SEPTEMBER

27-30

Joe Weider's IFBB Olympia: Bodybuilders — men and women — from around the world arrive in Las Vegas for Joe Weider's IFBB Olympia. The men battle it out for the title of Mr. Olympia, and the female professionals compete for Ms. Olympia, Fitness Olympia and Figure Olympia. The Mr. Olympia competition, founded in 1965 by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the biggest prize in bodybuilding. (He dominated the competition from 1970 to 1975.) Watch the competitors working out on a replica of Muscle Beach, sign autographs and answer bodybuilding and fitness-related questions. The Olympia Expo runs alongside the competition, with displays of new nutritional products. Orleans Arena, $50-$200, www.mrolympia.com.

OCTOBER

18-31

Chicago: The rock band in concert, 8 p.m., Hollywood Theatre, MGM Grand theater (dark: Oct. 19, 21 and 28.). $75, $100. 702-891-1111, www.mgmgrand.com.

26-NOV. 4

Professional Bull-Riding World Championship: Cowboys convene in Las Vegas for two weekends to ride some of the wildest bulls in a showdown that also includes blackjack and golf tournaments, a fashion show, mutton bustin', live entertainment, shopping and fun in the Fan Zone. Prize money tops $1 million. Thursday-Sunday, Mandalay Bay Events Center (first weekend) Thomas & Mack Center. $30-$160. www.pbrnow.com.

NOVEMBER

3

Country Music Television returns to Las Vegas: With Sugarland, Change for Change, Little Big Town and Jake Owen. 8 p.m., Grand Garden Arena. $86, $61, $41. 702-474-4000, www.mgmgrand.com, www.ticketmaster.com.

Mega deals: Forty million people a year visit Las Vegas, spend an average of $139.26 a night on accommodations and generate more than $4.6 billion in gambling revenue. The city adores the rich and famous, but it's possible to live beyond your means without paying for it. Rates for hotels, airfares and rental cars can be extremely affordable during off-peak periods.

Megaresorts like the Wynn, Bellagio, Four Seasons, Venetian, Palms and THEhotel, which normally charge $400-plus a night, offer deals at less than $200 a night. The mid-priced megaresorts along the Strip — MGM Grand, Luxor, Excalibur, New York-New York, Paris, Treasure Island, Mirage and Mandalay Bay — average $100-$200 a night.