The holiday season in Las Vegas is unlike anywhere else. Spectacular light displays sprinkle the Strip, and unique and festive experiences await throughout the destination. Here is how to make the most of the holidays in Vegas this year.
Holiday Decorations and Activities
The holiday display at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio Resort & Casino runs Saturday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. Themed to The Nutcracker, the attraction will replicate iconic scenes from the classic Tchaikovsky ballet with awe-inspiring floral displays.
The Ice Rink returns to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, bringing 4,200 square feet of real ice to the resort’s rooftop Boulevard Pool. Running through Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, the attraction features open-air fire pits, charming décor, a menu of seasonal bites and beverages and special events.
The Holiday Cactus Garden at Ethel M Chocolates features millions of sparkling holiday lights across three acres of desert landscaping. Running through Sunday, Dec. 31, the experience is complete with sweet treats, hot chocolate and visits from Santa.
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas brings back its Holiday Afternoon Tea for the season, taking place on Fridays and Saturdays in December through Saturday, Dec. 23. The service features herbal teas, champagne, seasonal desserts and music from a live pianist.
Winter at the Terrace returns to Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino through the winter season. The holiday-themed pop-up lounge offers cozy igloos and fire pits, twinkling lights, cheerful music and photo opportunities.
Enchant Christmas is again lighting up Las Vegas Ballpark with larger-than-life light displays through Sunday, Dec. 31. The experience features the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze and Village, a visit from Santa, seasonal food and beverages, an artisan marketplace, entertainment and more.
The drive-thru light experience, Glittering Lights, returns to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway through Sunday, Jan. 7 with more than 5 million LED lights and over 600 animated, sparkling displays. A portion of each ticket sold benefits Speedway Children’s Charities, which offers funds to 50+ local charities each year.
M Resort Spa Casino offers a new holiday experience this year with Rockin’ Christmas, a drive-through, animated light show that is being billed as “the world’s largest.” Running through Sunday, Dec. 31, the mile-long ride of sights and sounds features millions of LED lights and hundreds of moving displays.
Rouge Room at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa will celebrate the holidays with Rouge Wonderland through Saturday, Dec. 30. The venue transforms with festive holiday décor, Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, fire pits, frosty treats and a merry lineup of seasonal cocktails.
Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall brings back its Mystic Falls Park winter wonderland display, featuring festive décor, more than 26,000 points of light and a nine-minute holiday laser light show. The holiday attraction runs through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
The Sand Dollar Lounge brings back Miracle on Spring Mountain at its original location and Sippin’ Santa On Main at its sister lounge at Plaza Hotel & Casino. Running through Sunday, Dec. 31, the fully immersive holiday experiences are complete with themed cocktails and nearly $100,000 in over-the-top holiday decorations.
The Shady Grove Lounge at Silverton Casino Hotel will transform into the BAD ELF Pop-Up Bar through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. The decked-out space offers photo opportunities, holiday cocktails and a BAD ELF Experience package complete with drinks, souvenir glasses and the BAD ELF Puzzle Hunt game.
Holiday Entertainment
AREA15 brings back a unique viewing experience of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Held on select dates through Saturday, Dec. 30 at The Portal, the experience features choreographed light and sound elements synced to the cult classic movie inside the 360-degree, projection-mapped venue.
Tournament of Kings: ’Twas the Knight returns for another year at Excalibur Hotel & Casino on select dates through Monday, Dec. 25. The medieval jousting show gets a winter wonderland makeover for the season with holiday music, festive decorations and costumes. A three-course meal completes the dinner show experience.
The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino adds the Big Man in Red to the mix (and his helper, “Santa Jaws”) with Santa in the Shipwreck. Running Saturday, Dec. 16 to Sunday, Dec. 24, visitors can watch a SCUBA suited Santa dive into the attraction for a unique holiday photo opportunity.
America’s Got Talent-winning ventriloquist Terry Fator brings his holiday show back to New York-New York Hotel & Casino on select dates through Saturday, Dec. 30. A Very Terry Christmas features the longtime Vegas headliner and his funny friends performing holiday duets, with each voice tackling a different holiday classic.
Nevada Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker plays at Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on select dates from Friday, Dec. 8 to Sunday, Dec. 24. The production of the classic Christmas tale features larger-than-life sets, choreography by former NBT Artistic Director James Canfield and “snowflakes” falling from the sky.
Country singer LeAnn Rimes brings Joy: The Holiday Tour to The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16. The GRAMMY Award-winning star will perform a mix of holiday songs, some of her greatest hits and material from her latest album, God’s Work.
A Swingin’ Little Christmas lands at Myron’s at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16. Comedians and actresses Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery—of Glee and The Office fame, respectively—are joined by actor/singer Tim Davis in this heartwarming and hilarious holiday extravaganza featuring a delightful blend of comedy and music.
The Radio City Rockettes’ famed kicking line will be visible in the desert this holiday season, as the dancers will be featured on the recently opened Sphere. Known for its beloved Christmas spectacular at the iconic Radio City Music Hall, the group will be featured daily on its fully programmable exosphere, marking the first time it has featured dancing wrapped 360 degrees around the venue.
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ABOUT THE LVCVA
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide and with operating the 4.6 million square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). With more than 150,000 hotel rooms and more than 15 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space in Las Vegas alone, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting leisure and business visitors to the area. The LVCVA also owns the Vegas Loop at Las Vegas Convention Center, designed and operated by The Boring Company, and also owns the Las Vegas Monorail, an elevated 3.9-mile system with seven stops throughout the resort corridor. For more information, go to www.lvcva.com, www.visitlasvegas.com or www.vegasmeansbusiness.com.
