Fremont Street's Costumes Under The Canopy: Free Halloween Party With an $8,500 Costume Contest

The biggest free costume party in Las Vegas happens under the Fremont Street canopy on Saturday, October 31 — and this year there is $8,500 in cash on the line. Costumes Under The Canopy packs free live entertainment, a silent "spooky" disco, food trucks, and a costume contest judged by local celebrities into one nightlong downtown party. Admission costs nothing.

Here is how to do it right.

The Deal

• Price: free. Watching, the concerts, the disco — all $0. Event parking is paid, so plan for that.

• When: Saturday, October 31, 2026. Live entertainment kicks off at 8 p.m.

• Where: Fremont Street Experience, downtown Las Vegas.

• Costume contest: $8,500 in total cash prizes — $5,000 for first, $2,500 for second, $1,000 for third. Three rounds, starting at 10 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage.

  
  

What the Night Looks Like

On the 1st Street Stage, local favorite Alter Ego does its Halloween alter-ego set as Alter Igor

starting at 8 p.m., with fire dancing and circus stunts from Flame Kissed Fire Arts between sets.

Elsewhere under the canopy: live music on the stages, the silent "spooky" disco (grab the

headphones, pick your channel), and food trucks for when the dancing makes you hungry.

The main event for costume people is the contest at 10 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage. Celebrity judges confirmed so far include Fremont Street Experience president and CEO Cliff Atkinson, Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John Katsilometes, and NEON 93.1 morning host MoJoe Roberts. If you put real work into your costume this year, this is where it pays off — literally.

The Fine Print (Read This Part)

• Contestants must be 21 or older. Register onsite from 7 to 9 p.m. at the 3rd Street Stage, and bring a valid ID — no ID, no contest.

• Watching is free; parking is not. Downtown event parking is paid, so factor that into the night or rideshare in.

• It gets packed. Fremont on Halloween night is shoulder-to-shoulder by late evening. Arrive early for a good spot, and if you need a breather, walk east past 4th Street into Fremont East for a patio drink.

• Check the official site for the full contest rules. Registration window and judging criteria live at fremontstreetexperience.com — read them before you build your costume around a loophole.

The Deal Math

A Halloween night out on the Strip easily runs $100-plus per person once you add cover charges, drinks, and parking. This night: $0 cover, $0 entertainment, food-truck prices for dinner, and a shot at $5,000 if your costume is the best thing under the canopy. For budget travelers, this is the single best dollar-to-fun ratio of Halloween weekend — because the dollars are zero.

Your Game Plan for the Night

• 7 p.m.: arrive downtown and register for the contest at the 3rd Street Stage if you are competing.

• 8 p.m.: catch Alter Igor's set on the 1st Street Stage.

• Between sets: silent disco and food trucks.

• 10 p.m.: costume contest, three rounds, on the 3rd Street Stage.

• Late: the canopy light shows keep running — downtown does not wind down early on Halloween.

Free party, $8,500 in prizes, Halloween night under the canopy. If you are in Vegas on October 31, there is no better free plan in town.