Normally New Year's eve is a great time to be in Vegas. Ring out the old and ring in the new, the Las Vegas way. Las Vegas New Year's Eve is always packed on the Vegas strip but this year will be different. For starters, Las Vegas Strip's 2021 New Year's Eve fireworks show is canceled.
The 2019 - 2020 Las Vegas new year's eve celebrations drew over 330,000 visitors to Las Vegas but for the first time in 21 years expect the Vegas strip to be empty due the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire 4 miles of the Vegas strip, from Russell to Sahara, which covers all hotels from Mandalay Bay at the Strip's southern end to the STRAT Hotel Casino and SkyPod at the north, which will normally be closed down to traffic around 6pm on New Year's eve will be wide open to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
With that said, if Las Vegas is beckoning you this coming New Year's Eve, here are a few things to be aware of. It's going to be freezing! Bundle up.
If you don't want to spend money on hotel, food and over-priced drinks, New Year's is not the time to be in Vegas. People come from all over the world for this holiday and it's as busy as it gets. Sadly everything is really expensive during this time.
2021 Las Vegas New Year's Eve Fireworks
With many of Las Vegas’ well-known traditions on-hold this New Year’s Eve due to Covid-19, on December 31, visit VisitLasVegas.com – for a livestream countdown to midnight. A 2020 sign will be lit up – and then blown up – in spectacular fashion. The event will be complete with a live DJ and epic sights that cannot be missed. While the physical event is not open to the public, guests from around the world can celebrate virtually.
When the countdown clock strikes zero, get ready for what Vegas is well known for: a blast. Experience a burst of color and sound as 2020 is literally blown away and 2021 is ushered in.
DJ Vice will then begin the new year with a celebration of music when a massive LED lit 2021 sign is revealed along with an eruption of confetti, streamers and fireworks. The 12-15-minute colorful pyrotechnic spectacular is the perfect way to ring in a much-anticipated new year.
Event: Las Vegas’ Kiss Off 2020 – Livestream New Year’s Eve Countdown and Celebration
Date / Time: Thursday, December 31, at 11:30 p.m. PST
Location: The comfort of your home
Free Access: VisitLasVegas.com. , YouTube and Facebook
Note: This event is not open to the public, guests from around the world can celebrate virtually by visiting the link above.
Due to Covid-19 and concerns about social distancing, Las Vegas Strip's 2021 New Year's Eve fireworks show is canceled.
Update: Ring in 2021 on Fremont Street Experience is now exclusively restricted to hotel guests of Binion’s, California Hotel & Casino, Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas, Four Queens Hotel & Casino, Fremont Hotel & Casino, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino and Golden Nugget Las Vegas.
Guests who previously purchased a $25 Security Fee will receive a full refund.
When: December 31, 2020 to January 1, 2021
6:00 pm TO 4:00 am
Admission: $25 security fee
NYE Update
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) offers free transit rides for the New Year's Eve holiday, from Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 6 p.m. through Friday, Jan. 1 at 9 a.m. New Year’s Day.
Free rides on New Year's Eve apply to all RTC transit routes throughout the Las Vegas Valley. The RTC is encouraging everyone to celebrate responsibly and to take advantage of the free transit service as they ring in 2021.
If you plan to ring in the New Year at Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, plan to get there early.
If you drive, park your car in the hotel garage nearest to where you'll be partying. Most Self-Park garages are expected to be full early. Once you park, do the smart thing and take a photo of the garage and floor where you parked, incase you need it later.
Dress warm. Las Vegas is a desert and it gets very cold at night.
Just because you are in Vegas doesn't mean there are no laws. Take a minute to read the Las Vegas New Year's Eve Ordinances to understand what you can and cannot get away with. The cops here do not play and the famous, "I'am a tourist" excuse does not work for them.
Don't be afraid to sip your favorite drink as you go - alcohol is allowed to be consumed on the streets for this holiday celebration. (Must be 21 yrs or older) - metal and glass containers are banned.
Beware of the city's general curfew and the Fremont Street area curfew. Anyone under 18 years old must now be accompanied by an adult.
It's Disco 2021. Ring in the New Year under the Plaza Dome at Plaza Hotel & Casino to get the best view of Downtown Las Vegas’ only live fireworks show.
Welcome 2021 under a spectacular live fireworks show above the Plaza's iconic glass dome, lighting up the downtown skyline midnight.
Oscar's Steakhouse at the Plaza invite revelers to ring in the new year with a mouth-watering dinner while enjoying the fireworks show displaying above the glass dome.
Ring in the New Year high above The Las Vegas Strip as you skate into 2020 at The Ice Rink at Boulevard Pool. Dance the night away with live entertainment and interactive photo stations to capture memories of the evening. Enjoy small bites, party favors, dancers, and spectacular views of The Strip's fireworks show at midnight.
Date / Time:Tuesday, December 31, 2019 | 10 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
AdmissionTickets from $250, - Ages 21 & over.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All Las Vegas Nightclubs are temporarily closed
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All 2021 Las Vegas New Year's Eve Concerts are canceled
Las Vegas New Year's Eve Free Transportation
Available to members and nonmembers AAA's Tipsy Tow program will offer a free ride up to 10 miles for tipsy motorists and their vehicles from 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, New Year's Day. The service is available by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357)
**No AAA membership required!
The following items are banned on the Strip and Downtown during the New Year's Eve festivities from December 31, 6:00 pm – January 1, 6:00 am.
Metal and glass containers.
Large bags, Purses larger than 12" x 6" x 12", and coolers
Briefcases, backpacks, cinch bags and luggage of any kind.
Computer bags and camera bags.
Strollers, carts, or any stroller propelled by humans, electricity or mechanical means unless specifically authorized by a permit.
Minors (under 18) are not allowed on the Strip (or downtown) without a parent or adult legal guardian.
Respect the Ban and enjoy the party
RTC buses will operate a SUNDAY schedule on Christmas Day and will resume regular scheduled hours on Tuesday, December 26.
RTC buses will operate a Saturday schedule instead of a weekday schedule on New Year's Eve 2020
