The eighth annual Life is Beautiful Art and Music Festival took place at Carson Creek Ranch in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada on the weekend of September 20th to 22nd. Tens of thousands of attendees from all over the country and world came together to enjoy music, art, comedy shows, workshops, pop-ups, food, and everything in between.

This year’s lineup comprised of a variety of headliners including the following artists: Post Malone, Chance the Rapper, The Black Keys, Billie Eilish, Vampire Weekend, Zedd, Lil Wayne, Portugal the Man, Louis the Child, and many more. Festival gates opened each day from 2:00 pm to 1:00 am daily.

Venue & Production

Good vibes filled the air walking across the festival grounds as downtown Las Vegas transforms 18 blocks of the city into Life is Beautiful. It is placed in the middle of hotels, restaurants, bars, parking garages, and a host of other shops. This was truly a one of a kind experience.

Six different stages continuously played music, hosted comedy shows, workshops, and much more. The main stages were The Downtown Stage, Huntridge Stage, Bacardi Stage, Fremont Stage, The Kicker Comedy + More!, and Toyota Music Den. There was even an Arcade Stage which hosted live gaming challenges. There were many free arcade games and pinball to play.

The stage production and set up for all six stages created an amazing experience for all attendees. The sound and lighting were perfect. The stages were huge so there was plenty of room to find a spot to dance without stepping on someone’s toes.

This year’s diverse lineup featured a great mix of live bands and DJ’s that catered to various tastes in music. There was something for everyone to enjoy out of the 50+ artists that performed at Life is Beautiful this year.

Life is Beautiful Art

The heart of all things art and expression related at Life is Beautiful was in the art. Art filled the venue with vibrant colors, shapes, and sizes. Each piece of art encountered was absolutely stunning and had its own vibrant charm.

Immersive Art

The Barcardi Art Motel brought joy to everyone who stepped inside. Every inch of the motel was covered in murals and artwork. At night the art came to life under the blacklights. There was a Forest Bath in partnership with the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coral Campaign. Also, we found the Select Better WalkWay hidden between the alleys. This was a great place to stop and relax to enjoy some good art before jumping to the next musical act.

Murals

The walls were covered in creative and unique murals made by various artists. This included AKAcorleone, DAKU, Eric Vozzola, Jerry Misko, MANTRA, Snipt, Zoson & Mina Hamada, and many others.

It was fun walking around the venue to find random murals that looked absolutely stunning. The pieces made for great Instagram photo backdrops.

Installations

Along with mutals and immersive artwork were art installations placed throughout the festival grounds. You could find installations from Danny Cole, Ernest Zacharevic, HOTTEA, Notes To Strangers, Monumental Mammoth, and many more.

Comedy & Other Shows

The comedy shows were something different to add to the mix with all the music acts. Some of the top comedians stopped by to put on sts throughout the day.

The Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil even made an appearance. Both put on great shows and had the groud going wild.

Food Options

A wide variety of pop-up restaurants and food trucks lined the festival grounds anticipating hungry festival-goers. No matter what you were in the mood to eat, there was always a place to satisfy your appetite.

You can find lots of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food options. Postmates was even onsite so you can order and not have to wait in line.

You could dine on exquisite means from five-star chefs or grab some quick bits such as pizza. The food was as diverse as the musical acts, ensuring everyone was satisfied.

Final Thoughts

This year was my first time at Life is Beautiful and it will not be my last. Throughout the years, I have traveled across the country attending various music festivals, and without a doubt, this festival was unlike any other event I have attended.

I would not have traded this unforgettable experience for anything in the world.  See you next year!