Things to Do in Las Vegas in May

Updated: 3 marzo 2024

This post covers some of the best things to do in Las Vegas during May, including free, nighttime, and family-friendly events and activities, updated for 2024.

For additional ideas, consider some of the following options:

Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.


TOP EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS THIS MAY

The following list includes several attractions, events, and activities for audiences of all ages.

Many of them are included at no extra cost with at least one Las Vegas tourist pass.


1. Go to a Concert

This May you can catch a show by many of the most popular performers in the world!

Many of them put on several concerts when they are in town.

Concerts

There are dozens of other musicians performing including Donny Osmond, REO Speedwagon, Santana, Shania Twain, Maroon 5, Kool & The Gang, Ringo Starr, and Carrie Underwood.

Check here for tickets to these and other concerts in May in Las Vegas.

Music Festivals

  • Lovers and Friends Festival | May 4th | Las Vegas Festival Grounds | Snoop Dog, Alicia Keys, Mary J Blige, Backstreet Boys, Gwen Steffani
  • Other festivals listed below

2. Experience the Sphere

The recently opened $1.2 billion MSG Sphere is the world's largest spherical structure.

Concerts, sporting events, films, and award shows will take place at the venue, which has enough room for up to 25,000 people!

What's impressive at first glance are the millions of LEDs covering the outside of the building.

Inside, it's just as impressive, with a stunning and even changing backdrop to the performers on the stage.

The immersive Darren Aronofsky film, Postcard from Earth, is shown on a screen that's the size of four football fields.

Note that visitors to the Sphere have discussed the steepness of the seating but have said that those afraid of heights will soon feel comfortable.

Visit the Sphere website for a list of shows and more information


3. Attend a Sporting Event

There will be several chances to see professional sports in Las Vegas in May as well.

Find tickets for sporting events in Las Vegas in May.

  • Baseball | Las Vegas Aviators
  • Basketball | Las Vegas Aces
  • Baseball | Athletics/A's (won't play in Vegas until 2028)
  • Soccer | Las Vegas Lights FC

*If the Las Vegas Golden Knights, Vegas' hockey team, do well enough, there could be some playoff matches to attend this month as well!

These events are family-friendly making them great things to do with kids, and since many of them take place after dark they are good nighttime activities.


4. See Stand-up Comedy 

Just as musicians are to be drawn to Las Vegas throughout the year, you’ll also find many comedians performing throughout the year.

Stand-Up

You can also find shows with prop comedians such as Tape Face, Carrot Top, and Terry Fator.

Check here for a list of tickets to these shows and more.

Comedy Clubs

Some comedy clubs even offer free admission to visitors who have certain Las Vegas tourist savings passes!


5. Take a Night Bus Tour

The weather on May nights is ideal for sitting atop a double-decker bus to see Las Vegas at its best and brightest.

The Big Bus Night Tour covers the city's landmarks and as a bonus comes with a free walking tour down Fremont Promenade. 

There are other types of bus tours available, like tourist hop-on hop-off bus tours, or themed tours like a Mob Bus Tour and Pawn Stars Bus Tour.

Take a look at our Las Vegas bus tour comparison to read about these bus tours and many others.


6. Save Money With a Tourist Attraction Savings Pass

For those who plan to visit several popular attractions, see live shows, take a tour or two, and enjoy other activities, a Las Vegas tourist savings pass can potentially save you 50% or more off ticket prices. 

There are a few types of tourist passes catering to different needs. Some passes will benefit those who plan on seeing 4-5 attractions or activities each day. 

Other passes are better suited to those who want to save money on just 2-3 attractions.

Here are a few of the best attractions and tours included with these tourist passes:

  • Hop on Hop off Bus Tour | $49
  • Grand Canyon Day Trip | $160
  • Las Vegas Helicopter Tour | $124
  • Legends in Concert | $125
  • Hoover Dam Tour | $60
  • SkyJump at the STRAT | $139
  • Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. | $39
  • Madame Tussauds | $30
  • And more!

Regardless of which pass you choose, you can save around 20% - 50% off general admission prices for many of Las Vegas's most popular activities.

Read our detailed post about Las Vegas tourist passes to see if a pass is right for you.


7. See a Show

If you want a theatrical experience, Las Vegas has something to meet everyone's interest.

Cirque du Soleil

  • O | A young boy goes on an adventure that sends him to a magical realm.
  • Michael Jackson ONE | acrobatics, dance, and visuals that reflect Michael Jackson's showmanship
  • The Beatles LOVE | a Grammy award-winning psychedelic acrobatic journey through the 60s set to Beatles music
  • Mad Apple | Acrobats, dancers, comedians, magicians, and others give you a snapshot of night in New York
  • Ka | Rotating stages, aerial performances, and acrobatics around the story of royal twins separated at youth trying to reunite

Tickets to the Cirque du Soleil shows can be found here.*

Variety Acts/Shows

  • Absinthe | This adults-only show is a mix of cabaret, humor, and acrobatics, all taking place on a circular stage
  • Awakening | A myth-like love story with fantasy creatures, many types of dance, haute-couture costumes, 3D sound, and more
  • Blue Man Group | Instrumental music, art, and comedy, all performed by wordless blue-faced neon-lit men
  • iLuminate | Amazing choreography performed by dancers wearing LED suits while lighting effects dance across the room
  • V: The Ultimate Variety Show | High-energy stunts and performances with comedy, magic, and spectacle

For even more ideas, check this list of theatrical shows in Las Vegas to see what else is happening this May.

*Our post here tells you how to save money on tickets to Cirque du Soleil O but it actually applies to any of the shows.

TIP: Some of these shows are included for free with at least one Las Vegas tourist pass!


8. Experience a Magic Show

In addition to all the theatrical shows taking place this month, most of the resident Las Vegas magicians will also be performing in May.

If you're interested in seeing something unexpected or beyond belief, consider going to one of these shows!

Click here for Magic Show tickets to the following magicians.

  • David Copperfield
  • Penn & Teller
  • Chris Angel
  • Shin Lim
  • Jen Kramer
  • Masters of Magic Show
  • and more!

Our post on 31 Shows You Can See in Las Vegas might be interesting to scan through as well.


9. Take a Food Tour of Las Vegas

The Las Vegas food scene is excellent and you can try foods of just about every cuisine imaginable.

While some of the best dining experiences are obvious, you can taste hidden treasures on a Secret Food Tour!

While some foods sampled are lesser-known (think Japanese chocolates!), you'll also try treats from famed chefs Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay, and the Cake Boss.

A glass of red, white, or sparkling wine is included in the tour price.

You can upgrade to a special drinks package and try drinks with names like "Avon Came Upon Sin" and "Out On The Tiles"!

Purchase tickets for the Las Vegas Secret Food Tour or learn more.


10. Leave Las Vegas and See a Natural Wonder

Las Vegas is situated near some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world. 

In a day or less, you can visit Bryce Canyon, one of the best-kept secrets of America's national parks.

There are also day trips to Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam.

Day trips like these - and others - are included in some of the money-saving Las Vegas tourist passes. Read more about these passes just below.


11. Go to the Electric Daisy Carnival

Every May, the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC for short) comes to town.

In 2024, this three-day electronic music dance festival, the world's biggest, takes place on May 17th-19th at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

The EDC is a wildly popular event. So much so it attracts an average of 400,000 over three days. You can attend any number of days and you can also camp there. 

You'll find live music, pyrotechnics, rides, art, aerialists, themed bars, and so much more.

The lineup this year will include the following artists:

  • Alison Wonderland
  • Dr. Phunk
  • James Hype
  • DJ Minx
  • and many more

Tickets to the Electric Daisy Carnival can be purchased here.


12. See the Famous Bellagio Fountains Show

No need to spend money on a show, when you can see this one-of-a-kind show that plays many times each day.

The Bellagio Fountains are synced with a variety of musical genres and spout in tempo and height to match the music. Let the video below demonstrate!

This show takes place every day of the week at 15 to 30-minute intervals during set times. Find the schedule here.

The fountain show can be seen as late as midnight 7 nights a week. Read here for other things to do at night in Las Vegas.

You might also like to read our post on free things to do in Las Vegas


13. Punk Rock Bowling Festival

The creators of this annual festival describe it as "one festival on earth where you can indulge in buffets, bowling, gambling, comedy, pool parties, and punk rock shows".

On memorial weekend you'll find over 100 bands, thousands of bowlers, poker, films and more.

In addition to loads of activities there's also a vendor marketplace where you can pick up food, clothes, records, and all things punk related.

The festival kicks off on a Friday night, May 25th, and runs through Monday, May 28th, 2024.

For tickets and further information, visit the Punk Rock Bowling website.


RELATED POSTS:

About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: marzo 3rd, 2024
Back to Top
cross