July is here and so are regular 100-115 degree temperatures. Yes, it’s a dry heat but anything over 110 degrees is still hot - especially in direct sunlight where temperatures can feel another 10 degrees hotter or more.

That's almost as hot as playing at an online sweeps coins casino to get ready for your stay in Vegas.

The month kicks off with celebrating Independence Day. Several casinos around Las Vegas will have July 4th fireworks shows to cap off the holiday.

Tropicana closed in April and another casino will close this month. The Mirage will close its doors for good on July 17. One show at the iconic casino is closing for good while another found a new home.

July is peak pool season and it’s a great time to gamble outdoors in Las Vegas. Players can find blackjack, craps, and bartop machines outside at casinos throughout Las Vegas.

The World Series of Poker comes to an end in mid-July and the Caesars Palace poker room. There have been a lot of changes on casino floors throughout Las Vegas over the past five years. Constant change is part of the fun of visiting Las Vegas.

The entertainment and convention calendars are light in July outside of Independence Day. This could be a good time for a getaway since hotel rooms won’t see as many days with elevated prices for special events.

Las Vegas Fireworks on July 4

There are a handful of Independence Day fireworks shows outside of casinos on July 4. All Las Vegas fireworks shows start around 9 pm unless noted.

• Vegas Strip: Caesars Palace
• Downtown Las Vegas: Plaza
• Summerlin: Red Rock Casino
• Henderson: Green Valley Ranch and M Resort
• Southwest Las Vegas: Durango Casino

The Sphere will also celebrate Independence Day with new audio and video programming on its exoskeleton for all to see and hear. Shows will take place at 9:30 pm and 11:40 pm.

Las Vegas Residencies and Show News in July

The warm weather is the main attraction in Las Vegas during the summer. Dayclubs have DJs every afternoon they’re open.

Residencies and limited engagements inside theaters and showrooms at night are limited with many taking place around Independence Day.

• Lady Gaga (Jazz & Piano) at Park MGM: July 3, 5, 6
• Garth Brooks at Caesars Palace: July 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13
• New Edition at Wynn: July 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13
• Dead & Company at Sphere: July 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13,
• Jodeci at Mandalay Bay: July 5,6,10,12,13
• Rod Stewart at Caesars Palace: July 24, 26, 27, 31
• Mariah Carey at Park MGM: July 26, 27, 31

The Sphere announced the Eagles will perform a limited engagement. The initial eight shows are selling so well that the Eagles are now up to 16 shows over eight weekends beginning Sept. 20.

The Beatles Love by Cirque Du Soliel has shows until July 6. The show won’t move after The Mirage closes.

On a related note, Shin Lim is moving from The Mirage across the street to The Venetian. The new show will begin in Oct.

Life Is Beautiful is now a scaled-down “Block Party” focused on just music. The original vision of the festival featured food, art, and comedy throughout downtown Las Vegas. The festival will take place on Sept. 28 and 19. You can find more information at lifeisbeautiful.com.

Tom Jones announced a national tour and is returning to Las Vegas with shows at Wynn on Sept. 28 and 29.

Sports In Las Vegas In July

The dog days of summer in sports begin in July with the NBA and NHL seasons coming to an end in June. That doesn’t mean there’s no sports for visitors to watch in person.

The NBA Summer League has numerous games every day from July 12-22. Games feature newly drafted and younger NBA players.

General admission tickets for up to eight games per day at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV start at $45 for adults. That works out to be less than $6 per game for anyone who watches a little of each. You can find the daily schedule here.

The back-to-back WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces have four home games in July. The Aces host the Indiana Fever (Caitlyn Clark) at T-Mobile Arena on July 2. Games on July 4, 7, and 16 will take place at Mandalay Bay.

A Copa America (soccer) quarterfinal will be played at Allegiant Stadium on July 6.

USA Basketball will take on Canada at T-Mobile Arena on July 10.

NFR (National Finals Rodeo) is a staple of the Las Vegas sports calendar in December. The rodeo recently announced a deal that will keep the finals in Las Vegas through 2035.

Lookahead at Golden Knights 2024-25 Home Schedule  

The NHL just released next season's schedule. Even though July is hockey's dry season, with official dates out it makes a great time for hockey fans to start planning their next visit to  Vegas to see their favorite team take on the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on the Strip. Single-game tickets aren't on sale as of this writing, but that doesn't mean planning the rest of a Vegas vacation wrapped around a game against every fan's favorite other team can't begin now.

October:

9 vs. Colorado
11 vs. St. Louis
13 vs. Anaheim
22 vs. Los Angeles
25 vs. Ottawa
26 vs. San Jose
28 vs. Calgary

November:

2 vs. Utah
11 vs. Carolina
17 vs. Washington
29 vs. Winnipeg
30 vs. Utah

December:

3 vs. Edmonton
6 vs. Dallas
19 vs. Vancouver
21 vs. Seattle
23 vs. Anaheim
29 vs. Calgary
31 vs. Montreal

January:

2 vs. Philadelphia
4 vs. Buffalo
9 vs. N.Y. Islanders
11 vs. N.Y. Rangers
12 vs. Minnesota
20 vs. St. Louis
26 vs. Florida
28 vs. Dallas
30 vs. Columbus

February:

22 vs. Vancouver
27 vs. Chicago

March:

2 vs. New Jersey
5 vs. Toronto
7 vs. Pittsburgh
9 vs. Los Angeles
20 vs. Boston
22 vs. Detroit
23 vs. Tampa Bay

April:

1 vs. Edmonton
3 vs. Winnipeg
10 vs. Seattle
12 vs. Nashville

Las Vegas News And Rumors

Here are some news and notes from Las Vegas that might impact visits in July and beyond:

The Fontainebleau Rewards tier match promotion has been extended into September.

MGM Grand will be home to a “Friends” Experience later this year.

Plaza in downtown Las Vegas has fireworks every Friday night during the summer.

La Cave at Wynn and Sugarcane at The Venetian might be closed for renovations if you visit this month.

1923 Prohibition Bar opened its second Las Vegas outlet at The Venetian.

Rio continues to renovate the entire property. Luckley Tavern & Grill recently replaced the old bar and restaurant across from the sportsbook.

Proper Food Hall at Aria recently added Happy Leaf (salad) and Parm (Italian) food stalls.

Rather stay at home? Check out the best real money casinos online (or sweepstakes casinos if online gambling isn't legal in your state).

(Image: John Locher/Associated Press)