A&E

[Rock in Rio USA]

Rock in Rio USA: what to bring, what to leave at home and most importantly, how to get there

Image
Rock in Rio’s insistence on a centralized urban location means we have to work harder to get there.

What?

The biggest music festival ever to hit the Las Vegas Strip—and the first time Rock in Rio has staged a U.S. edition—featuring popular names like Taylor Swift and Metallica, and up-and-coming acts like Echosmith and Tove Lo.

When?

May 8 and 9 (rock) and May 15 and 16 (pop). The festival runs from 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. all four days.

Where?

MGM Resorts Festival Grounds, on the southwest corner of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Cost?

$298 per weekend or $169 per day. VIP passes are also available, for $498 per day.

Cashless currency?!

“Rock Cash” will be the only means of purchasing inside the festival grounds. Transfer funds from a credit or debit card to your wristband, either before the festival at rockinriousa.pay.intellifest.com or onsite at one of several TopUp Stations.

Who can go?

Rock in Rio is all-ages, but attendees under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Recommended!

Backpacks, sunblock, sunglasses, ear plugs. Cigarettes are permitted, and each attendee can carry in one sealed water bottle.

Not allowed!

Blankets, lawn chairs, flags, signs, umbrellas, bota bags, professional cameras, water guns, outside food or drinks.—Las Vegas Weekly Staff

*****

Face it, folks—for once, you can’t drive to a Las Vegas destination and immediately slink into a parking space (or valet, for that matter). Rock in Rio’s insistence on a centralized urban location means we have to work harder to get there, like—your best bet—parking somewhere with a monorail station, railing it to SLS and walking one block west to the MGM Resorts Festival Grounds (note: Nevadans buying fares at monorail ticketing offices get up to two per day for $1 each). Or we have to spend more, such as $25 for a (prepaid) weekend shuttle pass that delivers attendees from MGM Resorts Village, World Market Center or Downtown Las Vegas Event Center, or $30-$40 for limited Stratosphere and SLS spots, or however much it takes for you to cab it to a legal stop close to the grounds, as Las Vegas Boulevard will be closed southbound between Convention Center and Sahara. For more info, visit rockinrio.com.—Mike Prevatt

Share
Photo of Las Vegas Weekly Staff

Las Vegas Weekly Staff

Las Vegas Weekly Staff

Get more Las Vegas Weekly Staff
Top of Story