Las Vegas Heats Up in July with Fireworks, Big Shows and New Attractions

^{Caesars Palace is one of seven casinos to have a fireworks show this summer. (Photo: Denise Truscello / LVCVA)}

Las Vegas might be the ultimate vacation destination, and it is, but there are some quieter times. While many love the 100-degree-plus temperatures, some visitors avoid the desert during the peak heat of summer.

According to AccuWeather’s long-range forecast for July, high temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees every day this month. Get used to it, as highs will likely stay around 100 or above for the next couple of months. It’s also monsoon season, so don’t be surprised by short periods of heavy rainfall.

Las Vegas temperatures July 2025

Despite social media posts, Las Vegas isn’t dead, even though visitation is down from a year ago. Through April, visitation was down 6.5 percent, or just under 1 million people, compared with the first four months of last year.

Whether it’s the heat or the drop in visitors, plenty of Las Vegas hotels are offering sales this summer for anyone planning a vacation or coming to town to compete in the World Series of Poker Main Event. 

There’s still plenty to see and do in Las Vegas this month with a slew of new bars, restaurants, and attractions. The month just won’t be packed with residencies, national tours or major sports events you might be used to.

July 4th in Las Vegas

If there’s going to be one crazy weekend in Las Vegas this month, it’s definitely the July Fourth weekend. Fireworks might get the party started on Friday night, July 4, but there will be plenty of events throughout the weekend.

Fireworks shows are planned at casinos across the Las Vegas Valley:

• Vegas Strip: Caesars Palace and Resorts World
• Downtown Vegas: Plaza 
• Vegas Burbs: Durango, Green Valley Ranch, M Resort, Red Rock Casino

All fireworks shows will take place at 9 p.m. While anyone can watch the fireworks, each property will have a special VIP viewing area, similar to what one would find at a VIP casino, for a fee.

In addition to the only weekend with a full calendar of resident performers, there will be plenty of activities. The Cosmopolitan and Fontainebleau will both have poolside movies during the weekend. 

Circa in downtown Las Vegas will have a hot dog eating contest and fireworks viewing party on the deck of the Legacy Club on the 60th floor of the casino. 

Fashion Show Mall, across from Wynn, is even getting into the holiday spirit with art installations and photo ops during the holiday weekend.

Free holiday activity alert: The Play Playground at Luxor will offer free entry without a Play Pass or ticket from Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6. This is a great value, as a weekend pass normally costs $45.

July Las Vegas Residencies and Limited Engagements

The Las Vegas residency calendar is light this month but includes two new shows from familiar performers. Kelly Clarkson returns with her new "Studio Sessions" show on July 4. The following week, the Backstreet Boys debut their "Into the Millennium" show.

• New Kids On The Block at Park MGM: July 2, 3, 5
• Seth McFarlane & His Orchestra at The Venetian: July 3, 4, 5
• Kelly Clarkson at Caesars Palace: July 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
• NAS - Illmatic: Live with Las Vegas Philharmonic at Wynn: July 9, 11, 12, 18, 19
• Backstreet Boys at The Sphere: July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 27

Easy’s Cocktail Lounge at Aria will have its first resident performer, Mackenzie Sol. The UK-born singer-songwriter will perform every Wednesday beginning July 2 at the speakeasy hidden behind the donut shop at Proper Food Hall. Easy’s is one of the many Vegas Strip lounges with free music.

Big National Concerts In Las Vegas

Summer is traditionally a busy touring season for bands, with outdoor concert venues packed across the country.

Las Vegas is a bit different. The 100-degree-plus days don’t make for a relaxing outdoor concert experience. That said, two of the biggest tours this summer will stop in Las Vegas at the end of the month.

Unfortunately, The Weeknd had to cancel his shows on July 4th … ehm … weekend.

• Lady Gaga at T-Mobile Arena: July 16, 18
• Beyoncé at Allegiant Stadium: July 25, 26

Las Vegas residencies are more than just concerts. Lady Gaga has been a resident performer at Park MGM for years. Her shows are unique to Las Vegas, held in a much smaller venue where most attendees are closer to the action.

Gaga’s two different shows at the 6,400-capacity Dolby Theatre were much more intimate than those at the 20,000-capacity T-Mobile Arena across the street.

Las Vegas Sports In July

The slow July sports calendar is highlighted by one of the best values in Las Vegas this summer. The NBA Summer League takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV from July 10 to 22.

The Summer League features developing NBA players. It is the first chance to see the newest players in the league wearing NBA uniforms. For reference, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo are just some of the stars who made their NBA debut at Summer League.

General admission tickets start at $50 per day. Each ticket gives guests access to as many as eight games, depending on the day. The games at the beginning of the NBA Summer League usually feature more contests and star players. Visit UNLV Tickets for more information.

The Las Vegas Aces are off to a slow star, but the team has a couple of home games at Mandalay Bay this month:

• July 12 vs. Golden State Valkyries
• July 22 vs. Atlanta Dream

Over the years, Las Vegas has hosted numerous random sports events that never made the radar of mainstream media. There have been fewer of these events since the addition of pro sports in Las Vegas over the past decade.

The slow entertainment calendar in July is being supplemented with 10 days of table tennis (ping pong) at the Orleans Arena. The first-ever World Table Tennis Grand Smash will take place from July 3 to 13. There are two sessions each day, at noon and 6 p.m.

The World Series of Poker will wrap up this month at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. The world-famous $10,000 Main Event is scheduled from July 2 to 16. The events are open to the public for anyone curious to see what the largest poker tournament is like in person.

Las Vegas Casino Entertainment News 

There’s plenty of news heading into July. There are new places to eat and drink, new attractions, and the most famous butts in Las Vegas have moved downtown!

The Friends Experience will open at MGM Grand on July 23. Guests can explore the show’s most memorable moments, behind-the-scenes content and photo opportunities with life-size set recreations, including Central Perk, Monica and Rachel’s apartment, and Joey and Chandler’s apartment.

BrewDog opened its first Las Vegas location across the street from Park MGM in late 2022. The rooftop beer bar and restaurant recently opened another level called UnderDog Beer Hall on the first floor. The new taproom features 50 different beers, food, arcade games like Pop-A-Shot and skee-ball, and plenty of TVs to catch all the games.

Bottled Blonde, located in front of Horseshoe Las Vegas, is now open. The official Grand Opening celebration is July 18, when the venue will host a cavalcade of celebrities. Similar to its neighbor, Ole Red, Bottled Blonde is a multi-level bar and restaurant with an open-air terrace overlooking the Vegas Strip and Bellagio fountains.

Bottled Blonde and Ole Red do a good job of hiding the Horseshoe and the Grand Bazaar Shops in front of the casino. However, this place isn’t dead. Smelly Cat Karaoke is now open. The new karaoke spot opens at 10 a.m. and serves booze, food and your voice.

Bob Marley Hope Road just opened at Mandalay Bay. The new venue has different activities that are inspired by Bob Marley. The Show is a 75-minute, non-seated performance with live music, storytelling, and remixes of Bob Marley’s iconic songs. The immersive Experience is more low-key and guests can wander the space at their own pace, enjoying concert footage, mix a Marley song, and explore various activations. 

Wheel of Fortune Live will be at Paris Las Vegas from July 11-19. This is a live stage version of the popular TV game show and slot machine series. Guests will be able to spin the infamous Wheel (of Fortune), solve puzzles, and win prizes. Additionally, guests will be able to audition to be on the TV show hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White.

The Via Via Food Hall at the Venetian is now open. The newest Las Vegas food hall features numerous elevated quick-serve dining options that are elevated from the food courts of yesteryear, including Howlin’ Rays from Los Angeles, Turkey and the Wolf from New Orleans and the second Las Vegas location for All’Antico Vinaio sandwiches.

Those who miss Holsteins Burgers and Shakes at the Cosmopolitan can rejoice! The new location is now open on Main Street in the Arts District. The eatery has the same chef, and the Gold Standard burger is as good as you remember from the original location. Don’t sleep on the part of town between the popular casino areas of the Vegas Strip and Fremont Street if you’re looking for good prices and unique shopping.

The iconic Crazy Girls statue is now being featured at the entrance to the Legacy Club at Circa in downtown Las Vegas. The bronze statue made its debut in front of the Riviera Hotel and Casino in 1997. After the property was closed and destroyed, the statue made its way to Planet Hollywood.