As the final moments of the year wane, the glimmering heart of Las Vegas prepares for a celebration of electrifying grandeur. The Strip, famed for its resplendent showcases, is poised to unfurl “America’s Party,” the New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza that promises to cast 2023 in a resplendent veil of light and color.
When the clock strikes midnight ushering in the New Year, the sky above the Strip will ignite with a choreography of fireworks launching from the rooftops of eight iconic casino resorts: the majestic MGM Grand, Aria with its modern splendor, the star-studded Planet Hollywood, the regal Caesars Palace, the treasure-laden Treasure Island, The Venetian with its echoes of Italian elegance, the futuristic Resorts World, and the soaring Strat. Whispers speak of Fontainebleau possibly adding its name to this illustrious list, should the Clark County Fire Department extend its blessing.
This radiant dance of pyrotechnics will involve over 12,000 electrical devices, meticulously woven into an eight-minute extravaganza that has taken a dedicated team 64 hours to choreograph. The installation itself, a testament to human ingenuity and persistence, will span a laborious five days. A legion of 66 technicians, bolstered by an assembly of over 90 security experts, engineers, and hotel staff, will assume their posts across these lofty platforms, ensuring a spectacle of unmatched splendor.
Commanding this orchestrated thunder is a central hub of operations nestled within the Rio, just off the Strip, from where the magic will be meticulously managed.
Out on the streets, anticipation crackles as an estimated 356,000 visitors are expected to throng the sidewalks, eyes skyward, hearts pounding in unison. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) promises an unforgettable night, and with the renowned artisans from New York’s Fireworks by Grucci at the helm, the night sky will shimmer with opulent 24 Karat Gold Glitter aerial shells, serpentine comets, and a kaleidoscope of multi-colored mines. Some bursts will paint the heavens with iconic shapes—a champagne flute, a chalice—heralding a toast to the year to come.
The symphony of explosions will be set to a score that resonates with the heartbeat of the city: starting with the ages-old lyricism of “Auld Lang Syne,” before diving headfirst into an anthology of hits from the likes of Mariah Carey, Pink, and Bruno Mars. Some revelers will be fortunate enough to experience the latter’s charisma in the flesh at Dolby Live at Park MGM on December 31st.
Yet, the spirit of revelry comes with cautious tones. Glass and metal containers, coolers, strollers, and any bag exceeding the dimensions of 12x12x6 inches will find no quarter on the Strip or downtown—a mandate laid down by county and city ordinances, applying also to backpacks, purses, and luggage.
As the countdown to the celebration quickens, certain thoroughfares will fall silent to vehicular hum. The I-15 off-ramps at Flamingo Road will be closed from the stroke of 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, while the Strip will start its transformation into a pedestrian paradise from Spring Mountain Road to Tropicana Avenue, commencing at 6:30 p.m., and barring vehicles entirely by 8 p.m.
For those seeking the thrill of the Strip without the drudgery of the traffic, the Las Vegas Monorail will run tirelessly through the night, offering the sole motorized navigation along this corridor of jubilation.
But for some, the allure of the Strip gives way to the charm of tradition and the camaraderie of community which can be found Downtown. Here, the Fremont Street Experience will unfurl its own “NYE Time of Your Life Festival,” boasting live acts across three stages, featuring the likes of Third Eye Blind and Blackstreet, not forgetting the playful beats of Kid n’ Play. And, as midnight tolls, The Plaza casino hotel will have its own display of pyrotechnic artistry.
As this neon oasis prepares for its cascade of celebrations, the hearts of many beat in anticipation of the night when Vegas will, as ever, become a beacon of revelry visible from the stars. Pre-sale tickets to savor this downtown festivity are available for the keen and eager.
