Vegas During the Holidays

With so many fun festivities and unique, wintry experiences, Las Vegas is the perfect place to find or spread some holiday cheer. From fabulous light displays, ice skating, festive cocktails, mind-blowing entertainment, and so much more, there’s plenty to see and do in Vegas during the holidays!

1. Ice skate and have a merry time at the Ice Rink. Enjoy a 4,200 square foot skating rink high above the Strip at the Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool, where you can skate the night away surrounded by glittering lights. Roast some s’mores or enjoy a seasonal cocktail at The Chalet, a reimagined mountaintop chalet with comfy seating and an oversized firepit. The Ice Rink is open from December 2 to January 2, 2024. Ice skating admission includes all-day skating access and skate rentals. The experience also offers movie nights and date skates, and as a special surprise, on December 3, the Vegas Golden Knights are hosting “A Knight with the Golden Knights” with several of the players, Chance and the Golden Knight set to make an appearance from 4-7 p.m.
   
   
2. Enjoy the glittering lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Revel in the gorgeous and incredible displays during this annual drive-thru attraction that is fun for the whole family. The light show runs from November 9 to January 7 and features over 600 animated displays and more than 5 million individual lights. There are also special events, including a ride on the Santa Tram, fireworks show, and a meet-n-greet with Santa and Biscuit, his loyal reindeer. Plus, the entire event supports charity, so have fun and feel good at the same time!
   
   
3. Experience the beauty of the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Each season, the talented horticulture and engineering teams at Bellagio transform the 14,000 square foot Botanical Gardens into a showcase of awe-inspiring sights, sounds, scents and colors. The Bellagio holiday display runs from December 2 to January 7 and is completely free to enjoy.
   
   
4. Magical memories await at Enchant at Las Vegas Ballpark. Enjoy this picture-perfect experience complete with more than 4 million sparkling lights. Glide down the ice-skating trail, make your way through the new larger-than-life light maze (Santa’s Magic Time Piece) and swing by Santa’s Landing to see the big guy in red. Enchant runs from November 24 to December 31. The experience also features a holiday-themed village where you can enjoy seasonal treats and do some gift shopping!
   
   
5. Enjoy the Holiday Cactus Garden and sweet treats at Ethel M Chocolates. The Ethel M Chocolates Factory has Nevada’s largest cactus garden featuring more than 300 species of cacti and succulents. The Cactus Garden is especially magical during the holiday season when it is decorated in sparkling lights and holiday décor. Bring the whole family and enjoy the garden’s beauty, visits from Santa, entertainment, tasty treats and famous hot chocolate. The Cactus Garden is open nightly from 5-10 p.m. from November 3 to December 31.
   
   
6. Sip on festive cocktails at the Sippin’ Santa, Bad Elf & Winter at the Terrace pop-ups. The Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas welcomes Sippin’ Santa back to The Sand Dollar. Take a load off this holiday season and sip on something cold, light, and refreshing! Grab your Santa Hat and boardshorts and enjoy this festive tiki Christmas cocktail pop-up now through December 31. Inspired by The Elf on a Shelf, Bad Elf at the Silverton Casino transports visitors to the North Pole with snow-covered trees, gifts, reindeer and, of course, Santa himself! Enjoy themed cocktails while you relax by the fire and take some photos with the incredible Christmas wonder as the perfect backdrop. Bad Elf pop-up is open daily at 5 p.m. from November 4 to January 1, 2024. Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino is bringing back its “Winter at the Terrace” holiday-themed pop-up lounge. The lounge features cozy igloos (available with a food and beverage minimum), fire pits, twinkling lights, cheerful music, and merry photo opportunities. Guests can indulge in holiday-themed cocktails, a hot chocolate cart, and more. The lounge is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m. throughout December. In January and February, the lounge will be open on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m.
   
   
7. Keep the pool parties going at the Marquee Dayclub Dome. The Marquee Dayclub Dome at the Cosmopolitan is back for the winter season. Vegas pool party season typically ends by mid-to-late October when cooler weather arrives, but the 23,000 square foot dome of the rooftop dayclub ensures that summer never ends at Marquee. The dome rises over 50 feet tall and covers the full pool deck to provide shelter from precipitation and desert winds. Large heaters maintain an air temperature of 85 degrees and water temperature of 90 degrees throughout the colder season. Scheduled events at the Marquee Dayclub Dome run from November 24 to February 4.
   
   
8. Take in the wintry décor at the LINQ Promenade & Fremont Street Experience. Enjoy an assortment of holiday displays at the LINQ’s lively outdoor shopping thoroughfare and pose for pics with the magnificent, sparkling, 30-foot-tall Christmas tree. As you meander through, indulge in the twinkling lights and festive décor, and tackle your holiday shopping as you browse! Festive celebrations take place at the Fremont Street Experience throughout the holiday season, including the lighting and display of its massive Christmas tree and menorah. Stop by for a selfie while exploring everything under the dazzling Viva Vision canopy. Plus, there’s nightly free performances, so grab the crew and prepare for an evening of cheer and fun!
   
   
9. Book a themed holiday class at Wynn. Learn some holiday cooking from the executive chefs at Wynn. Discover how to make holiday desserts and gain tips for hosting a festive brunch, creating edible décor and more! Classes include: Dreamy Holiday Desserts (December 8); Holiday Brunch Made Easy (December 14); Annual Treat Trimming (December 16); and Gingerbread House Decorating (December 21). Visit the Wynn website for more details and to make reservations.
   
   
10. Visit the famous Las Vegas Boneyard (Neon Museum). The Neon Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs, and offers visitors self-guided and guided tours. The Museum is located on Las Vegas Boulevard just north of Bonanza Road, and is open 365 days a year, including on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
    
    
11. Visit the winter wonderland at Area15. During the holiday season, Area15 is offering an array of holiday experiences, including an immersive viewing of “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, a festive light and sound spectacular inside Museum Fiasco, dinner and a movie featuring “Elf” inside The Wall, holiday-inspired Radiance Wellness programming and more. Guests can also explore The Spine decked out with candy décor, snow globes and other festive decorations. For more information and a complete list of events, visit area15.com.
    
    
12. Partake in a medieval holiday feast. The popular holiday tradition “Tournament of Kings: ‘Twas the Knight” returns to the Excalibur Hotel & Casino for another winter wonderland themed celebration. Performances run from November 22 to December 25.
    
    
13. Celebrate the joy of the season with Terry Fator’s “A Very Terry Christmas”. Enjoy the holiday season with comedy, singing, celebrity impersonations and ventriloquism, featuring such classics as “Winter Wonderland” and “White Christmas”, brought to you through the voices of America’s favorite puppet characters. This delightful holiday-themed show from Terry Fator, the winner of America’s Got Talent, runs November 24 through December 30 at New York-New York Las Vegas.
    
    
14. Enjoy the beloved, classic tale of The Nutcracker. Enjoy the stunning sets, special effects and beautiful choreography danced by the Nevada Ballet Theatre as they perform The Nutcracker at The Smith Center. This must-see holiday show is an immersive experience with its larger-than-life displays and captivating performance. The falling fluffy flakes from the “sky” is the cherry on top of this quintessential experience presented at the arts complex’s glamorous Reynolds Hall. Shows run December 8 – 24.
    
    
15. Escape the city and enjoy the snow-capped mountains and picturesque landscape. At Mount Charleston, located 45 minutes from the Strip, you can hit the slopes, sip on hot cocoa fireside, see the tree-lighting ceremonies, or simply relax in a cozy cabin. Lee Canyon, located 50 minutes from the Strip, also bustles with activity as skiers, snowboarders and snow tubers seek out the thrilling excitement of hitting the slopes. The area also offers snowshoeing, so you can take in the tranquil beauty of the snowy landscape and breathe in the fresh, crisp air.
    
    
16. Be one of the first to experience two new Las Vegas resorts. Durango Casino & Resort is the newest Station Casinos luxury resort opening off Strip in southwest Las Vegas on December 5. Fontainebleau, located at the north end of the Strip, officially opens on December 14. Both resorts offer luxurious accommodations and stunning dining options. Visit their websites to book your hotel and dinner reservations.
    
    
17. Experience some of the best entertainment in the world. So many amazing performers are closing out 2023 and ringing in 2024 on the Strip. Don’t miss your chance to see Bruno Mars at the Park MGM December 22-31; the Black-Eyed Peas at the Venetian December 30 & 31; Post Malone at Fontainebleau December 30 & 31; Christina Aguilera at the Venetian December 30 & 31; John Oliver & Seth Meyers at Caesars Palace December 31. You can also groove to the music at one of the many popular nightclubs on the Strip, many of which are hosting NYE parties.

There really is no place like Vegas during the holidays, so start planning now!