Welcome to Christmas in Las Vegas! The holidays are here, and while Las Vegas is affectionately known as Sin City, it also celebrates holiday cheer like no other. The flashing lights and the added sparkle of this time of year make Las Vegas a fabulous place to spend December, and the resorts usually bring it on between now and New Year’s Eve. Make sure to bookmark this page, as we’ve compiled a list of 33 magical activities to do in Las Vegas this December.
1. Head to Henderson’s WinterFest
Don’t miss Southern Nevada’s biggest holiday celebration! Henderson’s WinterFest lasts all months, so you’ll have enough time to explore it. Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony and a special drone show on Dec. 5, 2024, followed by the Electric Light Parade the next evening. Experience holiday cheer with music from the Henderson Symphony Orchestra and festive lights at Water Street Plaza.
📍Location: Water Street District
📆 Date: From Dec. 5 2024, all month long
2. Participate in The Great Santa Run
Ever wanted to see a sea of Santas racing to the finish line? Join the Las Vegas Great Santa Run on December 7, 2024, at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. You’ll support Opportunity Village’s work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Choose a 5k or 1-mile race, both stroller, pet, and wheelchair-friendly. In celebration of Opportunity Village’s 70th anniversary, every 70th registrant wins a free merch item.
📍Location: Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
📆 Date: Dec. 7 2024
3. Catch the fabulous A Christmas Cocktail Carol
Experience A Christmas Cocktail Carol, an immersive reimagining of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, complete with a dark Victorian twist. Travel to the heart of Victorian London, and follow Ebenezer Scrooge’s haunting journey while enjoying four holiday-inspired cocktails, perfectly paired with the night’s eerie thrills. Don’t miss this limited-run adventure in Las Vegas! Get your tickets now, right here!
📍Location: 3rd floor of Neonopolis, 450 Fremont Street SUITE #380, Las Vegas, 89101
📆 Date: Dec. 12, 13, 14; various times available
4. Get your Santa selfie in Town Square
Get ready for your close-up! Taking pictures with Santa is a must, and in Town Center, you have until December 24th to get your own. If you want to enjoy this holiday activity, we recommend you register online and pay a $20 fee that will be credited toward your photos. Santa will be there with Paws N Claws on Wednesdays only.
📍Location: 6605 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas
📆 Date: Dec. 13 – 24
5-12. Check out the dazzling displays of Christmas lights around Vegas
A city with as big of a lighting bill doesn’t skimp out around Christmas time! To make sure you don’t miss any of the great ones, we’ve put together 8 dazzling Christmas light displays you can enjoy in Las Vegas this December. Start with the Glittering Lights at the LV Motor Speedway, which has millions of twinkling Christmas lights. Make sure to also check the new Rockin’ Christmas – the world’s largest animated drive-through audio-visual experience.
13. See the best burlesque, comedy, magic & musical talent live at Miss Behave’s Mavericks
This December, rediscover the magic of vintage Vegas at Mavericks, the variety show bringing burlesque, comedy, magic, and music to the Plaza Showroom. With its homage to the glitzy 70s and a modern, flirty twist, this 75-90 minute extravaganza is perfect for a holiday night out. Each performance is unique, so you’ll never see the same show twice!
📍 Location: Plaza Hotel and Casino, 1 Main Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
🕒 When: Wed – Sun at 7, Sat at 7 & 9:30
🎟️ Tickets: Get tickets here!
14. See a cozy Candlelight in a stunning Vegas venue
Cozy candlelight concerts are an enchanting and intimate evening activity during the holidays. This concept that has taken the world by storm has set up shop in the entertainment capital with a couple of gorgeous venues transformed by candlelight and the beautiful swell of a talented string quartet. On certain dates in December, you can catch a true Christmas special: “The Nutcracker” & More, at The Industrial.
Grab your tickets here.📍Location: The Industrial
📆 Date: Dec. 18, 19, 23 2024, 6 PM & 8:30 PM
15. Go ice skating at the Cosmopolitan
Ice Skating is a quintessential winter tradition, and here in Vegas, it’s no exception. The Cosmopolitan has a fabulous ice rink perfect for a day full of winter fun. The resort loves to bring that special seasonal touch, so expect magical snow showers every 30 minutes. There will also be cozy fire pits and delicious treats to enjoy. The area is open to the public; however, admission for ice skating costs $20 per locals, and $30 for tourists – for all day, including skates.
📍Location: 3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
📆 Date: throughout the whole month, check their website for the exact opening times
16. Visit a festive and kitschy holiday pop-up bar
Miracle Bar is a Christmas tradition that pops up at a local bar every holiday season. For another year, Miracle, the kitschy and festive holiday-themed pop up bar will be at The Sand Dollar on Spring Mountain Road. They’ll serve delicious pizza and even more delicious themed-drinks. Most are inside cute ceramics that you can buy at the shop to take home or transform it into the perfect gift. Choose from “Naughty” and “Nice” shots, or go with a Snowball Old Fashioned.
📍Location: 3355 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
17. Grab some delicious hot chocolate and check out this Christmas cactus garden
Each Christmas, Ethel M Chocolates turns its unique natural oasis into a glittering, holiday-themed display where cacti meet Christmas lights. Somehow – probably because it’s Vegas – it works. This holiday tradition is one of the best things to do in December in Las Vegas. See the beautiful lights in this unusual environment, and don’t forget to grab one of their famous hot chocolates. You won’t regret it!
18. Have a boozy hot chocolate at the coolest bar in Vegas
Head to the Linq Promenade and check out the coolest bar on the Strip. Minus 5 Ice Bar is, as the name describes, entirely made out of ice, making it the perfect winter wonderland. Head inside this bar and pretend you’re in a Scandinavian country, sipping on holiday-style drinks and boozy hot chocolate. They’ll give you a parka to keep your warm, no worries. Kids can also enter and sip on a spirit-free specialty beverage.
This year, they also have special packages, where you can get entry to the bar, a drink, and entry to the Dreambox360 Experience, plus a drink here too – all for $67.
📍Location: LinQ Promenade, but also on Mandalay Bay and Grand Canal Shoppes @ Venetian
📆 Date: open all month, days and hours depend on location
19. Witness a snow flurry at this free Christmas event in the Linq Promenade
If you ever wanted to experience the charm of small towns during Christmas in a big city, then you’ll have to check out The LINQ Promenade. This public area will be transformed entirely come December. It turns into a winter wonderland with so much to enjoy, all with a flurry of fake snow. Here you’ll find festive decorations, cheerful carolers, and so much Christmas ambiance. There is a nightly free show with excellent singers and dancers, so do be sure to stick around for that.
20. Get your Christmas spirit on at the Downtown Summerlin Holiday Parade
Celebrate the holiday season in a grand way every Friday and Saturday at 6 PM! Downtown Summerlin brings the streets to life with its annual holiday parade! Enjoy festive floats inspired by beloved holiday movies, lively dancers and characters, magical snowfall, and, of course, an appearance by Santa himself. All shows are free and open to everyone.
📍Location: Park Centre Drive
📆 Date: until Dec. 21 2024
21. Tour the Christmas display at Bellagio Conservatory
The Bellagio Conservatory is the best way to mark the passing of the seasons here in Vegas since we don’t get that much in real life, here in the desert. The Bellagio Conservatory gets decked out to the nines with beautiful seasonal decorations during the holiday season, and we’re excited to see 2024’s Christmas display.
22. Head to Las Vegas’ biggest winter wonderland, Enchant
Enter the world’s largest illuminated winter wonderland. It features a stunning maze lined with silver and gold lights, shaped like snowflakes and trees. Stroll through the maze, skate along the ice trail, enjoy seasonal food and drinks, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and catch a breathtaking view of the lights from the Ferris wheel. Be sure to check out special events like Country Christmas, Paws & Claus, and Ugly Christmas Sweater Night!
📍Location: Las Vegas Ballpark
📆 Date: Until Dec. 29 2024
23. Bring the whole family to Rock Rink at Downtown Summerlin
This picturesque ice skating rink near the Pavilion at The Lawn is the perfect way to skate under the stars this December. Not only that, but you’ll get the chance to snap festive holiday pictures if you pose in front of the gigantic 40-foot tree. The Rock Rink will be open until January 20, 2025! Tickets must be reserved in advance.
📍Location: The Lawn at Downtown Summerlin
📆 Date: all throughout December
24. See The Palazzo Waterfall Atrium & Gardens at Christmas time
The Palazzo Waterfall Atrium and Gardens are transformed into a magical winter fantasy every year. The display is decked out with 20- feet tall snow-covered trees, swirling holiday lights, giant pine cones, thousands of fresh poinsettias. This is a must-see in Las Vegas this December. The display is open to the public 24 hours a day and lasts through the first week of the new year.
📍Location: The Venetian Resort
📆 Date: all throughout December
25-37. Hit up one of the outrageous NYE parties in Vegas
If you thought Christmas in Las Vegas was big, then get ready for New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Sin City always goes hard, and this year is no different. Here are some of the wild NYE parties you can’t miss (and here’s the full list):
P.S. we’d recommend getting tickets sooner rather than later.
- Anyma – ‘The End of Genesys’ @ Sphere
- 2025 Time Of Your Life @ Fremont street
- Hard Rock Cafe’s NYE Party
- Imagine Dragons @ The Venetian
- Janet Jackson @ Resorts World Theatre
- Bruno Mars @ Park MGM Vegas
38. See some stunning fireworks on Dec 31st
Let’s welcome in the new year with a bang! This year’s Strip fireworks display include nine casino rooftops and is choreographed to some of the best hits. The show is set to last 10 minutes and will have over 80,000 fireworks explosions! The nine casino rooftops are:
. ARIA Resort & Casino
. Caesars Palace
. MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
. Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
. Resorts World Las Vegas
. The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod
. Treasure Island Las Vegas
. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
. The Fontainebleau
The Rio Hotel will host the command center.
There you go! So many things to do in Las Vegas this December. Pick your favorite events, grab your favorite people, and enjoy this beautiful month.