Biggest LGBT events in Las Vegas 2017

Dinah Shore Weekend, April 27-30, 2017

This four-day party weekend is hosted by Caesars Entertainment, and consists of club nights, pool parties, cocktail receptions and comedy shows. Thanks to the popularity of the original Dinah Shore event in Palm Springs, California, Vegas got its very own version which keeps getting bigger and better. Last year Taylor Schilling from Orange Is The New Black was on the DJ decks and Lady Gaga even made an appearance, so it’s the place to be for celeb-spotting. Stay at the Luxor hotel to be steps away from Sunday’s pool party, or anywhere on the main strip to be close to the action.

Matinee Las Vegas, May 26-29, 2017

Billed as the biggest dance festival of the summer, Matinee Las Vegas is four days of non-stop parties, explosive music and amazing light shows. 20 top DJs from all over the world perform sets, and everything is just OTT, theatrical and extravagant. There are day and night events throughout the whole weekend, including a waterpark, and Sunday’s main event features a Cirque du Soleil performance in true Vegas-style.

Temptation Sundays at Luxor

Starting from around mid-May and running throughout summer, Luxor puts on an LGBT pool party every Sunday. Hosted by J. Son and DJ Matt, there’s a different themed party each week along with food, special offers on drinks, poolside cabanas and daybeds you can hire, and a pumping soundtrack. Entry is usually half price if you’re staying at the Luxor hotel too, so make that the base for your holiday. How many pool parties have a 30-story replica of the pyramids of Egypt as a backdrop?

Las Vegas Pride, October 21-23, 2017

Las Vegas’ Pride festival is the event of 2017, so don’t miss out. The mammoth three-day extravaganza lines up colourful night parades, pool parties, drag shows, DJ sets and big name gigs. 2016 saw the likes of Charli XCX perform plus tonnes of international DJs. And it’s not just about the night time soirees, there are plenty of day events too for families and even pets. Yep, there’s a specially-designated area of the festival for your animal friends with pet-friendly exhibitors, play areas, soft grass and convenient drinks stops. If your pooch loves a crazy outfit, you can even enter them into a costume competition.

Clubs and bars

Even if you’re not in Vegas for a specific event, you’ve got plenty of bars and clubs to choose from. Piranha Nightclub on South Paradise Rd is open 24-hours and has a booming sound system to rival most clubs on the strip. Bastille on 3rd is in a hard-to-spot hideaway in the Downtown area south of the Arts District and has been described as a cross between a dive bar and a British pub. The Phoenix Bar & Lounge on West Sahara Avenue has Nintendo Wii games, and The Garage and Flex cocktail lounge is a famous car wash-themed bar.

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Author: Selina Akhtar