Revamp Las Vegas’s Most Iconic Rock Music Venue |

Clark County has set aside $10 million to assist Insomniac, the organizer of the annual Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), in refurbishing the former Sahara Event Center located just east of the Las Vegas Strip.

The former Sahara Event Center—located at 800 Liberace Ave. (formerly E. Karen Ave.) in the Commercial Center—is the most historically significant surviving rock music landmark in Las Vegas. (Image: Google Street View)

Reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Clark County’s Redevelopment Agency has allocated the funds for a substantial renovation of the venue, aiming to revitalize the surrounding Commercial Center area. Insomniac has also committed to investing $20 million of its own money.

The Sahara Event Center as it appeared in the early 2020s. (Image: commercialcenterdistrict.com)

Commissioner Tick Segerblom told FOX5 Vegas, “It’s going to enable Insomniac to complete their purchase and then invest $20 million to renovate it and rehab it, make it a current event center. It’s going to be very exciting.”

This new project further solidifies Insomniac’s presence in Las Vegas. Since relocating EDC from Southern California in 2011, the electronic dance music promoter has established strong relationships with local resorts and clubs, transforming the lead-up to the festival into “EDC Week” with exclusive events at venues like Hakkasan, Omnia at Caesars Palace, and the Marquee Nightclub.

The upcoming 2027 edition of EDC Las Vegas is slated for May 4-16 and May 21-23 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, spanning two consecutive weekends for the first time.

Musical Legacy at the Sahara Event Center

Bob Marley performs in 1976. (Image: Hulton Archive/Getty)

The Sahara Event Center holds historical significance as a prominent rock music venue in Las Vegas, hosting iconic acts such as Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead, and Bob Marley.

Originally an ice rink, the venue at 800 Liberace Ave. transformed in the 1960s to showcase the Ice Capades and host a semi-pro hockey team. When rock bands sought a venue outside of traditional showrooms and convention centers, the Ice Palace became a popular choice, welcoming acts like Buffalo Springfield, the Doors, and Carlos Santana.

The Evolution of the Ice Palace

This is what the ticket to Bob Marley’s only Las Vegas concert looked like. (Image: eBay)

Over time, the Ice Palace transitioned to hosting concerts and roller skating events before becoming the Sahara Event Center and roller hockey facility by September 2026, when Insomniac leased the space.

While Clark County has allocated $10 million for the project, the full funding transfer is pending a finalized agreement between the county and Insomniac.

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