Event Dates
From: Friday, October 3, 2025
To: Saturday, October 4, 2025
RiSE Festival Las Vegas 2025
Attracting thousands of visitors who launch thousands of biodegradable lanterns into the night desert sky.
RiSE Festival Las Vegas 2025
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: Friday October 3rd & Saturday October 4th, 2025 – 10th Anniversary Edition.
- 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.”
3600 Las Vegas Blvd SVia Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The richly-decorated rooms of the Bellagio are equipped with a flat-screen satellite TV and electronic drapes. Soft bathrobes, a minibar and an iPod docking station are included.
3570 Las Vegas Blvd SThe Forum Shops,Las Vegas, NV 89109
This luxury hotel and casino on the features celebrity-owned restaurants, The , an upscale spa and 7 . All guest rooms offer a flat-screen cable TV.
211 E Flamingo RdLas Vegas, NV 89169
The spacious guest suites provide a seating area with a sofa bed and 42-inch flat-screen cable TV. They also have safety deposit boxes. A separate dining area is also provided. Wi-Fi is available.
75 E Harmon AveLas Vegas, NV 89109
Situated 15 minutes' walk from the , this non-gaming and non-smoking hotel offers air-conditioned with for all devices. include an outdoor swimming pool. is offered to guests of the hotel.
2600 W Harmon Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89158
Featuring a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a satellite flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, desk and a seating area with a sofa, a private bathroom with hot tub and a hairdryer and free toiletries.
4381 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
All units come with a full kitchen that includes a refrigerator, dishwasher. A bathroom with a whirlpool bathtub and free toiletries. A living room with a fireplace & 2 42-inch flat-screen TVs. A washer and dryer
135 E Harmon Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89109
All of the modern suites come with a microwave, refrigerator, stove, coffee machine, and a dining area. A seating area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV with pay-per-view channels, and an iPod docking station.
135 E Harmon Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Upper Penthouse offers 2 bedrooms 3 bathrooms features a balcony, a living room and a flat-screen TV. The air-conditioned accommodation is fitted with a kitchen. 24-hour front desk and Free WiFi
1215 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
Queen Las Vegas is the only LGBTQ+ venue on the Las Vegas Strip featuring a restaurant/bar/lounge & nightclub.Open four days a week with nightly entertainment, djs, and sexy gogos. The nightclub is open on Fridays and Saturdays at 11pm featuring a state of the art lighting and sound system. The venue offers free parking and easy access from anywhere in Las Vegas.
4605 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169, United States
The iconic Gipsy Nightclub, once the heart of Las Vegas’ LGBTQ+ community, has made a spectacular comeback. Located a few steps from Paul San Filipo's other nightclub venture, Piranha. Every evening, the dance floor pulsates with energy, featuring top DJs and star-studded drag performances and weekend variety brunches.
5012 Arville Street, Las Vegas, NV 89118
Charlie's Las Vegas Country & western gay dance bar is one of the best gay bar in Las Vegas, Check out our “Events” tab the facebook page for weekly and upcoming events.
3430 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89121
Gay Bar Nightclub karaoke. The home of THE ORIGINAL UNDERWEAR PARTY!
4633 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Popular gay lounge bar with dance club Voted Best of Las Vegas 2018, 2019, 2020 GOLD - "Best Gay Bar/Nightclub!"
Located in the heart of Las Vegas' gay district.
4640 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169
The party never stops at QuadZ! We are Las Vegas’s late night leader!!!
OPEN 24-7
24/7 gay video & gaming bar with a chill vibe offering cocktails, pool, darts & other entertainment.
1017 S 1st St #180, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Cocktails & casual bites offered in a lively gay bar with garden seating & weekly entertainment.
1700 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Gay American bar & grill chain where diner classics & cocktails meet drag show entertainment.
495 East Twain Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Men will effortlessly find a comfortable place to hang out, drink and make new friends. Our friendly staff is always available to fix you a drink, plus, they're just plain fun to look at.
Don't be afraid to be yourself at FHR. Fetish and leather wear is strongly encouraged, but street wear can be sexy and fun also. Nonetheless, everyone is welcome at the Fun Hog Ranch.
610 East Naples Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89169
FREEZONE is the LGBTQ nightclub and bar for tourists and locals of Las Vegas. Thriving since 1996, it has been featured in local and national magazines and countless websites. FREEZONE is centrally located in the Fruitloop, right up the street from the Hard Rock Hotel, The University of Nevada Las Vegas, and the famous Las Vegas Strip.
Cool gay bar with drag shows
4213 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Gay Bar with 4,800 square foot square with a lounge atmosphere, 2 daily happy hour specials, weekly karaoke, pool tables, darts, patios, special events and more! If you're looking for a different, interesting new bar, check us out!
1415 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
The only 100% Latin gay bar with the best music and drag shows
Drag show bar with pool table
953 E Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Fun gay bar with a pool table and fun bar keeps
1487 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Las Vegas' best neighborhood gay bar; open 24/7 with nightly drink specials, video poker, slots, keno, pool tables, shuffleboard, darts. Every day happy hour
4371 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
FLEX gay Cocktail Lounge is THE place for Las Vegas locals, and tourists alike. A relaxing 24/7 bar, club, lounge, and restaurant ("EATS at FLEX") with a small town feel. Offering a variety of events, live entertainment, billiards, drink specials, and more.
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 – Short version
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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