Happy Friday Vegas!
Welcome to the Explore 702 Weekly Events Guide! 🎉
Happy Mother’s Day, Vegas! The triple-digit heat has officially arrived, and so has one of the most unique weeks of the year in the 702. While the rest of the world is just waking up, we’ve been busy tracking a massive shift in the valley’s energy. From the first-ever Southern Nevada State Fair at the Rio to the start of the 30th Anniversary EDC festivities, the city is buzzing with firsts.
But the real magic this week is in the community. We are officially kicking off our favorite free summer traditions, including Jazz in the Park at the Clark County Amphitheater and the Makers & Music series at Tivoli Village. Whether you’re planning a black-tie night at Jeezy’s residency, catching the Aces in a heated rivalry game, or finding that perfect handmade gift for Mom at the Henderson Art Festival, we’ve curated every detail you need to navigate the buzz. Grab your sunscreen and your calendar—here is your roadmap to the best of the 702!
Explore702 Service Announcement: If you were planning on catching Demi Lovato at the MGM Grand tonight, please stay home! As we’ve been tracking, her tour opener was officially cancelled to allow her time to rest and prioritize her health. We’re sending her nothing but love, but we want to make sure none of you show up to an empty arena!
Beyond the events, I am so excited about the growth of our brand-new Facebook group, The Neighborhood. We just hit over 180 Founding Members, and I am absolutely blown away by the response and now it is time to turn that group into a real Vegas Intelligence Hub! Because we are just getting started, the conversation is really just beginning—and that’s where you come in!
If you haven’t joined yet, please JOIN NOW—I’m building this to be more than just a group; I want it to be the real voice of the 702. Whether you want to share a raw review of a new residency, find or tell us about the best local mechanic, or better yet just show us how you do Vegas, we want to hear your voice! This is where the real conversation needs to happen. We are just getting started, and I would love for you to be a part of the Neighborhood as we grow toward our first 500 Neighbors and beyond.
And don’t forget to join our brand new Explore702 Facebook Group to share your own local tips, experiences, and photos.
Here’s what's going on this weekend...
Southern Nevada 1st State Fair | May 6 – 10 | Times Vary | Rio Hotel & Casino (Parking Lot)
The first-ever Southern Nevada State Fair continues through the weekend! Expect a classic midway with world-class carnival rides, a massive Ferris wheel, and blue ribbon arts and crafts.
Home Girl Tip:📍Friday hours are 4:00 PM – Midnight; Saturday 1:00 PM – Midnight; and Sunday 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
- Babyface: Live in Las Vegas | May 8 & 9 | 8:00 PM | Pearl Concert Theater at Palms
- The 12-time Grammy winner brings his legendary R&B catalog to the Palms. From Whip Appeal to Every Time I Close My Eyes, this is an intimate residency experience that defines smooth.
- RAYE: “This Tour May Contain New Music” | May 8 | 8:00 PM | The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan
- Critics are calling her the voice of a generation. Catch her soulful, jazz-infused pop in the intimate setting of The Chelsea.
- Michelle Buteau: Surviving and Thriving Tour | May 8 | 10:00 PM | Palazzo Theatre at The Venetian
- For one night only! The star of Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest brings her hilarious, high-energy stand-up to the Strip. Expect a night of unfiltered laughs and world-class storytelling.
- Widespread Panic | May 8 – 10 | 8:00 PM | Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
- The jam band legends return for their massive three-night run at the Theater at Virgin Hotels
- Great American Foodie Fest | May 8 – 10 | 4:00 PM (Fri) / 11:00 AM (Sat/Sun) | Desert Breeze Park
- Over 50 food trucks, carnival rides, and specialty tasting tickets. It’s a Mother’s Day weekend tradition for families across the valley.
- No Doubt | May 8, 9, 13 & 14 | 8:00 PM | The Sphere
- The residency that has the whole city buzzing. Gwen Stefani and the band take over the world’s most immersive venue for a visual masterpiece.
- Las Vegas Aviators vs. St. Paul Saints | May 8 – 10 | Various Times | Las Vegas Ballpark
- Enjoy the best ballpark in Triple-A baseball! Friday night fireworks and special Mother’s Day activations make this the perfect Summerlin outing.
- The Makers Hive Market | May 9 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | The District at Green Valley Ranch
- Support over 70+ local vendors and small businesses in a family (and pet) friendly environment. Live music, free popsicles for the first 50 guests, and plenty of unique Mother’s Day gifts.
- Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury | May 9 | 12:30 PM | T-Mobile Arena
- The back-to-back champs are home! Catch this high-stakes rivalry game early Saturday afternoon at The Fortress.
- Kathleen Madigan: The Day Drinking Tour | May 9 | 10:00 PM | Palazzo Theatre at The Venetian
- One of the sharpest wits in stand-up brings her Day Drinking Tour to the Palazzo. Expect a late-night set full of her signature observational humor.
- Two Feet: The Next Steps Tour | May 10 | 7:00 PM | House of Blues at Mandalay Bay
- Atmospheric, heavy-bass alternative vibes for a perfect Sunday night set.
- Mother’s Day Art Festival | May 9 & 10 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Water Street District, Henderson
- Take a stroll through the Henderson Art District for local art, live music, and a beautiful outdoor Mother’s Day celebration.
- James Taylor and His All-Star Band | May 9 & 10 | 8:00 PM | The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan
- The quintessential singer-songwriter brings his timeless classics like Fire and Rain and You’ve Got a Friend to the Strip. Doors open at 7:00 PM for an 8:00 PM show both nights.
- Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks (Playoffs) | May 12 | 6:30 PM | T-Mobile Arena
- Round 2, Game 5 Alert! The Fortress will be electric as the series returns to Las Vegas. With the series heating up, this home game is crucial for the Knights’ push toward the Cup. Get your towels ready—it’s going to be loud!
- Santana: Greatest Hits Live | May 13 & 14 | 7:00 PM | House of Blues at Mandalay Bay
- Carlos Santana returns to his residency home for a soul-stirring night of legendary guitar work.
- EDC World Party Parade | May 14 | 6:00 PM | Las Vegas Strip (North End)
- THE BIG EVENT: For EDC’s 30th Anniversary, 30 massive art cars and performers are taking over the North Strip (near Sahara/Fontainebleau) for a free, all-ages “techno parade.” Expect traffic, but expect a party like you’ve never seen!
- Rock Academy (RAPA) End-of-Year Concert | May 14 | 5:30 PM | Downtown Container Park
- Support local youth talent! The Rock Academy of Performing Arts presents a free concert under the Mantis featuring rock medleys and R&B classics.
- EDC Week 2026: The Kickoff | May 13 – 19 | Various Times | City-Wide
- The road to the Speedway starts here! EDC Week officially kicks off Wednesday with major sets from Deorro (Marquee) and Mau P (Encore), followed by Above & Beyond at Palm Tree Beach Club on Thursday. Click below for the full calendar of pool parties and nightclub takeovers!
Home Girl Tip:📍 Events are subject to change, and I always recommend double-checking the venue’s website before you head out! Some of these might require RSVPs or tickets, so click those links and plan ahead. See you out there, 702!
LAS VEGAS NEWS
THE END OF THE LINE: Primm Valley Lotto Store & Resorts to Close Forever:
For over 20 years, it was the “lucky” stop on the way to California and the only place for Las Vegans to chase a billion-dollar dream. But by mid-summer, the dream is moving further down the road. The Primadonna Company has officially confirmed that the Primm Valley Lotto Store will permanently close its doors on July 4, 2026.
This isn’t just a shop closing; it’s the end of a Nevada-California tradition. Because our state constitution prohibits a lottery, thousands of locals have flocked to this tiny store in Nipton, CA, every time a jackpot crossed the $500 million mark—sometimes waiting in lines that stretched for hours.
The Lotto Store isn’t going out alone. It’s part of a total shutdown by Affinity Gaming that includes Primm Valley Resort & Casino, Buffalo Bill’s, Whiskey Pete’s, the Primm Center gas station, and the Flying J truck stop. Over 340 employees were notified this week that their roles will end on Independence Day, effectively turning the bustling state-line hub into a piece of history.
- Home Girl Tip:📍After July 4th, if you’re looking to grab a ticket, you’ll have to head roughly 7 miles further south to the Terrible’s Chevron on Yates Well Road or about 8 miles east to the Nipton Historical Village.
DOUBLE DOWN: Luke Bryan & Jason Aldean Stadium Tickets On Sale Today:
Dust off your boots and clear your schedule for December 11, 2026! Country music heavyweights Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan are reuniting their powerhouse co-headlining tour for a massive one-night-only event at Allegiant Stadium. This tour follows their historic, sold-out show at UGA’s Sanford Stadium, and Vegas is officially the next stop on their list of limited stadium dates. They aren’t coming alone, either—expect a full day of hits with special guests Jon Pardi, Chase Matthew, DJ Rock, and Dee Jay Silver.
- Home Girl Tip:📍General tickets go on sale today, May 8th, at 10:00 AM sharp. If you missed the presales earlier this week, this is your final chance to grab seats at standard pricing before the secondary market takes over. We recommend being logged into your Ticketmaster account by 9:45 AM today!
THE FINAL BOW: David Copperfield’s 25-Year Magic Era Comes to a Sudden End : A quarter-century of Las Vegas history has officially vanished. In a move that shocked the Strip, David Copperfield performed his final show at the MGM Grand on April 30th, abruptly ending a residency that saw over 7 million tickets sold and generated over $4 billion in revenue—more than the career sales of the Rolling Stones. While Copperfield was originally slated to perform through the summer, MGM has begun issuing automatic refunds for all shows scheduled from May through July. This marks the end of one of the most successful solo entertainment runs in the world, leaving a massive void in the Vegas magic scene. Whether you saw him walk through the Great Wall of China or vanish an airplane, the 702 won’t feel quite the same without the Master of Illusion.
WHAT WE'RE LOVING THIS WEEK
UNDER THE ELECTRIC STRIP SKY: If you’ve lived in Vegas for more than a minute, you know that when May rolls around, the energy in the city shifts. The Headliners start arriving, the neon gets a little brighter, and the bass starts thumping from every corner of the Strip. But this year, something is happening that has never—and we mean never—happened before in the thirty-year history of the Electric Daisy Carnival.
We are officially obsessed with the inaugural EDC World Party Parade.
On Thursday, May 14th, Insomniac is taking the magic of the Speedway and bringing it directly to Las Vegas Boulevard for a free, all-ages, massive Techno Parade. We’re talking 30 of those legendary, fire-breathing art cars, hundreds of costumed performers, and renegade sound systems shutting down the North Strip to celebrate EDC’s 30th Anniversary.
What we love most about this isn’t just the spectacle—it’s the fact that it’s a total thank you to the city of Las Vegas. Usually, you have to have a ticket and trek out to the Motor Speedway to see these art cars in action. This time? It’s for all of us. Whether you’re a lifelong raver or just a local who wants to see 30-foot tall glowing ladybugs and fire-breathing octopuses rolling past the Fontainebleau, this is going to be a core memory for the 702.
- Home Girl Tip: 📍The parade kicks off at 6:00 PM at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds and moves North toward the Sahara. If you want a front-row seat without the sidewalk chaos, grab a window table at the Peppermill or find a spot near the Resorts World plaza. It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be bright, and it is 100% why we love living in the entertainment capital of the world.
LAS VEGAS WEATHER UPDATE
We’re cranking up the heat for the second week of May! We’re kicking things off with a sizzling Friday reaching a high of 100°F, officially moving us into that true desert summer vibe. The weekend stays hot and steady, with Sunday peaking at 101°F under perfectly clear skies. While the air remains very dry, keep an eye out for a light evening breeze today with gusts reaching 12 mph.
The week ahead promises a serious climb as we head into Tuesday, where we’ll hit a blistering high of 104°F. This is the perfect time to pivot to indoor activities before the mercury dips slightly toward the end of the week. By next Thursday, we’ll settle back down into the mid-90s, giving us a tiny breather from that triple-digit peak.
- Home Girl Tip: 📍Since we’re officially in the 100s, hydration is your best friend this week! If you’re heading out to the Foodie Fest or the Art Festival, you’ll definitely want your lighter summer clothes and plenty of sunscreen (that UV index is hitting a 10). Don’t forget a reusable water bottle to keep you cool while you explore the valley! ☀️🌵🥤
VEGAS MEANS BUSINESS (AND TRAFFIC)
It is a busy week for our convention centers! If you’re planning to be near the Strip or the Convention Center District, keep these major gatherings in mind:
CHAMPS Trade Show Winter 2026 | May 6 – 9 | Las Vegas Convention Center
- The Scale: ~15,000+ industry professionals and buyers.
- The Impact: As the premier counterculture marketplace, expect high foot traffic in the South Hall of the Convention Center. This show brings a vibrant, high-energy crowd to the North Strip as they wrap up their final day this Saturday.
WildSide 20th Annual Sin City Soirée | May 1 – 9 | Golden Nugget Las Vegas
- The Scale: ~300+ international attendees.
- The Impact: While the numbers are smaller, the presence is massive. This week-long Trans Pride celebration has moved to Downtown this year. Expect visible Visibility Marches and a lively, joyful presence around the Fremont Street Experience through Saturday night.
NGRA BigHorn Rodeo | May 8 – 10 | Horseman’s Park
- The Scale: ~500+ participants and fans.
- The Impact: Located just off Flamingo Rd, this Mother’s Day weekend tradition brings the Gay Rodeo back to the valley. While it’s away from the Strip, expect a steady stream of rideshare traffic and “sexy cowboy” energy heading toward the local LGBTQ+ bars in the evenings.
LAS VEGAS REAL ESTATE
Thinking about a move before the summer heat really hits? I’ve made it easy for you to browse the latest market moves across the valley with one click. Whether you’re looking for a deal or just curious about what’s hitting the market this week, all the data you need is right here and I’m giving you direct access to the same live MLS data I use. Tap any link to see the newest opportunities in the 702 right now!
If you’d like to see any of the properties on the lists below (or if you’d like to know more about buying, selling, or investing in real estate) just text or call 725-208-1750 to talk to a Realtor®.
- Just Listed: New homes on the market this week!
- New Construction: Explore every new home community and builder currently breaking ground across the valley!
- Price Reductions: Opportunity’s knocking, check out these deals!
- Rentals Under $3K: Click to check out Available Now Rentals less than $3K a month.
- Open Houses: Click for dates, times, and photos!
- Live Market Insights: Click here for the most accurate, up-to-the-minute real estate data directly from the MLS
NEW ON THE BLOG...
- Bruno Mars Drive: 24K Magic on the Las Vegas Strip
- The National vs. 702 Neighborhood Comparison: Precision Over Panic in the Las Vegas Market
- Las Vegas Residential Market Update | April 28, 2026
- Las Vegas Events | April 24-30th
- The 702 Elite Seven: UNlocking Las Vegas Coffee Culture
- The Great Reawakening: Why 6% is the Healthiest Market Seen in Years
That’s a wrap for this week, 702! 🥂
I hope this guide gives you exactly what you need to trade the endless scrolling for an unforgettable week in the valley. As you head out, don’t forget to stay hydrated—that Sunday forecast is no joke! If you’re looking for even more ways to enjoy the season without breaking the bank, keep an eye on our site for full schedules of the Lake Las Vegas Summer Concerts and the Downtown Rocks series at Fremont Street. We’re also keeping a close watch on the new Spring Makers series at Tivoli Village for your Friday night vibes.
Again, if you haven’t already join our Facebook group, The Explore702 Neighborhood. We are building the ultimate Vegas Intelligence Hub together, and your voice is what makes it real. If you haven’t joined the conversation yet, [JOIN US HERE]—we want to hear your raw reviews and local tips as we grow toward our next milestone.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our 702 Moms! I’ll see you around town.
Stay local, stay legendary!
Never Miss a Thing.
— Julia, Your Las Vegas Home Girl
Have a great weekend!
P.S. Did we miss anything? If you’d like us to promote a community event (or local business), click here to submit a feature request!
About Explore702
At Explore702, our mission is to connect you with everything that makes Las Vegas the best place to live and play. From the trendiest new spots to timeless local favorites and hidden gems, we’re dedicated to guiding and sharing the best of our city with you. Join us as we have endless fun exploring the one-of-a-kind culture, vibrant nightlife, real estate and world-class entertainment that this little big city has to offer.
