It may seem counterintuitive to think “entertainment” and “budget” can coexist — especially in places like Las Vegas — but … it’s more than possible for you to entertain your team or clients on a budget during SHOT Week®.
As a buyer, your decision to attend the SHOT Show® immediately places you ahead of the competition. During SHOT Week, you’ll have the ability to connect with more than 2,700 exhibitors and thousands of like-minded attendees, along with participating in numerous education opportunities and networking events.
And yes, entertainment will be a key part of your time in Las Vegas — but it doesn’t have to break the bank. We’ve identified several ways you can take a budget-conscious approach to maximize the value of your stay at the 2026 SHOT Show. Here are some entertainment tips for you to consider.
(Looking for more budget-saving strategies? Bookmark shotshow.org/blog for insights on travel, lodging and dining.)
Free Shows
Experiences represent an effective way to connect with members of your team or guests for a night out after the show. “Free” is a welcome price for admission. There are several free shows and experiences located just a short walk from The Venetian Expo.
- Fountains of Bellagio: Labeled as the resort’s “calling card,” the Fountains of Bellagio have been an iconic fixture of the Las Vegas Strip for 27 years — and they’re available free, multiple times daily. Spanning more than 1,000 feet and featuring over 1,000 fountains with water soaring as high as 460 feet in the air is quite a spectacle — even if you’ve seen it before. Monday–Friday, the fountain display is every 30 minutes from 3:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 8:00 p.m.–midnight. The Fountains of Bellagio are visible at nearby properties/venues, including Paris Las Vegas (the Mon Ami Gabi bistro has patio seating in view of the fountains) and Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Las Vegas (a rooftop bar located just across the street, offering dramatic views of the fountains and the Strip).
- Fall of Atlantis: Another free entertainment option, Fall of Atlantis features 9-foot animatronics, fire, water and a 20-foot winged dragon. And, it’s in a shopping mall, of all places — The Forum Shops at Caesars. The Fall of Atlantis show plays every hour on the hour from 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. but doesn’t run Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There is a 50,000-galloon exotic fish tank in the vicinity and The Cheesecake Factory is located adjacent to the show, which represents a more economical dining option. So, there’s the potential for “dinner and a show” just steps apart.
- Flamingo Wildlife Habitat: For a quiet change of pace, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino — right next to the LINQ Promenade, which will be featured below, as well as in the “Dining on a Budget” article — is another free option. The four-acre gardens have streams, waterfalls, exotic birds (yes, including flamingos), turtles and fish.
- The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: Another free serene experience, the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens will display a Lunar New Year theme during SHOT week (2026 is the Year of the Horse). Here, the 14,000 sq. ft. venue will feature a showcase of inspiring sights, sounds, scents and colors.
Putting Your SHOT Show Badge To Work
Being a SHOT Show badge holder comes with more perks than perusing the 100,000 products on display at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum. It also provides ample opportunity for free or discounted entertainment (as well as travel) during SHOT Week.
- Key Networking Opportunities: For three consecutive nights (Jan. 20–22), you’ll have the opportunity to entertain and network — for free — right after the show closes. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Great Outdoors Plaza outside Caesars Forum, NSSF is hosting nightly networking receptions to give you an opportunity to network and socialize with fellow attendees. So, before your evening gets started, stop by, network and have a free beer on the SHOT Show.
- Vegas Unlocked: The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority has introduced a Show Your Badge & Save Program, Vegas Unlocked. With Vegas Unlocked, 2026 SHOT Show badge holders can enjoy access to discounts on dining, entertainment, attractions, tours and more. Examples found on this program, as of the date this article is being written, include 50% off tickets to Atomic Saloon Show at the Palazzo Hotel and 20% off tickets to Awakening at Wynn Las Vegas.
Budget-Friendly Fun
Las Vegas presents a near-infinite amount of “choose your own adventure” opportunities for entertainment — and that includes events on a budget. We’ve selected a small sample size here, but there are scores more available near The Venetian Expo and throughout the Strip.
- Shows: Las Vegas is synonymous with shows of every kind, and there are several right near the SHOT Show priced at under $60 per ticket. (There are, of course, many more outside this price range.) Some options within a short walk or rideshare/taxi ride from the show include: Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club (LINQ Promenade), BattleBots Destruct-A-Thon (behind the Horseshoe), SINATRA LIVE! – Frank Sinatra Tribute Show (Ahern Showroom) and Mac King Comedy Magic Show (Excalibur).
- Flight Club: Featuring 20 semi-private playing areas and a 27-seat carousel bar, Flight Club represents both an economical and unique entertainment option for you and your guests. For $20 per person, you get 90 minutes of Social Darts fun — ripe for some friendly competition and bragging rights. It’s located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort, providing easy access after the end of the SHOT Show day. (Through Vegas Unlocked, SHOT Show attendees can receive an extra 20% off food and drinks — more savings.)
- Pinball Hall of Fame: You’ll need plenty of quarters for this one. The Pinball Hall of Fame, located roughly 15 minutes via car from the halls of SHOT, ranks high in fun on a budget. It’s free to enter, and many of its hundreds of pinball machines cost just 25¢ to play. It closes relatively early, though (9:00 p.m.) during the week. (Another Las Vegas stable, the iconic “Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas” sign is a 10-minute walk away from here — perfect for that group photo or selfie to commemorate your visit.)
- The LINQ Promenade: Just steps from the convention halls, the LINQ Promenade is a bustling open-air entertainment district with restaurants, shops and the High Roller observation wheel. Walking through the lively district is a great way to decompress after the show. The tallest observation wheel in North America, the High Roller presents a unique experience for first-time guests and there are ways to save, such as booking online in advance and using promotional codes.
- Town Square Las Vegas: Featuring a movie theatre, arcade, escape room (there are several escape rooms located along the Strip — which represents a fun night out for teams), bowling alley, restaurants and shops, Town Square Las Vegas has budget-friendly entertainment options aplenty. Though it takes an Uber/taxi ride to get there, the savings further from the Strip more than justify the added expense. One popular destination, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, will no longer be here, though. Beginning early 2026, this country music hotspot will be operating in a brand-new, 19,000-square-foot venue at the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino (a near 30-minute trip from The Venetian Expo).
Downtown: On A Budget
When people think of Las Vegas, the Strip immediately comes to mind. However, Downtown Las Vegas or “Old Vegas” more than holds its own with some renowned establishments — delivering a more affordable and authentic entertainment experience.
- The Fremont Street Experience: A pedestrian mall unlike you’ve ever visited before, the Fremont Street Experience is a vibrant, five-block destination overflowing with street performers, classic casinos, free nightly concerts and a dazzling light show displayed on a massive LED canopy screen. You could visit here without spending a dime and leave with entertaining stories to share.
- Downtown Container Park: Located a short walk from The Fremont Street Experience, Downtown Container Park is an outdoor shopping mall and entertainment complex built from repurposed shipping containers. It also features a 40-foot-tall, fire-spewing metallic praying mantis that debuted at the Burning Man Festival several years ago. (Only in Las Vegas, right?)
- Museums: If museums are your thing, two are near the Fremont Street Experience: the Mob Museum (open until 9:00 p.m. daily) and Neon Museum (open until 11:00 p.m. daily, last admission is at 9:00 p.m.) are worth a visit. True to its theme, the Mob Museum runs an underground speakeasy and distillery (closes at 11:00 p.m. during the week), while the Neon Boneyard, Neon Museum’s outdoor exhibition space, features more than 250 signs from the 1930s to present.
A “Can’t-Miss” Event
The SHOT Show is a “can’t-miss” event — serving as a launchpad to jumpstart business success in the new year. Entertaining your team or guests for multiple days represents a substantial investment, but there are numerous ways to stretch your budget throughout the week. Take advantage of being a SHOT Show badge holder and other opportunities to save you and your team money, and get more out of your time in Las Vegas.
To help you further experience SHOT Show on a budget, make sure you bookmark additional resources covering travel, lodging and dining.
