Las Vegas is gearing up for a record-breaking New Year’s Eve celebration, with both visitation and road travel expected to reach new highs. When “America’s Party 2026” begins in the early hours of January 1, an estimated 340,000 visitors are projected to flood the city—potentially setting a new record, according to Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill. Despite a slight dip in hotel room inventory due to the closures of the Tropicana and The Mirage in 2024, the city’s rooms are expected to be packed, with more guests per room than usual.
A recent survey of 111 Las Vegas hotel properties by Hotels.com found the average nightly rate from December 31 through January 4 to be $293.82, significantly higher than January’s usual average of $201.48 on the Strip. Downtown, the average is $194.79 per night, up from $95.01 earlier in the year. High-end resorts are capitalizing on the demand, with MGM Grand charging as much as $1,252 per night. Other luxury properties like Palazzo, Four Seasons, Bellagio, and Aria are also commanding elevated rates. Meanwhile, budget-conscious travelers can still find rooms under $100 at places like Circus Circus, Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, and Silver Sevens.
The surge in visitors coincides with a nationwide spike in holiday travel. AAA forecasts 122.4 million people will travel 50 miles or more from December 20 through January 1, with 109.5 million driving and 8.03 million flying—both increases over last year. Las Vegas ranks as the 10th most popular holiday destination in the country this season.
Part of the draw is the city’s renowned New Year’s Eve festivities, which include an eight-minute fireworks display and a drone light show along the Strip and in downtown Las Vegas. Tourism officials are touting Las Vegas as “the place to be” for ringing in the new year.
The celebrations are expected to kick off a record year for conventions, trade shows, and meetings in Las Vegas in 2026. Major events like CES, the World of Concrete, and other large-scale trade shows are scheduled for January, with total attendance projected to exceed 374,500.
Despite fewer hotel rooms and higher prices, Las Vegas is poised for one of its busiest and most memorable New Year’s celebrations and a strong start to 2026.