Ethel M Chocolates Annual Holiday Cactus Garden Lights
Guests can stroll through a botanical cactus garden illuminated with a million festive holiday lights while enjoying cups of hot chocolate. Visitors can meet Santa Claus for professional photos and browse the retail shop to customize boxes of small-batch chocolates. On select evenings, holiday bars offer signature cocktails, mocktails, wine, and beer.
What to Expect
Stroll through a cactus garden glowing with a million holiday lights.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Henderson
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Ethel M Chocolates
Food & Drink
Sip hot chocolate, shop for small-batch chocolates, or buy signature cocktails, mocktails, wine, and beer at holiday bars on select dates.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday light enthusiasts
Vibe
Festive and relaxed
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
$
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: $3 entrance fee per person, payable by cash or credit card; children under 2 and senior citizens 65+ are free. Santa photography: $35 for one 8”x6” photo in a custom Ethel M Chocolates frame; $50 for two; $20 for each additional photo. Each photo purchase includes a QR code for guests to print or share, and prices include sales tax.
- Hours: Nov. 5: 5–10pm; Nov. 6–Dec. 23: 5–10pm; Dec. 24: 5–8pm; Dec. 26–30: 5–10pm; Dec. 31 and Jan. 1: 5–8pm; Jan. 2–3: 5–10pm. Santa: daily from 5pm to one hour prior to closing through Dec. 23; line cutoff at 9pm.
- Accessibility: ADA-recognized service animals (dogs and miniature horses) are permitted under harness, leash, or tether.
- Pets: Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the cactus garden. Service animals (dogs and miniature horses) are permitted under the stated ADA conditions.
Tips & Advice
- Come before Dec 23 if the kids want Santa, and get in line early, because the line cuts off sharp ahead of closing.
- Book the holiday chocolate tasting ahead, because reservations are limited and the seasonal chocolates are only available while supplies last.
- Look up the Stay & Play Holiday Bar Schedule before you go if you want cocktails, because the holiday bars open only on select dates.
- Leave the dog at home, because pets aren't allowed and the exposed cacti along the path are a real risk to animals.
- Save time to build a custom chocolate box in the retail store after your walk through the garden.
Special Events & Promotions
- Santa visits every evening through Dec 23 only
- Holiday bars serve signature cocktails, a mocktail, wine and beer on select dates
- Holiday Chocolate Tasting Experience, with an optional wine pairing for guests 21+, by separate reservation
- Children under 2 and seniors 65+ get in free
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need a reservation for the garden?
No. You can walk up any night it's open and pay the entrance fee with cash or a card.
How do Santa visits and photos work?
Santa is there every evening through Dec 23. Cashman Photography takes the photos, which come in a custom Ethel M Chocolates frame with a QR code you can print or share. Santa stops seeing visitors an hour before closing so the line can clear, and he's gone after Dec 23.
What is there to drink?
There's Ethel M's famous hot chocolate. On select dates, holiday bars serve signature cocktails such as the Chocolate Espresso Cocktail, Apple Pie on the Rocks and Cinnamon-Rum Rum Pa Pum. They also have the Merry Mocktail, wine and beer.
Can we do a chocolate tasting while we're there?
Yes, but it's a separate experience that you reserve ahead. You can choose the Classic Chocolate Tasting or the Limited Edition Holiday Chocolate Tasting. Both can include a wine pairing for guests over 21.
Where does the entrance fee go?
Part of the proceeds goes to Help of Southern Nevada and Three Square Food Bank.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.