Fremont Street Experience Celebrates 30 Years

By Debbie Hall

Downtown Las Vegas has always been where the city's grit, glamour, and creativity collide—and for the past 30 years, Fremont Street Experience has been a source of local pride and community spirit. On Sunday, Dec. 14, the iconic pedestrian mall marked its 30th anniversary with a celebratory panel discussion and festive holiday programming, honoring its legacy as the original immersive entertainment destination that helped redefine modern Las Vegas.

Since its debut in 1995, Fremont Street Experience and its soaring Canopy™ have transformed downtown into a vibrant hub of public art—an evolving space that reflects the city's creative spirit and community. The anniversary celebration celebrated that cultural significance, bringing together those who envisioned, built, and continue to shape this landmark. 

The evening featured a panel discussion moderated by KKLZ 96.3FM morning show host Shawn Tempesta, spotlighting the visionaries and leaders behind the project. Former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones Blackhurst reflected on leading the redevelopment that brought Fremont Street Experience to life, while Barry Shier, former chairman and CEO of Golden Nugget Las Vegas and a founding board member, discussed the creative and logistical challenges behind the original design.

Don Snyder, the first president and CEO of Fremont Street Experience (1992–1996), shared insight into the early strategic planning that transformed downtown into a pedestrian-first entertainment hub. The panel also included Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, who is recognized for championing downtown initiatives, including a $1 million investment in the Neon City Festival.

This event celebrates large-scale art, light, and immersive installations. Jerry Turk, a key figure in the project's 1995 launch, joined Will Baker, interim CEO and senior vice president of operations, and Dana Reynolds, vice president of marketing, who both spoke about the destination's continued evolution through capital improvements, storytelling, and guest engagement.

The evening opened with a Menorah lighting ceremony led by Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and the Rabbi of Chabad of Southern Nevada, followed by holiday entertainment and choir performances that created a warm, communal atmosphere beneath The Canopy™. Later, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, led by Jessica Rosado of The Morning Blend on KTNV TV 13, brought everyone together in seasonal joy.

The celebration launched Neon Nights Holiday Lights Village, next to Fremont Hotel & Casino at 3rd Street, featuring immersive light displays and a Santa meet-and-greet, inviting visitors to experience holiday art and community. The village is open nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Dec. 19, encouraging public engagement with the festive installations.

Three decades in, Fremont Street Experience continues to function as a living canvas—where history meets innovation, and where art isn't confined to galleries but unfolds above, around, and through the people who gather there. As downtown Las Vegas continues to evolve, Fremont Street Experience remains a powerful reminder that art, at its best, is immersive, communal, and alive.

For more information, visit vegasexperience.com.