Do you like porn? I do! Did you know the adult film industry has a whole weekend of events to celebrate their work? If you’ve never heard of the AVN Expo and Awards, then you’re about to be introduced to why January is my favorite time of year in Las Vegas.
When and Where It All Happens
AVN Weekend plants itself at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, and 2026 is no exception. It runs Wednesday, January 21 through Saturday, January 24. Days are spent in the exhibition halls that are lined with meet and greet opportunities to creators live streaming. Evenings are filled with parties both public and private. The grand finale to this erotic weekend is the AVN awards show and afterparty.
Wednesday, January 21
- Expo opens for VIP at 12 p.m., general admission at 1 p.m., and goes until 8 p.m.
- Kickoff party keeps rolling until 2 a.m.
Thursday, January 22
- Same Expo hours: VIP at 12 p.m., GA at 1 p.m., close at 8 p.m.
- At night, the GayVN Awards take over Virgin. Doors open at 9:30 p.m.
Friday, January 23
- Expo again from 12 p.m. (VIP) and 1 p.m. (GA) until 8 p.m.
- Official after-dark scene: the White Party, running late into the night.
Saturday, January 24
- Expo starts earlier: VIP at 11 a.m., GA at 12 p.m., and wraps by 4 p.m.
- The AVN Awards begin at 8 p.m. and finish around 11:30 p.m.
- If you’re still standing, the after-party lasts until 2 a.m.
It’s basically four straight days of mingling, gawking, and trying to remember where you left your badge.
What It Feels Like to Be There
You may see a man pushing his paraplegic wife in a wheelchair. Don’t worry, she’s a Real Doll. AVN weekend brings the kind of confidence where men who want to be walked with a collar and leash publicly are free to make their dreams come true.
Clothing is frequently at a minimum. Tape over nipples is required, and a small piece of fabric over your crotch is expected if you’re bare. Beyond that, it’s feathers, latex, nylon, leather, and whatever else can be glued or strapped to a body.
Saturday evening turns into a night of glamour when the red carpet rolls through the casino leading straight to The Theater. Tickets to the awards show start at around $200, but you don’t have to go inside to enjoy it. Crowds line the carpet to gawk at all of the adult film star attendees. Whether you’re attending the ceremony or just watching from the sidelines, the energy is stimulating to say the least.
Why People Keep Coming Back
AVN weekend brings out a kind of inner confidence where shame simply doesn’t exist. People are comfortable putting their fetishes on full display, and it’s a time built on open mindedness. Tickets are available on Eventbrite, and as of now reservations are still open at Virgin. Rooms will not last long once the countdown to January gets closer. Many attendees come back year after year, and once you experience it yourself, you’ll understand exactly why.
