Las Vegas visitation ended 2025 on a down note, with a 9% decline in December. For the year, visitation dropped 3.1 million or nearly 8%, with every month showing a year-over-year decline.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority released its figures Monday that showed nearly 3.1 million visitors in December, down from 3.4 million in December 2024. For the year, Las Vegas hosted 38.5 million, down from 41.6 million in 2024.
The 9% decline in December was worse than the year-over-year drop of 7.5%.
Convention attendance rose 10% in December to 306,000, up from 279,000. For the year, convention attendance was flat, with 5.99 million compared to 5.98 million, about a 106,000 increase. That meant non-convention attendance fell 11% year-over-year, worse than the 7% decline in October and 6% decline in November.
Las Vegas Strip revenue per room was $156 in December, a decline of nearly 12%. That was a bigger decline compared to recent months of 5% in November and 4% in October and matches the lowest months of the year in July and February at 12% with its year-before Super Bowl comparison. It was 7% in August and 9% in September.
The average daily rate in December was $197.06 on the Strip, down from $206.58 a year earlier, a 4.6% decline. Downtown rates of $101.78 fell 2.5% from $104.42. Weekend occupancy was 84.6%, while midweek occupancy was 73.2%. That’s down from 88.9% and 79.5%, respectively.
For the year, weekday occupancy was 80.3%, down from 83.6%. Weekend occupancy was 88.8%, down from 90.9%
Strip occupancy was 79.1% in December, down from 85.3%. Downtown Las Vegas occupancy was 58.4%, down from 67.1%.
Harry Reid International Airport has yet to release its passenger numbers for December, but vehicle traffic from California fell 4% last month.
The shortfall in visitation in December happened despite a series of high-profile events.
Mariah Carey performed at MGM’s Dolby Live Theater December 2nd through the 13th. The Thomas & Mack Center hosted the National Finals Rodeo December 4th through the 13th. Tim McGraw performed at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace December 4th through December 13th. Brad Paisley performed at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on December 4th and 5th. Mark Chestnut performed on December 5th and Sammy Kershaw on December 6th in the Golden Nugget Showroom. The Venetian Theatre hosted Wynonna Judd in concert on December 5th and 6th. The UFC 323: Dvalishvili versus Yan 2 event was held at T-Mobile Arena on December 6th. The Las Vegas Raiders hosted the Denver Broncos on December 7th and the New York Giants on December 28th at Allegiant Stadium. Backstreet Boys performed at MSG Sphere December 26th through December 31st. Bruno Mars performed at Park MGM’s Dolby Live Theater December 30th and 31st.