There’s a lot happening on the Ninth Island, Las Vegas during the month of July! The Rio Hotel and Casino is wrapping up their renovations, which have been in progress throughout the year. After Dreamscape purchased the property from Caesars Entertainment back in 2019 for $516.3 million and took over in October 2023, they moved full speed ahead with their much needed $350 million renovation. These renovations include remodeled rooms, revamped convention space, and new games on the casino floor. The Rio also has changed up their dining and lounge options, including the new addition of the Canteen Food Hall.
On the outside of the property, they’ve continued with the makeover with modern lighting on their marquees and LED lighting on the exterior of the building. Perhaps one of the most exciting renovations, that came just in time for summer, is the renovation of the pool complex.
Another much-needed renovation that’s been announced will be getting underway at Circus Circus. The property sold for $825 million and the new owner, Phil Ruffin’s $60 million plans for renovating include a pool complex with wave pool, lazy river and sand beaches and a 2000 seat theater for a Cirque du Soliel show, in addition to renovating the casino.
In Downtown Las Vegas, the 83-year-old El Cortez has announced plans for a $20 million renovation that will take place over the summer. This new renovation will include two new bars, a high limit slot room, a new restaurant and a coffee shop. Hopefully, they plan on keeping all of their coin video poker slot machines, as they are one of the few casinos left that offer old school coin slot machines.
Perhaps the biggest renovation news in Vegas is the transition from Mirage to Hard Rock. Mirage will close on July 17th and the last day of hotel occupancy will be July 14th. The Mirage has been an iconic part of the strip since 1989 and is the second casino we’re saying goodbye to this year, with Tropicana closing back in April. Mirage will transform into Hard Rock, which will include the guitar hotel tower that will replace the volcano.
Also coming to an end on July 17th, is the 2024 World Series of Poker. This annual event has been held at Paris and Horseshoe Casinos since the end of May. It will certainly be less busy at both properties without all of the WSOP poker action.
The 4th of July is a really busy time for travel to Vegas and this is a really fun time to spend in Vegas. You’ll find fireworks on the Strip, with Caesars Palace lighting up the sky at approximately 9pm. There will also be the traditional annual firework display Downtown at the Plaza at 9pm.
The Plaza is also hosting fireworks every Friday night at 9:15pm through the end of August. You can also find fireworks off Strip happening on July 3rd at the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin and at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and on July 4th at Stations Casinos Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch. Also, M Resort, Lake Las Vegas, Heritage Park, Buckskin Basin Park and Bolder City will host fireworks at 9pm.
Alright let’s talk weather! July temps are HOT, as in 105 degrees to even in the teens. In the evenings, it does typically cool down into the 80’s. Summer is also Monsoon Season in Vegas, so it can rain and even flood, due to the desert landscape One thing people don’t often realize is that it does rain in the desert and that’s typically during the summer months. Monsoon Season begins late June and goes thru September. The rains are no joke, as they come on quite fast and furious. And because of Vegas being a valley and a desert, it can flood very quickly. It’s best to remain indoors and off the streets when its raining.
Of course we can’t talk about July in Vegas, without touching on pool season. The pools are popping and as always our pool tips are:
- If you didn’t reserve a cabana or daybed, go early because free chairsare rare and the pools fill up fast.
- Safety first…drink plenty water, use sunscreen & ChapStick.
- Do your research ahead of time, because Vegas has chill pools to party pools and everything in between
For more information on Vegas pools, checkout our pools playlist on our YouTube Channel.
Alright let’s get into the events and entertainment happening in Vegas during the month of July:
Monster Jam courtesy of Hillary SmootMusic:
- Blink 182, T-Mobile Arena (7/3)
- Lady Gaga, Dolby Live (7/3, 7/5-6)
- New Edition, Wynn (7/3, 7/5-6, 7/10, 7/12-13)
- Garth Brooks, Caesars Colosseum (7/3, 7/5-6, 7/10, 7/12-13)
- Dead & Company, Sphere (7/4-6, 7/11-13)
- Jodeci, House of Blues (7/5, 7/12-13)
- Gin Blossoms, Westgate (7/6)
- Bukis, Dolby Live (7/12 & 7/19)
- Missy Elliot, Ciara, Busta Rhymes and Timbaland, T-Mobile Arena (7/13)
- Ziggy Marley, Virgin (7/17)
- Melissa Etheridge & Jewel, Palms (7/24)
- Rod Stewart, Caesars Colosseum (7/24, 7/26-27, 7/31)
- Morrissey, House of Blues (7/26-27)
- Jason Derulo, The Venetian, (7/26-7)
- Mariah Carey, Dolby Live (7/26-27, 7/31)
- Aventura, T-Mobile Arena (7/27)
Comedy:
- Carlos Mencia, Harrah’s (7/1, 7/7-8, 7/14-15)
- Brad Garrett with Trixx, at his comedy club at MGM Grand (7/1)
- Theo Von, Resorts World Las Vegas (7/5-6)
- Rufus Du Sol, Wynn (7/5, 7/20, 7/27)
- Whitney Cummings, Mirage (7/6)
- Kevin Hart, Resorts World Las Vegas (7/12 & 7/14)
- Toni Braxton & Cedric The Entertainer, The Cosmopolitan (7/12-13)
- Nate Jackson, Virgin (7/13)
- Chris Tucker, Wynn (7/19-20)
- David Spade and Nikki Glaser, The Venetian (7/19-20)
- Ron White, The Cosmopolitan (7/20)
- Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, The Venetian (7/27)
- Gary Owen, Palms (7/27)
Sports/Events:
- Las Vegas Aviators, Las Vegas Ballpark (7/1-3, 7/19-21, 7/30-31)
- Las Vegas Aces: vs Indiana, T-Mobile Arena (7/2), Michelob Ultra Arena vs Washington (7/4), vs Dallas (7/7), vs Chicago (7/16),
- Copa America Soccer, Allegiant Stadium (7/6)
- USA Basketball vs Canada, T-Mobile Arena (7/10)
- NBA Summer League, Thomas & Mack (7/12-14)
- Evolution Championship Series (E-Sports), Convention Center (7/19-21)
- Monster Jam, Thomas & Mack (7/26-28)
Now of course all of the regular Vegas shows are still taking place throughout the month and there are so many awesome shows to see. It’s Vegas, there is truly something for everyone! Be sure to stay up to date on any events that you plan to attend and do your research on the venue/show policies. For the latest updates on Vegas, tune into our Ninth Island Connection YouTube Channel every Wednesday between 12pm and 1pm PST for our live updates on what to expect that upcoming weekend.
Whether you’re a Las Vegas Local, or just visiting the Ninth Island, be sure to get out and explore this beautiful state! For more information on each of these destinations, check out this video, or tune into Ninth Island Connection on YouTube or YurView (Channel 14) Wednesdays @ 9 PM.
