Riding through a packed stretch of the Las Vegas Strip in a pink low-rider with showgirls at his side, Bruno Mars was recognized by the city on Friday as a longtime performer “new king of Las Vegas,” according to the Associated Press. The celebration included a parade and a series of ceremonial honors tied to Mars’ role in the city’s entertainment scene, ahead of his next scheduled performances.
Officials declared Friday “Bruno Mars Day” and named a street “Bruno Mars Drive,” placing Mars among a small group of entertainers who already have streets named after them in Las Vegas, the AP reported. The AP said the festivities marked Mars as he prepares to kick off his global “Romantic Tour” in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.
Mars addressed the crowd gathered for the event on the Strip, saying, “It’s such a privilege, and I want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for giving me this today,” the AP reported. Earlier, the AP described Mars as joining a short list of Las Vegas honorees that includes Elvis and Rat Pack singers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
Bill Hornbuckle, the CEO and president of MGM Resorts International, also spoke during the event, telling attendees that Mars has the “legacy and legs” to perform in Las Vegas years from now, the AP reported. Hornbuckle’s remarks came as the AP recounted Mars’ long-running presence in the city, including more than 15 years of performances on Las Vegas stages and a residency between 2016 and 2025 that included over 140 shows.
The AP said the parade celebration also highlighted Mars’ business and entertainment footprint in Las Vegas, including the 2023 opening of “The Pinky Ring,” a cocktail lounge and nightclub at the Bellagio. In addition, Mars used the event to describe what he wanted the day to be, telling the crowd: “My dream was to always have a block party and get everybody dancing,” according to the AP.
As part of the public celebration, the AP reported that Mars pledged to donate $1 million to the Las Vegas Children’s Hospital, with MGM Grand matching his donation. The AP said the event ended with a brief performance by Mars and his band, “The Hooligans,” offering a preview of what fans could expect at Allegiant Stadium later that night.
Some fans showed up early for the appearance and parade route, the AP said. Las Vegas resident Deedee Jenkins told the AP she was “pumped to see Mars” and said she likes that he is joining the ranks of entertainers whose names are already embedded in the city’s streets, adding, “But they’re old school. This is new blood, and I’m ready for it with my old self.”