Las Vegas is the largest West Coast celebration of New Years Eve, second only to Times Square in Manhattan across the U.S. With the One October tragedy still in our consciousness, Las Vegas remains on high alert. There is a visible presence of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department up and down the strip, and snipers will be present along rooftops up and down Las Vegas Boulevard.
Enjoying New Years Eve on the strip comes with some planning. Street closures mean arriving early or walking from off-strip.
The freeway ramps that feed the cross streets of Las Vegas Boulevard will begin to close around 5:00pm. Plan ahead if you are coming or going, as The Strip and freeway ramps will not be operational again until around 4:00am New Year’s Day. Once The Strip is closed to vehicles, fences are constructed in front of many hotel properties. The escalators, elevators and pedestiran bridges will be closed around 7pm and The Strip will open to pedestrian traffic by 8pm.
Many hotels will only allow guests with a room key to enter after 6:30pm. Request room keys for each of your guests in case you get separated.
The Las Vegas Monorail will be fully operational from 7am December 21st until 2AM January 2nd. The Monorail runs from SLS to MGM Grand. Parking will be difficult on the Strip, and while most hotels on the strip are charging for parking, those that do not will fill up first.
Re-opening Las Vegas Boulevard starts at 2:00am to 2:30am and is back in service no later than 4:00am.
Las Vegas Blvd. (The Strip)
6:30 to 7 p.m. - Hotels and businesses will close driveways. All walkways, elevators and escalators will be shut off.
6:30 to 7 p.m. - Inbound roads to Las Vegas Blvd. will be closed
7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Lanes will open to pedestrian traffic
8 p.m. to 12 a.m. - Pedestrian traffic only on the Strip
1 a.m. - All celebrations end
1 a.m. - 2 a.m. - Barricades are moved to begin street cleaning
2 a.m. - 3 a.m. - Street sweepers begin clean up
3 a.m. - 4 a.m. - Pedestrian walkways, elevators and escalators are turned back on. Private drives re-open and traffic resumes on the Strip.
Partying on The Strip
Consuming alcohol on The Strip is totally legal—year round, not just on New Years Eve. Drinking or serving from glass containers, however, is not. Neither is sharing adult beverages with someone under 21.
This year Nevada legalized recreational marijuana. While it is legal to purchase and possess (in limited quantities) marijuana, it's not legal to consume (that includes smoke, vape, or eat) in public, in a hotel room, a casino, or a vehicle, Nor is it legal to cross the state line with it. While local law enforcement tends to look the other way if you're enjoying responsibly, possession is still a federal offense that could complicate things if compounded with other charges.
Be safe, be responsible, and have a great time in Las Vegas. Be mindful of others, including those serving your drinks–over 500 Las Vegas residents were working the night of One October, and for some, any joke is still "too soon." If you see something, say something—you won't be able to move 10 yeards on The Strip without running into a Metro officer.