What’s Happening in Las Vegas This November: F1, SEMA, and a Packed Concert Lineup

_{New Kids on the Block perform during their first slate of residency shows at Park MGM. (Photo: @NKOTB on X)} 

LAS VEGAS — November has kicked into high gear with events, compared to how it’s usually one of Las Vegas’s sleepier months. Regional guests continue to flock to the city for a long Thanksgiving weekend to relax and let someone else do the cooking. Others will still visit for work during the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show, which will draw approximately 160,000 people from Nov. 4–7 this year.

Both remain major draws, but the addition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 race has changed the November entertainment calendar. Not only is the Strip jammed with street closures for the long race weekend, but some smaller shows on the Strip will go dark for a few days. The overall entertainment calendar will still remain stacked and there’s plenty for race fans to do during race week after the Thanksgiving crowd leaves town.

Nevertheless, a “slow” month of entertainment in Las Vegas still offers more than most cities see in a month. There will be more than 60 residency shows, along with a handful of big national concert tours this month and the return of the free Neon City Festival downtown.

Residencies and Limited Engagement Performers

Gen X visitors will have plenty of musical memories to relive with Kelly Clarkson, New Kids on the Block, Alanis Morissette, and others returning for another run of shows. Another generational favorite, Mariah Carey, will kick off her special holiday engagement at Park MGM.

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga will take the stage at Wynn Las Vegas for the first time this month. Although she’s earned acclaim on Broadway, many will know her as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. She also performs tributes to Vegas royalty like Celine Dion. 

• The Eagles at the Sphere: Nov. 1, 7, 8
• Leona Lewis at The Venetian: Nov. 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 25, 27, 28, 29
• Jackson Browne at The Venetian: Nov. 1, 5, 7, 8 
• New Kids on the Block at Park MGM: Nov. 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15
• Alanis Morissette at Caesars Palace: Nov. 1, 2
• Santana at Mandalay Bay: Nov. 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16
• Barry Manilow at Westgate: Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15
• Lea Salonga at Wynn: Nov. 7, 8 
• Kelly Clarkson at Caesars Palace: 7, 8, 14, 15
• Babyface at Palms: Nov. 14, 15
• Heart at Fontainebleau: Nov. 12, 14, 15
• Pitbull at Fontainebleau: Nov. 21, 22
• Mariah Carey at Park MGM: Nov. 28, 29

November is the calm before the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) begins on Dec. 4, which will shift the Strip’s music focus to country music shows and concerts until the rodeo ends on Dec. 14.

Vegas Stops for Big-Name Tours

The big arena concerts this month are as diverse as ever, featuring stars in Latin, R&B, hip-hop and pop music. The only difference from a typical month is the lack of rock bands. Still, visitors will find plenty of rock shows through residencies and at the Neon City Music Festival.

• Nov. 1: Junior H at T-Mobile Arena
• Nov. 7: Brandy and Monica at T-Mobile Arena
• Nov. 9: NBA YoungBoy at T-Mobile Arena
• Nov. 13: Latin Grammys at MGM Grand
• Nov. 29: Jonas Brothers at MGM Grand

The FREE Neon City Festival in Downtown Las Vegas

The Neon City Festival will take place Nov. 21–23 in downtown Las Vegas. The free festival will feature stages throughout the Fremont Street Experience and at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center across from The D.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said 180,000 people attended the festival last year. Expect even more this year, with a lineup of familiar bands heard on the radio over the past couple of decades.

Headliners for the free music festival include Good Charlotte, Deadmau5, Breaking Benjamin, De La Soul, and others. The diverse lineup ranges from local musicians to emo and hip-hop acts.