It is the best time of year in Las Vegas. The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® is galloping into Las Vegas for an electric 10 days and nights. Each year, Las Vegas Events asks me to gather some intel on the best places to experience during the NFR Dec. 3-12, 2026.
It is a challenge to pick a few, with so much going on. But first, a little housekeeping. Here are some tips to make your 2026 Wrangler NFR experience the best it can be.
NFR Tip 1
- Be sure to download the new NFR app. You can plan your entire itinerary, plus keep up to date on everything from the actual rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center to the Junior NFR to Cowboy Christmas presented by Texas Previous Metals to everything in between.
NFR Tip 1A
- Cowboy Christmas is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Be sure to stop by the Las Vegas Convention Center for all of your holiday shopping, or simply to see some great entertainment or get a few autographs of your favorite contestants.
NFR Tip 2
- When you attend an official free NFR Watch Party at an NFR Hotel Sponsor, you will enjoy the in-arena video and audio feed, which is the next best thing to being inside the Thomas & Mack Center.
NFR Tip 3
- Besides the app, visit NFRexperience.com for anything and everything 2026 NFR.
NFR Tip 4
- Each official Hotel Sponsor is the home of a free NFR shuttle stop to and from the Thomas & Mack Center. They also run from Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
Sam’s Town is a legendary Las Vegas hotel and has been entertaining NFR fans since day one. This is a must-stop on your NFR journey, whether for a watch party or just to experience this historic spot. For the watch parties, check out either Roxy’s Lounge or the family-friendly Sam’s Town Live.
This was Las Vegas’ first “locals” casino when it debuted on the Boulder Strip in 1979. It features a 25,000-square-foot indoor park, bowling center, movie theater, and one of the largest casino floors in Las Vegas. What that means is you know they offer great value when the locals love it.
Sam’s Town is a Boyd Gaming property. Boyd Gaming properties offer NFR ticket and room packages, plus nightly all-ages watch parties and music.
Horseshoe Las Vegas
With a name like the Horseshoe, you have to make a stop here. The Horseshoe was formerly Bally’s and takes its name from the historic Binion’s Horseshoe. The Horseshoe is located in the heart of the action and minutes from the Thomas & Mack Center.
Horseshoe events feature the Roper Cowboy Marketplace Gift Show with free admission plus watch parties in Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Sports Kitchen. The Horseshoe is the official resort of the NFR Team Ropers, so you never know who you will see roaming around there. The Horseshoe is a Caesars property and is offering 10% off during the NFR.
There is a Team Roping autograph session scheduled for Dec. 7, but it is at The LINQ, a near-by sister property, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
While a name like Fontainebleau Las Vegas might not sound like a place cowboys and cowgirls should visit during the Wrangler NFR, don’t be fooled. The resort is going all in on rodeo with several activations and events, which are dubbed Saddle Up for Spectacular.
As the resort transforms into a rodeo fan’s paradise, fans are invited to explore live country music performances inside Nowhere Lounge, Cowgirls and Cocktails inside The Poodle Room, the Rodeo Quincy fashion and brunch experience, exclusive NFR viewing opportunities at The Tavern, and more.
Other highlights include Dierks Bentley Dec. 4-5 at the BleauLive Theater and Creed Dec. 11-12. Plus, the Nowhere Lounge party is hosted by The Bull 95.5 FM Dec. 4-12.
There is also a room offer for up to 35% off plus a daily $50 resort credit for Fontainebleau Rewards members. Also, the Vegas Loop with Tesla vehicles is available for easy access to Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
A note is that parking is always a challenge at Cowboy Christmas, so leaving from the Fontainebleau is easier and you get to spend time at THE Spectacular.
Park MGM
You want to know a reason that you’re guaranteed a good time at Park MGM during the Wrangler NFR? The resort is the official home of the bareback riders, and those guys love to have fun. There is an autograph signing with the bareback riders Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Reserve Bar.
Park MGM is the place to be for pre- and post-show dining and/or drinks at Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar or Italian at the must-be-seen-to-be-believed Eataly. The Park MGM will feature Western spirits and signature cocktails at the Juniper Cocktail Lounge and The Reserve Bar.
If you want some laughs during the Wrangler NFR, superstar comedian Matt Rife performs inside Dolby Live at Park MGM on Dec 4.
Rio Hotel & Casino
The name just rolls off the tongue: the Rio Round Up is Dec. 3-12 and is home to a free nightly NFR watch party, with games, sponsor giveaways and live music. The viewing parties offer special VIP packages with couches and a beverage bucket.
While the watch party is always a good time, the Rio really gets going after the final bull bucks at the Thomas & Mack Center. DJ Du spins Dec. 3, 4 and 7-9, and on the other nights, the Rodeo Rockstar Redstreak Revival takes over (Dec. 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12).
The Rio is open to a deep pool of country music talent, including the legend Tracy Lawrence Dec. 12.
Rio Round-Up live music lineup:
Date Performer
Dec. 3 Alex Key
Dec. 4 Matt Farris
Dec. 5 ATJ & Regresso
Dec. 6 Nathan Dean & The Damn Band
Dec. 7 Kristen Merlin
Dec. 8 Gunnar Latham
Dec. 9 Gage Gardiner
Dec. 10 The Martin Boys
Dec. 11 Neon Prophets
Dec. 12 Western Fusion Band
Besides music, the Rio is also home to the Stetson Country Christmas: Dec. 3–13, 2026, a top Western gift show.
Westgate Las Vegas
If you want the easiest access to the epic Cowboy Christmas, then staying at the Westgate is the perfect choice. The resort is within walking distance of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
But there is much more to the Westgate NFR offerings than convenience. NFR After Dark takes over during the NFR with free nightly entertainment at the International Bar plus watch parties there or at the Cabaret Theater. After each NFR performance, the live music gets going throughout the Westgate.
Fans can enjoy performances across the Cabaret Theater and International Bar from an outstanding mix of nationally recognized artists and rising country talent, including Kenny Feidler, Tyler Halverson, Jarrod Morris, Logan Ryan Band, Wynn Williams, Pauline Reese, Olivia Harms, Caden Gillard, and many more.
Fun NFR food activations feature the Cowboy Steak at Edge Steakhouse and/or $7 “You Call It” cocktails, $12 beer-and-shot specials, and $25 Coors Banquet five-pack buckets at Cabaret Bar and International Bar. Additionally, guests can also enjoy Westgate’s popular 4-5-6 Program at casino bars across the resort, featuring $4 beers, $5 wines and $6 cocktails.
“NFR is one of the most anticipated times of the year in Las Vegas, and Westgate has become a tradition for rodeo fans who return year after year,” said Dawn Rawle, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Entertainment for Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. “Whether you’re coming for the rodeo, the music, the food or simply the atmosphere, we’re proud to offer one of the city’s most complete NFR experiences from morning until long after the final ride each night.”
