"Las
Vegas has evolved to be the premier destination for special events,
and our December calendar showcases Las Vegas' vast appeal as the
place to be," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las
Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "Thirty years ago,
December was one of the slower periods in Las Vegas. Today, we have a
variety of special events that attracts visitors, stimulates the
economy and generates world-wide media coverage."
The
Wrangler National
Finals Rodeo continues to be the anchor event
in early December. For 10 daysstarting
on Dec. 6, the top 15 cowboys in each event
come to Las Vegas to compete in the richest and most prestigious
rodeo in the world. The rodeo also brings along partner events such
as the Downtown Hoedown featuring country artists Clay Walker and
Uncle Kracker on stage at Fremont Street Experience and the annual
Cowboy Christmas western gift show at the Las Vegas Convention
Center. New this year is Cowboy FanFest at the Las Vegas Convention
Center. This free public event features live stage performances by
Academy of Country
Music artists, themed food and specialty
drinks, exhibitions, rodeo 101 clinics and much more for local rodeo
fans.
All
eyes will be on Las Vegas when more than one billion viewers are
expected to tune
in for the 61st Annual Miss Universe
Competition being broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort &
Casino on Dec. 19. Almost 90 contestants from around the world will
land in Las Vegas to participate in various activities leading up to
the live telecast.
Also
taking place at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino this month is
the 8th Annual OUTMUSIC Awards presented by the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Academy of Recording Arts. The
biggest night in LGBT music
and entertainment takes the stage Dec. 16 and
celebrates the best recordings, performers and industry contribution
in music each year with a message of inclusion, equality and creative
achievements.
Later
in the month, the 21st MAACO Bowl Las Vegas will showcase a marquee
matchup with teams from the Mountain West Conference and the Pac-12
conference. Held on Saturday, Dec. 22 at Sam Boyd Stadium, the MAACO
Bowl Las Vegas is broadcast nationally and has earned a reputation as
one of the most exciting games of the bowl season. The MAACO Bowl Las
Vegas has sold-out six of the past seven years.
On
the hardwood, five college
basketball tournaments take place in Las Vegas
featuring men's and women's teams from around the country. The Las
Vegas Challenge comes to the Orleans Arena on Dec. 18-19. Also at the
Orleans Arena, the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic returns Dec.
22-23 featuring Virginia Tech, Colorado State, Portland, Georgia
Southern, Mississippi Valley and North Florida among others. The MGM
Grand Garden Arena hosts the Vegas Holiday Hoops basketball
tournament Dec. 22-23, and the Las
Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic is Dec. 18-19 at
the South Point Arena. A week later, the South Point
Arena hosts the D3Hoops.com Classic Dec. 28-30.
Ringside,
two major fights take place this month. The fourth showdown between
Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez happens Dec. 8 at the MGM
Grand Garden. Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez also battle in the MGM
Grand Garden at UFC 155 on Dec. 29.
December
closes out with one of the largest annual events on the calendar as
Las Vegas once again hosts America's Party: Las Vegas New Year 2013,
one of the top New Year's Eve celebrations in the world with a
fireworks display staged from the rooftops of seven iconic resorts
along the Las Vegas Strip. This year, planning a New Year's Eve trip
is even easier through http://www.lasvegas.com/
