Las Vegas concluded December with multiple large-scale conventions, tradeshows, and consumer events across the Las Vegas Convention Center and Strip-area venues. Activity included technology, design, and sports-related exhibitions, while organizers opened registration for several major 2026 shows. January is scheduled to bring a concentration of high-attendance tradeshows across technology, construction, manufacturing, and promotional products sectors.
Tradeshows & Conventions
January Tradeshows Bring Tech, Construction, and Promo Products Back to Las Vegas
Las Vegas’ January tradeshow calendar opens with a concentration of large-scale technology and building-sector events. Consumer Electronics Show (CES) (Jan. 6–9, Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC)) lists 142,465 attendees and 4,500 exhibitors. Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo (Jan. 13–15, Mandalay Bay) reports 16,090 attendees and 963 exhibitors. World of Concrete (WOC) (Jan. 19–22, LVCC) lists 57,908 attendees and 1,522 exhibitors, while International Roofing Expo (IRE) (Jan. 20–22, LVCC) reports 14,934 attendees and 612 exhibitors. SHOT Show (Jan. 20–23, Venetian Expo) lists 54,361 attendees and 2,857 exhibitors. The International Surface Event (TISE) (Jan. 27–29, Mandalay Bay) reports 16,787 attendees and 720 exhibitors.
NAB Show 2026 Registration Opens with Expanded Programming at LVCC
Registration opened in December for the 2026 NAB Show, scheduled for April 18–22 (exhibits April 19–22) at the LVCC. Organizers previewed several program expansions, including a four-day Sports Summit focused on media rights and fan engagement, an expanded Creator Lab in the Central Hall, and broader access to business and dealmaking sessions. The show will again span multiple halls and spotlight trends in broadcasting, streaming, cloud workflows, and production technology.
AWS re:Invent Returns to Las Vegas with More Than 60,000 Attendees
AWS re:Invent brought more than 60,000 in-person attendees to Las Vegas in December, maintaining its position as one of the city’s largest annual technology tradeshows. The conference operated as a citywide event across multiple convention venues and Strip-area hotels, with programming that included keynotes, technical sessions, exhibitions, and hands-on training. Organizers reported additional virtual participation worldwide.
Live Design International Draws More Than 14,000 to LVCC
Live Design International (LDI) returned to the LVCC in December, drawing more than 14,000 in-person attendees for its 2025 edition, according to organizer Questex. The tradeshow and conference ran Dec. 3–9 across the LVCC campus and featured more than 350 exhibiting companies alongside training programs, certification courses, and conference sessions covering lighting, audio, video, staging, and immersive technologies. LDI will return to LVCC’s West Hall Dec. 2–8, 2026.
Sports & Consumer Events
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and Cowboy Christmas Close December with Higher Attendance
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo concluded its 40th anniversary run in December at the Thomas & Mack Center with total attendance of 175,846 across ten performances, the event’s highest total since 2014. At the LVCC, Cowboy Christmas, the rodeo’s official consumer tradeshow, completed a ten-day run alongside the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation expo, drawing a combined 347,571 attendees, up from 2024.
A’s Open Las Vegas Ballpark Experience Center Ahead of 2028 Debut
The Athletics opened their Las Vegas Ballpark Experience Center in December at UnCommons, offering fans an early look at the team’s future home ahead of its planned 2028 opening. The appointment-only center features a full architectural model of the new ballpark and the Immersive Cube, a 270-degree digital environment that allows visitors to explore the venue in 3D.
Arts, Attractions & Culture
Las Vegas Museum of Art Releases Design Details for Symphony Park Campus
The Las Vegas Museum of Art (LVMA) announced new details in December for its planned 60,000-square-foot permanent facility in downtown Symphony Park. Designed by architect Francis Kéré with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as architect of record, the project will become Las Vegas’ first purpose-built art museum when it opens in 2029. LVMA currently operates exhibitions and programs in temporary gallery spaces while advancing fundraising, which project leaders said has surpassed the halfway point toward a $200 million goal.
GlowFest Opens Near LVCC as New Winter Light Attraction
GlowFest opened in December on Paradise Road near the LVCC and the SAHARA Las Vegas Monorail station. The walk-through winter light attraction spans roughly 200,000 square feet and runs through Feb. 22. Organized into themed zones with lantern installations, interactive displays, and food vendors, GlowFest adds evening entertainment options for convention delegates and leisure visitors along the Strip–LVCC corridor.
Destination & Development
Las Vegas Tops WalletHub Ranking of America’s Most Fun Cities
Las Vegas ranked first in a new WalletHub study comparing 182 U.S. cities on entertainment, nightlife, and cost factors. The analysis cited the city’s concentration of attractions, restaurants, music venues, and nightlife options, along with relatively accessible pricing across food and leisure categories. Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, and New Orleans rounded out the top five, while New York ranked fourteenth.
Zapata Plans Las Vegas Flight Center for Ultralight Airscooter Experiences
French aviation startup Zapata plans to open a dedicated flight center near Las Vegas in early 2026, offering visitors the chance to pilot its Airscooter ultralight aircraft. The experience is expected to cost about $500 and includes simulator training followed by supervised flight time capped at 150 feet. Zapata also plans to offer the single-seat Airscooter for private sale at $250,000 under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 103 rules.
NoMad Las Vegas Transitions to The Reserve at Park MGM
NoMad Las Vegas completed its rebranding as The Reserve at Park MGM on Dec. 17, repositioning the 293-room boutique hotel within the Park MGM complex. Several venues adopted new names, including The Terrace Pool, The Library, and The Reserve Bar. MGM Resorts said the property is expected to join Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection in early 2026.
Image: A life-sized elephant sculpture greets visitors at the A’s Las Vegas Ballpark Experience Center at UnCommons. The installation references the Athletics’ longtime elephant mascot and is part of The Great Elephant Migration, a traveling art and fundraising project featuring works by Indigenous artisans from Southern India. Photo courtesy of www.athletics.com/vegas
