Licensing Expo in short

When

18 to 20 May 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)

Where

Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, United States, about 3 km from the centre

Free time

The show floor takes the day, so the evenings, a companion day and the day after are free.

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 May, Las Vegas averages highs of about 32°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 3 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 14 h 09 min of daylight.

Top things to do

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

Weather during Licensing Expo

In May, Las Vegas averages highs of about 32°C and lows of 16°C, with roughly 3 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 14 h 09 min of daylight.

What to pack

• Sun hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
• Rain is unlikely: this is one of the driest months.
• Comfortable shoes: a day on the show floor easily means 15,000 steps.

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

Airport to Mandalay Bay Convention Center

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

South end of the Strip.

Public transport directions to Mandalay Bay Convention Center · Everything on at Mandalay Bay Convention 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 17 May to 21 May. 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 show week schedule for 18 to 20 May 2027. 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 Licensing Expo

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

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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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