Las Vegas — The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is back this week at various venues across Las Vegas. Last year, the event was held in Arlington, Texas due to Nevada’s strict Covid-19 protocols.
All of the fun and excitement kicked off on Wednesday, Dec. 1 with the Downtown Hoedown at the Fremont Street Experience. Attendees enjoyed performances by country music bands Diamond Rio, Jordan Davis and The Frontmen of Country. The third act consisted of Richie McDonald, lead singer of Lonestar; Larry Stewart of Restless Heart; and Tim Rushlow of Little Texas.
The official NFR rodeo is being held on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) venue called the Thomas & Mack Center. Performances are held each night from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. daily through Sunday, Dec. 11. That includes everything such as bareback/saddle riding, barrel racing, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping. Tickets sell out each year, however there are some available on marketplaces such as StubHub.
The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) is hosting the giant Cowboy Christmas shopping extravaganza. You can find everything from cowboy hats, boots, spurs, jeans and more here. In addition, there are great Western-themed gifts just in time for the holidays. The LVCC is also the home of the NFR Junior Rodeo Finals presented by YETI.
Meanwhile, the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa is hosting the Cinch Western Gift Show. It is open daily December 2 – 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Cowboy Marketplace Gift Show is being held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, December 2 – 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Country Christmas is being held at Rio Las Vegas, December 2 – 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There are dozens of country music performances all over Las Vegas. Headliners include Shania Twain at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater; Brooks & Dunn with Reba McEntire at The Colisseum at Caesars Palace; and Little Big Town at The Theatre at Virgin Hotels, among many others.
The Golden Nugget Las Vegas has an impressive line-up of country music concerts as well. Those include Jo Dee Messina on Dec. 2, John Michael Montgomery on Dec. 4, Ray Wylie Hubbard on Dec. 5, Ronnie Milsap on Dec. 6, Tracy Lawrence on Dec. 7, Terri Clark on Dec. 8, John Anderson on Dec. 9, and Jamey Johnson on Dec. 10. Tickets are available at www.goldennugget.com.
The Mirage is hosting free country music concerts called “Rodeo Vegas” at its BetMGM Sportsbook. Fans will be able to see Casey Donahew on Dec. 2 & 5, LOCASH on Dec. 3, Devin Dawson on Dec. 4, The Eli Young Band on Dec. 6, Glen Templeton on Dec. 7-8, Mark Chesnutt on Dec. 9, Ian Munsick on Dec. 10 and Randy Houser on Dec. 11. All performances begin at 8 p.m.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is also offering free country music concerts each night of NFR. That includes artists such as Easton Corbon in Dec. 3, David Lee Murphy on Dec. 4, Jenna LaMaster on Dec. 5, Wyatt McCubbin on Dec. 6, William Michael Morgan on Dec. 7, Will Jones on Dec. 8, Glen Templeton on Dec. 9, Tyler Booth on Dec. 10 and Heath Sanders on Dec. 11. All shows are held inside the restaurant called “Money, Baby!” and begin at 8:30 pm.
For a complete schedule of NFR Events, visit Schedule of Events | The Official NFR Experience
Horses at the CORE Arena in downtown Las Vegas 
Official NFR merchandise at Golden Nugget 
2021 Wrangler NFR jacket 
Golden Nugget’s impressive concert line-up 
Legendary country music group Diamond Rio performed at the Downtown Hoedown