Las Vegas - Annual Events

FEBRUARY
Chinese New Year
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Asian-Pacific Cultural Center, this annual event is Celebrated with a number of different events held all over Las Vegas. Usually the beginning of February. Call (877) VISIT-LV for more information.

Black History Month
A number of events in February celebrate the African-American influence on the culture and entertainment of Las Vegas, notably the kickoff breakfast at Fitzgerald's Hotel and Casino, the largest Black-owned hotel and casino in the United States, and the family cultural event held towards the end of February at Neonopolis. Call (800) 274-LUCK for more information.

World Archery Festival
The National Field Archery Association sponsors the first of a series of tournaments that concludes later in Atlantic City, with an accompanying trade show featuring archery equipment, accessories and clothing, hosted at the Riviera Hotel and Casino which offers a substantially reduced rate for tournament attendees. Usually in late February. Call (800) 811-2331 for more information.

MARCH:
NASCAR Busch Grand National Series
The Sam's Town 300 race is the part of the Busch Grand National series of races held in Las Vegas, in early March. Call (800) 644-4444 for more information.
NASCAR Winston Cup UAW Daimler/Chrysler 400
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts this annual event in early March. Call (800) 644-4444 for more information.

St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Mayor presides over a series of parades and general partying in the downtown area, with plenty of green beer, sponsored by the Sons of Erin for the benefit of charity. Call (702) 388-1177 for more information.

The Great Crafts Festival
Local craftsmen gather at the Cashman Center for their annual exposition, during the third week in March. Call (877) VISIT-LV for more information.

Monster Jam World Finals
During the third week of March, monster trucks gather each year at the Sam Boyd Stadium. Call (702) 895-3900 for more information.

APRIL:
World Series of Poker
For a one thousand dollar entry fee, you can compete in a million dollar poker competition at Benny Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas, which lasts an entire month and draws top name gamblers from around the country, beginning in the middle of April. Call (702) 382-1600 for more information.

Clark County Fair and Rodeo
Las Vegas celebrates its annual regional fair of livestock, local music, amusement rides and country cooking in mid-April in the town of Logandale. Call (888) 876-FAIR for more information.

Fremont Street Mardi Gras
Cajun bands and New Orleans-style partying highlight this annual event at the covered Fremont Street arcade, around the third week of April. Call (702) 678 5777 for more information.

City of Light Jazz Festival
Jazz musicians from all over the country congregate at Hills Park in Summerlin, during the last week of April. Call (800) 969-VEGAS for more information.

MAY:
EA Sports Supercross
Sam Boyd Stadium hosts the final show of the annual American Motorcross series during the first week of May, which includes spectacular jumps and other stunts on a specially engineered track. Call (702) 455-8242 for more information.

Cinco de Mayo
Freedom Park is the center of festivities in this annual celebration sponsored by the Mexican Patriotic Committee, which includes clowns, parades, food boths and celebrations in local bars and parks throughout Las Vegas, held on the weekend, culminating on the Sunday, closest to May 5. Call (702) 284-6800 for more information.

Summer Jam
Radio station KLUC 98.5 hosts the latest in live music at the Sam Boyd Stadium, around the middle of May. Call (888) 464-2468 for more information.

Jazz in the Park
From mid-May to mid-June, Clark County Parks and Community Services and radio stations KUNV and KNPR host a series of evening outdoor concerts at the Clark County Government Center amphitheater. Call (702) 455-8200 for more information.

JUNE:
Kidzmania
The Cashman Field Center presents a two-day festival which includes a petting zoo, children's activities, seminars on parenting and plenty of other amusements and activities for children. Call (702) 386-7100 for more information.

Jazz Festival
Live jazz bands from all over the country congregate under the Fremont Street aracade for a three day festival during the first week of June. Call (702) 678 5777 for more information.

International Truck Show
The annual exposition of trucks, including a truck beauty contest and many other amusements and activities are hosted by the Las Vegas Convention Center during the last few days of June. Call (702) 892-0711 for more information.

JULY:
Fourth of July Fireworks
Las Vegas is the place to be on the Fourth, where you can enjoy the most spectacular fireworks at a number of venues, including Cashman Field, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Sante Fe Station Pavilion, Desert Breeze Park, Hills Park in Summerlin, Bicentennial Park in Boulder City, Morrell Park, the Stratosphere Lounge and the Primm Valley Casino. Call (877) VISIT-LV for more information.

AUGUST:
Def Con X Underground
The Alexis Park Hotel and Resort hosts a convention of the largest number of computer hackers in one place, where you can learn state of the art security techniques and how to defend yourself from those who know best, in the first week of August. Call (800) 453-8000 for more information.

SEPTEMBER:
Best in the Desert
Gather at the Sunset Hotel for a 300 mile desert and mountain race from Las Vegas to Reno, over a three-day period, in the longest off-road race in the country. Call (702) 636-7111 for more information.

Mexican Independence Day
A number of venues in Las Vegas host live music, food and craft booths, most notably a fair and picnic at Freedom Park sponsored by the Mexican Patriotic Committee as a fundraiser for student scholarships. Call (702) 649-1198 for more information.

Blue Sky International Film Festival
Independent film directors screen their latest documentaries and short features in late September at Nevada's largest film festival, at Regal's Village Square Cinemas. Call (702) 737-3313 for more information.

Greek Food Festival
Towards the end of September, Greek cuisine and culture is celebrated on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Churh with folk dancing, live music and a bazaar. Call (702) 248-3896 for more information.

OCTOBER:
Viva Las Vegas
Las Vegas hosts tours, parties and concerts for gay and lesbian visitors and residents, ending with a full day party at Wet 'n' Wild theme park. Call (702) 892-0711 for more information

Professional Bull Riders Championships
Towards the end of October, winning riders and the most challenging bulls meet for a four-day competition at the Thomas and Mack Center. Call (702) 895-3761 for more information.

Art in the Park
Artists, jewelers, portrait painters and other craftsmen gather in early October at Bicentennial Park in Boulder City for a public picnic and fine arts celebration to benefit the Boulder City Hospital Foundation. Call (702) 294-1611 for more information.

Invensys Classic
This annual five-day PGA tournament is sponsored by the Southern Highlands Golf Club and TPC at Summerlin and at the Canyons, in the middle of October. Call (702) 242-3000 for more information.

Mr. Olympia and Fitness Olympia Competitions
Fitness products and programs on health are offered at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, in conjunction with these two world bodybuilding competitions, in the middle of October. Call (702) 632 7777 for more information.

Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball
One of the more popular events is presented by the purveyors of adult products, as exhibitionists and others congregate in costume at the SportsCenter to enjoy live music and assorted contests, on the weekend closest to Halloween. Call (702) 474-4000 for more information.

NOVEMBER:
COMDEX
In mid-November, technology buyers flock to COMDEX at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the big picture on IT solutions in one place and to gain savvy for making informed purchasing decisions. COMDEX is where hardware manufacturers, software vendors and service providers launch products, where leaders discuss industry trends, and where the media spotlights what’s hot in the $915 billion IT industry. Call (415) 905-2300 for more information.

Pennzoil World of Outlaws
Small cars with big engines race at 150 mpg in the middle of November at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Call (702) 632-8252 for more information.

Motor Trend International Auto Show
The Las Vegas Convention Center hosts an annual exposition of new cars, mini-vans, SUVs and trucks in late November. Call (702) 892-0711 for more information.

Strut Your Mutt
Dogs run free at Dog Fancier's Park in mid-November, where they can enter contests and you can listen to a variety of intructional programs and obtain adoption assistance. Call (702) 455-8200 for more information.

DECEMBER:
National Finals Rodeo
Rodeo competitors from all over the world gather at the Thomas and Mack Center for a week of steer wrestling, bronco bucking and calf roping, towards the middle of December. Call (702) 895-3761 for more information.

Ethel M Chocolate Light the Night Spectacular
The Mars chocolatier family hangs thousands of lights on their desert plant garden and hosts special tours of their facility, beginning in late November and extending through early January. Call (702) 433-2500 for more information.

New Year's Eve Downtown
For a more organized alternative to the Strip celebration, enjoy popular live bands and a synchronized fireworks display at the Freemont Street arcade. Call (702) 678-5777 for more information

New Year's Eve on the Strip
The entire Strip is packed with partying street crowds and top name entertainers everywhere. Call (702) 892 0711 for more information.