2025 Program Offerings

Embark on a cinematic journey through the glittering streets of Las Vegas with the Movie Tour at The Neon Museum. Our guided experience invites film enthusiasts and city explorers alike to delve into the iconic backdrops and neon-lit landscapes that have graced the silver screen.

The tour unveils the magic behind some of the most memorable movie moments set against the vibrant backdrop of Las Vegas. The Neon Museum, with its eclectic collection of neon signs and vintage marquees, serves as a living testament to the city’s lasting cinematic allure. From classic films to modern blockbusters, these signs become a reel of memories, transporting visitors into the heart of the movies.

45 minute tour

Parking: Free parking is available at the Museum and adjacent to The Neon Museum at Cashman Center

Join friends and make new ones at Pullman Room – an intimate event venue meticulously designed to mimic the opulence and craftsmanship of the turn-of-the-century Victorian era.

The room contains an actual, historic Pullman railroad car named after Louisa May  Alcott. The car was originally built into the hotel’s old restaurant layout and serves as a  core centerpiece. 

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

Magicians are drawn to Las Vegas like moths to a neon flame. But why? How did the city become synonymous with magical spectacle? Who was the first magician in Las Vegas? Magician and author Lance Rich takes you on a trip down the Strip in search of the answers to those questions and more. From early nightclub acts, through Parisian revues, to headliner extravaganzas, this quick-moving multimedia presentation is filled with rare photos, video, and forgotten names as Lance seeks to find answers to his questions… and he shares how, along the way, he made a surprising discovery which changed Las Vegas history.

Copies of his book, NEON DREAMS: The Story of Las Vegas Magic, will be available for sale at the event through the author. A signing will take place immediately after the discussion.

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

Pull back the velvet curtain and meet Bill Smith, the Las Vegas illusion designer who has spent more than 50 years helping make the impossible magical. A magician first, Smith turned his fascination with wonder, mechanics, and showbiz secrets into Bill Smith’s Magic Ventures, a Las Vegas workshop where big ideas become breathtaking stage illusions. Since 1979, he has built custom magic for a who’s who of performers; David Copperfield to Harry Blackstone to Lance Burton, Penn and Teller to Doug Henning, Bill has worked with nearly every major magician on the Las Vegas Strip. In this lively conversation, Smith shares stories from a career spent collaborating on the creation of hidden doors, disappearing acts, and jaw-dropping surprises, all while protecting the mystery that makes magic magical. Expect backstage tales, creative sparks, and a rare look at the craft, collaboration, and clever engineering that make audiences gasp.

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage. Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

In 1956, Las Vegas wasn’t ready for Elvis Presley. Billed as “The Atomic Singer,” his debut at the New Frontier fell flat with an indifference audience. But when he returned in 1969, he possessed a secret weapon:  costume designer Bill Belew.

In this captivating presentation based on the groundbreaking book Elvis:  Dressed to Rock, costume historian Karan Feder exposes the thrilling evolution of the King’s iconic stage wardrobe. Utilizing exclusive, unprecedented access to the Graceland archives, Feder reveals fresh discoveries hidden within the institution’s renowned collection.

This incredible presentation will take place in the International Westgate Theater at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Admission includes this engaging presentation followed by a coveted tour backstage, a view inside Elvis’ Green Room, the spot where he prayed before each concert, leading you to the stage where Karan will personalize your copy of Elvis: Dressed to Rock.

Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event through the author.

Parking:
Valet Parking: Available for a fee of $25 per day.

Self-Parking:  The resort features a six-story parking garage and several ground-level parking areas. Self-parking is generally complimentary, but during major conventions, a flat fee of $10 may be charged.

North Parking Garage: This is the main parking structure located on the north side of the resort. It has a height clearance of 8 feet

Open-Air Parking Lot: Located next to the garage, this area is also available for self-parking.

Join Michele Quinn, the curator who commissioned, purchased and curated what is now the Aria Fine Art Collection, for an immersive two-hour walking tour through one of the most significant public art collections in Las Vegas. Personally selected by Quinn, each work on view reflects a thoughtful dialogue between contemporary artists, architectural space, and the public experience. As you move through the collection, Michele will share behind-the-scenes insights into why specific works were chosen, stories from conversations with the artists, and the curatorial vision behind creating a cohesive art experience in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how large-scale public art is commissioned, contextualized, and integrated into a dynamic urban environment. This tour offers a rare opportunity to explore curatorial decision-making while experiencing art in situ. 

Guests to meet at Vdara Lobby near the Frank Stella painting.

UNLV School of Architecture students have been tasked with approaching Las Vegas architectural destinations through the lenses of water conservation, historic preservation, and diversity in the profession. With access to archival materials, each student created a collage capturing the essence of their selected landmark(s). Through juried competition, 10 collages and an accompanying Artists Statement, are on view inside the Pikake Room at the California Hotel and Casino.  Vote for ‘People’s Choice’ award any day during Duck Duck Shed.

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

Stand on the spot where Las Vegas began and walk the legendary casinos and glittering neon signs that have uniquely placed this city in the public imagination. Behind the sumptuous electric facades, hotel lobbies and cozy gambling parlors, our curated tour will explore hidden often overlooked places, and we’ll see obscure objects and curious artifacts, old and new, that have contributed to the storied past of this city for the past 100 years.  

Tour participants must be 21 years of age or older. The two-hour walking tour will begin at California Hotel & Casino and end at Vegas Vickie’s Lounge for a complimentary drink.

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

Go beyond the photo op and experience The Neon Museum’s Boneyard like never before. Led by one of the Museum’s trained guides, this immersive history, entertainment, and cultural tour brings Las Vegas to life through unforgettable stories, rare recordings, and exclusive digital content. Sixteen iconic signs become portals into the past, revealing the people, places, and creative forces that shaped the city. Along the way, guests hear recorded memories from one of Las Vegas’ first Black showgirls, Katy Perry’s teenage years in the city, legendary designer Roger Thomas on the resort interiors that helped define the Las Vegas Strip, and Betty Willis, creator of the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, and her prolific work. Archival photographs, postcards, interviews, and historic objects not on view enrich every stop. Designed for curious visitors who want a deeper connection, this tour offers rare access to the inaccessible.

45 minute tour

Parking: Free parking is available at the Museum and adjacent to The Neon Museum at Cashman Center

From color theory to design, scale, and sensory immersion, Las Vegas is a distinctive case  study in how design shapes thought and behavior. Join Sean Adams for How Design Makes  Us Think: Las Vegas, a lecture exploring how architecture, interiors, graphics, lighting, and  color do more than create visual appeal. They produce emotional, intellectual, and visceral  responses that influence how people see, feel, move, and act. Through visual examples, this  session examines how designers use aesthetic cues to direct attention, create desire, build  memory, and transform ordinary environments into persuasive experiences. 

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

With new unseen photos, videos, and jaw-dropping stories, Steve Crupi (A.K.A., The Implosion Guy) takes us into the blast zone.  Steve’s continually evolving presentation includes rare images and behind-the-scenes details from epic events such as the demolition of the Dunes, Landmark, Stardust, and Desert Inn hotels.  

A longtime TV journalist and the only broadcaster known for experiencing every major Las Vegas hotel implosion, Steve brings firsthand perspectives to the city’s explosive evolution.  Whether you are a history buff, architecture enthusiast, longtime local, or curious visitor, Steve’s stories are guaranteed to blow your mind and change the way you see the skyline of Las Vegas. 

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

UNLV School of Architecture students have been tasked with approaching Las Vegas architectural destinations through the lenses of water conservation, historic preservation, and diversity in the profession. With access to archival materials, each student created a collage capturing the essence of their selected landmark(s). Through juried competition, 10 collages and an accompanying Artists Statement, are on view inside the Pikake Room at the California Hotel and Casino.  Vote for ‘People’s Choice’ award any day during Duck Duck Shed.

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

Stand on the spot where Las Vegas began and walk the legendary casinos and glittering neon signs that have uniquely placed this city in the public imagination. Behind the sumptuous electric facades, hotel lobbies and cozy gambling parlors, our curated tour will explore hidden often overlooked places, and we’ll see obscure objects and curious artifacts, old and new, that have contributed to the storied past of this city for the past 100 years.  

Tour participants must be 21 years of age or older.  The two-hour walking tour will begin at California Hotel & Casino and end at Vegas Vickie’s Lounge for a complimentary drink

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

Duck Duck Shed and The Neon Museum welcome all to STEAM Family Fest – Signs and Skylines! Designed to offer hands-on exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

Learn from Las Vegas’s most famous and unforgettable structures, designed by creative architects, brilliant engineers, and skilled technicians. Explore how architects and designers contribute to the city’s unique look, through expressive building shapes, design styles, bold carpet patterns, iconic outdoor features like the late Mirage volcano, and the evolution of casino spaces. This event brings architecture to life with scavenger hunts through the Neon Boneyard, interactive demonstrations, creative crafts, and activities led by The Neon Museum staff and community partners.

Parking: Free parking is available adjacent to The Neon Museum at Cashman Center

Library card holders from the Clark County, North Las Vegas, and Henderson Library Districts can show their library card for up to four free tickets on the day of the event. Simply present your library card at the door to claim your tickets.

Museums for All guests are FREE with EBT/SNAP/WIC or foster placement letter and valid ID.

Join us for the launch of Glow on the Go, the first museum-created mobile neon bending studio and an electrifying new way to see Las Vegas’ signature glow from the inside out. Step close as skilled neon benders heat slender glass tubes over dancing blue flames, turning rigid rods into molten ribbons that curve, twist, and take shape by hand. Then discover the science behind the shimmer: sealed glass, noble gases, electrodes, and electricity working together as energized atoms release brilliant color. In Las Vegas, the Neon City, neon signs are more than eye-catching – they are art, craft, chemistry, and history. Before or after walking the Neon Boneyard at The Neon Museum, Glow on the Go is the perfect way to deepen your appreciation for the makers behind the magic. Watch the process, feel the wonder, and leave with a new spark of understanding. You’ll never look at neon signs the same way again.

Parking: Free parking is available at the Museum and adjacent to The Neon Museum at Cashman Center

Join us for a captivating discussion with Jami Rodman, and trace Rodman’s remarkable journey from Oregon girl to the woman entrepreneur who ran Las Vegas’s #1 escort agency. This moderated conversation will offer a rare, unfiltered look at ambition, power, and survival in the city of reinvention. 

Rodman will explore what it took to build a high-end enterprise in the shadows, the realities of companionship-for-hire, and the men who sought discretion behind closed doors. Rodman’s book, The Las Vegas Madam, was described by Robin Leach as a “shockingly honest and unforgettable memoir.” Rodman’s story challenges myths while illuminating the human truths beneath the neon glow.  

Today, Rodman continues bringing hidden stories from Las Vegas’s broader history to the surface. As a historian, author, and speaker, she researches and tells the overlooked stories of the city, the historic red light district, and how companionship for hire remains part of the narrative of the city. 

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event through the author. A signing will take place immediately after the discussion.

Join Michele Quinn, the curator who commissioned, purchased and curated what is now the Aria Fine Art Collection, for an immersive two-hour walking tour through one of the most significant public art collections in Las Vegas. Personally selected by Quinn, each work on view reflects a thoughtful dialogue between contemporary artists, architectural space, and the public experience. As you move through the collection, Michele will share behind-the-scenes insights into why specific works were chosen, stories from conversations with the artists, and the curatorial vision behind creating a cohesive art experience in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how large-scale public art is commissioned, contextualized, and integrated into a dynamic urban environment. This tour offers a rare opportunity to explore curatorial decision-making while experiencing art in situ. 

 Guests to meet at Vdara Lobby near the Frank Stella painting.

UNLV School of Architecture students have been tasked with approaching Las Vegas architectural destinations through the lenses of water conservation, historic preservation, and diversity in the profession. With access to archival materials, each student created a collage capturing the essence of their selected landmark(s). Through juried competition, 10 collages and an accompanying Artists Statement, are on view inside the Pikake Room at the California Hotel and Casino.  Vote for ‘People’s Choice’ award any day during Duck Duck Shed.

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.

Stand on the spot where Las Vegas began and walk the legendary casinos and glittering neon signs that have uniquely placed this city in the public imagination. Behind the sumptuous electric facades, hotel lobbies and cozy gambling parlors, our curated tour will explore hidden often overlooked places, and we’ll see obscure objects and curious artifacts, old and new, that have contributed to the storied past of this city for the past 100 years.  

Tour participants must be 21 years of age or older. The two-hour walking tour will begin at California Hotel & Casino and end at Vegas Vickie’s Lounge for a complimentary drink.

Parking: California Hotel & Casino Parking Garage.  Complimentary parking validation at Duck Duck Shed registration.