Las Vegas is the most exciting place to celebrate the New Year as 2023 comes to an end, aside from the legendary Times Square ball drop, of course. There’s a reason this is the busiest weekend in Sin City all year!
Plan festivities now for New Year’s Eve on the Strip or Fremont Street to reserve your spot, purchase tickets, and experience NYE like never before.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
There’s a 10-minute midnight fireworks show scheduled to light up the Las Vegas Strip when the clock strikes twelve. Eight resorts on The Strip will take part in the choreographed show set to popular music, with more than 80,000 fireworks going off.
Each of the participating resorts will set the NYE fireworks off from their rooftop.
Luckily, each location is spread throughout The Strip, so it won’t be hard to get a good view. Participating resorts include:
- MGM Grand
- Planet Hollywood
- Treasure Island
- Resorts World Las Vegas
- ARIA
- Caesars Palace
- Venetian
- The STRAT
Best Spots to Watch the Fireworks
If you want to guarantee a good view of the fireworks, your best bet is to arrive early and stake out a place. Any of the pedestrian bridges offer an incredible view, and so does the area right in front of Caesars Palace.
The ice rink at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has a firework viewing party with limited capacity.
If you can’t beat the crowds at those popular locations, another option is to head to the top floor of a hotel garage that faces one of the hotels setting off fireworks.
If you can’t get a spot on the very top floor, any of the upper floors in one of the larger parking garages on The Strip will offer a decent view.
Plaza Hotel Fireworks Show
If you want to watch fireworks without fighting for a good view on the Strip, the Plaza Hotel & Casino puts on its own annual fireworks show on New Year’s Eve. There are multiple viewing areas in the hotel with a good view, but VIP hotel guests who book ahead will get the best view from the pool deck.
New Year’s Eve Parties
Las Vegas Strip
While there isn’t one designated party spot on Las Vegas Boulevard for New Year’s Eve celebrations, the whole Strip is festive and fun. Traffic gets shut down around 6 PM from Russel to Sahara Avenue, which gives pedestrians full reign to take over the Strip. And they certainly do take over!
If you want to celebrate indoors, most of the large clubs located inside resorts have their own NYE party. Don’t try to show up at the last minute, though resorts don’t let pedestrians in without a hotel room key from 11 PM to 1 AM.
Many smaller restaurants and bars have their own NYE bash planned, too. In fact, it would be nearly impossible to find a restaurant or bar on the Strip that isn’t ringing in the New Year! Heading to the Strip earlier is the only way to find parking and get to your party spot before the crowds get too large.
If you’d rather stay outdoors to watch the fireworks, you won’t be alone! You’ll see people standing all up and down the Strip as the clock gets closer to striking midnight.
Hint: The bigger the crowd gathering in one area outside, the better the view of the fireworks will be from that spot!
Fremont Street Experience Time of Your Life Festival
Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Vegas is the other popular spot to ring in the new year in the city. With three stages booked for live performances, pyrotechnic displays, an EDM stage with aerialists, and unknown surprises that are yet to be revealed, there’s no shortage of excitement.
7 Vegas blocks are closed to accommodate this can’t-miss event starting at 5 PM. This ticketed event is exclusive for adults 21 and up. Early bird ticket pricing starts at $60. Regular tickets are $50.
Concerts with legendary acts are scheduled from 6 PM to 4 AM, and capacity is limited. If you want to take part in the Time of Your Life Festival, purchase an early bird ticket or plan to arrive early to gain entry before occupancy limits are met.
The many bars and restaurants in the Fremont Entertainment District will be open all night to keep partygoers entertained and offer easy movement between the concert stages.
This is considered the “official” NYE party in Vegas, with a countdown to midnight from the mayor, a digital fireworks display, and hours of unforgettable fun.
A new silent disco will be unveiled at the festival this year, too. During the silent disco, audience members will wear headphones and choose their favorite out of three DJs. As disco members pick their favorite, the lights on their headphones will change colors, so there will be no hiding who their favorite DJ is!
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe is a staple of New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Their annual celebration includes an open bar, food stations, a live band, and a champagne toast at midnight. General admission tickets are on sale now!
NYE Bridge Bash at New York New York
The Brooklyn Bridge in New York New York turns into a party destination on New Year’s Eve weekend. Drinks, the hottest DJs, party favors, dancers, and the perfect view of the fireworks show are just some of the fun you can expect.
Area15 NYE Masquerave
Area15 offers a good mix of club-style fun with live DJs and dancing with more laid-back fun at Museum Fiasco, Wink World, and more. This is a great spot to go if you don’t want to be stuck in the same environment all night.
The theme for this year’s celebration is Masquerave, which will be complete with a crew of masked revelers in the crowd. The Masquerave will feature performances by Boris Berjcha, Ann Clue, and Moritz Hofbauer.
Early bird tickets are sold out, but GA tickets are still available starting at $49.95.
108 Party in the Sky
- Cost: $165/person > Buy Tickets
- Time: 9pm – 1am
Head to the SkyPod 800 feet above the Las Vegas Strip for the 108 Party in the Sky. There will be drinks, food, a live DJ, and a bird’s eye view of the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Who is performing in Vegas on New Year’s Eve 2023?
Time of Your Life Festival at Fremont Street
The biggest performances on NYE happen at the Time of Your Life Festival at the Fremont Street Experience.
Featured live performances on the three stages at the festival include legendary acts:
- Third Eye Blind
- Big Gigantic
- Craze
- Blackstreet
- Tone Ioc
- Young MC
- Kid N Play
Live Performers Outside the Time of Your Life Festival
While the downtown festival has the most performers in one spot, there are plenty of other live entertainment options.
Some of the most exciting ticketed performances happening on NYE 2023 are:
- Bruno Mars at Park MGM
- David Blaine at Wynn Las Vegas
- John Oliver and Seth Meyers at Caesars Palace
- Post Malone at Fontainebleau
- Kelly Clarkson at Planet Hollywood
- Luke Bryan at Resorts World
- Steve Aoki at Omnia Nightclub
- Christina Aguilera at Venetian
- Black Eyed Peas at Venetian
- The Chainsmokers at XS Nightclub
- Demi Lovato at Cosmopolitan
Where to Eat
When you’re partying all night long, getting in a good meal is essential to keep your energy levels up. Las Vegas restaurants offer extended hours and specials to draw people in on NYE.
If you need a good place to get a bite on New Year’s Eve, stop in one of these restaurants for an incredible meal close to the action. Make dinner reservations before you arrive to avoid long wait times.
- Sparrow + Wolf
- Mayfair Supper Club
- El Dorado Cantina
- Black Tap
- SW Steakhouse
- Beauty & Essex
- SkyBar
- Nobu
- Aureole
- Don Vito’s
If you prefer a quick, casual bite with no reservation required, check out one of the many food courts Vegas has to offer.
Other Things to Do on New Year’s
When you aren’t partying the night away on New Year’s Eve, the Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street Experience have plenty to keep your itinerary fully booked.
Some of the fun things to check out during your New Years visit are:
- Blackout Dining in the Dark
- Exotics Racing
- Ice skating at Cosmopolitan
- High Roller
- Fly LINQ Zipline
- Vegas Nights
- Get a tattoo to mark the occasion
Survival Tips
New Year’s Eve is unlike any other time in Las Vegas. Even if you’ve been to Las Vegas before, this will be a new experience. Follow these tips for a stress-free weekend!
- Book your hotel in advance – rooms are in high demand!
- Find parking before 5 PM.
- Get free rides from RTC all night long – no need to drink and drive
- Plan your party spot ahead of time
- Dress warm; layers are encouraged.
- Be prepared for inflated prices
- Drinks can be carried on the street as long as you’re 21 or older, but no glass or metal containers.
If you’re struggling to plan the rest of your New Year’s Eve trip, don’t worry, you’re in the right place. Get transportation recommendations from the airport, find in-depth restaurant reviews, and visit the best shopping centers during your stay.
Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, so celebrate NYE like never before!