Las Vegas is a city of contrast. It has the glitter of the Strip, the tranquil beauty of mountain communities and even some spectacular underground homes and domed houses. The Las Vegas Valley may not rival the Shire’s rolling green pastoral settings, but like the hobbits, locals certainly have an abundance of imagination where celebrations and events are concerned. The advent of the new “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” movie, long anticipated by fans and Tolkien readers, brings its own magic to Las Vegas with events, grand openings and people getting set to don their favorite elf, Gandalf or dwarf costumes. There may even be a Gollum or two in town as the movie premiere draws nigh.

The Hobbit Movie Premiere on December 14
Regal Colonnade 14
8880 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 948-2903
www.regmovies.com

Experience the Shire like the hobbits do with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” in Dolby Atmos. This “immersive new sound system offers realistic Dolby surround sound to fans with the addition of two extra arrays of overhead speakers, directing sounds to individual speakers inside movie theaters.” It allows viewers to experience what amounts to immersion into the life of the hobbits as shown onscreen. It should be an exciting new experience for theater-goers.

Regal Red Rock Stadium 16 & IMAX
11011 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 233-6948
www.regmovies.com

Meanwhile, Red Rock Stadium 16 and IMAX will be showing the movie in the controversial, realistic 48 fps format in which Peter Jackson shot the film. This will only be happening in 91 participating locations, Regal Cinemas announced. Red Rock Stadium 16 and IMAX has been selected as the theater for this presentation in Las Vegas. This is touted as being more ‘realistic’ than traditional film experiences, more like a documentary feel to the movie rather than the usual filtered effect. Jackson intentionally took this route to enhance the movie-goers’ experience and it should prove to be an interesting experience.

“LOTR” Trilogy Marathon to Celebrate the Release of “The Hobbit”
Various participating theaters
www.regmovies.com

Date: December 8
Price: $25 Regal Crown Club members/ $30 non-members

Several theaters in Las Vegas will be featuring showings of the original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy just days before the new “The Hobbit” movie opens. Tickets are available to purchase now so don’t miss out on the opportunity for a day full of Middle Earth fun. Audience members will be treated to the extended editions of each of the “LOTR” movies. 

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Line Parties in Las Vegas

No line parties have been formalized in Las Vegas, yet. TheOneRing.net and Middle-Earth Network are helping organize line parties for the first showings of “The Hobbit” around the world. Midnight showings are traditionally a giant pop culture event with folks dressing as the characters and celebrating with like-minded friends and fans. The 48 fps screenings are touted to be the most likely to have rabid fans attending to experience this cinematic experience. Check with your local theater to see if they permit events such as this, and if so, use your imaginations and join the hobbits on their quest, the elves and dwarves in their support and boo Smeagol as he makes his sneaky reappearance to the screen. If you prefer your parties online, Middle-Earth Network is presenting a fan celebration of “The Hobbit” movie premiere. There will be readings from “The Hobbit,” exclusive interviews, live check-ins at “line parties,” give-aways, an album release by The Lonely Mountain Band and even more. It begins December 13th at 12 p.m. EST and will last until the 12 midnight EST (midnight showing) of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”

Tie-In Books Released by Local Libraries
Henderson Public Libraries
www.mypubliclibrary.com

Tolkien publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt have announced the release of five books which tie in with the first of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” movies. Las Vegas and Henderson Libraries will all receive these books shortly after the sale date of November 6. You can request them online at the Henderson Public Library website. Books and resources include such titles as “Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien, Creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings,” by Anne E. Neimark. Other titles will be included as they become available.

A Trip to the Shire – The Hobbit Games
Windmill Library
7060 W. Windmill Lane
Las Vegas, NV 89113
(702) 507-6030
www.lvccld.org

Date: February 13, 2013. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Price: Free
Ages: 6 to 11

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is just the first of three movies in the series. Windmill Library in Las Vegas has organized an event to take place in 2013 to allow children the experience of ‘being hobbits’ for a brief time. Have you ever competed in a race while wearing large hobbit feet? No? Then come on a trip to the Shire where you will read stories, have a hobbit race and make a hobbit mathom. Please note that passes for this program will be handed out 30 minutes before the start time. All participants who wish to receive a ticket must be present when they are passed out.

Related: Best Activities for Kids to Work Up a Sweat in Las Vegas

Sharon Damon is a preschool specialist, avid reader, passionate writer and creative baker/ cook. She has been a cooking instructor at a local Rec Center in Henderson, NV since 2011, and has written for Examiner and other publications since 2010. She knows her way around the keyboard and the kitchen! Sharon moved from a small city in Canada to Las Vegas 6 years ago, to marry the love of her life, and has since been swept up in the whirlwind known as Sin City. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.