By the time March arrives in Las Vegas, the winter hangover will be well and truly over, and you can see a high temperature returning. February sees the start of the crowd returning to Sin City, triggered by what seems like an endless list of conventions and business events.
Here, at the dawn of a new spring and summer season, the entertainment capital of the world feels like it’s starting to come alive again. The crowds have started arriving in earnest, but not all is lost (if you have a fear of crowds, that is.)
Ironically, that middle of the month coincides with a very special “green” festival that, for some reason, has taken Vegas by storm. It’s also the start of “pool season”. The skies are bluer, and the tables are turning in more ways than one. That and more await you when you visit Las Vegas in March. It’s a great time to hit Sin City!
Weather in Las Vegas During March
Despite being one of the warmest states in winter from the start of the month to the end, the weather can change somewhat dramatically in Vegas in terms of temperatures. Summer is coming and many pools are opening. Therefore, it’s appropriate to pack a swimming costume — you may need it.
Expect the average temperature to rise above 21°C, with an occasional peak at more than 26°C towards the end of the month. And the relative humidity is quite low making for a more pleasant environment. According to weather data, the desert chill may hit on a rare evening, dipping to 5°C. But you won’t need to worry about that too much unless you’re on an overnight wilderness trip.
Image by stokpic from Pixabay
What to Pack for Las Vegas in March
Packing for Vegas in March shouldn’t be too challenging. You will not be faced with particularly cold days or nights, so your suitcase will largely reflect what you intend doing. To that end, consider that you might want to spend time at the poolside. Assuming you are sorted when it comes to plans for day-trips, here are a few essentials.
- Warm jacket — If you plan to venture into the desert on an overnight trip, or on the off-chance you experience a chilly evening. At night or in the morning, the desert gets cold.
- Walking shoes — Las Vegas hotels, resorts and casinos are huge and require lots of walking. You may also want to take a hike in the surrounding country. Be sure not to wear your too-casual shoes in the casinos, though.
- Swimwear — If the pools are opening up and you’re a keen swimmer, you do not want to be left wanting while everyone splashes about.
- Flip Flops —- As mentioned above, you’ll want to be super casual when you’re lounging about the pool.
- Evening wear — Las Vegas is all about the nightlife. If you plan on going out, it’s an opportunity to dress up elegantly.
- Event outfits — If you plan on attending some day and weekend events (see below), dress appropriately, whether in your favourite St Patrick’s Day outfit, silly NASCAR hat, or business-branded shirt.
12 Things to Do in Las Vegas in March
Las Vegas is, of course, well known for its myriad of shows and concerts. Almost every available venue, such as a hotel or arena, will have a major show or star booked for performances, and there’s no shortage of options there, from Caesars Palace to the MGM Grand to the Wynn Las Vegas. You might luck out and see a major star like Carrie Underwood perform. Or check out a comedy club, Planet Hollywood or see whose playing at the T-Mobile Arena.
The city also hosts a variety of annual events that are by themselves simply awesome to attend.There’s something for sports fans and those looking to get out of the city. Then, there’s one of the most popular global celebrations that has grabbed the imagination of Las Vegas in a big way.
Get ready to party like… well, like it’s Las Vegas.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
1. Pennzoil 400 Las Vegas 2023
NASCAR, one of America’s favourite pastimes, comes to Las Vegas for the 2023 Pennzoil 400. The weekend of hard racing, loud noises, and high-speed action takes place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and is a highlight of the year for many car fans, petrolheads, and racing fans.
The Las Vegas edition of the touring car series ranks among the top five in the country in terms of the TV audience and attendance. The weekend sees three different races on the schedule:
- NASCAR Cup Series — The premiere stock car series racing division.
- NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race — production pickup trucks provide the drama
- NASCAR Xfinity Series — The anticipated support race to the main event, this race provides a possible glimpse at future stars of the Cup Series.
Dates: 3 March – 5 March
2. March Madness
March Madness is an entire month of sports watching and betting, focused on the college basketball tournament, the Men’s NCAA tournament. Basketball fever grips the country.
It’s an event that nearly three million people travel for — most of them to Las Vegas during the week it arrives. On 23 and 25 March, the city becomes preoccupied with watch parties, betting, and sports mayhem.
Tip: Watching and wagering on the NCAA championships in Las Vegas means getting involved in what is called a sportsbook.It is usually a venue that contains several screens broadcasting a number of sports events at once, supported by a bar or restaurant. If you want to attend March madness at a sportsbook, try to book a space, as most will be bursting at the seams.
Dates: 23 and 25 March
3. CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 Las Vegas
It may not be everyone’s first thought when it comes to entertainment, but the CONEXPO-CON is so extensive and impressive that it’s worth looking into. Who cares whether or not you’re in the construction industry?
At the very least, anyone who happens to be into home improvement and building will find something to love here, as the 1800 exhibitors display wares, offer training sessions and squeeze into the nearly three million feet of exhibition space.
Dates: 14 – 18 March, 2023
Image by Lisa Larsen from Pixabay
4. St Patrick’s Day in Las Vegas
Believe it or not, St Patrick’s Day has become one of Las Vegas’s most prominent early-year celebrations. Everyone (it seems) becomes Irish for a day. At the very least, everyone seems to want to participate in a parade, a pub crawl, or a party.
The LINQ parade on the Las Vegas Strip sets up its Irish score for three days — why celebrate for only one day? There are bagpipers, restaurants offering green food (all edible, be assured), and drinks. On St Patrick’s Day, a huge ice sculpture is carved in the main promenade area.
The day’s first stop should be the parade kicking off at Bliss Dance at the Park. It heads to the Celtic Feis on Brooklyn Bridge; anyone can tag along on the walk. The Feis itself then kicks off in earnest, and it is for adult ticket holders only.
Meanwhile, there’s a downtown parade featuring the local chapters of firefighters, who walk to 3rd Street. Later that night, the big High Roller Observation Wheel is decorated in a green light, making for wonderful photographs.
Date: 17 March, 2023
5. New Vista Brew’s Best Craft Beer Festival — Summerlin
Summerlin is a little outside central Las Vegas, about ten miles west. On 18 March, the day after St Patrick’s Day, New Vista brew hosts a large beer festival, which will be the obvious and essential follow-up to your Friday revelry.
Aside from craft beers, the samples are expanded to include spirits. There is a lot of entertainment, including live music and games. This makes for an ideal day trip and leaves ample time to get breakfast first and return to LV for an evening out.
Date: 18 March, 2023 (1 pm – 6 pm)
Image by David Greenwood-Haigh from Pixabay
6. Las Vegas Food & Beverage Industry Week
No, this expo is technically not aimed at casual foodies. It’s a trade industry expo for restaurants, food vendors, and hospitality. However, it’s a fascinating exhibition of modern trends and technologies that will intrigue anyone with even a passing interest in nightlife and entertainment.
The entire event is made up of several specialist sub-events.
7. World Tea Expo
If you like tea, there’s no other place to be. Aside from the tastings of brews from around the country and the world, there are educational talks and live demonstrations to intrigue you.
Dates: 27 – 29 March
8. Bar & Restaurant Expo
This expo was formerly called the Nightclub & Bar Show, which should give you some idea of the focus of the demonstrations, exhibits, and talks here. Many foods and beverages can be tasted and sampled, and business owners in particular can walk away with tons of new ideas to apply.
Dates: 27 – 29 March
9. SIAL America
SIAL is a food-based trade show that spans all foods and food communities globally. The expo is further broken down into categories of interest:
- Organic & Wellness
- Beverages
- Grocery products & breads
- Specialty Foods
- Fruits & Vegetables
- Seafood
- Dairy products
- Frozen foods
- Snacks foods
- Delicatessen & Meats
Dates: 28 – 30 March
10. Pizza Expo
If you’ve never heard of a pizza expo, be confident that this is the 39th annual edition. It’s a pizza lover’s heaven and is, as far as anyone can tell, the largest pizza show in the world.
Dates: 28 – 30 March
11. International Artisan Bakery Expo
Most casual visitors will want to see the demonstrations, of course. Literally, hundreds and possibly thousands of manufacturers, suppliers, and purveyors of all things related to baking will be showing their wares here.
The focus is on artisanal baking, so there are many personal touches, tips, recipes, and stories to share.
Dates: 28 – 30 March
12. Take a Classic Vegas Day Trip
The clear blue skies and gentle breeze of Las Vegas weather in March make it the perfect time to take some of its most popular day trips. Why not take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon? Or a full day trip to the Grand Canyon, taking advantage of the low temperature with an early morning start? This could also be the best time to visit nearby engineering marvel the Hoover Dam, my favourite Las Vegas day trip.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Las Vegas in the Month of March
All of the possible events to attend above are just extras, to be fair. The main attractions in Las Vegas remain its amazing nightlife, casinos, and surrounding day trips into the desert.
Keep in mind that Las Vegas will start seeing price increases as the crowds return. The days are warmer, and so are the tables. The huge events are also back, starting with the NCAA tournament rounds and the NASCAR weekend visit.
For more ideas for activities in Sin City, check out 35 things to do in Las Vegas (besides gambling).
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.