The Fourth of Oh My!

Independence Day is America’s celebration and Las Vegas is the country’s party capital, so doesn’t it make sense to be in Sin City over Fourth of July weekend? Here’s a sampling of planned holiday happenings.

Mondays are always huge at XS Nightclub at Encore, being their industry night featuring top deejays, so — with July 4th falling on a Monday this year — expect a mega-bash. Both of the club’s resident deejays, Steve Aoki and Afrojack, will be spinning at this sparkling celebration. Aoki has been central to the emergence of the electro-dance scene, and his latest single, “Turbulence” (a collaboration with Lil Jon and Laidback Luke) has ignited the charts. Grammy winner Afrojack (for his remix with David Guetta of Madonna’s hit “Revolver”) has worked with everyone from Pitbull to the Black Eyed Peas, but still calls the XS deejay booth home.

Also at Encore, Surrender nightclub will be hosting Dutch deejay Sidney Samson on Friday (July 1) and King of Crunk Lil Jon on Saturday (July 2). At Encore Beach Club, the property’s luxurious pool venue, Calvin Harris will man the decks on the Saturday of July 4th weekend, with Kaskade doing the honors on the Sunday.

Meanwhile, over at the swanky new Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, the Marquee Dayclub will feature Australian electro-house spinner Dirty South and Swedish deejay/producer Avicii by the pool on Saturday, July 2, and Brit hit-maker Fatboy Slim and friends on Sunday, July 3.

If you fancy a night of nostalgia — and have been wondering who your big sister (or even your mom) used to swoon over — legendary “boy bands” New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys will be performing together as part of their long-awaited “2011 NKOTBSB Tour” at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sunday, July 3.

Being on the 64th floor, Mix Lounge at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay can deliver breathtaking views including multiple firework displays.

The Terrace inside PURE Nightclub at Caesars Palace is a hidden enclave with panoramic vistas. Las Vegas’ largest year-round outdoor nightlife venue, the Terrace’s 14,000 square feet includes a dance floor, cabanas and theatrical lighting — and will put you in a primo position for the fireworks. Moon (the penthouse nightclub of the Palms’ Fantasy Tower) and the 55th-floor skydeck of ghostbar (also at Palms) are hard to beat for fireworks and celebrity watching.

For dinner with a view, First Food & Bar at the Palazzo, Japanese eatery Yellowtail at the Bellagio, Nove Italiano at Palms and the Monte Carlo’s Diablo’s Cantina all offer elevated eats. For a more laid-back fireworks experience, try the streetside patio of Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina at Miracle Mile Shops.

Though it might seem extravagant to actually book a suite from which to watch the fireworks, bear in mind that this allows you to save on cover charges in clubs and/or the need for dinner reservations by putting your feet up in comfort and privacy while enjoying the delights of room service. The luxury 180 Degree Suites at Four Seasons Hotel, for example, live up to their name with gasp-inducing views of the city skyline from the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard. Similarly, a Sky Suite at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter offers unparalleled Strip sights through floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as first-rate room service from ARIA’s collection of celebrity-chef-powered restaurants.

If you’re really on a budget, McCarran International Airport makes a fine fireworks vantage point (seriously), with unobstructed views compensating for any lack of party atmosphere. If possible, drive to the top level of the nearby parking structure (indeed, many of the city’s taller open parking structures make great viewing platforms).

—Paul Rogers, Custom Publishing Writer