Life Is Beautiful Returns With an Epic Downtown Las Vegas Block Party

Life Is Beautiful is returning this year with an entirely new concept: A Big, Beautiful Block Party. The intimate neighborhood two-day dance party will take place on Sept. 27-28 in downtown’s Las Vegas Arts District.  

You can dance your heart out during sets from one of the two stages at the new iteration of the annual event. Revising this year’s approach, the event creators wanted to focus more on the roots of how the festival came about: culture, community, ideals and Las Vegas’ downtown area. Creating more of an intimate, up-close experience, this year’s event offers lower ticket prices with no overlapping sets, meaning you’ll be able to catch every performance. 

Speaking of performances, this year’s lineup is heavy on electronic artists, with acts like Justice, LCD Soundsystem and Peggy Gou headlining the bill. Jamie xx, Jungle, James Blake, Thundercat, Toro y Moi, and BADBADNOTGOOD round out the top acts bringing the vibes. 

In coming years, you can expect to see the festival aspect of Life Is Beautiful return, in tandem with the more intimate block party initiative. But this year, while you aren’t partying it up under the lights and evening Vegas sky, you can check out the local art scene of Downtown Las Vegas — one of the central aspects of Life Is Beautiful. 

Start your journey at The Arts Factory, the de facto hub of the Las Vegas Arts District. You can explore the galleries and boutiques before stopping by 18bin for a glass of wine and maybe a bite to eat! Continue on to Art Square, which has even more murals and galleries to quench your artistic thirst.

And if you’re actually thirsty, several nearby bars and lounges serve fantastic cocktails and mocktails throughout the night. Stop by The Garden Las Vegas for a drink with a drag show or head to Taverna Costera for beverages and a full menu to choose from — did we mention the rooftop space with views of the colorful area?

More art, culture and excitement await just outside the Arts District. There’s Fergusons Downtown, where you’ll find a variety of small businesses like locally owned coffee shops, cafes, boutique stores and more. This unique spot was revitalized from the historic Fergusons Motel and features vibrant murals and the Big Rig Jig, an art installation made of two tanker trucks stacked on top of each other. It’s basically selfie central in Downtown Las Vegas (DTLV).

Adjacent to the Arts District is the Fremont Street Experience, where all the old-school, iconic hotels are located. You’ll also find plenty of street performers ready to entertain, as well as live nightly entertainment on one of the several stages in the area. While you’re there, don’t forget to look up to see the enormous Viva Vision canopy and its dazzling LED light shows. The attraction covers the entire space with graphics to entertain and captivate viewers with a show starting at dusk and running every hour.

Also downtown, The Neon Museum offers opportunities to take a journey through Las Vegas history — all told by the iconic signs of yesteryear. It’s the epitome of an Only Vegas experience, making it a must-do for all travelers interested in art, culture and history. Plus, it’s a hot spot for capturing some epic content! If you want to dive into Vegas’ past even more, head to The Mob Museum. Housed in a historic building, this venue explores the history of various organized crime groups that used to be present in the destination. And while you’re there, stop by The Underground Speakeasy and Distillery, located in the basement, where you’ll feel as if you’ve gone back in time to the Roaring Twenties and Prohibition era.  

However you end up spending your time, it’s sure to be fantastic, filled with thrilling musical sets, breathtaking art and the dose of Downtown Las Vegas you’re looking for. While you’re planning what to do, be sure to consider all the exciting things to do in downtown. And don’t forget to check out these hotel deals and packages!