Las Vegas December events will dominate the city in the final month of 2025, with major conventions, holiday shows and citywide developments across the Strip. From new construction milestones to sports, entertainment and tourism updates, Las Vegas December events are shaping one of the busiest ends to the year.
PACK EXPO Las Vegas Marks 30th Anniversary with Record Attendance
PACK EXPO in Las Vegas reached its largest size ever as it celebrated 30 years at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show filled more than 1 million net square feet and drew over 50,000 professionals. More than 2,300 exhibitors introduced new packaging and processing solutions, while industry leaders discussed automation, robotics and the shift to 2D QR codes. The event also reflected steady growth across the packaging sector.
SEMA Show 2025 Draws 153,000 Attendees From 140 Countries
The 2025 SEMA Show ran November 4–7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and drew more than 153,000 attendees from 140 countries. The trade-only event filled 4.6 million square feet with automotive aftermarket displays from 2,300 companies, including 500 first-time exhibitors. Industry icons such as Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Tony Stewart and Lia Block made appearances. SEMA Live streamed 31 hours of programming to global viewers.
Las Vegas Closes Out December With Three Major Industry Events
Las Vegas will close out December with three major trade shows across the Strip. LDI returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center December 7–9, drawing 16,000 attendees and 380 exhibitors focused on entertainment technology. The ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting runs December 7–10 at Mandalay Bay, bringing 19,543 pharmacy professionals and 311 exhibitors. Paris Las Vegas hosts the International Council of Air Shows Convention December 8–11, welcoming 1,500 attendees and 325 exhibitors.
LVCVA Approves Over $7M for WrestleMania and the Las Vegas Grand Prix
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) approved more than $7 million for two major events. The board backed a $6 million sponsorship to host WrestleMania 42 in April 2026. It also approved a $1.25 million ticket buy for this month’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. WrestleMania 41 drew 124,000 fans and generated more than 140,000 room nights, encouraging WWE to return next year.
A’s Las Vegas Ballpark Reaches Key Construction Milestone
The new Las Vegas Athletics ballpark reached a milestone as crews poured the first concrete for the lower concourse. This level will support the first tier of seating, as well as suites and clubs behind home plate and along the baselines. Crews started the pour on Friday, and the A’s plan to give a full update at the December 4 Stadium Authority meeting. The team still targets an early 2028 completion.
Shaquille O’Neal Closes Big Chicken on West Tropicana
Big Chicken has closed its West Tropicana Avenue location. The shop opened in 2023, but it has now shut, and the company removed it from its website. The Paradise Road store remains open and continues to draw fans for items like the Shaq Attack and The Pit Boss. Big Chicken now operates in 16 states, Washington, D.C., Manchester, England, and on Carnival Cruise ships.
MGM Reports Another Quarter of Las Vegas Declines
MGM Resorts reported a 7 percent drop in Las Vegas revenue for the third quarter of 2025. This marks the company’s fourth straight quarterly decline. MGM cited room renovations at MGM Grand, lower RevPAR, weaker table-game results and softer food-and-beverage spending. CEO Bill Hornbuckle also linked the slowdown to fewer international visitors and flight reductions after Spirit Airlines’ bankruptcy. He expects conditions to steady in the fourth quarter as conventions return and upgraded rooms reopen.
Mariah Carey Launches First Holiday Bar on the Strip
Mariah Carey will open her first Holiday Bar in Las Vegas on November 28 at the On the Record speakeasy inside Park MGM. The pop-up runs through the season and accompanies her 10-show residency. The bar plays “All I Want for Christmas Is You” every 30 minutes and includes themed backdrops, a Letters to Mariah station, an award wall, sleigh-photo opportunities and exclusive merchandise. The concept also appears in Los Angeles, Miami and New York.
Leona Lewis Debuts Holiday-Themed “A Starry Night” Residency at Voltaire
Leona Lewis opened her A Starry Night residency at Voltaire, where she performs from November 1 through January 3. The show blends Christmas music, jazz arrangements and her signature hits. Highlights include an a cappella “Mister Sandman,” a moonlit entrance on a glittering crescent and a full audience “Bleeding Love” sing-along. The winter staging and seven-piece band add a festive atmosphere to the venue.
Freakling Bros. to Debut New Haunt “The Nest” in 2026
Freakling Bros. will return in 2026 with a new attraction called The Nest after pausing operations in 2025. The team teased an infestation-themed concept and confirmed that Gates of Hell and COVEN of 13 will return as well. Co-owner JT Mollner said the break allowed the company to replace the retired Castle Vampyre and develop new material. Freakling Bros. will release more details as the season approaches.
Wrangler NFR Marks 40 Years in Las Vegas With Rodeo and Citywide Events
Las Vegas will celebrate the 40th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from December 4–13. Top competitors return to the Thomas & Mack Center to compete for more than $17 million. Cowboy Christmas also returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center with hundreds of exhibitors and daily programming. Concerts and themed events will run across major Strip venues, including performances by Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley. The NFR remains one of December’s busiest citywide events.
Photo Caption: Night view of the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip, a property highlighted in MGM Resorts’ latest quarterly report reflecting continued revenue declines. (Photo by Ken Lund via Flickr)
