Your brain can only handle so many AI acronyms in one day. If you try to survive AWS re:Invent on keynote sessions and hotel coffee alone, you will crash by Wednesday.
With over 60,000 attendees and 2,000+ sessions, re:Invent is an endurance sport. The secret to surviving the week isn't attending more technical deep dives - it's booking specific blocks of time to decompress, touch grass, and actually enjoy Las Vegas.
Here are the top events we found for you that are worth slipping into your calendar you won’t want to miss out on:
1. 18-Holes with Basis
When: Monday, Dec 1 | 10:00 AM Tee-of
Fresh air is a rare commodity in the midst of all the casino conference venues. If you want to escape the recycled air of the expo hall, this is the way to do it. Basis is hosting an exclusive golf tournament at the Wynn Golf Club. It’s high-end, it’s outdoors, and it includes a caddie and breakfast. It’s the perfect way to ease into the week before the chaos truly begins.
2. Stripe Sushi Social
When: Monday, Dec 1 | 1:30 PM
If you want to escape a day of standard conference lunch, Stripe is taking over SushiSamba at the Palazzo, which is arguably one of the best venues on the strip. If you appreciate high-quality sushi and want to network in a venue that actually has vibes, this is a priority stop for Monday afternoon.
3. Sportsbook Happy Hour & Cirque du Soleil Show - ATG x Vanta
When: Tuesday, Dec 2 | 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Most "entertainment" at tech conferences involves a DJ in a conference hall. This one is really unique! Aligned Technology Group and Vanta are hosting a happy hour at the Venetian Sportsbook followed by a trip to New York, New York for Mad Apple - a legit Cirque du Soleil show. It’s a perfect mix of acrobatics, comedy, and Vegas flair that has absolutely nothing to do with cloud architecture.
4. Arthur’s Run Club at Re:Invent
When: Wednesday, Dec 3 | 7:00 AM
By Wednesday, you’re going to feel the physical toll of the conference and endless happy hours. Shake it off with a run (or walk) at the Arthur Run Club. We’re meeting at Starbucks for a casual 1-mile loop on the strip.
Whether you're training for a marathon or just want to launch your "run club era" in Vegas, this is a great chance to get some endorphins and chat with other AI leaders without the pressure of a sales pitch. Plus, coffee is on us.
5. Relax at AWS re:Invent - Launch Darkly x Tailscale
When: Wednesday, Dec 3 | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sometimes you just need a space to relax with a beer and a burger. LaunchDarkly and Tailscale are hosting a "Relax" event at The Rockhouse. It’s exactly what it sounds like - a low-pressure environment to hang out, grab a drink, and escape the noise of the Sands Expo for a few hours.
6. BOBS Bash @ re:Invent - Slalom
When: Wednesday, Dec 3 | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Come say goodbye to "BOBS" (Big Old Backend Systems) and hello to a night of pizza and drinks at Happy Camper. Slalom is hosting a "Zero Legacy, Full Legend" party that is significantly more fun than a migration seminar. It’s a great mid-week spot to toast to the future of cloud with light bites and a high-energy atmosphere.
7. The Hallucination Hub - Redis
When: Thursday, Dec 4 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Redis is leaning into the weird side of AI with an immersive "Hallucination Hub" at the Juliet Cocktail Room. Instead of standard demos, they are exploring "GenAI quirks" through sensory installations that blur the line between fact and fiction. It’s a high-concept happy hour with cocktails and food, making it the perfect pre-game spot before heading to re:Play later that night.
8. The Grand Finale: AWS re:Play 2025
When: Thursday, Dec 4 | 7:30 PM – Midnight
You can’t make a list of "fun" events without the official closing party. AWS re:Play is legendary for a reason. Held at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, it’s a massive playground featuring a silent disco, dodgeball tournaments, a giant techno-maze, and a surprise headlining musical act. It is the definitive way to close out the week.
Don't Just Survive re:Invent, Enjoy It
The technical sessions might build your skills, but these events will build your network (and save your sanity). Don't let the FOMO on a keynote keep you from the moments that actually make the week memorable.
If you only pick one way to recharge, come join us on Wednesday morning. It’s a low-stress way to hang out with the Arthur team for a run and coffee before the expo hall madness starts up again. Register for the Arthur Run Club and we'll see you at the starting line!
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