The Absolute Best Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas This Year

Celebrate with food, drinks, music, and fireworks in Sin City.

Drai's Nightclub
Photo courtesy of Drai's Nightclub
Photo courtesy of Drai's Nightclub

It's time to say goodbye to 2023, a year that gave Las Vegas Formula 1, Barbenheimer, the Sphere, and world championship victories by the Golden Knights and Aces. And sure, the Raiders are here, too. We also saw the openings of landscape-changing resorts like the Fontainebleau and Durango, which had a fireworks show on opening night but won't on New Year's Eve. Fortunately, there's no shortage of celebrations throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Just remember to plan carefully. Police will be on the lookout for drunk drivers, rideshare services will have longer-than-usual waits with surge pricing in effect, and the Strip will be closed to traffic between Russell and Sahara. Give yourself plenty of time, stay warm, and study up on the following events to bid farewell to 2023 in style.

The Plaza
Photo courtesy of The Plaza

New Year's Eve Fireworks in Las Vegas

America's Party 2024

The Strip, Free to watch fireworks, prices vary for viewing parties
One of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in the country is bigger than ever. Following a "More in '24" theme, the Las Vegas Strip will see fireworks erupt at midnight from nine resorts: Aria, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World, The Strat,Treasure Island, the Venetian, and for the first time ever, the newly-opened Fontainebleau. The Strip will be closed to auto traffic, creating a massive four-mile block party. Just scope out a spot and watch the show. You'll get some of the best views attending New Year's Eve events at Skyfall Lounge, Cabo Wabo, Beer Park, Cheri, the Foundation Room, and BrewDog.

Downtown, Free; hotel and dinner prices vary
The Plaza hosts the only New Year's Eve fireworks display in the Downtown area, erupting above the hotel tower at the stroke of midnight. For the first time this year, you can watch the show from the new Carousel Bar, which replaced the Plaza's porte-cochere earlier this year. Part of Main Street will be blocked off to provide additional viewing at the west end of the Fremont Street Experience. Some of the best vantage points are from the Plaza's rooftop pool deck (with access available to hotel guests who book a two-night stay) and Oscar's Steakhouse, whether you're in the restaurant's famous glass-dome dining room or outdoors on the new patio.

Henderson, Free viewing; hotel rates vary; yacht bookings begin at $54.99
If you don't want to stay up late, party like you're on the East Coast with a fireworks show over Lake Las Vegas at 9 pm. Catch the views from the Village lawn or book a stay at either the Hilton or Westin. Your best bet is a cruise on board La Contessa, an 80-foot yacht that departs from the dock at 8 pm with a live DJ. Upgrade to premium tickets for bottomless mimosas.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Passes begin at $39 per vehicle
The drive-thru holiday spectacular known as Glittering Lights runs through January 7 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Come by on New Year's Eve when a "East Coast" fireworks show takes place at 9 pm to celebrate the coming new year.

AREA15
AREA15 | Photo by Laurent Velazquez

New Year's Eve Parties in Las Vegas

Circa, Tickets begin at $399
The Legacy Club has a skyscraping perch on the 60th floor of the Circa hotel, offering a rare opportunity to see both the Strip and Downtown fireworks at the same time. The cocktail lounge presents a "Sky-High Celebration," beginning at 10 pm with hors d'oeuvres and an open bar of whiskey, wine, and cocktails. Upgrade for seating at a VIP table or by a firepit on the outdoor patio.

The Cosmopolitan, Tickets are $200 (21 and older) and $100 (under 21)
The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan, already one of the most enjoyable winter holiday attractions in Las Vegas, transforms into a private New Year's Eve party with a three-hour open bar, champagne toast, and views of the Strip fireworks from the Boulevard Pool rooftop deck. And if you want to hit the ice, skate rentals are included.

The Strip, General admission begins at $98
Roam the immersive, interactive rooms at Shaq's Fantasy Lab and keep your eye on television screens showing firework celebrations from around the world. The first round of drinks is on the house with hors d'oeuvres, and a champagne toast included. Book online or call 210-861-3258 to ask about VIP table upgrades. Fantasy Lab is inside the Fashion Show mall, one of the few places on the Strip left with free parking–even on New Year's Eve.

Off the Strip, Free admission, but calling 702-853-BEER(2337) to book a reservation is highly encouraged
Celebrate the New Year before the rest of Las Vegas and the rest of America. Hofbrauhaus is hosting a Midnight in Munich party to ring in 2024 at the same time as Germany. The party runs all afternoon with a countdown and balloon drop at 3 pm (or midnight Munich time). BMX star Ricardo Laguna and magician Murray Sawchuck will make appearances while the Bavarian beer hall serves special dishes and plenty of house beer with raffle prizes and a live DJ.

The Strip, Prices vary
Minus5 Ice Bar locations at The LINQ, Mandalay Bay, and the Venetian—where everything from the furniture to the glassware is made of ice—are all doing something fun for New Year's Eve. Guests will receive a free champagne toast every hour to mark a rolling wave of New Year's celebrations around the world, starting with Pakistan at 11 am and wrapping with Las Vegas at midnight. The Ultimate New Year's Eve VIP Package is also available (two cocktails, souvenir fur coat, Russian snow hat, and a framed photo) for $250.

Downtown, Early bird GA $15, Entry with open bar $85
The Gold Spike hosts the 8th annual Escape Masquerade party with guests invited to mask up in their best costumes and party until dawn with guest DJs and a three-hour open bar (8-11 pm) for those with upgraded tickets. Book online.

Multiple Locations, Free admission
Drink bottomless sparkling wine between 10 pm and midnight for ten bucks per person. Everyone gets a complimentary toast to welcome 2024 with noisemakers and party hats. From there, happy hour kicks in from midnight to 2 am with 50% off wines by the glass, premium spirits, and all craft and imported beer. An Absolut Bloody Mary is just $5 on January 1 to help take the edge off all that drinking the night before. The offers are good at all 64 locations under the PT's umbrella.

Off the Strip, $495
The Westgate is hosting a VIP Enchanted Eve ball with cocktails at 6:30 pm and a three-course dinner at 7. The night includes whimsical decor, live music, and a champagne toast at 9 pm to ring in 2024 on the East Coast. A pair of tickets are included with a special three-night hotel package and overall, it's a pretty great deal. Dress to impress.

The Strat, Skypod begins at $165, Top of the World late dinner begins at $236
If you really want to celebrate without limitations, the parties near the top of the 1,149-foot-tall Strat will not only have views of the Strip, but anything else going on in the surrounding Las Vegas Valley. Head to the 108th floor for a party at the SkyPod observation deck with a DJ, party favors, and food and drinks for sale at 108 Drinks and 108 Eats 9–1:30 pm. One floor below, the Top of the World revolving restaurant has a prix-fixe menu with a champagne toast, and party favors for late seatings at 9:45 pm.

Off the Strip, Tickets begin at $75 with bottle service packages available
Illuminarium is part of the AREA15 complex, but hosting its own NYE party with immersive projection mapping set to hip-hop and house with a Champagne toast at midnight. You'll also enjoy bites from Lumin Cafe and have the opportunity to step out on the patio to watch the Strip fireworks.

Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street Experience | Photo courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau

New Year's Eve Entertainment in Las Vegas

Downtown, Tickets begin at $50
The Fremont Street Experience will be closed off for the "Time of Your Life" celebration with a wide variety of live music to keep everyone happy. Rockers Third Eye Blind and Beach Weather play the main 3rd Street Stage, while retro rap and hip-hop acts Blackstreet, Kid N’ Play, Tone Loc, Young MC work the crowd on the 1st Street Stage. A pop-up Main Street stage hosts the dance music of Big Gigantic, Craze, and Eric Forbes. You can also dance your way through a Silent Disco at the Casino Center Stage with your choice of three live DJs heard over your headphones at the touch of a button. All performances will be surrounded by the neon lights of Fremont Street with holiday graphics and digital fireworks on the overhead Viva Vision digital canopy.

Las Vegas Shows

The Strip, Prices vary
New Year's Eve Weekend has a loaded entertainment lineup on the Strip. Post Malone helps break in the brand-new BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau (Dec. 30-31), while Christina Aguilera brings an intimate performance to another new venue: Voltaire at the Venetian (Dec. 30-31). You can also stay up late with the music of Bruno Mars at Dolby Live inside the Park MGM (Dec. 30-31), Kelly Clarkson at the Bakkt Theater inside Planet Hollywood (Dec. 30-31), the Black Eyed Peas at the Venetian Theater (Dec. 30-31), Demi Lovato at the Chelsea inside the Cosmopolitan (Dec. 31), and Luke Bryan at the Resorts World Theater (Dec. 29-31). Catch the burlesque of Dita Von Teese at the Horseshoe's Jubilee Theater (Dec. 29-31) or the comedy of Gabriel Iglesias at the Chelsea (Dec. 29-30), Katt Williams at the Michelob Ultra Arena (Dec. 30), and the combo of John Oliver & Seth Meyers at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Dec. 31). David Blaine brings high-stakes stunts and illusions back to the Strip, kicking off his new IMPOSSIBLE residency at the Wynn's Encore Theater (December 29-31).

Las Vegas Nightclubs

The Strip, Prices vary
New Year's Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year for nightclubs in Las Vegas. Ring in 2024 with Kaskade at Zouk inside Resorts World, The Chainsmokers at XS inside Wynn (with the option of outdoor or all-access tickets), Steve Aoki at Omnia inside Caesars Palace, Chris Brown at Drai's on the rooftop of The Cromwell, Lil Jon at Jewel inside Aria, DJ Pauly D at Marquee inside the Cosmopolitan, O.T. Genasis at Tao inside the Venetian, and Fat Joe at Hakkasan inside the MGM Grand.

Dance Music Festivals

Multiple Locations, Prices vary
AREA15 opens up the Wall and outdoor A-Lot for MasqueRave, a costumed dance party (December 31) with the music of Boris Brejcha, Ann Clue, and Moritz Hofbauer. Insomniac, the promoter behind the Electric Daisy Carnival, brings Forever Midnight to Resorts World over two nights (December 30-31) with two stages. Count Eric Prydz, Sofi Tukker, Green Velvet, and John Summit (on loan from the Fontainebleau) among the headliners. Altura presents Planet Perreo at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on New Year's Eve. The Latin dance party features the music of AR, JCU3, and other DJs.

Las Vegas wedding
The Vox Agency/Flickr

New Year's Eve Romance in Las Vegas

Downtown, $35
The charming Beverly Theater–already a great date spot in Vegas–hosts a screening of '80s rom-com classic "When Harry Met Sally" at 9 pm on New Year's Eve. Your ticket includes a concessions package, charcuterie after the movie, live jazz, and a champagne toast at midnight.

New Year's Eve Weddings

Multiple Locations, Prices vary 
Sometimes you need something more than a kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve. December 31 is expected to be a busy day for weddings with the easy-to-remember date of 1-2-3-1-2-3 and it's easy to get hitched with all sorts of Vegas wedding chapels to choose from. A few are running specials like Vegas Weddings, the Love Story Wedding Chapel (at rates of $123 or $321), and the Las Vegas Immersive Wedding Chapel, whose surrounding video walls can show the first-ever Mickey Mouse cartoon, when it enters the public domain in 2024. If you're hanging around the Las Vegas airport, there's even a pop-up marriage license office near the Terminal 1 baggage claim 8 am-5 pm.

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Rob Kachelriess is a full-time freelance writer who covers travel, dining, entertainment, and other fun stuff for Thrillist. He's based in Las Vegas but enjoys exploring destinations throughout the world, especially in the Southwest United States. Otherwise, he's happy to hang out at home with his wife Mary and their family of doggies. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.