For everyone coming to Las Vegas for New Year’s, you are coming to party. We hope your Xmas was great and are happy to welcome you to Las Vegas for a few days of shows, restaurants, lights, and fun. Hotels are full, the rates are much higher for that festive week and all the shows are ready to give you a marvelous time, with many still doing their Xmas versions. 
There are many new places to see this year, including the new Cirque show “Run” at the Luxor, The Raiders stadium going up along with The Sphere, a 17,000-person venue behind the Sands that will be opening in a year. Always plenty of shows at the V and Saxe theaters in Planet Hollywood as they have currently 12 different ones. Hans Klok, the world’s fastest magician is now at the Excalibur at 7 p.m. and the Australian Bee Gees share the showroom at 5:00 PM, you should all catch both shows.
Human Nature at the Venetian is always a great choice with four singing wonders from Australia. The always-scrumptious Italian food at Canaletto’s, with a beautiful view of St. Mark’s square and the gondolas, and Sugarcane are also both in the Venetian. The new Majordomo is in the Palazzo. Another great Venetian choice is Mercada della Pescheria, always wonderful authentic food and decor.
Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris is a great outdoor dining option with a view of the Bellagio Fountains. Terraza by Cafe America in Caesars is a new lovely outdoor and indoor dining option, right next to the tent for Absinthe! the show. Carmine’s in the Forum shops, well-known in New York, and Virgil’s Barbeque in The Linq–the walking area directly across from Caesars are both delicious choices. The new Minus 5 Bar, the fifth in the city, just opened two weeks ago in The Linq. American is also in The Linq, Rockhouse and PRB Rock Bar, which are always rocking out.
The Front Porch has opened at the ever local happy spot Ellis Island, three blocks off the strip with plenty of dining options and TV’s; the old Hooters is now the OYO, one block from the strip and has transformed all of its restaurants this last year. Chef Rick Giffen who came over from The Stratosphere has created great new menus and vibe here, free parking also.
Want to get off the strip for a few hours. Try Kitchen Table, social eatery, The Stove in Henderson, Double Helix Wine and Whiskey Bar in Town Square or Cinnamons for a Hawaiian themed breakfast.
The Hunger Games is open at MGM Grand, which gives all ages something to do. If you are looking for action, Acropalypse Vegas is a full 2-hour submersion dive into fighting Zombies. It’s the most exciting thing to try in Las Vegas and is owned by all former military men with Travis Krauss heading it up. I’ve tried it four times. Or if you are a foodie lover, look up Lip Smacking Foodie Tours, with guides to take you to the finish dining places, both on the strip and downtown. Well worth the money. Maybe book a Las Vegas ATV & UTV tour, for a couple of hours out in the sand dunes. Don’t forget favorites from across the country such as Buca de Beppo’s in the MGM, Excalibur, and free-standing on E. Flamingo; Gordon Biersch, or Tommy Bahamas in Town Square just down the strip from Mandalay Bay—plenty of great shopping there.
If you are downtown, try out the refurbished Ferguson’s, The Mothership coffee shop, Hatsumi’s and La Monja restaurants; and plenty of shops, including photos, painting, flowers, and beauty. Spend a couple of hours here and mosey on down to all of the old downtown on Fremont Street. Other venues to see are the Lion Habitat with over 56 lions and Nostalgia Street Rods close to the Orleans hotel—really a great place to visit. If by chance you are coming with a group and would like a unique twist, Showgirls Arrivals can greet you or your clients at the airport! A marvelous new company.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority estimates an economic impact of over $187 million for our city, thanks to everyone from around the globe.
Fireworks for 2020 are all set from seven different casinos. 
Midnight will kick off at the following places and will be synced and choreographed on top of:
Aria, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Treasure Island, The Venetian, The Stratosphere
The city estimates that over 335,000 people will be here for America’s Party in Vegas to Ring in 2020.
Road closures are many. The Nevada Department of Transportation will start closing access to the Strip at 5:00 p.m. on December 31.
I-15 off-ramps will be closed at Flamingo, Spring Mountain, and Tropicana. The only ramps open for on and off travel will be Sahara and Russell.
At 6:00 p.m., all streets, roads, and alleys leading onto Las Vegas Boulevard between Sahara Avenue and Mandalay Bay Road will be closed with all barricades up. By 6:45 p.m., Las Vegas Boulevard along with all inbound roads leading onto Las Vegas Boulevard are fully closed to vehicle traffic. Only pedestrians will be allowed on the Strip from 7:00 p.m. through the fireworks. So plan on which side of the strip you prefer to be as after midnight it usually takes up to two hours for roads to even begin to start moving. 
Downtown also welcomes party goers. The party on Fremont Street starts at 6:00 p.m. and continues until 3 a.m. There will be fireworks at The Plaza.
Fremont will completely close at 5:00 p.m. for a Security Sweep and then reopen at 6:00 for guests with a New Year’s Eve wrist band. Tickets are on sale for $45.00 and you will receive a wristband for admittance. All stages will have music and roaming performers. There will be a grand opening spectacular of the new Viva Vision Canopy at Midnight. The mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman and her husband Oscar will be the official Hosts.
Wishing everyone a grand celebration and hope that you will all return to Las Vegas during the year.
