Las Vegas Halloween Ambiance Calendar?

Question

We are wondering if the Halloween Ambiance in Las Vegas extends into earlier October?

We have an opening the travel there on October 20th - 24th, but would like to avoid the Halloween festivities.

Thanks!

Kirk

Answer

Las Vegas is known for its extravagant Halloween celebrations, and the city’s ambiance around Halloween can definitely extend into early October. While Halloween festivities officially peak at the end of October, many venues and attractions start getting into the spooky spirit as early as mid-October. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect during your trip from October 20th to 24th:

1. Decorations and Atmosphere

Starting from the beginning of October, most hotels, casinos, and resorts in Las Vegas begin decorating with spooky themes, haunted house setups, and pumpkins. The Las Vegas Strip especially gets into the Halloween mood, with themed displays, window decorations, and eerie lighting in the evenings. However, the intensity of the decorations typically increases as Halloween gets closer.

When it starts: Decorations usually go up around the first week of October.
What to expect: Costumes, spooky-themed bars, and hotels with Halloween ambiance.

2. Halloween Events

Although large-scale events like costume parties and themed shows generally happen closer to Halloween weekend (October 28th-31st), some Halloween-themed events may start in mid-October. These include horror-themed attractions like haunted houses, themed dinners, or performances that are designed to appeal to those seeking a spooky experience.

Haunted Houses: Some major haunted houses, such as Fright Dome at Circus Circus or the Fear Factory, open early in October.
Spooky Bars and Restaurants: Some bars and lounges may host pre-Halloween events or serve special cocktails from mid-October.

3. Avoiding the Halloween Crowd

If you’d like to avoid the Halloween atmosphere entirely during your trip, consider these tips:

Stay away from the Strip: The most intense Halloween celebrations happen on the Strip, especially near large hotels and casinos. If you want to stay away from Halloween-themed events, choose hotels off the beaten path or further away from the main tourist areas.
Avoid Halloween weekend: The busiest period for Halloween festivities in Las Vegas is around the weekend leading up to Halloween. Your travel dates (October 20th-24th) are before the full chaos of the weekend, but you might still experience some pre-Halloween excitement.
Focus on non-Halloween shows: Many regular shows in Las Vegas, including concerts, Cirque du Soleil performances, and other entertainment options, won’t have any Halloween-themed content. Check the show schedule to ensure you’re booking non-Halloween events.

Conclusion

While the full-scale Halloween festivities won’t be in full swing until the weekend leading up to October 31st, the Las Vegas atmosphere does start to shift towards Halloween in mid-October. If you want to avoid the festivities, it’s best to stay away from the major hotels and casinos on the Strip, and look for quieter, non-Halloween-themed activities. You’ll likely still find plenty to do that isn’t related to Halloween!

Hope this helps you plan your trip and enjoy your time in Las Vegas without getting swept up in the Halloween madness!