(Spectators watch as drivers take to the track during the first night of Formula 1 practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Photo by Mark Hebert)
From Iconic Concerts and Strikes to New Developments and Expansions
by Exhibit City News Staff
Las Vegas wraps up 2024 with a mix of milestone events, transformative developments, and challenges shaping its future. From record-breaking concerts and major tradeshows to high-profile labor disputes and innovative construction projects, the city remains a hub of activity, paving the way for a dynamic 2025.
Duran Duran to Headline Fontainebleau Las Vegas Concert, December 2024
On Dec. 30, 2024, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Duran Duran will perform a one-night-only concert at Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ BleauLive Theater. Tickets went on sale Nov. 1 at FontainebleauLasVegas.com, promising an unforgettable New Year’s celebration.
Universal Horror Unleashed to Debut at Area15, 2025
According to Universal Destinations and Experiences, Universal Horror Unleashed will open at Las Vegas’ Area15 in 2025. The year-round attraction will feature four themed haunted houses, horror-inspired dining, live entertainment, and continuously updated experiences.
Massive In-N-Out Burger to Open on the Las Vegas Strip
In-N-Out Burger is bringing its iconic Double-Double to a stunning rooftop location on the Las Vegas Strip. Set to open at the BLVD shopping complex near Park MGM, the 10,520-square-foot space, including a 2,500-square-foot patio, could become the chain’s largest restaurant ever. Positioned just steps from T-Mobile Arena, it’s primed to be a must-visit spot for pregame bites and post-show feasts.
George Russell Wins 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix; Verstappen Clinches Fourth Title
George Russell led a Mercedes 1-2 finish with Lewis Hamilton at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen’s fifth-place finish secured his fourth consecutive F1 World Championship. The race, held at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, saw a weekend attendance of 306,000 fans, slightly down from 2023’s debut.
Las Vegas hosted a sell-out crowd on race day, and the weekend featured performances by Boyz II Men, OneRepublic, and Ludacris, alongside a Ferrari Challenge support race. With its contract running through 2025, the Grand Prix is set to remain a highlight on the F1 calendar.
Barry Manilow Extends Record-Breaking Westgate Residency
Barry Manilow will close out 2024 with a six-show holiday residency, “A Very Barry Christmas,” at the Westgate Las Vegas International Theater from Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14. Mixing hits like “Mandy” with holiday classics, these shows cap a record-breaking year for Manilow, who surpassed Elvis Presley’s 636 sold-out shows at the venue.
Looking ahead, Manilow has extended his residency with 48 additional shows in 2025, running from Feb. 13 to Dec. 13. Tickets for December performances are available at Ticketmaster.com, starting at $58.
Sahara Las Vegas Closes Poker Room
Sahara Las Vegas closed its seven-table poker room on Nov. 16, replacing it with an expanded slot machine floor featuring new gaming experiences. The closure marked the seventh poker room on the Strip to shut down in five years.
Other closures include Excalibur (2020), Harrah’s (2020), Planet Hollywood (2021), Flamingo (2021), and both Mirage and Tropicana casinos both shuttered in 2024.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Faces Strikes Amid Financial Disputes
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas remains locked in a labor dispute with Culinary Union workers, who began striking Nov. 15. The union demands wage increases similar to contracts at other Las Vegas resorts, while management cites financial challenges, including losses in gaming revenue, as obstacles to meeting these terms.
The property, owned by a multibillion-dollar investment group, argues it cannot match on-Strip contracts due to lower revenue. The strike, the longest open-ended action in decades, has no resolution in sight.
FAA Clears North Strip LVXP Casino and Arena Project
The Federal Aviation Administration has approved the 752-foot LVXP project, set to feature a 2,605-unit hotel, an 18,000-seat NBA-ready arena, a 6,000-seat theater, and casino and retail spaces. Located between Fontainebleau Las Vegas and the Sahara, the project received initial support from the Winchester Town Advisory Board despite concerns about traffic and views.
A Clark County Commission hearing was scheduled for Dec. 4 to address entitlements, with developers planning further community outreach and finalizing traffic and drainage studies.
Upcoming Tradeshows in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is gearing up for a packed December with several major tradeshows and conventions:
Digital Signage Experience (DSE)
Dates: Dec. 7-10, 2024
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center
Attendees/Exhibitors: 4,082 / 200
LDI – The Entertainment Technology Show
Dates: Dec. 8-10, 2024
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center
Attendees/Exhibitors: 12,060 / 279
e-Courts
Dates: Dec. 9-11, 2024
Location: MGM Grand
Construction SuperConference (CSC)
Dates: Dec. 9-11, 2024
Location: The Cosmopolitan
International Council of Air Shows Annual Convention (ICAS)
Dates: Dec. 9-12, 2024
Location: Paris Hotel
Auction for Cashman Center Ends Without Bids
No official bids were submitted for the Cashman Center near Downtown Las Vegas during its recent auction, despite significant interest. The $33.9 million starting bid was hindered by potential buyers’ requests for a 90- to 120-day entitlement clause, allowing withdrawal if land-use entitlements were not secured.
City officials plan to revisit the auction in January, potentially adding the entitlement clause. Discussions will involve Mayor-elect Shelley Berkley and new council members.
Opened in 1948, the 50.25-acre site includes a 10,000-seat stadium and was previously managed by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority before transitioning to city ownership in 2017.
