Event Dates
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RiSE Festival Las Vegas 2026
Attracting thousands of visitors who launch thousands of biodegradable lanterns into the night desert sky.
RiSE Festival Las Vegas 2026
Every October the RiSE Festival is held in the Mojave Desert outside of Las Vegas attracting thousands of visitors who launch thousands of biodegradable lanterns into the night desert sky. It is a truly unique and magical experience.
- Visiting Las Vegas? The city attracts thousands of visitors,especially during weekend events, so book early. Stay on the strip close to the parade and pride festivities.
The Festival
- Next Edition: Awaiting dates, Typically Friday to Sunday in early October.
- RiSE Festival Las Vegas is the largest lantern release in the world and takes place in October, on the first weekend of the month on Friday and Saturday.
- A lantern release takes place each night. The event is spread out in the desert with plenty of breathing room.
- If you plan on attending, buy tickets in advance. Each ticket gets you parking, 2 lanterns, a seating mat and a market to write your message on your lantern.
Where does the RiSE Festival take place?
- The RiSE Festival site is located about 25 mi (40 km) south of Las Vegas on the Jean Dry Lake Bed. It can be reached by the I-15 highway.
How do I get to the event?
- The RiSE Festival runs a shuttle for $39 near the Strip. Shuttles will leave every 30 minutes from 2:30 to 6:30 pm and return to the hotels from 8:30 to 11 pm continuously once they are full. Ride share apps do not operate in the desert due to limited cell service.
The event program:
RiSE Festival Las Vegas begins early in the afternoon featuring live music and performances on the main stage. Delicious food and drink options are available on site with food trucks and art installations dotted around the event space.
- 3 PM – From 3 – 7 pm, there will be 4 musical acts performing on the stage in the center of the ring.
- 7:15 PM – 1st launch of lanterns in unison
- 7:30 PM – Entrance gates close
- 7:45 PM – 2nd launch of lanterns in unison
- 7:50 PM – Fireworks and lantern releases
The Lanterns
- The lanterns are designed specifically with a short burn and flight time. Each lantern is 100% biodegradable, and they have a leave it better than you found it policy.
- After the event, they have an entire team that retrieve 100% of the lanterns from the surrounding desert along with any other litter they find. Be patient when releasing your lanterns – make sure they are full.
- Watch out for other lanterns that get released prematurely, so you or your stuff don’t accidentally get burned.
LGTB Support
- The festival has a partnership with The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, and Communities in School of Southern Nevada.
- RISE donates tickets to all three charities so each organization can bring people they support to take part in the world’s largest lantern festival.
Recommended Vegas Hotels
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action
Platinum Hotel, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Marriott’s Grand Chateau,
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
The All Suite Delano Hotel is a stylish
hotel with large rooms & superb service.
Official Website
For further information and advice on
RiSE Festival Las Vegas The Website
Gay Map of Las Vegas
Las Vegas has about 15 gay bars, many of them clustered together in a small quadrant along Paradise Road just north of the airport and south of the gay-popular Hard Rock Hotel – an area often dubbed the “Gay Quarter” or “Fruit Loop.”
Address: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd SVia Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Iconic luxe stay with fountain views and a calm pool deck.
- Top dining: Picasso, Le Cirque, Lago; pastry worth the line.
- 'O' by Cirque, seasonal gardens, and a refined casino.
- Queer-welcoming, stylish crowd—great for couples or friends.
- Website
Address: 3570 Las Vegas Blvd SThe Forum Shops,Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Center-Strip icon with big pools and strong dining.
- Refreshed rooms; Augustus/Octavius are calmer picks.
- Colosseum shows and Forum Shops fill non-gaming time.
- Great base for couples and groups seeking classic Vegas.
- Website
Address: 211 E Flamingo RdLas Vegas, NV 89169
- All-suite, no-casino tower a block off the Strip.
- Large rooms with kitchens, many with balconies and views.
- Indoor–outdoor pool, spa, and a quiet lounge bar.
- Queer-welcoming base for couples and friends.
- Website
Address: 75 E Harmon AveLas Vegas, NV 89109
- Condo-style, no-casino tower just off the Strip.
- Villas with kitchens; many include washer/dryer.
- Rooftop pool & bar, fitness room, on-site market.
- LGBTQ-welcoming base near Strip shows and Fruit Loop.
- Website
Address: 1301 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
- Gay boutique stay with a social pool and lively bar.
- Modern rooms, comfy beds, and quick pool access.
- Cocktails, share plates, karaoke and DJ nights.
- A welcoming hub for couples, friends, and solos.
- Open: 24/7
- Website
Address: 4605 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169, United States
- Iconic queer nightclub reborn on Paradise Road.
- Bar, big floor, and high-energy drag/DJ nights.
- Strong cocktails; weekend covers and 21+ door.
- Welcoming crowd; great launchpad for Pride trips.
- Open: Thursday 9pm-3am Friday 9pm-4am
Saturday 12pm-4pm, 9pm-4am Sunday 9pm-2am - Website
Address: 3430 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89121
- Men-forward leather bar with a social patio and pool table.
- Beer busts, happy hours, and theme promos keep tabs kind.
- Underwear, gear, bear, and cigar nights rotate through.
- Friendly crew; a relaxed Fruit Loop base for the night.
- Open: 24/7
Address: 4633 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169
- Multi-room gay club with go-go dancers and a patio.
- DJs spin pop, EDM, Latin; drag shows pop up.
- Strong pours and fast bars; covers on peak nights.
- Flirty, mixed crowd—built for late, loud fun.
- Open:Daily from 10pm till late
- Website
Address: 4640 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169
- Video-driven gay bar with a lively, friendly pulse.
- Karaoke, drag pop-ups, and DJ video sets most weeks.
- Strong pours, frozen rounds, and early happy hours.
- Queer crowd; easy meet-and-mingle on the Fruit Loop.
- Open: 27/7
- Insagram
Address: 855 E Twain Ave, Suite 114, Las Vegas, NV 89169
- Desert-modern gay lounge with video vibes and a flirty pulse.
- Strong wells, mezcal riffs, and friendly happy-hour prices.
- Karaoke, DJ video sets, and pop-up drag on select nights.
- Welcoming crowd; easy base for dates, groups, and solos.
- Open: Daily 4pm-6am
- Website
Address: 1700 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
- Campy drag brunch and dinner shows with diner comfort food.
- Runway stage, bold queens, and crowd games at the table.
- Margaritas and candy-bright cocktails keep rounds flowing.
- Queer hub for birthdays, dates, and group nights out.
- Open: Monday to Wednesday Closed, Thursday 7pm-10pm
Friday 11am-2pm, 7pm-10am, Saturday & Sunday 11am-4pm - Website
Address: 495 East Twain Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169
- Men-leaning gay dive with strong wells and friendly staff.
- Video poker, jukebox, and a talk-first, flirty vibe.
- Daily specials and beer busts keep prices kind.
- Casual, consent-led space; easy stop on Paradise.
- Open: 24/7
- Website
Address: 4213 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
- Neighborhood LGBTQ lounge with shows and game nights.
- Strong pours, pub bites, and quick, friendly crews.
- Karaoke, drag, bingo, and video-poker keep it busy.
- Easy meet-and-mingle spot for groups, dates, and solos.
- Open: 24/7
Address: 1415 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
- Men-leaning gay dive with friendly staff and neon-lit comfort.
- Strong wells, cold beer, and wallet-kind daily specials.
- Karaoke and light theme nights keep it lively, not loud.
- Consent-led, low-pressure stop for couples, friends, and solos.
- Open: Friday & Saturday 10pm-7am
Address: 953 E Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Classic gay saloon with karaoke at its core.
- Strong pours and wallet-kind daily specials.
- Drag, bingo, and sing-along nights keep it lively.
- Warm, men-leaning crowd; easy place to make friends.
- Open: Friday & Saturday 10pm-7am
- Website
Address: 1487 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
- Garage-themed gay bar with pool, darts, and video poker.
- Strong wells, cold drafts, and wallet-kind daily deals.
- Sports on TV, trivia or karaoke on select nights.
- Men-leaning, friendly crowd; easy place to settle in.
- Open: 24/7
Address: 501 E Twain Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119
- Locals’ gay lounge with pool, video poker, and easy banter.
- Strong wells, cold drafts, and wallet-kind daily deals.
- Karaoke, drag bingo, and trivia keep nights lively.
- Men-leaning, friendly crowd; a relaxed Fruit Loop side trip.
- Open: 24/7
Recommended Hotels in Las Vegas By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Las Vegas that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants and fun
The Bellagio, 5 Star
Iconic Fountains
- 5 Star – Famous Fountains, Luxury Casino
- Close to the gay district
- Marble bathrooms, flat-screen TV
- Offers luxury with iconic fountains, multiple dining options, elegant rooms, and marble en suites.
The Venetian, 5 Star
Stunning Spa & Rooms
- 5 Star – Spacious Suites, International Restaurants
- Close to the gay district
- Sunken sitting area, two HDTVs
- Features spacious suites, over 40 restaurants, a state-of-the-art casino, and a large pool deck.
Marriotts Grand, 4 Star
Great Deals & Location
- 4 Star – Non-Gaming, Outdoor Swimming Pool
- A short walk to the gay bars
- Air-conditioned, microwave
- Non-gaming hotel, with air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi, and outdoor pool.
Platinum Hotel 4 Star
No gaming
- 4 Star – Non-Smoking, Heated Swimming Pools
- A short walk to the gay bars
- Full kitchen, private balcony
- One block from the Strip, non-smoking, indoor and outdoor pools, suites with full kitchens.
Video Of RiSE Festival Las Vegas
RISE Festival
Top Gay Neighbourhoods in Las Vegas
Las Vegas doesn’t have well-defined “gay neighborhoods” like some other cities might. However, there are areas and establishments that are known for being LGBTQ+ friendly and hosting a vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
The Strip | Close to the city attractions
Photo: The Strip is home to some of the most popular shows in Las Vegas
- The Las Vegas Strip is home to the city’s world famous hotels and casinos. Stay in the heart of the action.
- Enjoy world class dining on your doorstep, state of the art shows and live performances.
- The Strip is a short drive from the gay bars in the downtown district and the Fruit Loop, home to the city’s busy gay bars and clubs.
- Discover the best things to see and do in The Strip
Downtown Las Vegas
Offering a mix of LGBTQ+-friendly bars, restaurants, and clubs. Popular choice for LGBTQ+ travelers
Las Vegas: Pawn Stars
Go behind the scenes of the hit show “Pawn Stars” on this bus tour in Las Vegas. Visit featured locations and meet the stars.
Paradise Fruit Loop
Vegas busy gaybourhood. Home to famous LGBTQ+ bars and clubs Piranha & Fun Hog Ranch.
Night Helicopter Flight
Discover the illuminated side of sin city. Admire the lights of Las Vegas on a private flight, followed by a tour of The Neon Museum.
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