Hurly’s Hot Spots 2025 – Second Edition — How to Best Experience the 2025 National Finals Rodeo

By Brian Hurlburt

Hopefully you read our first 2025 Hurly’s Hot Spots blog. If you did, you’re already well on your way to a terrific Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® experience. If not, click to it at NFRexperience.com.

We want to take a moment to reiterate four key tips to help you navigate the country-and-western festival of happenings across Las Vegas.

NFR Tip 1

• Be sure to download the new NFR app. You can plan your entire itinerary and stay up to date on everything from the rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center to the Junior NFR to Cowboy Christmas presented by Pro Fantasy Rodeo—and everything in between. NOTE: Cowboy Christmas presented by Pro Fantasy Rodeo is a MUST SEE experience!

NFR Tip 2

• When you attend an official NFR Watch Party at an NFR Hotel Sponsor, you’ll enjoy the in-arena video and audio feed, which is almost like being inside the Thomas & Mack Center.

NFR Tip 3

• In addition to the app, visit NFRexperience.com for anything and everything related to the 2025 NFR.

NFR Tip 4

• Each official Hotel Sponsor provides a free NFR shuttle stop to and from the Thomas & Mack Center.

Now, on to the good stuff. Music and live events are a huge part of the Las Vegas NFR experience, and epic acts are performing all over the city. Here are a few of our favorites:

Downtown Hoedown – Fremont Street Experience

You have to check out the Downtown Hoedown, THE official kickoff to the 10 days and nights of the NFR in Las Vegas. The event takes place December 3 at 4 p.m. and features free live performances across three stages. Headliners include Midland, Corey Kent, Josh Ross, and Mackenzie Carpenter.

PH Live Theater – Planet Hollywood

The 2025 lineup will have you out of your seat—and laughing down the aisles—as the legendary Jeff Foxworthy hits the stage, sandwiched between two great musical acts.

• December 5 & 6 – Old Dominion
• December 10 – Jeff Foxworthy
• December 11 – Nate Smith

T-Mobile Arena

Lainey Wilson brings her Wildflowers and Wild Horses tour to the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, December 7. 

The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

Tim McGraw performs at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on December 4, 6, 12, and 13.

The Sphere

Zac Brown Band lights up the out-of-this-world Sphere on December 5, 6, 12, and 13.

There’s also more music—and plenty of live viewing and after-parties—around town. Below is a look at what’s happening at some of the official NFR sponsor resorts.

Circa Las Vegas – Downtown

“Rooftop Rodeo” at the Legacy Club (60 floors up!) is the place to be December 4–7 and December 11–13 at 9 p.m. Enjoy live country beats, specialty cocktails, and skyline views in a lounge that offers some of the best vistas in Las Vegas.
You can also catch an autograph session on December 9 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. with NFR steer wrestlers at the Underhang Bar.

Golden Nugget – Downtown Las Vegas

The free “Viewing in the Grand” party runs nightly at 5 p.m. There’s also great music nightly December 4–13. Dillon Carmichael kicks it off on December 4, followed by Mark Chesnutt on December 5, both at 10 p.m. Other acts include Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan (December 8) and The Bellamy Brothers (December 10–11). Visit NFRExperience.com for a link to the Golden Nugget website and a full listing of shows.

Downtown Grand

Enjoy nightly watch parties in the Grand Room plus “Steak on a Plate” specials at Triple George Grill. You can also check out the Downtown Grand for NFR room and ticket packages.

Mandalay Bay Resort – The Strip

Experience “Cowboyville” at Mandalay Bay starting at 5:30 p.m., featuring nightly viewing parties followed by live entertainment in the Rhythm & Riffs Lounge.

The Orleans—Just off the Strip

After the live viewing party, head to “Orleans After Dark” nightly at 8:30 p.m. in the Bourbon Street Lounge for live entertainment, dancing, special guests, and giveaways. There’s also a “Rodeo Special” at Alder & Birch, Bailiwick, and Copper Whisk from December 4–13.