This holiday season, Las Vegas, NV, transforms into a winter wonderland brimming with festive activities and attractions. From gliding across the rooftop ice rink at The Cosmopolitan to strolling through the illuminated Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden, there's something magical for everyone. The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden holiday display enchants visitors with towering floral sculptures and intricate designs, making it an unmissable holiday experience.
Whether you're a local or a visitor, Las Vegas offers a plethora of unique holiday events to brighten your season. Traverse the dazzling Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, marvel at the Fremont Street Experience Christmas Tree Lighting, or enjoy a vibrant experience at Winter PARQ at The LINQ Promenade. Embrace the festive spirit and explore the diverse and spectacular holiday happenings in this lively city.
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The Top Christmas Events in Las Vegas
- The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan
- Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden Holiday Display
- Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Fremont Street Experience Christmas Tree Lighting
- Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
- Enchant Christmas
- Winter PARQ at The LINQ Promenade
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- The Nutcracker by Nevada Ballet Theatre
- Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland at Sam’s Town
Las Vegas Holiday Light Displays
Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
What to Expect:
Drive-through light show on a NASCAR track
Description:
Rev up your holiday spirit at Glittering Lights, where the Las Vegas Motor Speedway transforms into a dazzling drive-through light show. Cruise along the 2.5-mile course, passing through tunnels of lights and elaborate themed displays. The event combines the thrill of the racetrack with the joy of holiday lights, creating a unique experience. Glittering Lights has been illuminating the speedway since 2001, becoming a cherished tradition for locals and visitors alike.
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Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Enchant Christmas
What to Expect:
World's largest Christmas light maze and village
Description:
Immerse yourself in a glowing labyrinth of holiday lights at Enchant Christmas. This massive installation features intricate light sculptures forming a navigable maze. Visitors can glide around the ice-skating trail, shop at the Christmas market, or meet Santa and his elves. Enchant Christmas originated in Vancouver, Canada in 2016 and has since expanded to multiple cities, bringing its grand-scale holiday experience to Las Vegas.
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Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland at Sam’s Town
What to Expect:
Indoor park with holiday light and water show
Description:
Sam's Town's Mystic Falls Park undergoes a wintry transformation, combining the charm of a mountain lodge with Las Vegas flair. A choreographed light show dances across the park's trees and waterfall, accompanied by holiday music. Visitors can watch the nine-minute show from the park's winding walkways. This attraction, housed within a giant atrium, offers a climate-controlled holiday experience, perfect for escaping the desert chill.
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Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland at Sam’s Town
Las Vegas Holiday Markets and Shopping
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
What to Expect:
Free photos with Santa in an outdoor-themed setting
Description:
Bass Pro Shops brings the North Pole to the desert with Santa's Wonderland. This rustic, outdoor-themed holiday experience offers free photos with Santa, a rarity in the age of costly mall Santas. Children can engage in holiday crafts and games while surrounded by woodland decor. The event reflects Bass Pro Shops' commitment to outdoor recreation, blending holiday traditions with a celebration of nature and wildlife.
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Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
Las Vegas Holiday Giving Opportunities
Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
What to Expect:
Holiday attraction supporting adults with disabilities
Description:
Opportunity Village's annual holiday event transforms its campus into a twinkling forest of lights and activities. Visitors can ride the Forest Express passenger train, visit Santa's workshop, or enjoy carnival games. The Magical Forest serves as a major fundraiser for Opportunity Village, a not-for-profit organization that has been serving adults with intellectual and related disabilities in Southern Nevada since 1954. Your visit supports their mission while enjoying holiday cheer.
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Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
Las Vegas Great Santa Run
What to Expect:
Charity run with thousands of participants dressed as Santa
Description:
Downtown Las Vegas turns red and white as thousands of Santas dash through the streets for the Great Santa Run. This 5K fun run and walk sees participants donning full Santa suits, creating a sea of jolly red joggers. The event raises funds for Opportunity Village, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Since its inception in 2005, the Las Vegas Great Santa Run has become one of the largest Santa-themed runs in the world.
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Las Vegas Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker by Nevada Ballet Theatre
What to Expect:
Professional ballet performance of a holiday classic
Description:
Nevada Ballet Theatre brings Tchaikovsky's beloved holiday tale to life on the Las Vegas stage. Exquisite choreography and stunning costumes transport audiences to a world of sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers. The production features live orchestral accompaniment, elevating the auditory experience. Nevada Ballet Theatre has been presenting The Nutcracker annually since 1979, making it a longstanding cultural tradition in Las Vegas.
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The Nutcracker by Nevada Ballet Theatre
Holiday Havoc at The Joint
What to Expect:
Rock music festival with a holiday theme
Description:
The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel rocks around the Christmas tree with Holiday Havoc, a multi-night concert series featuring top alternative and rock acts. Headbanging meets holiday spirit as bands perform their hits alongside seasonal covers. The event has become a December tradition for rock fans, offering a high-energy alternative to traditional holiday shows. Holiday Havoc embodies Las Vegas's reputation for unconventional entertainment, even during the festive season.
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Holiday Music Concerts at Brooklyn Bowl
What to Expect:
Diverse holiday concerts in a bowling alley/music venue
Description:
Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas hosts a series of eclectic holiday concerts, ranging from jazz and blues to rock and electronic music. The venue's unique setup allows concert-goers to enjoy live music while bowling or dining on comfort food. Artists often perform holiday classics alongside their regular repertoire, creating a festive yet laid-back atmosphere. Brooklyn Bowl, with its roots in New York City, brings a touch of hipster holiday cool to the Las Vegas Strip.
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Holiday Music Concerts at Brooklyn Bowl
Las Vegas Other Holiday Activities
The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan
What to Expect:
Rooftop ice skating with views of the Las Vegas Strip
Description:
Glide across a shimmering rooftop ice rink high above the Las Vegas Strip. The Cosmopolitan transforms its Boulevard Pool into a winter oasis, offering a unique skating experience with panoramic views of the city's dazzling lights. Visitors can warm up with specialty cocktails at the rink-side bar. This elevated attraction pays homage to the grand tradition of New York's Rockefeller Center ice rink, bringing a touch of big-city winter charm to the desert.
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The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden Holiday Display
What to Expect:
Elaborate holiday-themed floral and plant sculptures
Description:
Towering floral sculptures and intricate plant-based designs transform the Bellagio Conservatory into a holiday spectacle. Each year, expert horticulturists and designers craft a new theme, bringing it to life with thousands of flowers, trees, and props. Visitors can explore the immersive display, which often features moving elements and water features. The Conservatory's holiday tradition began with the hotel's opening in 1998, evolving into one of Las Vegas's most anticipated seasonal attractions.
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Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden Holiday Display
Fremont Street Experience Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Massive Christmas tree under a giant LED canopy
Description:
Downtown Las Vegas lights up with the annual Christmas tree lighting at Fremont Street Experience. A towering evergreen stands beneath the world's largest video screen, creating a striking juxtaposition of nature and technology. Visitors can watch the tree-lighting ceremony and enjoy live performances on multiple stages. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in historic downtown Las Vegas, blending old-world charm with modern spectacle.
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Fremont Street Experience Christmas Tree Lighting
Winter PARQ at The LINQ Promenade
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed outdoor entertainment district
Description:
The LINQ Promenade transforms into Winter PARQ, an open-air holiday celebration. Stroll through the promenade adorned with thousands of lights and decorations. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, seasonal food and drink offerings, and holiday-themed experiences at various venues. The centerpiece High Roller observation wheel offers a unique perspective on the Las Vegas Strip's holiday lights. Winter PARQ exemplifies the modern, pedestrian-friendly development trend in Las Vegas.
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Winter PARQ at The LINQ Promenade
Christmas at the Neon Museum
What to Expect:
Holiday displays using historic neon signs
Description:
The Neon Museum lights up with holiday cheer, showcasing vintage Las Vegas signs with a festive twist. Retired neon signs from casinos and businesses past are adorned with holiday lights and decorations. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the history of these iconic signs and their place in Las Vegas culture. This event uniquely blends Sin City's glitzy past with holiday traditions, offering a nostalgic glimpse into Vegas Christmases of yesteryear.
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Nearby Events
Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden (Henderson)
What to Expect:
Illuminated desert botanical garden with over 1 million lights
Description:
Desert flora meets holiday illumination at the Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden. Over one million lights adorn cacti, succulents, and other arid plants, creating a uniquely Southwestern holiday spectacle. Stroll through the three-acre garden, marveling at the contrast between prickly desert vegetation and twinkling lights. The garden, part of Ethel M Chocolates' factory grounds, continues a tradition started by the Mars family in 1993, blending confectionery history with holiday cheer.