It doesn’t seem long ago that Fremont Street was the sleepy, little sister of the Las Vegas Strip. It was considered everyone’s second choice because the Strip is all about the lights, camera, and the action. However, the vibe of downtown culture has slowly begun to shift thanks to the emergence of headlining entertainment, art galleries, dining options, and events created exclusively for downtown, such as the Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival.
Life Is Beautiful Las Vegas is a three-day event that debuted in 2013 and has quickly evolved into one of the biggest entertainment festivals in the country. It covers 18 blocks of downtown Las Vegas and embraces the spirit of unity, creativity, and optimism; not to mention top-billed musical acts, art in all forms, and food and libations to keep the party going strong all weekend long.
This year’s Las Vegas music festival is slated for the weekend of September 22 – 24 and is expected to draw well over 100,000 people to the downtown area. Are you in?
attribute: https://lifeisbeautiful.com/
Who’s Performing
Music is such an easy way to bring people together from all walks of life. Whatever your musical preferences, you’ll most likely find a (perhaps, new) favorite here. Chance the Rapper, Muse, and Lorde lead the way for this year’s musical lineup, but dozens of other options, including Cage the Elephant, MGMT, Wiz Khalifa, and Milky Chance, will be performing as well. The eclectic musical lineup is spread out over three days so attendees have a chance to see as many acts as possible. The festival gates open at 2 p.m. daily and closes at 1 a.m. Get there early and claim your spot close to the stage.
What to Expect
If it’s your first time to Life Is Beautiful, the name of the game is to pace yourself. That’s why the event is held over an entire weekend, plus a little extra. It allows attendees ample opportunity to see, hear, taste, and experience as much as possible from sunup to sundown and beyond. There will be interactive arts displays, rows upon rows of culinary delights, ongoing musical sets, and of course, people watching, which is reason alone to attend.
Where to Stay
The event offers hotel discounts through Hotels for Hope which also will make a donation to Charity Project 150, a 501(c)3 non-profit benefiting homeless high school students in the area. It’s recommended to stay in downtown Las Vegas, since walking will be your best bet for easy transportation. If you’re staying at Tahiti Village, take advantage of the onsite shuttle service that provides scheduled drop-offs and pickups to different areas of Vegas, including the Fremont Street Experience.
How to Prepare
Protect yourself from the heat. Although the concert is in September, you can still expect hot temperatures during the day. Make sure to stay hydrated and regularly apply sunscreen. You’ll be allowed to take in factory sealed water bottles (2 1-liter bottles per person), which will be a savior when the sun beats down.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking and on your feet for most of the time, so you’ll want to wear shoes that have a good cushion. It’s recommended to not wear open-toed shoes because with a crowd like this, it’s more than likely you’re going to get stepped on, spilled on, or worse.
Enjoy the moment. Rather than rushing from performance to the next and sharing every moment on your social media, take in the experience of being at one of the fastest growing festivals that offers more than just music. Take a break from the concert stage and wander along the streets to appreciate the art displays, sample food from multiple vendors, or head into the Fremont Street Experience and get a glimpse of the downtown life.
Welcome to DTLV
Events like Life Is Beautiful Las Vegas have changed the vibe of downtown. DTLV has experienced an emergence over the past few years and is now looked to as a vibrant hotspot that stays true to its cultural roots. The noticeable boost of visitors to DTLV has shined a new light on the hospitality industry in this area of the city as well. The Las Vegas glitz and glamour is no longer reserved solely for the Strip. As crowds continue to make their way to unique districts of downtown, guests can expect to be welcomed with open arms.