The NFR Experience: BEST Las Vegas Watch Parties
Actually going to the NFR isn’t the only way to see the action when you’re in Las Vegas. There are also a ton of watch parties at various locations around the city. Here are the best ones, according to Horse Nation.
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) watch parties are events around Las Vegas that allow guests not going to the WNFR in person a place to sit and watch the rodeo. Many have drink specials, entertainment, prizes, and a jumbo screen. When the rodeo is completed, many of the watch parties have bands and musicians that perform. Guests dress up just as if they were going to the WNFR and most of the parties are free of charge.
Here some of the watch parties I was lucky enough to attend or heard about while in Las Vegas!
Headed to the Westgate Watch Party with a great group of friends. Photo by a random person on the street.
WNFR Kickoff Party: Fremont Street
The WNFR Kickoff Party on Fremont Street is one you don’t want to miss if you’re flying into Las Vegas the day before the WNFR begins. This party was outside on the Fremont Street Experience. Included was a free concert with country artists Randy Houser, Jackson Dean, Chase Matthew, Annie Mosko, and Jenna Paulette. This is the true point that Las Vegas turns into a cowboy and cowgirl paradise. The event starts a 5:00PM and goes to 12:00AM+.
Photo by Lisa Bushmire during the Fremont Street Experience NFR Kickoff Party
One of the coolest parts of the experience at this kickoff party was that the Viva Vision Light Show, the immersive screens covering the Fremont Street Experience, had a show that was western-themed with horses running.
@go_riding WNFR Kickoff Party – @Fremont Street Experience #lasvegas #nfr #nfrfashion #horses #horsesoftiktoktok #goriding #cowgirl #cowgirllifestyle #western #westernstyle #rodeo #fremontstreetexperience #party ♬ The Rodeo – Gary the Canary
If you’re hungry beforehand, I recommend two places: Barry’s Prime Steakhouse or Whiskey Licker Up Saloon. If you want a fancier dinner in your glitzy western fashion outfit, head to the steakhouse. If you want more of a bar atmosphere, and a place with a cool rotating bar, head to the saloon.
Photo at Barry’s Prime Steakhouse by Lisa Bushmire
Westgate NFR Watch Party: Westgate Resort and Casino
The Westgate Resort has watch parties every evening for the WNFR. The viewing parties take place at the International Bar and the room looks like a mix between a comedy club and movie theatre. There are tables on the first floor and on the second floor are movie theatre type seats. The stage is set up with a jumbo screen and there’s a host for each event.
@go_riding A glimpse of the Westgate WNFR Watch Party #lasvegas #nfr #nfrfashion #horses #horsesoftiktoktok #goriding #cowgirl #cowgirllifestyle #western #westernstyle #rodeo #party #westgate ♬ Cowboys Rodeo – Royaltyfreemusicforvideos
Musician line-up for 2024 included Kenny Feidler and the Cowboy Killers, Jacob Ryan Marshall, and the Dirty Bourbon Band. The evening I attended I was able to see, and dance to, Kenny Feidler and the Cowboy Killers perform their biggest hit, “Barrel Racer Land.” Also a neat feature they had at this watch party was a professional photographer who took photos and put them on his website free of charge for attendees.
This night our group ordered pizza and ate it while at the watch party. I’m sure there’s some great food nearby though.
Photo at Westgate Watch Party by 52 Photography Inc.
South Point Watch Party: South Point Resort and Equestrian Center
While actually attending the WNFR, I sat next to members of the Canby Oregon Rodeo. The president stated that if you wanted an exceptional watch party, this was the one to attend. The main reason was that you can view the WNFR at the watch party and, once it concludes, you can go downstairs and watch that night’s WNFR buckle ceremony and interviews with the winners — all for free!
Doors open at 5:00PM in the South Point Grand Ballroom. This watch party also features live entertainment. If you’ve never been to South Point, it’s worth putting on your radar. I mean, who doesn’t love a state-of-the-art equestrian center?
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Resorts World Watch Party: Resorts World Las Vegas
This was a destination I had every intention of getting to; however, Las Vegas got the best of me, so by my last evening there I was pretty tapped out. Word on the street is that Resorts World is the new up-and-coming destination for all things WNFR related. They are a newer venue to the WNFR game with this being their fourth year transforming their casino and resort into “Rodeo World Las Vegas.”
Resort World prides themselves in offering nightly watch parties starting at 5:00PM where you can experience an elevated event with cutting-edge screens that will live-stream the entire event.
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American Hat Company Watch Party: Plaza Hotel and Casino
The American Hat Company sponsors a watch party at the Plaza Hotel and Casino on Fremont Street. The Plaza Hotel and Casino is home to the CORE Arena, the only outdoor arena in downtown Las Vegas. All week, there were horse events taking place there and I was awoken by the sweet sound of horse show announcers. It’s like I never left home. American Hat Company puts on this watch party so competitors can “kiss their horse goodnight,” then go steps away to watch the WNFR.
This watch party takes place every evening with doors opening at 5:00PM. Prizes and awards are given out at this watch party along with the ability to experience special guests and drink specials.
Photo by Lisa Bushmire
These are just a few of the watch parties I stumbled upon during my stay in Las Vegas for the WNFR, but there are watch parties EVERYWHERE! If you want one close to your hotel, one with great entertainment, or one directly in the midst of an equestrian setting, you’ll be able to find it. When the cowboys and cowgirls storm Las Vegas, Las Vegas caters.
