More than 320,000 visitors rang in the new year in Las Vegas celebrating with epic entertainment, celebrity-studded parties, dynamic DJ performances and a massive $500,000 fireworks show that transformed the Las Vegas Strip into a giant mile-long party.
The celebration got an early start on Friday Dec. 30 when DJ Kaskade kicked off the weekend with an only-in-Vegas moment, arriving via Maverick Helicopter. After circling the Strip, Caesars Palace and OMNIA Las Vegas Nightclub, The helicopter landed in front of Caesars Palace and Kaskade slipped into the club to make a dramatic entrance in the DJ booth, kicking off his 2017 residency.
This was just the first of several celebrity appearances this New Year’s Eve.
Kendrick Lamar performs at Drai’s Las Vegas Nightclub at The Cromwell. Photo by Joey Ungerer.
Grammy Award-winning rap genius Kendrick Lamar made sure we gon’ be alright in 2017 with a live performance at Drai’s Las Vegas Nightclub in The Cromwell on New Year’s Eve. Lamar was the Champagne toast on a weekend of great performances as G-Eazy and Kid Cudi started out the holiday weekend at Drai’s performing Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Calvin Harris performs on New Year’s Eve at OMNIA nightclub in Caesars Palace. Photo by Aaron Garcia .
The party at OMNIA continued on New Year’s Eve when Calvin Harris took over the DJ booth shortly after the midnight countdown. As he played an unstoppable set, members of the Backstreet Boys joined the party. Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough were all spotted in the crowd dancing and joined Harris in the DJ booth to help party in 2017.
celebrity Musical SURPRISEs
Backstreet Boys perform at a private show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve on December 31, 2016. Photo by Denise Truscello.
Earlier in the evening, Harris and the Backstreet Boys were surprise performers at a VIP New Year’s Eve party at Caesars Palace. The Backstreet Boys proved why they are our fave boy band pulling out all the energy, music and dance moves that have made them the best-selling boy band of all time.
Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson performed their hits “Everybody,” “We’ve Got It Going On,” “Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely” and more. Finally leading the crowd in “Auld Lang Syne.”
The Backstreet Boys were not the only special guest performers at Vegas New Year’s Eve parties. The Righteous Brothers entertained crowds at Paris Las Vegas for a special VIP party.
The Righteous Brothers performed at a New Year’s Eve party at Paris Las Vegas. Photo by DJ Clulow.
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VIP parties and nightclubs weren’t the only spots for iconic New Year’s Eve music performances.
Elton John performs “The Million Dollar Piano” at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve December 31, 2016. Photo by Denise Truscello.
At Caesars Palace, Elton John returned to The Colosseum with his critically-acclaimed show “The Million Dollar Piano.” Elton treated the audience to many of his greatest hits and included a special performance of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me” in tribute to George Michael. Elton wasn’t the only music icon ringing in the new year at The Colosseum. Lady Gaga celebrated New Year’s Eve with friends by attending Elton’s show.
Just across the street at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, legendary rappers Wu-Tang Clan rang in 2017. The group brought the crowd to their feet performing their hits including “C.R.E.A.M,” “Protect Ya Neck” and “Method Man.” The show was part of HOT 97.5’s Wu Year’s Eve and also featured RZA, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna.
The Wu Tang Clan performed New Year’s Eve at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Photo by DJ Clulow.
Firework extravaganza
No New Year’s Eve celebration would be complete without fireworks and in Las Vegas the fireworks are big. The $500,000 Fireworks by Grucci show set off 80,000 pyrotechnic rounds from seven Strip hotels including Caesars Palace and Planet Hollywood. The show featured music by David Bowie and Prince and provided an amazing end to 2016 and beginning to 2017.
New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Photo by DJ Clulow.
A final New Year’s Eve hurrah
For those who couldn’t get to Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve, several Caesars Entertainment headliners participated in New Year’s Eve television broadcasts that reached fans around the world. Music superstar JLo performed a medley of songs from her record-breaking Planet Hollywood residency, “JENNIFER LOPEZ: ALL I HAVE” on NBC’s “New Year’s with Carson Daly.”
Lionel Richie, currently headlining at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, performed “All Night Long” on ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”
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