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Published on November 09, 2024
Las Vegas Ushers In Free Neon City Festival As Music-Filled Alternative To F1 WeekendSource: Google Street View

As the thunderous roar of Formula 1 cars sets to descend upon Las Vegas, the city is countering with an equally vibrant but far more accessible event: the Neon City Festival. Slated for the same weekend as the high-octane racing, November 22 to 24, the downtown scene is offering a free, all-inclusive festival that prides itself as the alternative for locals and tourists alike. Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel and Casino, emphasized the local appeal in a statement obtained by FOX5 Vegas: "The locals are all going to be down here. It’s going to be an incredible weekend for them, and they’re going have access to some of the best musical performances."

With an eclectic line-up that includes acts like the All-American Rejects, Plain White T's, and Seven Lions, the festival promises plenty for the aural enthusiast. Adding to this, Travel Weekly reported a VIP tasting experience at Omaha Steaks' pop-up and discounts from a dozen sponsoring hotel-casinos for those looking to enhance their festival experience. The Neon City Festival aims to avoid the snarls that come with major events, avoiding road or lane closures, thus keeping the downtown area vibrant and fluid during the F1 rush.

But it's not just about the music and savings. The festival, unfolding across well-known sites like the Fremont Street Experience and the Arts District, is also hosting art exhibits, laser shows, and fireworks every night at 9:45 p.m., as noted by Jossel in his dialogue with FOX5 Vegas. All these attractions come without the price tag of admission.

Derek Stevens, the festival's creator and owner of downtown properties such as the Circa, articulated the underlying motivation for such a festival. "We do not want to be anti-F1; we want to be an alternative to F1," he told Travel Weekly. Stevens foresees the festival leveraging existing infrastructure, staying economically feasible without fencing or ticketing expenditures. If successful, the Neon City Festival could become a regular event, adding to Las Vegas’s diverse lineup and showcasing the city's ability to entertain all types of audiences.