The rodeo world is headed to Las Vegas for the NFR and, this year, Cinch RSNC will be right there with them Dec. 5–7, 2025, as ranch sorters take over the Plaza Hotel & Casino for three thrilling days of competition at the premier Cowboy Town Showdown & Challenge of the Champions Invitational.

The event is a first of its kind, giving riders the chance to sort by day and soak in all the NFR festivities by night—from Cowboy Christmas shopping to rodeo watch parties and more. There is a lot to take in, so keep this ranch sorter’s insider’s guide handy to get the most out of your Vegas vacation.

Downtown Doings

With the Plaza as home base, there’s more than enough fun to find within walking distance.

At the Plaza

The Plaza Hotel & Casino is an official host hotel of the NFR, and its downtown location at the junction of Main and Fremont makes it a true hub to have the most fun.

NFR Watch Parties

In 2025, the American Hat Company Watch Party hosted by CN Productions features two options:

Plaza Showroom: This free event is for the whole family. Bring the all-ages crew to watch the NFR rounds to catch the live broadcast with special guests, win nightly door prizes and enjoy drink specials. Doors open nightly at 5:00 p.m., Dec 4–13, in the Showroom, located on the first floor, adjacent to the casino’s Main Pit Area.

• On Dec. 4, preceding the regularly scheduled watch party, the doors will open early to host a special Cinch RSNC Back Number Ceremony for the ranch sorting competing in the Challenge of the Champions Invitational. All are invited to the Showroom to cheer on the 10 riders going for glory in the three-day tournament.

Gold Buckle Bar: Also free to attend beginning at 5:00 p.m. each night, this event is for the 21-and-over crowd and features big-screen action, special guests and door prizes, as well as live music following the NFR.

Downtown Christmas Expo

Located on Floor 3 in the 19,000-squarefoot Plaza Convention Center and Ballroom, the Downtown Christmas Expo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The carefully curated shopping event features a diverse array of apparel and accessory designers, artisans, jewelers and Western couture. Bonus: a purchase made at the Expo earns you free parking with validation.

More Core Arena action

Stock Dog Trials, Dec. 8-9
Technically, the ranch sorting will be buttoned up by the time to stock dogs get to work, but they get going at 8:00 a.m. both days, which gives you a few hours before check-out to watch these working dogs do wonders.

Kimes Ranch Rope for the Crown Breakaway Championship, Dec. 5-6
Be sure to check out the next-door arena for some action from the fastest equine sport on dirt. Last year’s champion, 2022 NFBR qualifier Beau Peterson, took home more than $20,000 for her win, so you can count on catching some top tier action from the stands.

Within Walking Distance

Downtown Hoedown on Fremont Street, Dec. 3

If you’re in town early, this free outdoor concert has become a highly anticipated NRF kickoff event for the last many years. The music begins at 4:00 p.m. with three different stages.

• Corey Kent headlines the Main Street stage at 5:15 p.m.
• Josh Ross headlines 1st Street at 6:15, and at 3rd Street
• Midland takes the stage at 9:30 after opening act Mackenzie Carpenter.

Fremont Street

Of course, Fremont Street is an experience no matter the day of the week, and each day from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on the hour, visitors can marvel the world’s largest LED canopy screen Light Show or even take flight
along it on the SlotZilla zipline. Just around the corner, a few daytime hours at The Mob Museum (aka the National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement) will present a vivid and engaging experience.

Afternoons with Vickie at Circa, Dec. 3-13, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Celebrate a good day of sorting with His and Hers NFR-themed cocktails at the Circa hotel’s lounge, Vegas Vickie’s, named for the iconic neon kicking cowgirl sign. With each drink purchase, you’ll be entered to win an exclusive Vegas Vickie’s x NFR jacket.

Nightly concerts at the Golden Nugget Showroom

Find the full NFR Week concert schedule at goldennugget.com

• Dec. 4: Dillon Carmichael
• Dec. 5: Mark Chesnutt
• Dec. 6: Sammy Kershaw
• Dec. 7: Ray Wylie Hubbard
• Dec. 8: Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan

Around Town

NFR By Night

The NFR runs Dec. 4–13 this year and the Cowboy Town Showdown is set to wrap up each day with time to put horses up, clean up and catch the action at the Thomas & Mack, whether that’s from the stands around the little yellow arena or from a booth at the watch party. Each of the 10 rounds begins at 5:45 p.m. For full schedule, visit nfrexperience.com.

• Dec. 4: Opening Night / Throwback Night
  • National Anthem: Morgan Myles
• Dec. 5: Round 2
  • Opening Act: Jarrod Morris
  • National Anthem: Jeffrey Steele
• Dec. 6: Round 3 / Golden Night featuring the Golden Circle of Champions
  • Opening Act: Tribute to Contract Acts
  • National Anthem: Equine Network’s Sarah Rowe!
• Dec. 7: Round 4 / Memorial Night
  • Opening Act: Jackson Dean
  • National Anthem: Walker Montgomery
• Dec. 8: Round 5 / Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night
  • Opening Act: Jenna Paulette
  • National Anthem: Charley Cox

Head to Horseman’s Park

From Dec. 6 through Dec. 13, Horseman’s Park is home to the Patriot Event: America’s Richest Combined Equine Events.

This year, Patriot Las Vegas includes the Hooey Junior Patriot Finals, the College Showdown and the Junior World Finals of Team Roping. For the full schedule with information on arena locations, qualifiers, semi-finals and finals throughout the week, visit patriontevent.com.

• Dec. 6
  • Barrel Exhibitions
  • Pole Bending Exhibitions
• Dec. 7
  • Barrel Racing
  • Goat Tying
• Dec. 8
  • Barrel Racing
  • Pole Bending
  • Goat Tying

South Point Scene

• Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale XIX (arena)
  • Dec. 5–14
• Riata Showcase Horse Sale (arena)
  • The actual sale is during the Cowboy Town Showdown, but the preview is Dec. 6, immediately following the conclusion of the #13.5 Bloomer Key Card Advantage roping
• Cinch Western Gift Show (exhibit hall)
  • Dec. 2–14
  • 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Live music (showroom)
  • Aaron Watson; Dec. 4–6
  • Chancey Williams; Dec. 7

More Live Music

Many artists are playing multiple nights, and this is just a sampling of who is in the lineup. Find the full schedule at nfrexperience.com.

• Dec. 4
  • Rodney Carrington @ David Copperfield Theater, MGM Grand
  • Ned LeDoux @ Veil Pavillion, Silverton Casino Hotel
  • Brad Paisley @ Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas
  • Jacob Ryan Marshall @ The International Bar, Westgate Las Vegas
  • Tim McGraw @ The Colosseum, Ceasars Palace
• Dec. 5
  • The Red Clay Strays @ The Theater, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
  • Brandon Saiz @ Gilley’s Saloon, Treasure Island Hotel & Casino
  • Tyler Booth @ Level Up, MGM Grand
  • Kansas @ Pearl Concert Theater, Palms Casino Resort
  • Caden Gillard @ The International Bar, Westgate Las Vegas
• Dec. 6
  • Zac Brown Band @ Sphere Las Vegas
  • Wynona Judd @ The Venetian Theater
  • Olivia Harms @ The International Bar, Westgate Las Vegas
  • Old Dominion @ PH Live, Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino
  • Corb Lund @ The Space Las Vegas
• Dec. 7
  • Lainey Wilson @ T-Mobile Arena
  • Eddie Clendening Trio @ Nowhere, Fontainebleau Las Vegas
  • Santa Jam, starring Brett Young @ Pearl Concert Theater, Palms Casino Resort
  • Wynn Williams @ Zouk Nightclub, Resorts World
  • Matt Castillo @ The International Bar, Westgate Las Vegas
• Dec. 8
  • Josh Weathers @ Zouk Nightclub, Resorts World
  • Nathan Dean and the Damn Band @ Gilley’s Saloon, Treasure Island Hotel & Casino
  • Scotty Alexander @ Gilley’s Saloon, Treasure Island Hotel & Casino
  • Mae Estes @ Rio Event Stage, Rio Hotel & Casino
  • Seth Ward and the Silence @ The International Bar, Westgate Las Vegas