There are a few things you can't avoid on the Las Vegas Strip in December—brisk weather, holiday attractions and an endless sea of cowboy hats parading through casinos, restaurants and resorts. The National Finals Rodeo is back, tapping into our city's Wild West legacy and contagious energy. If you want to know just how big the rodeo is here, consider the numbers: NFR has sold out 359 consecutive performances in Las Vegas since it moved here in 1985 and an estimated 340,000 people make the trip each year for the 10 performances and 10 days of associated events. Even if you’re not going to a rodeo event, the week’s people-watching alone is spectacular.
Watch the best of the best in bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing and more
The 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the main reason Vegas is so busy during the first two weeks of December. Equal parts entertainment and athleticism, the event draws the best in the industry for competitions that range from bareback riding to steer wrestling and roping—just east of the Strip at the Thomas & Mack Center Dec. 4-13, Opening night has a throwback 1985 theme to celebrate the rodeo's 40th anniversary in Las Vegas. Tickets begin at $75.
The South Point Arena and Equestrian Center has a few events of its own to coincide with NFR, and you can check the online schedule for the latest info. You can see the free Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale XIX (Dec. 5-14), plus the Cinch Western Gift Show (Dec. 2-14), Benny Binion’s World Famous Bucking Horse and Bull Sale (Dec. 4), Riata Showcase Horse Sale (Dec. 7) and the Miss Rodeo America Pageant (Nov. 30-Dec. 7).
Resorts World has a great mix of sports and entertainment, transforming into Rodeo World with events throughout the property. Enjoy the fierce competition of the Ultimate Bull Fighters Last Man Standing freestyle tournament (Dec. 4-13) at no charge. You'll still catch all the NFR action with free viewing parties at Redtail and Zouk nightclub, plus athlete meet-and-greets.
Dine your way through ranch-worthy steakhouses and BBQ
Austin's la Barbecue takes over the Tavern at Fontainebleau (Dec. 4-14), giving Las Vegas a rare opportunity to try Texas-style BBQ worthy of a Michelin star. Nibble on brisket tacos, order meats by the pound and wash it all down with a Pickle-tini.
Burgers, pizza, Korean fried chicken…Proper Eats Food Hall at Aria lets you eat your way through a dozen food counters during NFR viewing parties while taking advantage of $10 Crown Royal specials.
It's hard to choose just one steakhouse in Vegas, but the Four Sixes Ranch at the Wynn is a perfect match for those seeking an upscale dining experience during NFR. Founded by Taylor Sheridan, the visionary behind "Yellowstone" and "Landman," the restaurant billed as a "pop-up" at the Wynn has stuck around for more than a year, serving thick bone-in steaks, caviar on tater tots and an irresistible banana pudding for dessert.
Drink from a victory boot, buy a cowboy hat, take in free watch parties
You can't have NFR without Cowboy Christmas, a pop-up holiday market at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Going strong since 1986, it's the best place to pick up crafts, clothes and other items from nearly 400 vendors. Stick around for live music and watch youngsters compete in the YETI Junior National Finals Rodeo.
The Downtown Christmas Expo is a ten-day holiday shopping experience at the Plaza, designed with NFR visitors in mind—especially those hanging out on Fremont Street. The resort also hosts viewing parties and rodeo action of its own at the CORE Arena
Santa's Saloon, next to the Scotch 80 Prime steakhouse at the Palms, is like a Western bar and out-of-control office holiday party wrapped into one. A few winter-themed cocktails are on the menu, but order Coors on draft, poured into a glass cowboy boot, to get the full experience.
Take in country music and comedians
Some of the biggest names in country music hit Las Vegas stages during NFR:
- Tim McGraw (Dec. 4, 6, 12-13) at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace
- Ty Myers (Dec. 5) Stephen Wilson Jr. (Dec. 11) and Cody Jinks (Dec. 12-13) at the Chelsea inside the Cosmopolitan
- Colter Wall (Dec. 12-13) at the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau
- Zach Top (Dec. 12) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
- Rodney Carrington (Dec. 4-6) at the MGM Grand's David Copperfield Theater
- Clay Walker (Dec. 6) and Brett Young (Dec. 7) at the Pearl inside the Palms
- Old Dominion (Dec. 5-6) and Nate Smith (Dec. 11) at Planet Hollywood's PH Live
- Tracy Lawrence (Dec. 5) and Riley Green (Dec. 12-13) at the Resorts World Theatre
- Zac Brown Band (Dec. 5-14) at Sphere
- Lainey Wilson (Dec. 7) at the T-Mobile Arena (Dec. 5)
- Wynonna Judd (Dec. 5-6) and Lindsey Stirling (Dec. 10, 12-13) at the Venetian Theater
- Sam Barber (Dec. 3), Red Clay Strays (Dec. 4-5), Dylan Gossett (Dec. 6), Radney Foster (Dec. 9, acoustic performance at "Outriding the Devil" film premiere) and Gavin Adcock (Dec. 11) at The Theater at Virgin Hotels
- Braid Paisley (Dec. 4-5) and Gary Allan (Dec. 6-7) at the Wynn's Encore Theater
That's just the tip of the iceberg. NFR has a full schedule of concerts throughout Las Vegas, including smaller lounges and showrooms.
You can also catch a few laughs with comics like Ron White (Dec. 6) at the Cosmopolitan, Matt Mathews (Dec. 7) at the Palazzo, Jeff Foxworthy (Dec. 10) at Planet Hollywood and Steve Treviño at the MGM Grand's David Copperfield Theater.
Ride a mechanical bull, line dance at a hoedown, take in a fashion collab
The Downtown Hoedown is the official kickoff party for the National Finals Rodeo, taking over the Fremont Street Experience on Dec. 3. Get in the spirit — pronto — with free performances by Midland, Corey Kent, and Josh Ross.
KAOS, a former nightclub near the pool deck at the Palms, transforms into Hank's Honkey-tonk in partnership with HANK FM. Skip the cover charge and enjoy free concerts by up-and-coming country acts Allie Colleen (Dec. 5), Walker Montgomery (Dec. 6), Chris Cagle (Dec. 13), and Casey Chesnutt (Dec. 12) taking the stage around 9 p.m.
Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar hosts a series of NFR afterparties (Dec. 4-13) in partnership with country fashion brand Ariat, which has a neighboring store in the 63 plaza inside CityCenter. Soak in the Vegas Strip from an outdoor terrace while checking out live music, drinks and food on multiple levels.
The Silverton has free NFR viewing parties at the Veil Pavilion (Dec. 4-13) with the fun getting underway at 4:45 p.m. each night with nightly raffles and other giveaways. 102.7 Rodeo Radio will broadcast live with free concerts by Ned LeDoux (Dec. 4-5) and a Twist on Taylor: A Tribute to Taylor Swift (Dec. 13).
Gilley's at Treasure Island has live music every night with line dancing and free shuttles to and from the National Finals Rodeo. It's also the best place in Vegas for mechanical bull riding—at $10 a pop—with "Toughest Cowboy" and "Toughest Cowgirl" contests to determine the best of the best with a prized belt buckle up for grabs.
Stoney's North Forty at Santa Fe Station has free NFR viewing parties with a $30 open bar and $25 taco bar—or both for $50. The original Stoney's Rockin' Country at Town Square will continue doing what it does best (dance lessons, drink specials, bikini bull riding and live music) after announcing a new lease extension through 2027.