Vegas During the Holidays

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

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 November 28 to January 1, 2025. Ice skating admission includes all-day skating access and skate rentals. The experience also offers movie nights and date skates.
   
   
2. Visit the Winter Wonderland at Fontainebleau and skate on the Oasis Ice Rink, the largest real ice rink on the Strip. The holiday village on ice also includes communal firepit rentals, merry photo moments, cozy holiday cabanas, seasonal lite bites and cocktails, and holiday movie showings, rink-side. The Oasis Ice Rink is open seven days a week, with admission starting at $25. Skating fee, including skate rental, is available for purchase onsite for $35. Monday through Thursday, Nevada locals with a valid ID as well as military members and first responders receive a special price of $30. Other holiday additions include property-wide seasonal décor, holiday pop-ups, Santa brunches, interactive Signature Series classes and exclusive holiday headliners. Purchase tickets.
   
   
3. Boogie-down during the winter months at the ’70s themed roller skating rink at TAO Beach Dayclub. Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace, a 3,250 square foot skating rink, is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. from November to early 2025. The experience is open to all ages and includes special programming for 21 years of age and older. Guests may bring their own skates or rent them at the venue.
   
   
4. 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 8 to January 5 and features over 600 animated displays and more than 5 million individual lights. And, this year includes a new “Around the World” display with iconic monuments like Big Ben, Stonehenge, the Eiffel Tower, the Egyptian Pyramids, and more. Take a ride on the Santa Tram, see the fireworks show, and enjoy a meet-n-greet with Santa and Biscuit, his loyal reindeer. The cost per car/truck is $39. Buy tickets.
   
   
5. 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 November 16 to January 4 and is completely free to enjoy.
   
   
6. Enjoy the custom decorations throughout The Shops at Crystals. Capture memories with the display’s centerpiece, a 55-foot holiday tree adorned with over 100,000 LED lights and 5,000 Swarovski ornaments. Guests can also enjoy mannequin figures dressed in holiday-inspired ball gowns, floating Christmas trees, a live cranberry pond and oversized holiday wreaths.
   
   
7. Magical memories await at Enchant at Las Vegas Ballpark. Enjoy this picture-perfect experience complete with the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze. Glide down the ice-skating trail, have your picture taken with Santa Claus, enjoy live performances from local artists, shop for unique gifts and festive treats in Enchant Village, and savor seasonal food and beverages. Enchant runs from November 22 to December 29. Tickets start at $25. Buy tickets.
   
   
8. 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 light display is open nightly from 5-10 p.m. from November 1 to January 4.
   
   
9. Dance along to lively holiday music with Downtown Summerlin’s Holiday Parade. This free parade filled with nearly 80 local performers, snow and Santa runs along Park Centre Drive every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. from November 22 to December 21.
   
   
10. Visit Mystic Falls at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall. This free classic holiday attraction returns with elaborate decor, more than 26,000 lights and a nine-minute laser light show. You can enjoy the lights from November 27 to January 1.
    
    
11. Sip on festive cocktails at some famous holiday 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 November 18 through December 31. Bad Elf Holiday Pop-Up at the Silverton Casino gets visitors into the holiday spirit with string lights, wrapped presents, oversized ornaments, and dozens of elves suspended from the ceiling. Enjoy themed cocktails while you relax by the fire and take some photos with the incredible Christmas wonder as the perfect backdrop. Bad Elf Holiday Pop-up is open Thursday through Sunday at 5 p.m. from November 21 to December 24.
    
    
12. 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 October 12 to January 20.
    
    
13. 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!
    
    
14. Book a themed holiday class at Wynn through their Connoisseur Series. Learn how to make inspirational holiday cocktails, festive holiday desserts and more! Classes include: Holiday Cocktail Entertaining ( December 13); Gingerbread House Decorating (December 14); Dreamy Holiday Desserts (December 19) and Annual Treat Trimming (December 21). Visit the Wynn website for more details and to make reservations.
    
    
15. 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.
    
    
16. Share the joy of the holiday season with those in need by donating to local and global charities using The Giving Machine, a popular vending machine. Donors can purchase essential items for people in need with 100% of donations going directly to the designated non-profits. There are two vending machines running this year: one at The District at Green Valley Ranch, and one in Downtown Summerlin. The vending machines are available from November 12 to January 1.
    
    
17. 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 27 to December 25. Buy tickets.
    
    
18. Celebrate the joy of the season with Barry Manilow’s seasonal production “A Very Barry Christmas”. This holiday show from Barry Manilow runs December 5 – 7 and December 12 – 14 at the Westgate’s International Theater.
    
    
19. 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 14 – 27.
    
    
20. 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.
    
    
21. Raft with Santa. Raft down the Colorado River with Santa and his helpers with Lake Mead Mohave Adventures. The 12-mile adventure begins at 10 a.m. near Hoover Dam and tours the beauty of the Black Canyon over a three hour period. The tour also includes a gift for each passenger, ground transport from one of Santa’s elves from Lake Mead RV Village, a boxed lunch and water and complimentary cookies, hot chocolate and Christmas music at Willow Beach Marina at the end of the trip. Rafting with Santa runs from December 12 to December 15 and December 18 to December 22.
    
    
22. Experience some of the best entertainment in the world. So many amazing performers are closing out 2024 and ringing in 2025 on the Strip. Don’t miss your chance to see 50 Cent at Planet Hollywood December 27-31; Duran Duran at Fontainebleau December 29 & 30; Janet Jackson at Resorts World December 30 & 31; Creed at Caesars Palace December 30 & 31; and Vegas’ very own Imagine Dragons at the Venetian 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!