Planning a trip to Las Vegas at Christmas? You’re going to have the time of your life!
With great shows and plenty of entertainment options, you’ll have no trouble finding something exciting to do in Sin City every single day, no matter your tastes.
On top of that, there are also many ways to enjoy Christmas in Las Vegas with your family and friends. Let’s get into it, shall we?
Glittering Lights
At the north end of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, you can find the enormous Glittering Lights drive-thru display. This is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!
For an extra special treat, you can ride through the display on the Santa tram on select nights. This option includes photo opportunities with displays and Santa himself!
This year, Glittering Lights takes place from November 9, 2023 through January 7, 2024.
For ticket pricing and other info, check out the Glittering Lights website.
Las Vegas Great Santa Run
Every year, the Fremont Street Experience hosts the Las Vegas Great Santa Run to benefit Opportunity Village, which helps people with disabilities find employment.
In 2023, the run will take place on Saturday, December 2 at 10 AM.
Runners can run a 5K or 1 mile, with both options requiring a registration fee. The fee includes a Santa suit and sack, race medal, and swag bag. Children 3 and under are free.
The registration fee varies depending on when you register, so the sooner you register, the cheaper it is. Check out the Great Santa Run registration page for more information.
Can’t make the race this year? You can register as a virtual participant for and run the race in a location of your choice. This option does not include the Santa suit and sack, race medal or swag bag.
The Ice Skating Rink At The Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan transforms its Boulevard rooftop pool area into a gorgeous Winter wonderland.
The extravaganza includes a massive ice skating rink, faux snow showers, firepits, s’mores, and wintery cocktails.
Ice skate rentals start at $30, with discounts available for locals, military, and first responders. Skate aids are available to rent at $15, as well.
Every Monday & Tuesday, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, a movie is shown in the evenings, too.
In 2022, The Rink at The Cosmopolitan ran from November 15 through January 2. Dates for 2023 are not yet available. Last checked October 20, 2023.
The Bellagio Fountains
It’s hard to beat the size and spectacle of the Bellagio Fountains. This free dancing water show is choreographed to well-known music that changes up throughout the year, especially for different holidays.
Monday through Friday, this free show takes place every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening.
The exact hours change throughout the year, so I recommend consulting the Bellagio website for the hours when you’ll be visiting.
In my opinion, the best time to watch the show is at night, set amidst the glittering lights along the strip.
The Bellagio Conservatory
The Bellagio Conservatory offers the perfect opportunity for a romantic moment during the hectic holiday season.
Enchant Christmas at the Las Vegas Ballpark
Enchant Christmas at the Las Vegas Ballpark, over by the Red Rocks Resort & Casino is the perfect family event for kids and adults alike.
With events, attractions and activities including ice skating, a light maze, concerts, a cocktail lounge, snacks, shopping—there’s something for every age. You can even meet Santa Claus!
This year Enchant Christmas at Las Vegas Ballpark takes place from November 24, 2023 through December 31, 2023. Tickets start at $34 for adults and $25 for kids.
Tournament of the Kings: ‘Twas the Night
The Medieval inspired show at the Excalibur brings some festive cheer with Tournament of the Kings: ‘Twas the Night.
In addition to the dueling knights and other revelry, the arena will be festively decked out and the dinner will have special holiday twists, like Christmas cookies for dessert.
This year, Tournament of the Kings: ‘Twas the Knight runs from November 22 through December 25, 2023.
Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland
Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall is a must-visit for anyone visiting Vegas during the Christmas season.
The park, which is just minutes from MGM Grand, features a skating rink and a beautiful laser light water show that’s sure to make even adults feel like children again.
To top it all off, there’s an 18-ft Christmas tree, a mailbox for letters to the North Pole, photo ops with Santa, and colorful lights throughout.
This year, Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland will run from Wednesday, November 22, 2023 through Sunday, January 1, 2024.
Terry Fator’s A Very Terry Christmas
America’s Got Talent‘s favorite funny ventriloquist, Terry Fator, puts on a X-Mas show at the New York-New York Hotel’s Liberty Loft.
The show includes carols, stories, new characters, plus guest performers like Maynard Thompkins, a popular Elvis impersonator.
This year, A Very Terry Christmas runs from November 24 through December 30, 2023. Check the New York-New York Hotel website for a seating chart and ticket information.
The Nutcracker at The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall
Ballet and all things Christmas are a quintessential pairing, and few ballet performances offer a more sparkling affair than The Nutcracker ballet.
The Nevada Ballet Theater puts on its own version of this show choreographed by James Canfield. His show offers everything you love about this festive season, including a decked-out tree, toy soldiers, and snow!
This year, The Nevada Ballet Theater will perform The Nutcracker on select dates from December 8 through the 24, 2023 at The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall. Ticket prices range from $30.95 to $189.95.
Shopping at the LINQ Promenade
One of my favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in Las Vegas is to hit up the LINQ Promenade.
The LINQ Promenade, located between the LINQ and Flamingo hotels, is equal parts shopping, dining, and entertainment.
It’s the perfect spot to shop for gifts for your loved ones, enjoy a tasty meal, and marvel at the decorations, including a giant sparkling tree.
Plus, each night, there are singers performing holiday songs and the High Roller ferris wheel puts on a sparkling light show.
Last, but not least, the man himself, Santa Claus, is known to make an appearance.
See the famous conservatory filled with poinsettia and other winter floral displays, trees, and sculptures.
This year the holiday display at the Bellagio Conservatory is available December 2, 2023 through January 7, 2024. The best part? It’s open 24 hours a day and is completely free to see!
Go resort hopping
Speaking of spectacular Christmas displays in Vegas, nearly all hotels and resorts will be decked out!
But some are more spectacular than others and worth a visit even if you aren’t staying there while in town.
At minimum, I recommend checking out the ARIA, Flamingo, The Venetian, and Wynn resorts, in addition to all the hotels and resorts featured in this post!
At ARIA, the pastry chefs fill the lobby with giant displays created with chocolate, macarons, candy cans, and hot cocoa.
The popular Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo is decked out with lights and a giant snow globe.
The Venetian goes all out with holiday decor throughout the Grand Canal Shoppes area with carolers singing in Italian at center stage.
Lastly, Wynn switches up its garden displays with a wintery theme with elaborately decorated trees and wreaths throughout.
Holiday pop-up bars
There’s no shortage of holiday-themed pop up bars in Las Vegas. If you’re not sure where to go, check out the top options below.
Bad Elf at Silverton
The Shady Grove Lounge at Silverton Casino & Hotel transforms into the Bad Elf Holiday Pop-Up Bar for the festive season.
The pop-up bar was inspired by the recent Elf on the Shelf trend, so visitors will enjoy seeing some of these elves in, uh, bad situations!
This year, Bad Elf takes over on November 4, 2023 and runs through January 1, 2024.
Miracle on Spring Mountain at Sand Dollar Lounge
Speaking of pop-up bars, if you’re looking to combine kitschy childhood Christmas memories with festive drinks, head to the Sand Dollar Lounge for Miracle on Spring Mountain.
In addition to all of the fun, over-the-top decor, the menu includes festive drinks and pizza specials.
In 2023, Miracle on Spring Mountain returns on November 20 and runs through December 31.
Sippin’ Santa at The Sand Dollar Downtown
If downtown Vegas is more your scene, add Sippin’ Santa to your list.
This pop-up tiki bar from Beachbum Berry takes over The Sand Dollar Downtown lounge at the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
In 2023, Sippin’ Santa is open from November 21 through December 31.
What are your favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in Las Vegas?
I hope you found a few fun ways to celebrate Christmas in Las Vegas from this post. Let me know how your Winter vacay in Sin City goes in the comments below.
About the author
Meg Frost is a Boston-based travel blogger that helps people embrace technology to make vacation planning and traveling wicked easy, affordable, and fun.
She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami.
This post was originally published November 3, 2022. It was last updated November 4, 2023.
oneearth
Saturday 31st of December 2022
Wow! its amazing ... Hopefully will try to make plan next year. Nice blog! https://oneearthhotels.com/jammuh.aspx
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