The best and worst times to visit Las Vegas are often a matter of opinion. Some tourists do not mind the summer heat, while others prefer to avoid visiting when pools are closed or casinos are crowded.
Worst Times to Visit Las Vegas
Let’s start with a few times that can be more challenging to visit.
Avoiding Hot Summer Days
Las Vegas starts having 100-degree days around the end of May. That varies significantly. In 2023, the first 100-degree day was not until June 30. The earliest was May 1. The last is usually around mid-September. The latest was October 6. Visitors who dislike the heat should avoid visiting during these times.
While Las Vegas receives about four inches of rain a year, much of it often happens across just a few summer days. This is called the monsoon season. Strong storms can bring an inch of rain in an hour, causing street flooding and leaky casino roofs.
Las Vegas Has Cool Winters
Las Vegas is thought of as a hot-weather destination. However, from about mid-November through mid-February, it gets cool, and sometimes cold. Nights near or below freezing are common. Highs tend to be in the 50s and 60s. It snows every few years. If you are looking for pool parties and shorts weather, avoid visiting during the winter months. Make sure to bring clothes for cooler weather.
Big Conventions Make Hotel Rooms More Expensive
Las Vegas has at least four annual conventions that each draw over 100,000 attendees. Dozens more draw tens of thousands. This drives up hotel prices. It can also make getting dinner reservations and show tickets difficult. The largest Las Vegas conventions are:
- CES: Early January
- ConExpo-Con/Agg: Early March
- SEMA: Early November
For other conventions, check out the LVCVA calendar. This will help you avoid these times.
F1 Race
The Las Vegas F1 race is controversial. It benefits the luxury end of the market while hurting all other segments. Tourists and locals complain about road construction delays and lack of access to landmarks, like the Bellagio Fountains. Other resorts complain about the lack of visitation due to these nuisances. Two casinos filed lawsuits over the loss of business caused by F1 and its related construction, which were eventually settled.
If you are not interested in F1, stay away from the middle of the Strip during October, November, and most of December. The race runs on a Saturday in mid or late November. It takes about two months before the race to prepare for it and a month to take it all down. Staying downtown, on the north or south end of the Strip, or in the locals market will help avoid the F1 issues.
Best Times to Visit Las Vegas
Now that we have the worst times to visit out of the way, here are some of the best.
Mild Spring and Fall Weather
The weather is mild with little chance of rain from about mid-March through mid-May. Pools start to open during this time. While it is not hot, the pools are all heated. Many weeks during this time do not have large conventions, keeping prices low, especially during the week. Another great time to visit is after Labor Day through mid-October, when the weather and conditions are similar.
Visit Las Vegas on Weekdays
If your schedule permits weekday visits, most are by far the least expensive time to visit Las Vegas. Midweek generally also has lower airfare and less highway traffic. One small downside is that some restaurants are dark for a day or two during the week. However, you should still find most open, so this only matters if you are determined to eat somewhere with limited hours.
Weekdays Before and After Holiday Weekends
Weeks before and after holidays tend to be inexpensive with the same amenities available as in other weeks. If Monday is a holiday, there are no major conventions that week. Hotel rates are cheap. With diminished occupancy, table game limits will be at their lowest. All your favorite slots and video poker machines will have fewer people playing. Restaurant reservations and show tickets are easier to get.
Weekends Late in the Year
Once F1 leaves, so does Las Vegas demand until New Year’s Eve. If your schedule does not permit weekday visits, this is the cheapest weekend time to visit. You will deal with some F1 deconstruction during that time around the middle of the Strip.
A few restaurants and shows go dark as it gets closer to Christmas. However, you will not deal with crowds. Table game limits will be as low as you will ever see them. Open slots seats will be seen throughout casinos. Open shows often offer deals to increase attendance. Weekend hotel prices on these weekends are like slow weekday ones during the rest of the year.
Las Vegas has a different look this time of the year. Outdoor ice rinks open. Holiday decorations are seen throughout resorts. The National Finals Rodeo is held during this time, which adds to the unique scenery.
Some People Like It Busy
The above advice is not meant for people who like to visit Las Vegas when it is chaotic. If you like the crowds of New Year’s Eve, or want busy day and nightclubs, you will likely need to visit on expensive weekends to get that. For everyone else, you can save time and headache by visiting when the weather is mild and crowds are mostly nonexistent.
I liked when you played China shores.
Thanks Becky! I’m sure that game will be back in a future video – it’s a classic and still found on many casino floors.