One thing rodeo fans have in common—besides a penchant for all things riding, roping, wrestling and racing—is a love of country music. Wrangler National Finals Rodeo draws more A-list country performers to Las Vegas during its takeover of the town than any other time of year, lending major credence to Vegas' status as Entertainment Capital of the World. From concerts to comedy, from the Downtown Hoedown kickoff celebration to the final after-party, there's no better place to catch country music than Sin City around the time of NFR's 11-day stay.

The 33rd Downtown Hoedown kicks off NFR on Wednesday (Dec. 4) with a six-pack of country acts appearing on three stages at Fremont Street Experience. Rodney Atkins headlines a lineup that begins at 4:30 p.m. with a Main Street Stage set by Jackson Michaelson, followed by Gabby Barnett, David Lee Murphy, Filmore and Dylan Scott. Old Dominion plays the first of two consecutive dates at the Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel on Wednesday and Thursday (Dec. 4-5), while Reba McEntire reunites with Brooks & Dunn for the first show of the latest run of their dual/duet residency at the Colosseum inside Caesars Palace.

George Strait

George Strait

Thursday's concerts also include Canadian country artists Terri Clark at the Golden Nugget and two great acts at Gilley's at Treasure Island: Scotty Alexander (Dec. 5-6) and Chancey Williams & The Younger Brothers Band (Dec. 7-8).

George Strait makes a habit of scheduling a pair of concerts at T-Mobile arena during NFR. The King of Country returns to reign with Friday and Saturday concerts (Dec. 6-7) on the same nights Gary Allan brings his Bakersfield-inspired sound to the Joint. Jason Aldean makes it a three-day weekend (Dec. 6-8) at Park Theater inside MGM, while Shania Twain gallops into Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino for five concerts (Dec. 6-7, 11, 13-14) during NFR. Downtown visitors should head to Golden Nugget, where weekend headliners include Clay Walker on Friday night and John Michael Montgomery the following evening. Charlie Daniels arrives to give the devil his due Sunday (Dec. 8), rosining up his bow to play fiddle on monster hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" as well as "The South's Gonna Do It Again" and "In America."

Ron White

Ron White

Country music fans have their favorite comedians as well, with stand-up guys like Bill Engvall, Ron White and Rodney Carrington giving some of their best shows during NFR. Engvall returns to Treasure Island on Friday (Dec. 6) and White has four dates (Dec. 6-7, 13-14) booked at The Mirage. Carrington's annual stretch at the David Copperfield Theater inside MGM Grand is an NFR entertainment highlight. The singing stand-up comic, famous for songs such as "Show Them to Me" and a few others with titles that may not be appropriate for a family magazine, makes Copperfield disappear from the theater for a 10-date stand (Dec. 5-14).