Welcome to one of the transition months in Las Vegas. October transforms Las Vegas from a scalding hot summer into a moderately cool winter. 

There’s also a new tradition starting – it’s the time for roadwork on the Vegas Strip while F1 prepares our streets for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November. Already in front of Bellagio, the sidewalk is blocked and a front-row view of the fountains has been replaced by scaffolding. 

Locals Tip: For the best (free) view of the fountain show, head toward the valet area and catch it from the backside. 

Inside, at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, their fall showing, and smelling, is now on display. Arguably the best floral show of the year. Showing all month through Nov. 9.

And don’t forget Halloween. Frequent visitors know in Las Vegas the holiday is a sneaky good time. In addition to amplified fun people-watching, there are parties all over Sin City.

Las Vegas Residencies and Limited Engagements

The theaters will be busy this October with a slew of new and returning resident performers. The Carrie Underwood shows are her last for the year at Resorts World. But making debuts this month in Las Vegas are Lenny Kravitz (at Park MGM) and Tears for Fears (at Fontainebleau).

Here’s the rundown of October’s special entertainment draws:

• Maroon 5 at Park MGM: Oct. 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12
• REO Speedwagon at The Venetian: Oct. 2, 4, 5
• Santana at Mandalay Bay: Oct. 2, 3, 5, 6, 30, 31
• Garth Brooks at Caesars Palace: Oct. 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13
• Kool & The Gang at Westgate: Oct. 4, 5
• Keith Urban at Fontainebleau: Oct. 4, 5, 9, 11, 12
• Lionel Richie at Wynn: Oct. 9, 11, 12
• Earth, Wind & Fire at The Venetian: Oct. 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19
• The Eagles at Sphere: Oct. 11, 12, 18, 19
• Carrie Underwood at Resorts World Las Vegas Oct. 16, 18, 19, 23, 25, 26
• Barry Manilow at Westgate: Oct. 17, 18, 19
• Lenny Kravitz at Park MGM: Oct. 18, 19, 23, 25, 26
• Brad Paisley at Wynn: Oct. 18, 19
• Foreigner at The Venetian: Oct. 25, 26, 30
• Adele at Caesars Palace: Oct. 25, 26
• Sam Hunt at Fontainebleau: Oct. 25, 26
• New Edition at Wynn: Oct. 30
• Tears For Fears at Fontainebleau: Oct. 30

Look ahead: Tears For Fears and New Edition have shows at Fontainebleau and Wynn, respectively, on Nov. 1 and 2.

As the weather cools, there are more outdoor music festivals. 

The pools may be closed, but there couldn't be a nicer time to be outside in Las Vegas.

The Best Friends Forever festival takes over the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center across the street from The D from Oct. 11-13. Headliners include Sunny Day Real Estate, The Get Up Kids, and Built To Spill. Tickets for all three days are still available. You can find more information and set times at bestfriendsforeverfest.com.

The When We Were Young festival returns to the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Oct. 19 and 20. My Chemical Romance, Fallout Boy, and Jimmy Eat World are just a few of the bands performing. Day One tickets are sold out on the primary market. Tickets are available for Day Two. You can find more information and the full lineup at whenwewereyoungfestival.com.

You never know where celebrities will pop up in Las Vegas. Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, stopped for a little dive-bar karaoke at Dino’s Lounge, in the not-so-gun-free “Naked City” part of town. 

Las Vegas Sports in October

We’re entering a busy period for Las Vegas sports. 

Fun Fact: There are more sports in Las Vegas than there are home teams. 

The NFL regular season is underway bringing fans of Raiders’ opponents to town, while the NHL also drops the puck on its regular season this month.

The NBA and NASCAR also both make their regular stops in Las Vegas this month.

Raiders Home Games
at Allegiant Stadium

• Oct. 13 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
• Oct. 27 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Golden Knights Home Games
at T-Mobile Arena

• Oct. 9 vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Oct. 11 vs. St. Louis Blues
• Oct. 13 vs. Anaheim Ducks
• Oct. 22 vs. Los Angeles Kings
• Oct. 25 vs. Ottawa Senators
• Oct. 26 vs. San Jose Sharks
• Oct. 28 vs. Calgary Flames

Aces in the WNBA Playoffs
at Michelob Ultra Arena (in Mandalay Bay)

• Oct. 3 vs. NY Liberty (will definitely be played)
• Oct. 6 vs. NY Liberty (if necessary)

The Las Vegas Aces are in the WNBA playoffs and fight for their third consecutive championship. Having swept the Seattle Storm in Round 1, the Aces face the New York Liberty next. The five-game series only guarantees one home game. But if they take down the Liberty, the Aces will play in the WNBA Finals later in October. 

In men’s basketball and car racing …

The Los Angeles Lakers play the Golden State Warriors in their annual Las Vegas preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 15.

NASCAR returns to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the South Point 400 weekend from Oct. 18-20.

Look ahead: Some stage shows will be dark from Nov. 21-23 during Las Vegas Grand Prix Weekend.

October Casino Updates

The Venetian is kicking off October with a tier match promotion. This is a great way to explore the benefits of a casino you might not normally visit. Venetian Rewards for more information.

Paris Las Vegas expanded by taking over operations of a hotel tower at Horseshoe Las Vegas. Getting to the new Versailles Tower is a lot easier now that construction on the bridge connecting the two properties is complete.

Wynn is a luxury resort with high table game limits. So it was a bit surprising when the casino added a Roll To Win craps table with just a $5 minimum wager last month.

Binion's Gambling Hall downtown now has a mini-craps table. I’ve only seen this type of craps game before when casinos offer the game outdoors by the pool.

Food and Dining FYI

Peppermill might look different the next time you visit. The iconic diner on the north end of the Vegas Strip finished renovations that have been taking place all year.

And the South Point hot dog cart updated its hours for football season. You can now grab a glizzy for $1.50 just outside of the sportsbook starting at 9 am every Friday and Saturday.

That’s the rundown – everything a Vegas visitor needs to know in October. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.