By Expedia Local Expert, on April 15, 2018

Top spring & summer events in Las Vegas in 2018

Known for its world-class shopping, dining, nightlife, and gambling, it should come as no surprise that Las Vegas attracts more than 40 million tourists a year. While there are plenty to ways to spend your time in the malls, at the clubs, or at the card tables, there are still far more things to do in Las Vegas to keep you entertained. As spring and summer are particularly popular times to visit Sin City, the seasons boast endless events, from big-name concerts and Broadway shows on tour to games starring the city’s newest sports teams.

MUSIC

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Elton John: The Million Dollar Piano

Celebrate the legacy of one of the world’s most recognized and successful musicians with tickets to Elton John’s Million Dollar Piano at Caesars Colosseum. Running from April 28 to May 17, the show wraps up the last leg of his 7-year residency before he embarks on his final Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. The show centers around its namesake piano, an engineering marvel that displays roughly 70 LED video screens. Pay homage to the indelible mark Elton has left on the industry as he performs hit after hit such as “Tiny Dancer” “Rocket Man,” and “Bennie and the Jets.”

U2: Experience + Innocence Tour

Catch rock icons U2 as they kick off the 2-month North American leg of their Experience + Innocence Tour before heading off to Europe. The 22-time Grammy Award-winning group is back in Las Vegas with 2 shows at the T-Mobile Arena on May 11 and 12. Listen to songs that have made them international rockstars for nearly 40 years, with older hits like “With or Without You” and “Beautiful Day,” as well as newer songs such as “The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)” and “You’re the Best Thing About Me.”

Celine Dion: Celine Residency

After an illness that forced her to cancel shows earlier this year, Celine Dion is returning to her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Colosseum. From May 22 to June 6, get tickets to see the international star in a glamorous show directed by legendary TV producer Ken Ehrlich. The updated production features a mix of Celine’s biggest hits with renditions of iconic songs by artists such as Elvis, Prince, and Queen. With a full orchestra, stunning costumes, and state-of-the-art staging, Celine puts on one of the most beautiful concerts on the Las Vegas Strip.

Blink-182: Kings of the Weekend Residency

On May 26, pop-punk band Blink-182 is kicking off their first-ever Las Vegas residency, Kings of the Weekend, at the newly renovated Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms Casino Resort. With 8 shows to choose from until June 24, you can take in all the high-energy rock vibes as the trio plays a mix of generation-defining hits and some of their more recent numbers. Can’t catch them this summer? See Blink-182 when they return for another 8 shows beginning on October 26.

Vans Warped Tour 2018

Don’t miss your chance to catch the 2018 Vans Warped Tour on its final full cross-country run. For more than 2 decades, the traveling festival has drawn millions of fans of rock, punk, emo, indie, electronic, metal, and more to the biggest backyard party of the summer. With more than 50 artists playing across 6 stages at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on June 29, you can dash between bands like 3OH!3, Black Veil Brides, Simple Plan, We the Kings, and The Used.

Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life Residency

When tickets first went on sale for Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life in 2016, the plan was to play only 9 shows. But when the concert set a modern record for the fastest-selling tickets for a Vegas residency, they knew they’d be sticking around. Now, the world’s best-selling boy band is back for their sixth leg from July 25 to August 11. Bust out your best dance moves as Nick, Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin treat you to late ‘90s and early 2000s hits like “As Long as You Love Me” and “Shape of My Heart.”

Shania Twain: Now Tour

Hitting the road on what promises to be one of the most anticipated tours of the year, Shania Twain is back on the Vegas stage for the first time since her residency ended in 2014. In support of her new album, Now, the Queen of Country Pop is capping off the North American leg of her tour with a final show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on August 4. Get ready for a night of catchy classics that you can’t help singing along to, as well as new songs from her first album in 15 years.

Rob Zombie & Marilyn Manson: Twins of Evil – The Second Coming Tour

Following tensions that arose when the duo toured together in 2012, goth rockers Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson are back together on a 7-week tour across the US. The show, titled Twins of Evil: The Second Coming in a nod to their previous collaboration, hits Vegas on August 25 at the MGM Grand. Catch the artists as they promote their most recent projects—Zombie’s 2016 album, The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser, and Manson’s 2017 Heaven Upside Down.

THEATER & DANCE

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The Color Purple

During the last week of April as part of The Smith Center’s 2017–18 Broadway Las Vegas Series, the theater welcomes The Color Purple, the touring revival of the musical based on Alice Walker’s 1982 novel of the same name. Set in the American South, the musical tells the moving story of an African American woman who finds strength to triumph over racism and abuse to ultimately find her voice in the world. With a jubilant score of ragtime, gospel, jazz, and blues, this Tony Award-winning revival is a touching tale of perseverance and following your dreams.

Maks, Val & Peta: Confidential

Experience the contagious energy and deep connection of dance as Maks, Val, and Peta take the stage at The Smith Center on May 16. Starring Peta Murgatroyd and brothers Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, “Confidential” is a celebration of the pros’ real-life family bonds, love lives, and dreams. Following the brother’s smash-hit tour in 2016, Peta has teamed up with husband Maks and brother-in-law Val for a show that’s bigger and better than ever. Also joining the stars are electrifying duo Koko and Kiki, finalists from 2017’s season of So You Think You Can Dance.

Disney Junior Dance Party

On May 18, grab the kids for a fun-filled evening at the Disney Junior Dance Party, an interactive song-and-dance experience at the Cox Pavilion. Children and adults of all ages are encouraged to join the biggest dance party around in a live show that brings your favorite characters together on stage for the very first time. Jump, dance, sing, and play along with Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Puppy Dog Pals, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, and more.

Hamilton

See the musical described as the “most influential Broadway show of our generation” with tickets to Hamilton at The Smith Center between May 29 and June 24. Follow the adventures and exploits of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he makes his mark on the New World through war, scandal, and rivalry. Bringing together a multiethnic cast, rhythmic choreography, and a score fueled by rap, R&B, and traditional-style showtunes, 11-time Tony-winning Hamilton lets you to watch history come alive in a way that feels truly revolutionary.

School of Rock: The Musical

Get ready to unleash your inner rock god at School of Rock: The Musical, the high-octane hit from legend Andrew Lloyd Webber. Running at The Smith Center the second week of August, the musical brings the hilarious 2003 film starring Jack Black to the stage. The show follows a wannabe rock star named Dewey as he poses as a substitute teacher and attempts to turn a group of prep school students into a face-melting, guitar-shredding rock band. Sing along to recognizable songs from the movie and learn new hits as you watch Dewey lead these kids to the Battle of the Bands.

On Your Feet!

Summer at The Smith Center comes to an end the first week of September with the ferociously fun, feel-good musical On Your Feet! Explore the lives of pop music’s most celebrated Cuban couple, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, as the show takes you inside the inspiring real-life story of a young girl from Havana who works her way to becoming one of music’s biggest stars. With incredible storytelling, exuberant choreography, and hits like “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” and “Turn the Beat Around,” On Your Feet! will leave you humming Estefan songs long after the curtain falls.

COMEDY

Jerry Seinfeld

Global comedy phenomenon Jerry Seinfeld is back in Las Vegas for 2 nights on April 20 and 21 at Caesars Colosseum. Known for his trademark observational comedy, Seinfeld has become one of the most recognized stars of TV and stand-up, not to mention the richest comedian in the world. With tickets to see this legendary star—named by Comedy Central as the 12th Greatest Standup of All Time—it’s as if you’re becoming a part of comedy history yourself.

Jim Gaffigan

Of all the standups that come to Las Vegas, Jim Gaffigan just may be the only one that’s appropriate for everyone from the kids to the grandparents. Returning with his Fixer Upper Tour on May 27 and July 20, Gaffigan is sure to have fans rolling in the aisles with his clean style of comedy that highlights fatherhood, laziness, and food. Whether he’s joking about having too many children, the letter he received from a serial killer, or his love of Hot Pockets and cake, he can always be counted on to bring the laughs.

Kathleen Madigan

See for yourself why Kathleen Madigan has been called both “the funniest woman in America” and “easily one of the best comics alive” with tickets to Boxed Wine and Bigfoot at the Terry Fator Theatre on June 22. The longtime comedian is known for her no-holds-barred sense of humor and refusing to shy away from any topic. Watch as she goes to town on everything from politics to religion to her favorite way to spend the holidays—alone and drunk—in this night side-splitting night of comedy.

Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah, the Emmy Award-winning host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, is back by popular demand to the Monte Carlo’s Park Theater on June 23. Since being introduced to American audiences in 2014, the South African standup has become one of today’s brightest comedic masterminds. Get tickets to experience his unique global perspective on everything from politics to pop culture, with observations that are just as thoughtful as they are hilarious

Steve Martin & Martin Short

On July 1, two of comedy’s most legendary names come together for a joint performance at the Colosseum inside Caesars Palace. Steve Martin and Martin Short bring their genius together in a playful comedy variety show. The performance features live music, with tunes by jazz pianist Jeff Babko and the Steep Canyon Rangers bluegrass band, with which Martin frequently performs and records.

Kevin Hart

Bringing “The Irresponsible Tour” to the MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 6, Kevin Hart is back on the Vegas stage for the first time in nearly 3 years. Known for his trademark self-deprecating humor, Hart’s routine is heavily influenced by his racial, physical, familial, and gender-role experiences. Laugh along as the 5’4” comedian jokes about being “shorter than medium,” the awkward and hilarious dynamics of his social interactions, and how he fails to live up to the traditional definitions of being a man.

Bill Burr

Certainly not for the faint of heart or the politically correct, Bill Burr returns to Las Vegas with his signature brand of rage-fueled comedy. On August 18 at the Park Theater, the comedian known for his defiant and cynical sense of humor is revealing his unfiltered views on everything from politics and gender to conspiracy theories and sports. Named by The New York Times as one most “distinctive voices in the country for years,” Burr may not always be sensitive, but his seems to make more and more sense as he rants into the night.

SPORTS

Vegas Golden Knights

Get out of the hot Nevada sun and take to the ice to cheer on the Vegas Golden Knights. The first of the city’s 2 major league sports teams, the Knights only began play in the 2017–18 season, but they’ve proved themselves worthy by firmly holding a spot atop the Pacific Division. The Knights are a shoo-in to battle it out in the playoffs, so don’t miss your chance to see them face off in the NHL Western Conference Quarterfinals this April. Could the Knights become the first expansion team in its inaugural season to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals in 50 years? Pick up tickets to witness all the high-speed action for yourself.

Las Vegas 51s

Summer doesn’t really feel like summer without attending at least 1 game of America’s favorite pastime. Though Las Vegas isn’t home to a Major League Baseball team, the city does have the 51s of the minors. Named after Nevada’s Area 51, the affiliate of the New York Mets have had many notable players over the years, including 2017’s Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year, Amed Rosario. From now through September, catch a game at Cashman Field and see future MLB stars in the making.

PBR 25th Anniversary Tour

Bringing “The Toughest Sport on Dirt” to major venues across the United States, Professional Bull Riders, Inc.—more commonly known as PBR—is the world’s premier bull riding organization. From May 4 to 6, you can take in all the action-packed drama and danger with tickets to the PBR 25th Anniversary Tour at the Thomas & Mack Center. Watch as fearless cowboys compete in the most exciting man-versus-beast duel on the planet, and wrap up the night with a rock concert complete with jaw-dropping pyrotechnics.

Las Vegas Aces

Welcome the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces as they kick off their inaugural season in Nevada. Formerly located in Salt Lake City and then San Antonio, the team moved to Las Vegas in 2017, becoming the city’s second major league sports team next to the Vegas Golden Knights. The team’s first home game of the regular season takes place on May 27 at Mandalay Bay, where they’ll face off against the Seattle Storm. Catch any number of games throughout the summer and cheer on the team as they fight for a spot in the playoffs that begin on August 21.

UFC 226: Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier

As the largest mixed-martial arts promotion company in the world, the UFC puts on hundreds of events featuring top-ranked fighters and draws millions of viewers from around the globe. With few off-limit moves, these battles are a thrilling and brutal display of disciplines, including boxing, jiu-jitsu, sambo, wrestling, karate, judo, and Muay Thai. See all of the bloody action live in Las Vegas on July 7 when current heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic defends his title against light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier at the T-Mobile Arena.

2018 NASCAR South Point 400 Weekend

Indulge your need for speed with the NASCAR South Point 400 Weekend at the end of summer at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. These 3 straight days of racing kick off on September 14 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where newer drivers can prove their ability to step up to the organization’s top-level circuit. The weekend culminates on September 16 with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, starring some of the top names in today’s racing. Watch as all of your favorite drivers fly around the track at speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour.