For the first time, drones will accompany the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks show on the Las Vegas Strip.
Following a countdown on Sphere's exterior, 600 drones will be launched from the Las Vegas Event Plaza near Wynn Las Vegas. The aerial show will complement the fireworks and build to a patriotic finale to honor the start of 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The eight-minute Fireworks by Grucci pyrotechnic show will feature a rock music sountrack and will ignite from the roofs of Aria Resort & Casino, Caesars Palace, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, MGM Grand, Palms, Planet Hollywood, the Plaza, Resorts World, the Strat, TI-Treasure Island and the Venetian. It will be choreographed with music broadcast on two local radio stations.
Motor vehicles will not be permitted on the Strip from Tropicana Avenue to Spring Mountain Boulevard beginning in the early evening. The Las Vegas Monorail will operate from 7 a.m. Dec. 31 until 2 a.m. Jan. 2.
Downtown festivities
The Fremont Street Experience, celebrating its 30th anniversary with a series of events this month, will also host a New Year's Eve celebration. Robin Thicke, CeeLo Green, Common Kings, Chingy, Pertinence and Sammy Johnson will perform as part of Countdown Under the Canopy, hosted by Las Vegas mayor Shelley Berkley.
Tickets for that show can be purchased online for $60 (plus tax and fees); the prices increases to $65 starting on Dec. 27. Guests must be 21 or older to purchase and attend. Gates for the celebration will open at 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
Entertainment
Among the many special performances for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Las Vegas: Jennifer Lopez at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Tiesto at Omnia nightclub at Caesars Palace, DJ Pauly D at Marquee at the Cosmopolitan, Ashanti and John Summit at LIV Las Vegas at Fontainebleau, Steve Aoki at Hakkasan at MGM Grand, Bruno Mars at Dolby Live at Park MGM, Backstreet Boys at Sphere, and Kings of Leon at the Venetian.
Full speed into 2026
For a unique way to mark the start of the new year, the newly opened F1 Arcade Las Vegas will offer two adults-only experiences with simulator racing and nonstop DJ entertainment.
For the general admission price of $125 (plus tax and fees) revelers can enjoy first-come, first-serve simulator racing; unlimited beer, cider, seltzers, house wine, house liquor and nonalcoholic options; and a midnight prosecco toast. Guests can also order food from the a la carte menu for an additional cost until 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1.
The VIP terrace access package ($199) offers prime views of the fireworks, simulator racing in a private room reserved for VIP guests, beverages in the general admission package, a midnight Champagne toast and unlimited buffet-style dishes.
"F1 Arcade has become the top destination in Las Vegas where the Formula 1 enthusiasm carries on year-round," said Jonathan Peters, CEO of F1 Arcade. "New Year's Eve is the perfect opportunity for fans to come together again, celebrate the sport's energy and race into a new year."