Weekend best bets: Fourth of July, UFC 162 and New Kids on the Block

The Golden Nugget kicks off the Fourth of July weekend with a fireworks show in Downtown Las Vegas in 2010.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 | 6 p.m.

This holiday weekend starts off with a bang — literally— on the Fourth of July, with patriotic festivities aplenty throughout the valley. Keep the celebration going all weekend with live music, street festivals, fight night and more.

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Thursday: Fourth of July celebrations across the valley

From fireworks at Mission Hills Park to a celebration with the Las Vegas Philharmonic at the Smith Center, there’s no shortage of great Independence Day festivities — and places to view fireworks — across the valley. Check out our Fourth of July event guide for a full slate of events.
David Becker/AP Photo

Thursday-Saturday: UFC Fight Week 2013

UFC’s annual International Fight Week is back featuring meet-and-greets, concerts, weigh-ins and more. The fight-fest culminates in Saturday night’s main event UFC 162 at MGM Grand Garden Arena pitting 10-time title champion Anderson Silva against the undefeated Chris Weidman. Visit our calendar for the full schedule.
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Saturday: New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees, Boyz II Men at Mandalay Bay

Ladies, start resting your vocal chords — you’ll need them for Saturday’s boyband dream-come-true at Mandalay Bay Events Center. The “Package Tour” brings NKOTB, 98 Degrees and the Mirage headliners Boyz II Men together for one night of crooning and swooning. Tickets are $39.50 to $125.50.
Justin M. Bowen

Saturday: "Weird Al" Yankovic at the Smith Center

Grammy-winning parody-rock king "Weird Al" returns to Las Vegas this weekend, bringing his "Apocalypse" tour — and his backing band of three decades — to Reynolds Hall. Yankovic's most recent album, "Apocalypse," was released in 2011 and charted at No. 9 on Billboard. Now that's some serious comedy. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.
Justin M. Bowen

Friday: First Friday at Downtown Arts District

With the heat wave subsiding at least, come out to Downtown's Arts District and enjoy Las Vegas' monthly block party featuring live music, food trucks, street performers and new local art. Admission is always free. This month's edition "Free to Be!" features a KidZone presented by Disney Fine Art. Family-friendly activities include art lessons by world-class animators and a science class for kids from Mad Science of Las Vegas providing lessons in imaginative learning.
Marcelo Hernandez/AP Photo

Friday: Ian Anderson plays "Thick As a Brick" at the Smith Center

Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson comes to Reynolds Hall this weekend with a new world tour of the band's seminal "Thick As a Brick," which he is performing in its entirety for the first time since 1972. Anderson also will play his new album, "Thick As a Brick 2." The show includes theatrical production and video elements, as well as Anderson's longtime backing musicians bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O'Hara, drummer Scott Hammond and guitarist Florian Opahle. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 to $88.