Roundup of shows, events surrounding National Finals Rodeo

The National Finals Rodeo's nightly performances at the Thomas & Mack Center are surely the centerpiece of the next 10 days. But there are plenty of other related events. Following is a schedule that includes a variety of things to see and do to enhance your NFR experience:

MAIN EVENT

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

6:45 p.m. daily, Thursday through Dec. 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center, Tropicana Avenue and Swenson Street. The annual rodeo features contestants competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding; $51 for single day admission (nfrexperience.com).

SHUTTLE SERVICE

Complimentary shuttle service to and from the NFR will be available, with routes from the Las Vegas Convention Center and NFR official host hotels on the Strip and Downtown to the Thomas & Mack Center. NFR performances will begin at 6:45 p.m. Shuttle buses will begin pick-ups at 5 p.m. and include return service until 10:30 p.m. There is no shuttle-bus service during actual rodeo performances. For a complete list of shuttle-bus routes and schedule, visit nfrexperience.com.

HEADLINERS

Shania Twain

7:30 p.m. today-Thursday , Saturday-Sunday , Tuesday -Dec. 12, Dec. 14-15 in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, $55-$250 (800-745-3000).

ZZ Top

9 p.m. today and Friday in the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, $94.50-$160 (632-7600).

Rodney Carrington

10 p.m. daily, Thursday -Dec. 15 at Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand, $84.49-$106.49 (891-7777).

Merle Haggard

10 p.m. Friday-Saturday in the Showroom at Golden Nugget, $123.85-$211.85 (866-946-5336).

Lonestar

8 p.m. Friday-Saturday at Showroom at The Orleans, $44-$66 (365-7075).

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: Soul2Soul

8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Dec. 14-15 in the Theatre at The Venetian, $103-$302.50 (414-9000).

Ron White

10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Dec. 14-15 in the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage, $74.93-$96.93 (792-7777).

Bill Engvall

9 p.m. Friday and Dec. 14 in the Theatre at Treasure Island, $60.45-$76.95 (894-7722).

Rodney Atkins

10:30 p.m. Saturday in the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, $30-$33 (632-7600).

Charlie Daniels Band

10 p.m. Sunday-Monday in the Showroom at Golden Nugget, $46.85-$112.85 (866-946-5336).

American Country Awards

5 p.m. Monday at Mandalay Bay Events Center, $39.75-$134.25 (632-7580).

Oak Ridge Boys

10 p.m. Tuesday -Dec. 12 in the Showroom at Golden Nugget, $46.85-$90.85 (866-946-5336).

LeAnn Rimes

10 p.m. Dec. 13-15 in the Theater at LVH, $59.85-$82.95 (732-5755).

Randy Travis

10 p.m. Dec. 13-14 in the Showroom at Golden Nugget, $46.85-$112.85 (866-946-5336).

Jamey Johnson

10 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Royale Pavilion at Riviera, $35.99-$68.99 (794-9433).

Travis Tritt

8 p.m. Dec. 14-15 in the Showroom at The Orleans, $44-$71.50 (365-7075).

Trace Adkins

10 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Royale Pavilion at Riviera, $51.50-$85.50 (794-9433).

NFR EVENTS

COWBOY FANFEST

Thursday -Dec. 15, adjacent to the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show at Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall, 3150 Paradise Road. Features live music and entertainment, interactive booths, rodeo exhibits, an arena and more; free admission. For a complete schedule of events at the FanFest, visit nfrexperience.com.

DOWNTOWN HOEDOWN

At Fremont Street Experience. The annual kick-off party for the NFR will include free concerts by Dustin Lynch, Uncle Kracker, Jana Kramer and Clay Walker, starting at 6:45 tonight (vegasexperience.com).

HOME OF THE CHAMPIONS

At MGM Grand. The Crown Royal Gold Buckle Zone features live music, dancing and performances starting at 9 p.m. daily; NRS Shopping Experience 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; Trevor Brazile World Championship Display in the lobby; drawings; autograph sessions; and more. For a complete schedule of events, visit mgmgrand.com/nfr.

NFR AT GOLDEN NUGGET

Free viewing parties at 6:45 p.m. Thursday in the Gordie Brown Showroom, and at 6:45 p.m. Friday -Dec. 15 in The Grand. A barrel racers autograph session will be from noon-2 p.m. Friday in the Rush Lounge (goldennugget.com/LasVegas).

NFR AT BOYD GAMING PROPERTIES

Gold Coast: National Finals Tonight free postshow wrap-up of rodeo events at 10:30 p.m. daily, Thursday -Dec. 15 in the Showroom. Buck'n Ball free rodeo after-party featuring entertainment and drink specials starts at 9 p.m. daily, Thursday -Dec. 15 in the Arizona Ballroom. Sam's Town: Buckin' Bull mechanical bull riding contest on the casino floor will be at 5 and 8:30 p.m. daily, Friday -Dec. 15 (nfr.boydgaming.com).

NFR AT TREASURE ISLAND

At Gilley's Saloon, Dance Hall & Bar-B-Que scheduled events include Toughest Cowboy Competition starting at 10 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 13, with Bikini Bull Riding at 10 p.m. Sunday . NFR bull riders will sign autographs noon-2 p.m. Sunday . DanSing Karaoke 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesday -Dec. 12 (treasureisland.com).

RODEO VEGAS

At The Mirage Race & Sports Book. Live broadcasts, prize drawings, giveaways, entertainment and viewing parties. Scheduled performers include Craig Morgan, Chris Cagle, Josh Thompson and others starting at 10:30 p.m. daily. Thursday -Dec. 15 (themirage.com/rodeovegas).

RODEO CENTRAL

At LVH, Thursday -Dec. 15. Viewing parties, prize drawings, country music, drink specials and more (thelvh.com).

VEGAS COWBOY CENTRAL

At South Point, Thursday -Dec. 15. Includes live broadcasts and entertainment in the Showroom and Grandview Lounge starting at 6:45 p.m. daily, free; World Series of Team Roping Sunday -Dec. 15 in the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center, free; and the Art of the American Cowboy Sale & Auction Tuesday -Dec. 15 in Exhibit Hall C, free. For a complete schedule of events, visit vegascowboycentral.com.

WESTERN GIFT EXPOS

COWBOY CHRISTMAS

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday -Dec. 15 at Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall, 3150 Paradise Road; features western wear, jewelry, furniture, art and more; free admission (nfrexperience.com).

ROPER COWBOY MARKETPLACE

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday -Dec. 15 in Bayside Hall D at Mandalay Bay; features exhibitors, entertainment, demonstrations and more; free admission (cowboymarketplace.net).

STETSON COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday -Dec. 16 at Sands Expo, 201 Sands Ave.; features exhibitors, demonstrations, entertainment, meet-and-greets and more; free admission (countrychristmas.com).

WESTERN GIFT SHOW

Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday -Dec. 15 in the South Point Arena Concourse and Exhibit Hall A-B; features exhibitors, vendors, entertainment and more; free admission (vegascowboycentral.com).