Las Vegas Strip resorts have become renown for hosting residencies of big-name musical performers at the height of their popularity, but music festivals featuring a wide variety of genres are also prevalent.
As southern Nevada cools in the fall, stages will heat up with at least 10 festivals, enabling fans to not only enjoy their favorites but perhaps discover new talent at the same time.
• First up is Big Blues Bender, Sept. 5 to 8 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Among the blues performers on tap on five indoor and outdoor stages are Beth Hart, Los Lobos, Tab Benoit, The Record Company, Vintage Trouble, Canned Heat, Samantha Fish and Eric Gales.
The Bender's motto, "Everything, An Elevator Ride Away," emphasizes the convenience of having a festival on a resort property. The first set will begin late afternoon on Thursday, and the last act's final note will be in the wee hours of Monday.
The Big Blues Bender is sold as a package (starting at $935 per person) combining access to all the entertainment with a Westgate room for four nights. Guests must be at least 18 years old. Visit the event's website for information.
• The similarly structured and priced Las Vegas Bender Jamboree will be Sept. 12 to 15 at the Westgate. Among the bands that will be featured are The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee, The Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Keller Williams.
All tickets are sold as four-day packages, and guests must be 21 years of age.
• Nicky Jam, Luis R. Conriquez, Codiciado and Arcangel will headline the third annual Rumbazo Latin music festival at the outdoor Downtown Las Vegas Events Center Sept. 13 and 14.
The Mexican Independence Day weekend celebration, in a new partnership with Billboard and presented by Estrella Jalisco, will include local Latin cuisine choices and experiences in fashion and art.
"Billboard continues to expand its footprint in the Latin market, and we are so proud to do so with our biggest live show to date, in Las Vegas, celebrating the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month," said Dana Droppo, Billboard's chief brand officer.
The event is open to guests ages 18 and older. Weekend passes start at $89.
• The iHeartRadio Music Festival presented by Capital One will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21 at T-Mobile Arena. Among the performers will be Big Sean, Camila Cabello, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Gwen Stefani, Halsey, Hozier, Keith Urban, New Kids on the Block and the Black Crowes.
Ryan Seacrest will again host the iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena Photo Credit: Skyler Barberio for iHeartRadio
The festival, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, is expected to include surprise sets and unique collaborations among the diverse array of performers.
Tickets for one night (starting at $59.50 plus tax and fees) or both nights are on sale at axis.com.
• A Big Beautiful Block Party, presented by Life is Beautiful, is set for Sept. 27 and 28 in the Arts District in downtown Las Vegas. The event, with two stages and lower ticket prices, is being introduced since the more ambitious 18-block festival will not be held this year, organizers said.
"For a number of reasons it was appropriate to hit pause on the Life is Beautiful Festival this year," according to a post on the event's website. "For now, it gives us the opportunity to continue the annual tradition of gathering in downtown Las Vegas to uplift one another, to express ourselves, and to connect. In time, the two will co-exist."
The lineup includes Justice, Peggy Guo, LCD Soundsystem, Jamie XX, Jungle, James Blake, Thundercat, Toyo Y Moi and Badbadnotgood. Gates will open at 5 p.m. each day. Two-day passes start at $199.
• Reggae Rise Up Las Vegas will be Oct. 4 to 6 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. The lineup includes Stick Figure, Iration, Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, Wiz Khalifa, Tribal Seeds, Rebelution, Atmosphere and Dispatch.
Reggae Rise Up Vegas will include fun activities for fans beyond the stage. Photo Credit: Ben Allen
Single-day, general admission wristbands are $61, but multiday and room packages are also available. Doors open at noon each day; the event is open to all ages.
• Best Friends Forever is set for Oct. 11 to 13 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Among the performers are Bright Eyes, Sunny Day Real Estate, Cap'n Jazz, The Jesus Lizard, Unwound, The Dismemberment Plan and Built to Spill.
Three-day general admission wristbands start at $219; cabanas, room packages and one-day passes ($99) are also available.
• Lynyrd Skynyrd, Megan Moroney, Josh Turner and Turnpike Troubadours will be among the county acts at Giddy Up Vegas at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center Oct. 18 to 20.
Gates open at 1 p.m. each day; general admission, three-day admission begins at $166.
• The We Were Young Festival will be Oct. 19 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds at the southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue.
Described by organizers as "the pop-punk emo throwback fest you have been waiting for," the event will include sets by My Chemical Romance; The Black Parade; Fall Out Boy; A Day to Remember; Homesick; Jimmy East World; and Coheed and Cambria.
The event is for all ages. General admission tickets are $325 with room packages also available.
• Finally, to coincide with the second Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix Nov. 22 to 24, downtown properties are organizing the first Neon City Festival. The music and culinary event, announced earlier this month, will be free and open to all ages.