National Finals Rodeo in short

When

3 to 12 December 2026 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)

Where

Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, United States, about 3 km from the centre

Free time

Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.

Best base

Center Strip (Flamingo Road): Walk to most venues, many resort fees.

Getting there

Harry Reid International (LAS) is 10 minutes from the Strip.

Weather

In December, Las Vegas averages highs of about 13°C and lows of 1°C, with roughly 18 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 9 h 50 min of daylight.

Top things to do

Grand Canyon West with Skywalk; Grand Canyon helicopter flight; Hoover Dam tour

Know before you go

• Cowboy Christmas gift shows run alongside the rodeo.

Weather during National Finals Rodeo

In December, Las Vegas averages highs of about 13°C and lows of 1°C, with roughly 18 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 9 h 50 min of daylight.

What to pack

• A warm coat, hat and gloves: nights can drop close to freezing.
• Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

Monthly averages for 2001 to 2025 from NASA POWER. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.

Airport to Thomas and Mack Center

Harry Reid International (LAS) is 10 minutes from the Strip. Rideshare is about $25 to $35; taxis use zone fares.

Off the Strip near UNLV; shuttles from resorts.

Public transport directions to Thomas and Mack Center · Everything on at Thomas and Mack Center

Where to stay by budget

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: The LINQ Hotel
• Mid-range: Park MGM
• Splurge: Wynn Las Vegas

Links search the nights from 2 December to 13 December. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival stay schedule for 3 to 12 December 2026. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family-friendly picks

• Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.
• Adventuredome at Circus Circus.
• Springs Preserve.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

• Rooftop bars and clubs on the Strip.
• Fremont East bars.

Ten tours worth booking for National Finals Rodeo

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

• Lotus of Siam Northern Thai, off-Strip
• Bacchanal Buffet Caesars Palace buffet
• Raku Japanese robata in Chinatown
• In-N-Out Burger Next to the LINQ
• Eataly At Park MGM
• Esther's Kitchen Italian in the Arts District

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

• Neon Museum.
• Mob Museum.
• AREA15 and Meow Wolf.

Getting around on event days

• The Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip; the Deuce bus runs 24 hours.
• Walking the Strip takes longer than it looks: resorts are huge.

Day trips from Las Vegas

• Hoover Dam: 45 minutes
• Red Rock Canyon: 30 minutes
• Grand Canyon West: 2.5 hours

Organiser of National Finals Rodeo? Add this guide to your website.

Questions people ask

How we put this guide together: dates come from the organiser's published calendar or, when not yet announced, from the event's usual pattern; weather from NASA POWER monthly averages 2001 to 2025; venue access and city tips from our own research. Last checked 2 November 2026. How we research.

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