Vegas, Baby! What Not to Miss in 2016

Travelers looking for an exciting and colorful array of LGBT events can look no further than the Entertainment Capital of the World. This year ushers in a blending of events that offer an incredible variety of opportunities for only-in-Vegas moments, including daylife, nightlife, entertainment, sporting events, festivals, conventions and more. With celebrated events returning for another fantastic year, and new events making their debut, this year will truly be extraordinary in Las Vegas.

For the first time in National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA) history, the NGBA will host their National LGBT Basketball Championships April 22-24 in Las Vegas. The Coady Roundball Classic brings 36 LGBT and Ally teams from across the U.S. and Canada to Las Vegas and is the longest running LGBT basketball tournament in the world.

Created for lesbians by lesbians, the fun-filled Dinah Vegas returns for its fifth year in Las Vegas. Guests of the weekend-long event can revel in cocktail parties, sunshine, poolside fun and more, April 28 - May 1. Caesars Entertainment welcomes the ladies in style with live entertainment from a top-tier line up of Lesbian DJs including Dawna Montell, Dirty Kurty, Whitney Day and DJ Du Jour. Event highlights include a headlining performance by former Pussycat Doll Kaya at the Infinity Pool Party inside Flamingo Las Vegas and the always anticipated Vegas White party at Chateau Nightclub at Paris Las Vegas.

Poolside summer fun continues with Las Vegas' longest running LGBT pool party, Temptation Sundays which makes its triumphant return for its seventh season at Luxor Hotel & Casino on May 15. This celebrated poolside party takes place every Sunday afternoon May - Sept and features the hottest DJs spinning top tracks, specialty beverages and celebrations.

Las Vegas welcomes the Prime Timers Western Regional Gathering, May 1-5 at The Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. The gathering is arriving in Las Vegas for its seventh year and brings mature gay and bisexual men together for four days of tours, workshops, activities, friendship, support and personal growth.

Las Vegas welcomes the largest gay dance festival of the summer, Matinee Las Vegas, May 27- 30. The festival is celebrating its sixth year and the festivities will take over Rumor Hotel for four exciting days of revelry. Plus, the Water Park event is back for a new all-day and night edition at Cowabunga Bay May 28. Matinee Las Vegas features sizzling parties, bumping DJs and welcomes thousands of LGBT partiers from coast to coast.

Another first, Las Vegas welcome the Big Gay Men Organization's Western Coast Conference taking place at Luxor Hotel & Casino July 7-11. This year's event offers a vendor hall, hospitality suites, evening entertainment options and concludes with the Temptation Sundays pool party.

The Las Vegas Showgirl Invitational bowling tournament is Sept. 2-4. The event takes place at Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall and includes team competition, as well as singles and doubles tournaments all weekend long. Join local bowlers and teams from across the U.S. in this fun LGBT bowling tournament.

Las Vegas PRIDE takes place Oct. 22 and 23 with a lineup of events that celebrate the diversity and uniqueness within the Las Vegas LGBT community. Events include the annual PRIDE Night Parade on Oct. 22 in fabulous Downtown Las Vegas. The PRIDE Festival is in a new, larger location at Sunset Park Oct. 22-23, providing additional space for entertainment. The two-day long event encourages attendees to celebrate their pride with members of the Las Vegas LGBT community and straight allies and enjoy an exciting weekend of events, entertainment and nightlife.

World Gay Rodeo Finals trots into Las Vegas Oct. 20-23, celebrating their 30th anniversary. Spectators can enjoy a multitude of events from bull riding and roping to barrel racing and steer decorating as well as the crowning of the TGRA royal court. The annual three-day event will be held at South Point Hotel, Arena & Equestrian Center.

New Horizons Nevada will host their annual May Fun Festival May 1-5 at the Tuscany Suites hotel. This festival brings together adult gay men for five days of social activities, banquets, pub crawls and more while benefiting the Senior Affordable LGBT Housing project.

To learn more about how LGBT special events or how to book a fabulous vacation, visit www.LasVegas.com/GayTravel.