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Las Vegas is off to a blazing start in 2023. Visitation is up thanks to a constant stream of events during the weekends and conventions during the weekdays.
March ended with Taylor Swift playing two sold-out shows at Allegiant Stadium while the NCAA basketball tournament had sports fans and bettors keyed to Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games at T-Mobile Arena.
April is a transitional month for Las Vegas. The temperatures are beginning to warm up as thermostats head north towards 100+ degrees during the summer.
This year April should give visitors some space to breathe a little. There are fewer huge events and conventions during the month than in the previous months.
It should be easier to find show tickets, make restaurant reservations and play table games in the casinos at reasonable limits. Fewer events should also mean lower hotel room rates than in recent months.
April music residencies and festivals
April has the smallest variety of residency shows in Las Vegas so far this year. Have no fear, there are still plenty of shows throughout the month.
- Luke Bryan at Resorts World: April 1
- Miranda Lambert at Planet Hollywood: April 1, 2, 6, 8, 9
- Sting at Caesars Palace: April 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9
- Maroon 5 at Park MGM: April 1, 5, 7, 8
- Barry Manilow at Westgate: April 1, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22
- Foreigner at The Venetian: April 1, 5, 7, 8
- Donny Osmond at Harrah’s: April 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Katy Perry at Resorts World: April 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15
- Smokey Robinson at The Venetian: April 14, 15
- Brad Paisley at Wynn: April 14, 15
- Usher at Park MGM: April 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29
The month wraps up with the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender from April 27 – 30 at the Orleans. The festival includes music, hot rods, dancing, burlesque, pool parties, and vintage shopping.
The rockabilly crowd takes over the entire property, which oozes more fun than any other weekend at the off-strip casino. Music aside, the atmosphere at the Orleans is always great during Rockabilly Weekend. It’s a fun excuse to head away from the Vegas Strip for a little while.
Las Vegas show news
Just as March was ending Adele announced she added 34 new shows to her Caesars Palace weekend residency this year. The shows will start in June and continue through early November.
Kelly Clarkson recently announced that she’ll be performing a 10-show limited engagement at Planet Hollywood from July 28 through August 19. These shows are a long time coming. Clarkson announced a residency for 2020 but those shows were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rumors are swirling that Cher could return to Las Vegas for a residency.
Life Is Beautiful announced the lineup for the festival taking place in downtown Las Vegas Sept. 22-24. The Killers and Kendrick Lamar are among the music headliners. You can see the full lineup here. The culinary, arts, and comedy components will be announced closer to the show date.
Last but not least, the new Punk Rock Museum opens near The Strat on April 1. Guests can choose a self-guided tour or have a punk rock star show them around.
April comedy in Las Vegas
April might be light with music residency performances but it’s heavy with some of the most popular returning stand-up comedians.
- Fortune Feimster at Wynn: April 1
- Dane Cook at The Cosmopolitan: April 1
- Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias at The Cosmopolitan: April 6, 7, 8, 9
- Ray Romano and Brian Regan at The Mirage: April 14
- Jerry Seinfeld at Caesars Palace: April 14, 15
- John Mullaney at Wynn: April 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
- Chelsea Handler at The Mirage: April 28
- Ali Wong at Wynn: April 28, 29
- David Spade and Nikki Glaser at The Venetian: April 28, 29
A few of these comedians are playing in smaller venues than usual. Gabriel Iglesias and John Mullaney often play arenas. These shows are chances to see the comedians in a more intimate setting.
Casino news and rumors
In late March, Clark County approved Hard Rock’s plan to build a guitar-shaped hotel where the volcano currently sits in from The Mirage. Construction shouldn’t begin until later this year or next year so there’s still a little time to see the volcano at The Mirage.
As March came to an end, Caesars announced the completion of the rebranding of Bally’s to Horseshoe Las Vegas. Most of the changes to the property guests will notice are cosmetic.
There are a couple of new restaurants, a refreshed poker room, and an arcade that has replaced the sportsbook on the lower level of the property. Work continues outside of the property on new dining and entertainment venues.
Horseshoe only has a betting counter in the walkway towards Paris. Guests who want to watch the games they wager on can take the two-minute walk to Paris. The recently updated sportsbook has new video screens and seating.
Bellagio is renovating the rooms in its Spa Tower. Some will be available starting in July. Updating all of the rooms should be completed by October.
Construction on Dream Hotel at the south end of the Vegas Strip has been stopped. Additionally, a new luxury casino hotel planned near Planet Hollywood is also on pause as casino operators deal with unstable financial markets.
There’s a rumor that the opening of Fontainebleau later this year could be pushed back.
One casino that appears to be on schedule to open later this year is Durango Casino. Construction continues on the off-strip casino and the fourth quarter opening timeframe appears to be on target.
The MSG Sphere at The Venetian also appears to finally be on target to open before the year ends. The new entertainment venue could bring parking fees to the north end of the Vegas Strip.
Get ready for more parking fees
Currently, nearby casinos The Venetian, The Palazzo, Wynn, Treasure Island, and Sahara offer free self-parking. This could be changing soon.
Rumor is that The Venetian and The Palazzo will begin charging for self-parking before the MSG Sphere opens. The other nearby casinos could follow by at least charging self-parking fees on event nights.
The Mirage is across the street from The Venetian and still charges for self-parking. Resorts World recently started charging non-rewards members for self-parking. The Strat is a little north on the Vegas Strip and is preparing to charge for self-parking.
New Vegas eateries
There’s a nice mix of new full-service and quick-serve dining options in Las Vegas.
Those looking for a quick bite on the Vegas Strip can visit Chicken Guy at Caesars Palace. This is a new Guy Fieri venture in the food court at the iconic casino.
Stanton Social is also open at Caesars Palace. This is a vibey full-service modern American restaurant.
The first Las Vegas location for Peter Luger steakhouse at Caesars Palace was supposed to open by the end of 2022. That didn’t happen but it appears as though construction if finally underway. There’s no timeline for when the steakhouse will open.
The second Wahlburgers location in Las Vegas is now open at Mandalay Bay. This replaces Burger Bar in the Mandalay Place shopping area.
M.Y. Asia is the latest restaurant to open at the recently rebranded Horseshoe. This is the first eatery on the Vegas Strip by celebrity chef Martin Yan.
Mediterranean restaurants are all the rage in Las Vegas. Naxos Taverna is now open at Red Rock Casino. There’s also a small oyster bar open outside of the restaurant. The bar has fewer than 20 seats so expect to wait.
