dec. 28, 1995, three days after Dino’s demise. The Strip might have missed that one entirely had it not been for some nudging by agent Mort Viner and photographer Don Pack, who prodded civic leaders into hitting the light switch.

The May 16, 1990, death of Sammy Davis Jr. was followed by a light-dimming commemoration.

The lights were dimmed briefly for George Burns, following his March 9, 1996, death at the age of 100.

And before that, you have to go all the way back to Nov. 22, 1963, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the only president besides Reagan accorded such a Strip commemoration.

What about Elvis? Nope. The Strip never went dark for him. To have omitted the man who sang "Viva Las Vegas" is a snub unfit for a King.

Count 'em all up and we come up with six times for individual people, twice for mass events, and 16 times for Earth Hour (which was suspended in 2020 for the pandemic, as all the casinos were dark anyway). Total: 24 times.

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

Donzack Aug-29-2025

Wow

That was a better QoD than I thought.  Did George Burns ever perform in Vegas?  I think Louie  Prima deserves a few seconds.  Don’t throw light bulbs at me but I can’t see Earth Day .

Donzack Aug-29-2025

Uh oh

Not one woman? Maybe this would be a good poll for a day in the future.

stephen rosol Aug-29-2025

agreed earth day dimming makes no sense

so, you save the planet by reducing energy use for a little bit, then throw the switch and go right back to where you were -- what is the message/meaning in not changing anything

Bob Aug-29-2025

Net Loss?

Imagine the energy surge when they turn all the lights back on, and all those lights, Computers, transformers, ballasts etc. having to warm back up and get to full song!  Probably uses more energy than it saves. and all the wasted manhours at each and every property to logistically pull it off, there ain't just one big master switch!   Just sayn'

Michael B Aug-29-2025

Logistics

I'm interested to know HOW it happens? Does every casino have to have someone program their lights to go off and on at that time (which I am assuming)? Or is there some master light program where only 1 person has to do something? I've never seen it happen so it would seem like some coordination has to occur. QOD part 2?

John Dulley Aug-29-2025

Reagan?

How was Reagan a headliner? Could he sing  or something I don’t know about because it couldn’t have been for his acting because it was awful..

Gregory Aug-29-2025

Ronald Regan/George Burns

Ronald Regan headlined a show at the Frontier in 1954.  George Burns appeared frequently at many hotel/casinos from the late 50s to the 90s. Seeing George's name on a hotel marquee was petty common.  George was slated to celebrate his 100th birthday with a show at Caesars Palace. It did not happen as he was too ill to appear. My dad ran into George playing blackjack at one of the casinos in the 60s.

Kathy Aug-29-2025

Viva Las Vegas

I agree it's a dang shame not to have dimmed the lights for Elvis!

O2bnVegas Aug-29-2025

Not a headliner per se

I Googled Reagan at the Last Frontier. 1954, his movie career and financials in decline, he was offered a two week stint at the LF's Ramona Room, at the time the largest showroom in Vegas, mainly introducing other acts, not his own stand up act. His "self-deprecating jokes and aw shucks humor" made him and the show very popular.  This gig also gave his financials a much needed boost, followed by an offer to MC the TV General Electic Theater which he did from 1954 to 1962, which improved his image and public speaking skills as well as the financials. Last Frontier invited him back, but newest wife Nancy advised against it.  

Google Las Vegas: "Ronald Reagan Had a Las Vegas Lounge Act" to see some cool pic from the shows.  Also see other links to later campaign speeches where he incorporated jokes, one liners, etc. 

Candy

Larry Stone Aug-29-2025

nv energy

the next time the strip hotels will dim their lights is when NV Energy shuts off their electricity for non payment!

Robert Carpentier Aug-29-2025

No Respect?

I thought the lights were also turned off after Rodney Dangerfield died as well.

DeltaEagle Aug-29-2025

Hughes

Howard Hughes? I know they stopped play for a minute.

Donzack Aug-29-2025

Come on guys

How about Frank Rosenthal, Tony Spilotro or Frank Cullotta. How about the implosion of the Stardust.  Things were better. Did they charge for parking or a  meal?

IdahoPat Oct-28-2025

Jerry Tarkanian

Strip lights were dimmed for the Shark in February 2015.

Question of the Day - 29 August 2025

Comments