# National Finals Rodeo: what to do between sessions in Las Vegas

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/nfr-las-vegas/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## 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 and what to pack

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

## Airport to venue

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.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Downtown and Fremont Street. Cheapest rooms, 15 minutes from the Strip by the Deuce bus.
- **mid:** Center Strip (Flamingo Road). Walk to most venues, many resort fees.
- **luxury:** Wynn, Bellagio and the Cosmopolitan. The top resorts.
- Hotels we would book: The LINQ Hotel (budget), Park MGM (mid), Wynn Las Vegas (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: Grand Canyon helicopter flight. Fly over Hoover Dam and land in the canyon.
- Eat: In-N-Out Burger, Next to the LINQ

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Long day to Arizona.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: Cirque du Soleil show. O, Mystère or KÀ.
- Eat: Eataly, At Park MGM

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Indoor skydiving. Wind tunnel.
- Free: Bellagio fountains and conservatory.

## Tours worth booking

- [Grand Canyon West with Skywalk](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Grand%20Canyon%20West%20day%20trip%20from%20Las%20Vegas&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): 2.5 hours each way by coach.
- [Grand Canyon helicopter flight](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Grand%20Canyon%20helicopter%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): Fly over Hoover Dam and land in the canyon.
- [Hoover Dam tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Hoover%20Dam%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): Dam and Lake Mead, 45 minutes away.
- [Red Rock Canyon hike or e-bike](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Red%20Rock%20Canyon%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): Desert scenery 30 minutes west.
- [Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Antelope%20Canyon%20day%20trip%20from%20Las%20Vegas&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): Long day to Arizona.
- [Cirque du Soleil show](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Cirque%20du%20Soleil%20Las%20Vegas%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): O, Mystère or KÀ.
- [Las Vegas helicopter night flight](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Las%20Vegas%20helicopter%20night&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): The Strip lit up.
- [Valley of Fire tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Valley%20of%20Fire%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): Red sandstone 1 hour north.
- [Food tour on the Strip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Las%20Vegas%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): Tastings at resort restaurants.
- [Indoor skydiving](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Vegas%20indoor%20skydiving&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-nfr-las-vegas): Wind tunnel.

## 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

## With kids

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

## Rainy-day backups

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

## Getting around

- 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.

## Questions people ask

### When is National Finals Rodeo 2026?

The next edition is 3 to 12 December 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like 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.

### How do I get from the 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.

### Where should I stay for National Finals Rodeo?

For most visitors the best base is Center Strip (Flamingo Road): Walk to most venues, many resort fees.

### What can we do between sessions at National Finals Rodeo?

Good short outings in Las Vegas include Grand Canyon helicopter flight, Hoover Dam tour, Red Rock Canyon hike or e-bike. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near National Finals Rodeo?

Family-friendly picks: Grand Canyon West with Skywalk, Hoover Dam tour, Red Rock Canyon hike or e-bike. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

### How far is Thomas and Mack Center from Las Vegas centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. Off the Strip near UNLV; shuttles from resorts.

More in Las Vegas: https://eventweekends.com/city/las-vegas/