Despite rain, Las Vegas set to welcome 2026 with fireworks show and more — LIVE BLOG
by Las Vegas Review-Journal · Las Vegas Review-JournalCheck out our live blog below for coverage of New Year’s Eve celebrations from the Strip to Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.
8:50 p.m.
Fremont canopy partially closed
A portion of Fremont Street, just east of the official celebration under the canopy, was closed as it populated a cavalry of Metropolitan Police Department squad vehicles. Businesses along the sidewalks, such as eateries and nightclubs, however, were also active with revelers taking shelter from the rain.
— Ricardo Torres-Cortez
8:20 p.m.
Downtown casinos appear busy
Casinos that dot the Fremont Street Experience also appeared busier than usual. Outside revelers had to go through an ID check to enter. Meanwhile, patrons trying to make their way out to the official celebration under the canopy were asked to show an event wristband before being screened by security. At the same time, rainfall had ticked up quite a bit.
—Ricardo Torres-Cortez
8:00 p.m.
‘Always special’
Duncan and Tracey Willit, of Rancho Bernardo, California, have spent New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas before. The couple was married here on the last day of 2015.
“It’s special. It will always be special,” Tracey Willit said of New Year’s Eve. ” We knew we had to come back.”
Duncan, a 63-year-old retiree, said they have been planning their anniversary trip for months. They finally settled on a suite at Aria hotel-casino about two months ago. Dinner plans were still up in the air.
“We haven’t decided yet if we’re going to watch the fireworks from the room or try to go out,” he said, wondering if the rain would put a damper on the evening’s pyrotechnics. “Either way, we’re going to have a great night, one that we’ll both remember.”
— David Danzis
7:51 p.m.
K-9s on patrol
Security is on high alert this New Year’s Eve. Multiple security K-9s can be seen patrolling near Resorts World’s Zouk Nightclub. Additionally, security is at most entrances of casinos to confiscate any glasses and prohibited items.
—Emerson Drewes
7:45 p.m.
Rain drips from Fremont canopy
West Virginia couple Karen and Harry Greaver said they didn’t know what to expect at the Fremont Street Experience on Wednesday night, but it wasn’t rain. Drops dripped from the canopy, which began to populate during the first hour of the downtown festivities. DJs performed from the four stages spread out across the mammoth venue. Revelers zipped above from the Slotzilla attraction.
The Greaver’s weren’t ringing in the new year from Las Vegas for the first time.
Asked what made them return, “We’re snowbirds anyway,” the woman said.
What do they hope for 2026, her husband answered succinctly: “A prosperous year.”
—Ricardo Torres-Cortez
7:09 p.m.
Strip, Tropicana closed
Tropicana Avenue has been blocked off by a pair of RTC buses, with the Strip also shut down to traffic at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana.
The Metropolitan Police Department and Nevada Highway Patrol are controlling the road closures.
The closures are occurring as light rain is falling on the Strip.
— Mick Akers
6:55 p.m.
Vendor’s sales struggling
It hasn’t ever rained on New Year’s Eve in the last 20 years Cruz Robles, 40, has been selling light-up accessories on the Strip. But a light drizzle outside the Venetian had him and his 11-year-old daughter Natalia Robles trying to keep their inventory of glasses and sequined fedoras dry.
“Since it’s raining, it is very little sales,” Natalia Robles said, translating for her Spanish-speaking father.
The Robles’, from Los Angeles, said they intend to keep selling through the night, despite any rain that may come.
— Spencer Levering
6:55 p.m.
Light drizzle and lines
After a one-hour closure while police conducted a security sweep, New Year’s Eve festivities at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas are about to kick off under the iconic canopy, amid a light drizzle and lines. Scheduled entertainment performances include Robin Thicke and Cee Lo Green. Entrance for the 21+ event is $65.
— Ricardo Torres-Cortez
6:50 p.m.
Revelers on the Monorail
Well-dressed and sequined revelers are beginning to spill onto Monorail platforms as they make their way to their evening plans. Inside the Westgate, though, the party continues as gamblers buzz around the casino and a slot machine player uses her party horn to cheer for an outcome on the spinning reels.
— McKenna Ross
5:53 p.m.
Cats on the town
Even though thousands of people were expected to converge onto the Strip to celebrate the new year, locals Jess and Trip Barrios knew just how to find each other if they became separated.
The couple each donned red-and-white stovepipe top hats (straight out of the Dr. Seuss children’s book “The Cat in the Hat”) wrapped in Christmas lights. In addition to the swanky hats, they each had on bright red “Cat in the Hat” scarves.
“We do our ‘Cat in the Hat’ thing mostly because we keep losing each other,” Jess Barrios said.
The Barrios’ were heading into dinner at the Outback Steakhouse on Las Vegas Boulevard before joining other New Year’s revelers on the Strip afterward.
“We want to eat first, get something at least in our stomach before we actually started,” Jess Barrios continued. “We always come out here for New Year’s Eve. We stay away from the Strip the rest of the year.”
As for 2026, Trip Barrios said the couple hopes to cruise Route 66 to commemorate the historic highway’s 100th anniversary. There was also a personal reason, Trip Barrios added.
“Yesterday was my 66th birthday,” Trip Barrios said.
— Casey Harrison
5:52 p.m.
‘Our special day’
“Vegas, New Year’s Eve is our special day,” said Juanita Nuñez dressed in white.
Juanita and John Nuñez posed for their wedding pictures in front of the Fontainebleau. At 7 p.m. the couple is heading downtown for their ceremony.
Vegas is significant to their relationship, they said.
Hailing from Victorville, California, the couple “had the most magical weekend” in Las Vegas when they first started dating, she said. After getting engaged they knew they “had to come back” for their nuptials and on the same day.
— Emerson Drewes
5:35 p.m.
‘Elvis never died’
As gamblers near the Harrah’s Piano Bar stared at slot machines, eyes glazed over, an Elvis impersonator was bringing the King of Rock and Roll back to life, singing “Burning Love,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and a heartfelt “Hallelujah.”
One onlooker, Jim Streitz of Anaheim, California, listened and joked that the performance showed Elvis never really died. He and his wife, Martina Streitz, said they’ll likely be asleep by midnight as they’ve seen Las Vegas’ fireworks show in years past.
“It’s beautiful. I mean, when the fireworks go off over the Strip, it’s very cool,” Jim Streitz said.
— Spencer Levering
5:15 p.m.
Notices and warnings
Traffic on Interstate 15 is moderate prior to the partial shutdown of Las Vegas Blvd. at 6 p.m.
Signs smatter the roadways with notices and warnings. Some casino signs read of prohibited items: backpacks, glass bottles and strollers. While overhangs read “see something, say something. Call 911.”
— Emerson Drewes
4:55 p.m.
Las Vegas’ Avengers
Andrea Lopez lit up with joy outside Harrah’s as she posed for a picture with an odd character crew: Captain America, Sonic the Hedgehog, Bluey and Stitch.
Lopez brought her family from Phoenix and, beverage in hand, said she was looking forward to drinking all night long while enjoying the night with her loved ones.
“We went to the Sphere to see Wizard of Oz which, by the way, was so freaking awesome,” Lopez said. “We’re definitely going to hang out tonight, go to the casino and have fun.”
Captain America, who refused to reveal his true identity, said the money he’s making tonight will help him and his wife raise the newborn child they’re expecting in 2026.
“I think this could be the busiest day of the year,” he said. “It’s the most fun.”
— Spencer Levering
4:35 p.m.
Roads beginning to close near Strip
Crews will soon begin closing roads in and around the Strip ahead of tonight’s New Year’s Eve festivities.
The Nevada Department of Transportation will start closing off Interstate 15 off-ramps to Las Vegas Boulevard at 5:30 p.m., including at Tropicana and Harmon avenues and Flamingo Road.
Surface streets leading to the Strip where it will closed to vehicle traffic will also be shut to traffic at 5:30 p.m. including Tropicana between I-15 and Las Vegas Boulevard, Flamingo between Valley View and Las Vegas boulevards and Hotel Rio Drive at Dean Martin Drive.
Clark County crews will begin shutting down the Strip at 6:30 p.m., with the boulevard set to be completely closed to vehicle traffic between 8 p.m. Wednesday, to 2 a.m. Thursday, between Reno Avenue and Spring Mountain Road.
Those looking to get around the Strip on New Year’s Eve while it’s shut down can do so via the Las Vegas Monorail. The monorail is running nonstop until 2 a.m. Thursday. The cost of a single ride is $1 for locals and $6 for visitors.
The Regional Transportation Commission is also offering free bus rides across the Las Vegas Valley from 6 p.m. Wednesday, through 9 a.m. Thursday.
— Mick Akers
More Coverage
-Visit lvrj.com/nye for full coverage of New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas