What's Hot in Las Vegas Right Now

Written by | Travel

Las Vegas offers tempting reasons to return — including massive stars, fun festivals, creative dining and sensational shopping.

Picasso Restaurant

STARGAZING

How do superstars take a break from touring but not lose touch with fans? They set up shop in Las Vegas, where new boldface names are hitting the marquees all the time. Jennifer Lopez will bring her signature heat to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino this January. Meanwhile, Mariah Carey is perfoming her No. 1 hits in #1 to Infinity at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and — also at The Colosseum — Elton John continues to crank out fan favorites from his Million Dollar Piano.

You can also celebrate Vegas’ rich history as an entertainment destination with experiences that re-create great musical moments of the past. See the best numbers from your favorite Broadway shows in one spectacular evening of Steve Wynn’s ShowStoppers at Wynn Las Vegas. Graceland® Presents ELVIS™: The Exhibition – The Show – The Experience resurrects the King at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. At The Venetian Las Vegas, Frank: The Man. The Music channels Ol’ Blue Eyes in an authentic re-enactment of a Sinatra concert. And lovers of Baz Luhrmann won’t want to miss For the Record: Baz, a mash-up of musical spectacles from films including Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby at LIGHT Nighclub at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

Lesbians at Brewery

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Certain las vegas experiences are limited-time-only: Tim McGraw and Keith Urban headline one of the largest country music festivals in the U.S. — the Route 91 Harvest Festival — Oct. 2–4 at MGM Resorts Village. Next, Oct. 9–11, the World Gay Rodeo Finals will gallop over to Michael Gaughan’s Arena and Equestrian Center at South Point Hotel and Casino. Meanwhile, at the Axis Theater at Planet Hollywood, the legendary Janet Jackson arrives with her Unbreakable World Tour Oct. 9–10. Then the one and only Madonna brings her Rebel Heart Tour to the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Oct. 24. And if you’re in the mood to laugh, The Venetian Las Vegas will be showcasing a funny ladies this fall with their series Lipshtick: The Perfect Shade of Stand-Up, which will host greats including Roseanne Barr, Lisa Lampanelli and Whitney Cummings.

SIPPING AND SIZZLING

Vegas is a melting pot of international flavor:
Fans of French fare flock to Michael Mina’s BARDOT Brasserie at ARIA Resort and Casino and Daniel Boulud’s triumphant return to the Strip, db Brasserie, at The Venetian Las Vegas. Also at The Venetian, indulge in Southern comfort food at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. You can head downtown to create your own ramen at Itsy Bitsy: Ramen and Whisky, and the Mediterranean mezzes are a must at Cleo in the recently opened SLS Las Vegas.

With restaurants opening every month, there are always new ways to top off your glass and spice up your plate. Recent additions include VISTA Cocktail Lounge at Caesars Palace, where you can enjoy custom-crafted cocktails with views of the world’s most breathtaking skylines, courtesy of huge LED screens. Downtown, Chef Bradley Manchester recently debuted Glutton, offering savory meats, Pacific Northwest seafood, locally sourced produce, and house-made pastas. The former space of Circo at the Bellagio Las Vegas has been re-imagined as Lago, offering small-plate Italian fare from James-Beard-award-winner Julian Serrano; its floor-to-ceiling views of the Fountains of Bellagio remain an ideal amuse bouche. You can also snag a fountain view from GIADA at The Cromwell: The debut restaurant from Food Network favorite Giada De Laurentiis boasts the gracious atmosphere and mouth-watering menu you’d expect from the Emmy Award–winning kitchen goddess.

’TIL YOU DROP

Leave extra room in your suitcase to go shopping: The LINQ Promenade offers the flagship store of lifestyle boutique Kitson and the world’s tallest observation wheel, the High Roller. Fashion Show features indispensable brands like Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom in its 2-million-square-foot space. And Downtown Container Park showcases local favorites such as 702dtlv’s home decor and Jessica Galindo Couture and Fine Art. Actually, forget leaving room — just buy another suitcase and fill that! But first, visit LasVegas.com/GayTravel
for more information.

Last modified: April 17, 2018