Timing is Everything: How to Save Big by Visiting Las Vegas During the Off-Season

Las Vegas is a city that never sleeps, but it definitely has moments when it takes a breather. If you are looking to experience the glitz and glamour of the Strip without the suffocating crowds or the eye-watering hotel rates, the secret lies in your calendar.

For savvy travelers, timing your visit during the shoulder seasons or midweek can cut your vacation costs in half. Here is how to master the art of the Vegas off-season.

The Sweet Spots: Late Spring and Early Fall

The "shoulder seasons" (specifically April to May and September to October) offer the perfect balance. You’ll miss the blistering 110-degree heat of July and the bone-chilling desert winds of January.

• Why it’s cheaper: You are dodging the peak summer family vacation rush and the massive New Year’s Eve influx.

• The Perk: Pools are open and the weather is perfect for walking the Strip or dining alfresco, but hotel revenue managers are often looking to fill rooms, leading to significant "limited time" offers.

The Midweek Advantage

The price difference between a Tuesday night and a Saturday night in Las Vegas can be staggering. A room that costs $79 on a Wednesday might jump to $350 on Friday.

• Insider Tip: Aim for a Sunday through Thursday stay. Not only are the rooms cheaper, but you’ll also find it much easier to snag prime dinner reservations at popular spots like Hell’s Kitchen or Best Friend without booking weeks in advance.

The "Convention Killer": What to Avoid

The biggest mistake travelers make is booking a trip during a "Mega Convention." When 100,000+ attendees descend on the city for a trade show, every hotel room in the city triples in price, from the luxury suites at Wynn to the budget motels off-Strip.

Major 2026 Convention Periods to Watch:

• CES (Consumer Electronics Show): Early January (The absolute busiest time for tech)

• World of Concrete: Late January

• MAGIC (Fashion Event): Mid-February and August

• NAB (National Association of Broadcasters): April

• RECon (Retail Real Estate): May

• Sema Show: Early November

• Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: Late November (Expect heavy traffic and peak pricing)

The Biggest Conventions That Drive Up Prices

Some events move the needle a little, and some move it a lot. The largest tech, construction, and industry trade shows can push Las Vegas close to full capacity, especially around the Strip and the main convention centers.

Typically, we see patterns like these repeat year after year, even if the exact dates shift slightly:

Early Winter: Big Tech and Consumer Electronics

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is arguably the most impactful event on the Las Vegas calendar. Hotel rooms during this week can be the most expensive of the entire year.

• CES 2026: January 6–9

• CES 2027: January 6–9

Late Winter to Early Spring: Construction and Equipment

The construction industry brings massive crowds to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Note that CONEXPO-CON/AGG is a "mega-show" that only occurs every three years, making 2026 a particularly expensive spring.

• World of Concrete 2026: January 19–22

• World of Concrete 2027: January 19–21

• CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026: March 3–7 (Every 3 years; expect extreme price spikes)

Spring: Broadcasting and Media

The NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters) is a staple spring event that fills up mid-tier and luxury resorts alike.

• NAB Show 2026: April 18–22

• NAB Show 2027: April 3–7

Fall: Automotive and Specialty Trade

The SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) dominates early November. If you aren't a "car person," you definitely don't want to pay the "car person" premium for a hotel room this week.

• SEMA Show 2026: November 3–6

• SEMA Show 2027: November 2–5

During these weeks, Strip resorts often sell out of their cheapest room categories fast. Once convention blocks open, the usual Las Vegas travel deals seem to vanish. Discounts that looked great a month before can shrink or disappear once group rates are set and demand is clear.

We see the ripple effect off the Strip and downtown too. A hotel that might normally run at a solid value rate can jump significantly during a mega-show week. If you compare the same property the week before and the week after, the difference is noticeable. The middle of convention week is usually the highest, with arrival and departure days slightly softer but still elevated.

If your dates are flexible, simply avoiding these peak convention windows can make your entire trip feel more affordable, from nightly rates to what you pay for a quick breakfast.

Insider Tips for Maximum Savings

• Check the Golden Knights Schedule: If there is a home game or a major concert at T-Mobile Arena, hotels on the South end of the Strip (MGM Grand, New York-New York, Park MGM) will see a price spike. Schedule

  
  

• The "Pre-Christmas" Lull: The first two weeks of December are historically some of the cheapest days of the year in Las Vegas. The city is decorated for the holidays, but tourism drops significantly before the Christmas/New Year rush.

  
  

• Use Social Media for Flash Sales: Follow your favorite resorts on X or Instagram. During the off-season, they often post 48-hour flash sales that aren't advertised on third-party booking sites. And, of course, check our blog for the latest deals.

By shifting your trip by just a few days or weeks, you can keep your budget focused on what really matters: world-class dining, incredible shows, and unique Vegas experiences.