Neon City Festival: Igniting the Downtown Las Vegas Experience

Downtown resort-casinos and partnering businesses are pushing a free festival for all ages during Las Vegas' second Formula One Grand Prix race as a way to divert some of the week's tourists to other parts of the destination.

Elevating the Off-Strip Experience for Race Enthusiasts

Collaborative Effort to Attract Visitors Downtown

Derek Stevens, owner of The D, Golden Gate and Circa casinos, recognized the need to address the question of how to attract visitors downtown during the Formula One event week. The Neon City Festival was conceived as a solution to this challenge, with the goal of drawing crowds to the heart of the city. The festival has garnered significant interest, with hundreds of vendor inquiries since its website launch last week, indicating the enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding this event.

Diverse Programming and Experiences

The Neon City Festival promises to deliver a multifaceted experience for attendees. While the entertainment lineup and culinary plans are still to be announced, initial details suggest a vibrant lineup of performances across three stages on the Fremont Street Experience pedestrian mall and at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Additionally, the festival will feature block parties, street festivals, and a variety of food and drink specials, catering to a wide range of interests and demographics.

Expanding the Footprint and Partnerships

The festival's organizers are actively soliciting feedback and seeking involvement from other downtown neighborhoods, including Fremont East and the Arts District, to expand the festival's footprint and reach. The Strat, located at the city's border with the county-governed Strip, has joined as a founding partner, further strengthening the event's reach and appeal.

Addressing the Challenges of the 2022 Grand Prix

The Neon City Festival is a direct response to the challenges faced by off-Strip and downtown businesses during last year's inaugural Formula One Grand Prix in Las Vegas. The event, which brought international attention and high-rollers to the luxury-coded event, left many businesses in the surrounding areas feeling the impact of the race's focus on the Strip. The festival aims to combat this by creating a vibrant and engaging experience that will draw visitors to the downtown area during the race weekend.

Aligning with the Busy Event Calendar

The Neon City Festival is strategically timed to coincide with the second Formula One Grand Prix in Las Vegas, as well as other major events happening in the city that weekend. Race events will take place on the Strip from Thursday, November 21, to Saturday, November 23, while the Neon City Festival will run from Friday through Sunday. Additionally, the Raiders will play a home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, further contributing to the bustling atmosphere in Las Vegas during this period.

Collaborative Funding and Partnerships

The success of the Neon City Festival is largely attributed to the collaborative efforts and financial contributions of various stakeholders. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority approved a $1 million sponsorship, while Fremont Street casino owners contributed $500,000 each, and downtown casinos not on the pedestrian mall committed to $100,000 in in-kind contributions. The Plaza, for instance, will be responsible for nightly fireworks. Circa also plans to fly out 400 of its Circa Sports book customers from other markets to attend the festival, further bolstering the event's reach and attendance.

Maximizing Utilization of Assets and Driving Economic Impact

The Neon City Festival aims to address the underutilization of assets and hotel rooms that was observed during last year's Formula One Grand Prix. By creating a vibrant and engaging event that appeals to a diverse audience, the festival organizers hope to drive increased visitation and economic activity in the downtown area, benefiting local businesses and the overall Las Vegas economy.