Las Vegas Days Rodeo

Las Vegas Rodeo

When you think of Las Vegas, you might think of all the lights, clubs, and fantastic shows. While Las Vegas does have a lot to offer in the way of nighttime entertainment, the city knows how to party during the day too – especially with Las Vegas rodeos!

The city of Las Vegas got its start as part of the Wild West, and Las Vegas Days (formerly known as Helldorado Days) celebrates the spirit of the Wild West with a Las Vegas rodeo and cowboy themed event!

On May 10th and 11th you can grab your favorite pair of boots, blue jeans, and a cowboy hat and head to the all-new Core Arena where there will be:

  • Bull riding
  • Barrel racing
  • Team roping
  • Tie-down roping
  • Steer wrestling
  • Saddle bronc riding
  • And bareback riding

Admission to enjoy the event is free and there will be a parade held on Saturday, May 11th.

History of the Las Vegas Days

The Las Vegas Helldorado event began in 1934 when Arizona carnival barker Clyde Zerby saw an opportunity with the thousands of visitors to the Hoover Dam site.

The first Helldorado was a rowdy affair that took the flavor of the Old West to the next level, celebrating everything wild about the wild west.

In 1935, Las Vegas was a booming town, and Fremont Street was exploding with gambling halls, hotels, and restaurants. City leaders knew the boom could end and Las Vegas could wind up a ghost town.

In comes the Helldorado Days festival to provide a sense of community spirit that would entice Dam workers and their families to stay in Southern Nevada.

As Las Vegas grew, so did Helldorado Days. Several of the salacious events were replaced with family-friendly entertainment including:

  • Award-winning marching bands
  • Best Float awards
  • A rodeo that drew superstars and a national audience
  • A beauty contest
  • And more!

The festival inspired a sense of community among long-time residents and for newcomers, it renewed interest in our history and the spirit of our past.