By Melissa Arseniuk · January 7, 2009 · 2:31 PM

Who said nerds don't know how to party?

Numerous after-hours events are being planned in conjunction with this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

Despite sluggish sales, a weakening economy and lower-than-last-year numbers expected at both shows, a wide assortment of happy hours, ballroom fetes, and all-out blow-outs are about to take place.

Unfortunately, most of the after-show CES events are like the show itself: Closed to the public. Still, there are a handful of promising parties that everyone is welcome to attend.

Here is the complete list of the CES-related celebrations going on this week.

Wednesday:

- The 60th annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards at the Venetian. 7 p.m.

- Pepcom Digital Experience at the Mirage. 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

- TechZone, Futurelooks and Techware Labs’s “Night Before CES Party,” sponsored by Redux and Gigabyte at Palms Place. 8 p.m., invite only.

Thursday:

- G4TV’s “Best of the Best” CES party at the Wynn. 6 – 7:30 p.m., invite only.

- Skype’s “Blue is the New Black” party at Privé. 7 – 10 p.m., invite only.

- Global Media Awards at the Venetian. 6 p.m., $400-plus.

- CNet’s CES party at Simon at the Palms. 9 p.m. - midnight, invite only.

- Support.com’s third annual Rat Pack Party at the Bellagio. 6 - 9:30 p.m., invite only.

- Filter Creative Group and Vtech’s CES party at Beauty Bar. 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. with hosted bar, free for those who RSVP via http://www.uptheantics.com/ces.

Friday:

- The “It won’t stay in Vegas” blogger party at the Atomic Testing Museum. 5 – 8 p.m., invite only.

- The Hideka Honeywell Party at the Golden Nugget. 4:30 - 8:30 p.m., invite only.

- TWICE China’s 2009 Top Brands from China Awards at the Venetian. 5 – 7 p.m., invite only.

- Intel and PC.com’s CES party at LAX hosted by Brooke Burke, featuring the Counting Crows. 7:30 - 11 p.m., invite only.

- CEA Digital Imaging Division Reception at CES. 5:30 – 7 p.m., invite only.

- Bluetooth SIG dinner at Tao. 5:30 – 8 p.m., invite only.

- Canada Night at Caesar’s Palace. 6 p.m., invite only.

- Monster Cable’s Dealer Awards and Concert at Paris featuring Diana Ross. 7 p.m., invite only.

- D-Link party at Tao. 7 – 10 p.m., invite only.

- Resident Evil 5 cocktail reception at Planet Hollywood. 10 p.m., invite only.

Saturday:

- CES-themed Economic Stimulus party at the residence of Michael Terpin and Maxine Hopkinson. 6:30 – 10 p.m., RSVP required.

- Xtremesystems.org party on Oquendo Dr. near Decatur.