There is no single best month to visit Las Vegas; there is a best month for what you want. Weather matters because the desert is extreme at both ends of the thermometer. Events matter because a single convention or race can change prices and crowds across the whole city. This guide sorts the year by season, then lists the big events that move things around. For dates, always check the official event calendars, since they change from year to year.

Spring (March to May): the easy answer

Most visitors and many locals will tell you spring is the best time to go. Daytime temperatures run from the high 60s in March into the 80s by May, with the heat building later in May. Pools start opening for the season, the desert blooms in the surrounding canyons, and outdoor sightseeing is comfortable. The downsides are demand: March is busy with spring breaks and college basketball tournaments, and some weekends in spring have big events that fill rooms. Late April and early May often offer a good balance, but that depends on the calendar in any given year.

Summer (June to August): heat, deals and indoor life

Summer in Las Vegas is hot, with daytime highs regularly above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and heat waves that go well beyond that. The upside is value: hotel rates are often lower, and everything that matters (casinos, restaurants, theaters, shopping, most shows) is air-conditioned. The practical approach is to treat the day as an indoor and poolside affair and save the outdoors for early morning or after dark. Carry water, wear sun protection and use the free trams where you can to avoid long outdoor walks. Summer evenings are a fine time for indoor entertainment; for example, productions like WOW – The Vegas Spectacular at the Rio (all ages, recommended 3+, 7 PM Tuesday to Sunday, dark Monday; tickets via Ticketmaster) are a good way to spend a hot night in an air-conditioned theater. It is one option among many; our ranked shows guide compares them.

Fall (September to November): a second spring

September can still be hot, but by October the weather is pleasant: warm days, mild evenings and a lot more comfort walking the Strip at night. Conventions return in the autumn, so weekday rates can be higher than you would expect for a leisure destination. Halloween brings costume parties and themed events. November has the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which turns parts of the Strip into a race circuit: hotel rates jump, roads close and transit is rerouted. The RTC has announced a modified Deuce schedule from 17 to 25 November 2026 because of it. If you are not going for the race, avoid that week. Thanksgiving week is also pricey.

Winter (December to February): cool, quirky and uneven

Daytime highs are typically in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit, with chilly nights, so bring layers. December is festive, with holiday displays at the big resorts; New Year's Eve is the most expensive and crowded night of the year, and the Strip is closed to vehicles for the celebrations. The National Finals Rodeo takes over the city in December. January starts with the CES technology show, which fills rooms and raises prices; after it ends, the rest of the month can be one of the quieter and better-value windows of the year. Check the calendar before you assume.

The events that move prices

  • CES (early January): a huge technology trade show that affects hotel rates citywide.
  • Major sporting weekends: championship fights, the NFL's big weekends and college basketball tournaments in March all raise rates.
  • EDC and other large festivals (May and beyond): festival weekends bring large crowds and surge pricing.
  • Formula 1 (November): one of the biggest events on the calendar; plan around it or avoid it.
  • National Finals Rodeo (December): a Western-themed takeover of the city for about ten days.
  • New Year's Eve: book as early as you can or skip it.
  • Conventions: the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority publishes a convention calendar. A big show can affect rates even if you have no interest in it.

Exact dates change every year. Look at the official site of each event before you commit.

Weekdays versus weekends

Within any season, Sunday to Thursday is typically cheaper than Friday and Saturday. The effect is large enough that moving your trip by a day can matter more than moving it by a month. Many visitors find that arriving on a Sunday or Monday and leaving Thursday or Friday gives the best balance of price and atmosphere. Note that some shows are dark on Mondays, including ROUGE at The STRAT, an 18+ production at 9 PM Tuesday to Sunday (tickets direct from The STRAT), so check the show's schedule before you plan a Monday night around it.

Which season suits which trip?

  • Pool trip: late spring and summer; book a resort with a pool you like.
  • Walking and sightseeing: spring and fall, especially October.
  • Value: summer weekdays, early winter and the quiet weeks after big events; see our budget guide.
  • Atmosphere: holiday season and event weekends, if you can afford it.
  • Families: school holidays are busy; if you can travel outside them, do. Our family guide has more.
  • Day trips: spring and fall are best for Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam; summer is brutal outdoors.

How to check before you book

  1. Look at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority event calendar and the major event sites for your dates.
  2. Check hotel rates for a few nearby dates to see whether you are in a spike.
  3. Look at the weather forecast the week before you travel, and pack for both heat and cold if it is a shoulder season.
  4. Check transit and road closures if your visit overlaps a major event; see getting around Las Vegas.

Temperatures The ranges above are typical, not a forecast. Individual days can run hotter or colder, particularly in the shoulder months.

If you are still deciding how long to stay, read how many days you need in Las Vegas.