As if Vegas doesn’t have enough to do on a normal day, here is a listing of October’s fun events that you can take part in:
October 1 – Gourmet Magazine Epicurean Event at the Bellagio
An evening of cooking demonstrations and a five-course dinner with Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge Chef Akira Back, PRIME Steakhouse Chef Robert Moore, and Le Cirque Pastry Chef Philippe Angibeau. Enjoy wine pairings masterfully selected by Bellagio Wine Director and Master Sommelier Jason Smith and wine education by Gourmet Wine & Spirits Consultant Michael Green. Tickets are $150/person. For reservations call 866.266.7711.
October 1-4 – Las Vegas Bikefest at the Cashman Center
Over 30,000 riders will be in town to participate in numerous activities like poker tournaments, demo rides, parties, competitions and more. Passes range from $25 to $65/peson for the weekend and can be purchased via the Las Vegas Bikefest website.
October 2 – Mirage 20th Anniversary Celebration
The Mirage Resort celebrates its 20th anniversary with a live concert featuring Slash of GunsNRoses fame, along with several of his friends, including Courtney Love, Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, Led Zeppelin drummer Jason Bonham, Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorrum, Rocco DeLuca, Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, the Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger, and Rob Zombie. Keifer Sutherland will serve as MC for the event, which will be held at Bare Pool Lounge starting at 10pm. Tickets are $125/person and are available at the Mirage box office.
October 2-4 – Mario Barth Presents The Biggest Tattoo Show On Earth
Whether you’re into body modification personally, or just appreciate the artwork on others, this event will definitely be one not to miss. Featuring over 1000 tattoo artists, piercers and body modification specialists, this convention features seminars, demonstrations, contests and more. The bulk of this tattoo show takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tickets are $45/person for a daily pass or $100/person for a weekend pass. Passes also include admission to the live concerts by the likes of Escape the Fate and Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys, as well as the official after-parties featuring Tommy Lee & DJ Aero, Steve Aoki, Dave Navarro, DJ Skribble, Slash & Friends, Admission to the seminars are additional and vary by event. For complete information, visit the Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth website.
October 3 – JackFM Jacktoberfest Beer Festival
If you enjoy a good brew or thirty, head over to the Sunset Station for this beer fest by the pool. Featuring over 30 beers, food, live music, a Hooters Bikini Girl beer-chugging contest and more, it’s only $20/person. Must be 21 and over. Jacktoberfest runs 3pm until 8pm.
October 3-4 – 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Wall of Berlin
This exhibition celebrates the historic reunification of West and East Germany that happened when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. It features a replica of the wall by local artist John Pacheco with assistance from local high school and UNLV students, as well as a photo exhibit and movie documentaries. Admission is free to this event that takes place at the Westin Casuarina Hotel (160 E. Flamingo Rd) from 9am to 3pm. Don’t forget the men’s public bathroom at Main St. Station downtown has an actual piece of the Berlin Wall in the urinal area, too.
October 7 – Bellagio Winemaker Dinner
Michael Mina and Joseph Phelps host this gourmet event featuring a menu prepared by Chef Mina with wine pairings from Joseph Phelps and Master Sommelier Jason Smith. Tickets are $150/person. For reservations call 866.906.7171.
October 7-10 – Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Show and Auction
If you love cars, this is one event you won’t want to miss! View a road rally down the Strip on the 7th, followed by the actual auction on the 8th-10th at Mandalay Bay Events Center. The Barrett-Jackson auction will also be televised live on SPEED channel. Tickets are $10/person for a daily pass or $40/person for the entire weekend pass, and can be purchased via Ticketmaster or the Mandalay Bay box office.
October 9-11 – Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival
This popular annual event returns to Sunset Park (2901 E. Sunset Rd) for a weekend of knights, knaves, ladies and wenches. There’s also historical re-enactments, jousting tournaments, pageantry and more than 100 artisans peddling their wares. And let us not forget the feasts of authentic food as well as beers and ales for those of legal age to consume them. Tickets are $10/person for a daily pass or $25 for a three-day pass, and can be purchased on site or via Ticketmaster. For more information visit the Age of Chivalry website.
October 9-11 – 2009 Rockstar U.S. Open
The MGM Grand Garden Arena plays host to this extreme sports motocross event where the best riders compete against each other all weekend. Daily passes are $60 or $100 (depending on reserved seat location) per person and weekend passes are $185/person. Tickets available at MGM Grand Garden box office or Ticketmaster.
October 15-17 – Blog World Expo 2009
Whether you’re a blogger or someone interested in how you can utilize the latest social media for your business, this conference if for you. Featuring seminars on everything from building an online audience to make money with your blog, along with an exhibit hall and nightly schmoozing parties, Blog World Expo will be taking over the Las Vegas Convention center for this weekend. Tickets are $75/person for just the exhibit hall access, $495 for the weekend limited access pass and $1195 for the full-access weekend pass that includes the Thursday events, as well.
October 17 – Mix 94.1 Bite of Las Vegas
This annual food and music festival takes over the Desert Breeze Skate Park (8275 Spring Mountain Road) for another year. Enjoy small bites and beverage samples from 45 of Las Vegas’ best restaurants, priced at $1 – $5 per sample. Music by Blue October, Parachute, Train and Uncle Kracker is included in the admission for only $8/person. The event kicks off at 11am.
October 20 – Lagasse’s Stadium Bar, Book & Bam!
This special dinner event is priced at $39 a couple and features 1 appetizer, two entrees and one dessert from a special menu, along with complimentary Solichnaya vodka cocktails. The event, sponsored by SpyOnVegas, runs from 6-9pm and all guests must RSVP in advance. Lagasse’s Stadium Bar is at The Palazzo.
October 23 – 24 – Toros Las Vegas
The South Point Equestrian Center plays host to this exhibition of bloodless bullfighting featuring Velcro padded tips. Several of the world’s best toreros (bullfighters) from Spain and Mexico will be participating. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased at the South Point box office or by phone at 702-797-8113.
October 29-November 01 – Las Vegas NHRA Nationals
It’s another fast-paced weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as it plays host to the NHRA Nationals. Individual day passes range from $34 to $65/adult. General admission weekend passes are $125/adult and VIP weekend passes are $145/adult. They can be purchased via the LVMS box office or via Ticketmaster.
October 30-November 8 – 2009 Professional Bull Riders Finals
For eight days, the Pro Bull Riders come to Las Vegas where the best will compete for top honors in this annual event, along with more than $3 million in prize money. Ticket range from $30 to $250 per event, which takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV.
