Published on: December 30, 2025, 09:11h.
Updated on: December 30, 2025, 09:11h.
- Las Vegas anticipates 345,000 guests for the New Year’s celebration
- The Strip will once again dazzle with an eight-minute fireworks display at midnight
Officials in Las Vegas are optimistic that 2026 will reverse the downward trend seen in 2025. However, for this New Year’s holiday, many travel experts are cautious about any signs of a revival in Southern Nevada.
Up until October 2025, the number of visitors to Las Vegas was down 7.6% compared to 2024. The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) estimates that around 32.31 million individuals visited the city in the first ten months of the year, which is approximately 2.64 million fewer than the previous year.
Though 2026 may be on the horizon for a potential resurgence, the LVCVA anticipates this year’s New Year’s events will see a slight decrease in attendance compared to last year. They predict that about 345,000 visitors will take part in the New Year’s Eve festivities, marking a minor 1.15% decline from NYE 2025, equating to approximately 4,000 fewer travelers.
Last New Year’s, Las Vegas attracted 347,000 guests, while there were 336,000 for NYE 2023 and 309,000 for NYE 2022.
Affordable Las Vegas Hotel Rates
According to the LVCVA, while fewer visitors are expected for the yearly fireworks on the Strip, demand for available hotel rooms has risen after the 2024 closures of Tropicana and Mirage, which collectively took over 4,500 rooms off the market, leading to elevated prices this week.
The LVCVA forecasts that casino hotels will nearly reach full capacity, with overall room occupancy expected to be around 95%. This might be slightly impacted by an unfavorable weather outlook.
AccuWeather predicts a high of just 56 degrees Fahrenheit on New Year’s Eve, with potential afternoon showers. New Year’s Day is expected to be “dull and dreary with showers,” with a high of only 52 degrees. The chance of rain on January 1, 2026, is 91%.
Despite the chilly forecast, hotel rates in Las Vegas remain sizzling.
Availability for December 31 includes rates such as $846 at Fontainebleau, $775 at Vdara, $929 at Conrad in Resorts World, $751 at The Venetian, and $1,075 at Wynn and Encore. The nearly full Cosmopolitan is listed at $1,812, while Caesars Palace is at $938.
More budget-friendly choices on the Strip include MGM Grand ($490), Park MGM ($450), Rio ($349), New York-New York ($461), Sahara ($429), and Planet Hollywood ($534).
Las Vegas Fireworks Extravaganza
Once again, the Las Vegas Strip will host one of the nation’s premier fireworks displays at midnight to usher in the New Year. Known as “America’s Party,” numerous Strip casinos will participate in this spectacular event, ensuring visitors have exceptional viewing spots throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
Fireworks will be launched from the roofs of several iconic locations: Aria, Caesars Palace, Fontainebleau, MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World, The Strat, Treasure Island, The Venetian, and, for the first time, the Palms will contribute to the fireworks display off the Strip. The Plaza will also have fireworks for those downtown.
The eight-minute coordinated presentation aims to “epically” light up the night sky as we transition into the new year, according to Las Vegas tourism representatives.