Trade ShowUpdated May 2026

SEMA Show

November 4, 2025 – November 7, 2025 | November 3, 2026 – November 6, 2026

Las Vegas Convention Center — 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

160,000+ estimated attendees

The premier automotive specialty products trade event, showcasing aftermarket accessories, custom vehicles, and performance parts. The most exciting week in the automotive industry.

automotivecarscustomaftermarketperformance

Dates

November 4, 2025 – November 7, 2025 | November 3, 2026 – November 6, 2026

Venue

Las Vegas Convention Center

Address

3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Est. Attendance

160,000+

Type

trade show

Guest List

Free Nightclub Entry

About SEMA Show

What Is SEMA Show?

The SEMA Show is the most exciting week in the automotive aftermarket industry — and one of the most legendary convention weeks for Las Vegas nightlife. Over 160,000 enthusiasts, builders, and industry professionals flood the Las Vegas Convention Center across four days to see the wildest custom builds, the latest performance parts, cutting-edge aftermarket innovations, and the debut of concept vehicles from brands at every level of the industry. SEMA Week is not just a trade show: it encompasses SEMA Fest outside the LVCC on Thursday and Friday (open to the general public), the legendary SEMA Cruise down the Las Vegas Strip on Friday afternoon, and a citywide party atmosphere that has made November the most electric convention month in Las Vegas year after year. The automotive aftermarket industry represents $52 billion in annual U.S. sales and draws its most deal-making professionals to the Las Vegas Convention Center for four days every November. For the attendees — parts manufacturers, custom builders, performance tuning specialists, off-road fabricators, automotive media, retail buyers, and industry veterans — SEMA Week is the most important week of the year both professionally and socially. This guide covers everything you need to navigate SEMA 2026 efficiently during the day and make the most of Las Vegas after the show floor closes.

From the Attendee Guide

Badge Pickup & Show Hours

Badge Pickup

Badge pickup and registration for SEMA Show 2026 is in the LVCC South Hall lobby, accessible from the main Paradise Road entrance or via the indoor walkway from the West Hall. Pre-registered attendees use express kiosks that scan the QR code from your registration confirmation email — the process takes under two minutes. SEMA is a trade-only show: you must be a verified automotive industry professional to attend the indoor show. If you have not already submitted your industry credentials through the SEMA registration portal, do so before arriving in Las Vegas — on-site credential verification causes significantly longer wait times. Badge pickup opens the Monday before the show, typically from 10 AM to 6 PM. Picking up your badge on Monday afternoon is strongly recommended: Tuesday morning lines at the express kiosks can stretch 20 to 30 minutes. The SEMA app is your primary navigation tool — download it before arriving, build your routing plan through the show's nine indoor halls and multiple outdoor areas, and use it to bookmark must-see exhibitors. Note that SEMA Fest (the outdoor portion) is open to the general public Thursday and Friday without industry credentials, so if you are bringing non-industry family or friends, plan for those days specifically.

Show Floor Hours

Tuesday, November 39:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, November 49:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday, November 59:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday, November 69:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Quick Tips for First-Timers

  • SEMA fills every hall of the LVCC plus multiple outdoor areas totaling over 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space. A complete walkthrough of the entire show in a single day is impossible — plan to spend at least two full days on the show floor and map your priority exhibitors before arriving. Three days is the ideal allocation for a complete experience.
  • Download the SEMA app before arriving and study the interactive show map. The nine indoor halls are organized by product category — Performance Accessories, Wheels & Accessories, Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Trucks/SUVs/Off-Road, and more. Knowing which hall your target exhibitors are in before you step inside saves hours of navigation.
  • The outdoor vehicle displays and SEMA Cruise staging areas are worth visiting even if you spend most of your time inside. The New Products Showcase in the South Hall is a mandatory stop — it features hundreds of new product debuts organized by category and is the fastest way to survey innovation across the entire aftermarket industry.
  • Friday afternoon is the SEMA Cruise — hundreds of custom and show vehicles parade down the Las Vegas Strip from the LVCC toward the south end of the Boulevard. Find a viewing spot on Las Vegas Blvd by 2:30 PM for the best experience. The Cruise is free and open to the public — it is one of the most unique automotive spectacles in the world.
Read the full SEMA Show Attendee Guide

Getting There

How to Get to SEMA Show

Parking

The LVCC has large surface lots and a parking garage surrounding the complex. Expect to pay $15–25 per day during major shows. Lots fill up fast — arrive before 9 AM or consider rideshare instead.

Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)

Uber and Lyft have a designated pickup and dropoff area on Convention Center Drive. Surge pricing is common during morning arrivals and evening departures — stagger your schedule to avoid the rush.

Public Transit / Monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail has a dedicated Convention Center station with direct service to Strip hotels from MGM Grand to the Sahara. A single ride is $5 and a full-day pass is $13. During peak convention hours the monorail is often faster than driving.

Walking from the Strip

The north end of the Las Vegas Strip is about a 15-minute walk from the LVCC. The monorail makes it easy to reach central and south Strip hotels in under 10 minutes.

Vegas After Hours

Nightlife During SEMA Show

When 160,000 trade show attendees descend on Las Vegas for SEMA Show, the nightlife scene shifts into a higher gear. The Strip's biggest clubs extend their lineups, book marquee DJs, and host industry-specific after-parties to capture the surge. Expect longer peak hours, busier dance floors, and an electric atmosphere that feeds off the energy of the trade show crowd. Whether your group is celebrating a successful day of meetings or just looking to unwind, you will find every style of nightlife within minutes of your hotel.

Convention weeks create a unique dynamic in Vegas. The typical weekend tourist crowd blends with professionals who are in town on expense accounts and looking to make the most of their evenings. Bottle service tables sell out faster than usual, especially at venues like XS, OMNIA, and Marquee. If VIP seating is on your radar, booking early is strongly recommended. For everyone else, the guest list is the smartest move — it guarantees free entry and lets you skip the general-admission line that grows significantly during major trade show weeks.

The best part of going out during SEMA Show is the social element. You will run into colleagues, competitors, and new contacts on the dance floor. Some of the most productive conversations at any convention happen after midnight over cocktails, not on the show floor. Strip clubs like Sapphire and Crazy Horse III are also extremely popular with convention groups — free guest list from your hotel and no cover through our guest list make it an easy choice for groups of any size.

After the Show

SEMA Show After Dark — Nightlife Picks

SEMA Week nightlife is in a class of its own among Las Vegas convention weeks. The automotive aftermarket industry — parts manufacturers, custom builders, performance tuning firms, off-road brands, retail buyers, media, and distributors — brings the most socially energized convention crowd of the year. The industry is male-skewed, expense-account-fueled, and accustomed to celebrating. Every major venue in Las Vegas rolls out the red carpet for SEMA attendees starting Monday evening through Friday night. The industry parties start in hotel suites on Monday, move to private manufacturer receptions on Tuesday, hit peak energy on Wednesday when everyone is fully in town, and continue through Thursday's late-night scene. Strip clubs are the most popular after-hours destination during SEMA Week — Sapphire Las Vegas and Crazy Horse III consistently book the largest SEMA convention groups, and the free limo service directly from your hotel to the venue is standard. For groups who want a traditional nightclub experience, Drai's Nightclub at The Vanderpump Hotel delivers the most high-energy atmosphere, while XS at Wynn and OMNIA at Caesars Palace offer world-class production for teams celebrating a successful show.

Sapphire Las Vegas

Gentlemen's Club

Sapphire is the defining SEMA Week nightlife destination year after year. The 70,000 sq ft venue — the largest gentlemen's club in the United States — handles the enormous automotive industry convention groups that form during SEMA Week better than any other venue in Las Vegas. Free entry on our guest list. Free limo from your hotel. The VIP rooms and bottle service areas accommodate groups of 10 to 50+ without issue. The automotive crowd fills Sapphire every SEMA night — it is the unofficial SEMA after-party.

Crazy Horse III

Gentlemen's Club

Crazy Horse III is the upscale choice for SEMA groups who want a more refined gentlemen's club experience. The modern interior, impressive entertainers, and extensive VIP section make it consistently popular with parts distributors, brand representatives, and automotive media hosting client evenings. Free entry through NoCoverVegas. Free limo pickup from your Strip hotel. One of the top five most-visited venues during SEMA Week.

Drai's Nightclub

Nightclub

Drai's at The Vanderpump Hotel is the highest-energy traditional nightclub choice during SEMA Week. The underground multi-room layout, live hip-hop performances mixed with EDM programming, and rooftop terrace with Strip views make it the most atmospherically unique nightclub on the Strip for SEMA groups wanting a big-club experience. The automotive industry skews toward hip-hop programming and Drai's signature live-performance nights are a perfect match.

XS Nightclub

Nightclub

XS at Wynn Las Vegas is the premium nightclub choice for SEMA groups celebrating a successful show or entertaining high-value clients. The outdoor pool area remains partially open in November's mild temperatures, the production quality is world-class, and the Wynn service standard throughout the evening is the best in Las Vegas. For teams running a corporate entertainment budget and wanting the most impressive nightclub experience of SEMA Week, XS is the answer.

Peppermint Hippo

Gentlemen's Club

Peppermint Hippo is a strong SEMA Week alternative for groups who want a gentlemen's club experience slightly removed from the Sapphire/CH3 circuit. Upscale décor, excellent VIP service, and free entry + limo through NoCoverVegas make it an easy choice for groups looking for variety during a multi-night SEMA stay.

OMNIA Nightclub

Nightclub

OMNIA at Caesars Palace is the most visually dramatic nightclub in Las Vegas — the 75,000 sq ft venue's massive kinetic chandelier and rooftop terrace with Strip views make it the conversation topic of any SEMA group that visits. OMNIA's programming during November convention weeks consistently features top-tier DJs. A strong choice for SEMA groups wanting to mark the end of the show week with the Strip's most theatrical nightlife experience.

See all SEMA Show nightlife recommendations

Skip the Cover Charge

How to Get Free Entry During SEMA Show

Cover charges at Las Vegas nightclubs typically run $30 to $75 per person during convention weeks, and lines can stretch past an hour. Here is how to skip both.

  1. 1

    Sign Up for the Guest List

    Fill out the form at the bottom of this page with your name, phone number, group size, and hotel. It takes less than thirty seconds.

  2. 2

    Get Your Confirmation

    You will receive a text message confirming your spot on the guest list along with details about your free guest list entry from your hotel.

  3. 3

    Show Up and Walk In

    Your car arrives at the scheduled time. When you reach the venue, give the host your name — you bypass the general-admission line and enter with no cover charge. That is it. No catch, no minimum spend required.

Make the Most of Your Trip

Insider Tips for SEMA Show Attendees

Balance Your Schedule

Convention days are long and draining. If you plan to go out at night, map out which sessions and booths are must-sees so you can leave the show floor by late afternoon. A short break at your hotel between the trade show and dinner makes a massive difference in your energy level for the evening ahead.

Pick the Right Nights

The first night of SEMA Show is usually the wildest — everyone has just arrived and the excitement is high. The final night tends to be more relaxed as attendees pack and prepare for early flights. For the best club lineups, Friday and Saturday nights always deliver regardless of the convention calendar.

Recovery Game Plan

Hydration is everything in the desert. Keep a water bottle on you during the trade show and match every cocktail with a glass of water at night. Order room service breakfast or grab a quick bite at your hotel before heading to the venue — skipping breakfast after a late night is a recipe for a miserable afternoon on the show floor.

Book as a Group

Heading out with colleagues or clients? Larger groups get better treatment at every venue in Las Vegas. When you sign up for the guest list, include your full group count so we can arrange a ride that fits everyone and ensure your party walks in together. Groups of six or more can often request reserved seating at no extra cost.

Pool Parties During SEMA Show

Convention sessions typically wrap by 5 PM. That leaves the perfect window for a pool party before dinner. Las Vegas dayclubs operate March through October with free guest list entry — a popular choice for networking or blowing off steam after a full day of sessions and exhibits.

See all pool parties →

Gentlemen's Clubs

Strip Clubs During SEMA Show

Las Vegas strip clubs are a popular after-hours option during convention week. Most offer free guest list entry and complimentary transportation from your hotel — no cover, no minimums.

See all Las Vegas strip clubs →

SEMA Show — FAQ

Where is the SEMA Show 2026?

The SEMA Show 2026 is at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109. The show uses all indoor halls — South, West, North, and Central — plus extensive outdoor exhibit areas surrounding the LVCC campus. The convention center is approximately a 15-minute walk from the north end of the Strip, or one monorail stop from the Convention Center station to Harrah's/The LINQ.

What are the SEMA Show 2026 dates?

The SEMA Show 2026 runs Tuesday, November 3 through Friday, November 6, 2026. Badge pickup opens Monday, November 2. SEMA Fest (outdoor, public) runs Thursday and Friday. The SEMA Cruise departs Friday afternoon and parades custom vehicles down the Las Vegas Strip.

Can anyone attend the SEMA Show?

The indoor SEMA Show is trade-only — you must be a verified automotive aftermarket industry professional to attend. Industry credentials must be submitted through the SEMA registration portal before arriving. SEMA Fest, the outdoor public event, is open to anyone on Thursday and Friday without trade credentials. Exhibitors and brand representatives receive their own badge types through their company registrations.

What time is the SEMA Cruise?

The SEMA Cruise typically departs the Las Vegas Convention Center area Friday afternoon around 3:00 to 4:00 PM and proceeds south down Las Vegas Blvd. Hundreds of custom show vehicles participate — it is one of the most extraordinary automotive spectacles you will ever see. Viewing spots along Las Vegas Blvd fill up; arrive at your spot by 2:30 PM. Check the official SEMA schedule for the confirmed 2026 departure time as details are released closer to the event.

What should I wear to the SEMA Show?

Casual dress is universal at SEMA. The unofficial attendee uniform is jeans, brand t-shirt or polo, and comfortable sneakers or work boots. You will cover massive distances on hard concrete floors — prioritize footwear that can absorb 8 to 10 miles of daily walking. A light jacket is useful for November evenings after the show floor closes. If you plan to go out after SEMA, bring a change of clothes — Las Vegas Strip nightclubs enforce dress codes after 9 PM that prohibit athletic wear, shorts, or sneakers for men.

What are the best nightclubs during SEMA Week?

SEMA Week is one of the highest-energy convention weeks in Las Vegas. Sapphire Las Vegas is the most popular destination — the 70,000 sq ft gentlemen's club handles massive automotive industry convention groups and free entry is available through our guest list with complimentary limo pickup. For traditional nightclubs, Drai's Nightclub at The Vanderpump Hotel delivers the hip-hop energy that resonates most with the SEMA crowd. XS at Wynn and OMNIA at Caesars are the choices for teams entertaining clients with a premium nightclub budget. All venues are accessible with no cover charge through NoCoverVegas guest list.

Is there free transportation to Las Vegas nightclubs during SEMA?

Yes. When you sign up through the NoCoverVegas guest list, you receive complimentary limo service from your Strip hotel to the venue. The service handles individual guests and groups of any size. Submit your guest list request with your group count and hotel at least 24 to 48 hours before your preferred evening — SEMA Week capacity fills quickly and larger groups benefit from advance coordination.

How do I get to the SEMA Show from my hotel?

The Las Vegas Monorail is the most convenient option for Strip hotel guests. The Convention Center station provides direct service to the LVCC from MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris, Flamingo, Harrah's/The LINQ, and Sahara stations. A single ride is $5 and a day pass is $13. Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) drops off on Convention Center Drive with a designated pickup/dropoff area. LVCC surface lots and the parking garage are available for $15 to $25 per day but fill quickly — plan to arrive before 9 AM if driving.

Can I go to nightclubs during SEMA Show?

Absolutely. Las Vegas nightclubs operate year-round and convention weeks are some of their busiest periods. Most venues open at 10:30 PM and run until 4 AM. Sign up for a free guest list to skip cover charges and long general-admission lines.

Is there free transportation to nightclubs during SEMA Show?

Yes. When you sign up through our guest list, you receive a free guest list entry from your hotel to the venue. The guest list is completely free with no obligation to purchase anything at the club.

Free Guest List for SEMA Show Attendees

Get On The List

Free nightclub entry + free guest list entry at your hotel during SEMA Show

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