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 city! The flashing lights of Vegas and the added sparkle of this time of year make Las Vegas a fabulous place to spend December, and the resorts usually do it up big from now until New Year’s Eve. Make sure to bookmark this page, as we’ve compiled a list of 33 magical activities to do this Decemer in Las Vegas. Enjoy.
1-7. Go check out a dazzling display of Christmas lights around Vegas
A city with as big of a lighting bill as Vegas doesn’t skimp out on Christmas lights, and there are at least 7 dazzling Chrismas light displays you can enjoy this December in Las Vegas. From Glittering Lights at the LV Motor Speedway which has millions of twinkling Christmas lights to Magical Forest at Opportunity Village, you won’t want to miss out on the fun this December in Las Vegas.
8. See a cozy Candlelight in a stunning Vegas venue
Cozy candlelight concerts are an enchanting and intimate evening activity during the holidays. This global concert experience 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 December 20-22nd, get into the holiday spirit with Candlelight’s Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More at The Industrial, an annual tradition that keeps on giving.
9. 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 Cosmopolitan likes to do things in a big Vegas fashion, so expect snow showers every 30 minutes! There will also be cozy fire pits and delicious treats to enjoy the best time of the year. Entry into the area is free; however, admission for ice skating costs $20 per person.
Where: 3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
10. Visit a festive and kitschy holiday pop-up barÂ
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 serving delicious pizza and even more delicious themed-drinks. Most are inside cute and kitschy ceramics that you can even buy at the shop to take home to make your own Christmas concoctions. From “Naughty” and “Nice” shots to Snowball Old Fashioned cocktails with seasonal ingredients.
Where: 3355 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
11. Vist Ethel M Chocolate’s and the holiday 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. Combine Christmas lights with one of their famous hot chocolates and you’ve got the perfect December itinerary.
12. Have a boozy hot chocolate at the coolest bar in Vegas
Head to the Linq Promenade with your parka and gloves to the coolest bar on the Strip. Minus 5 Degrees Ice Bar is, as the name describes, entirely made out of ice, making it the perfect winter wonderland. While December isn’t notoriously hot in Las Vegas, a cool thing to do for the holiday season would be to head inside an ice bar and pretend you’re in a Scandinavian country, sipping on holiday-style drinks and boozy hot chocolate. What’s even better is kids can also enter and sip on a spirit-free specialty beverage.
13. 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. Your eyes will be overwhelmed by all the festive decorations, the cheerful carolers, and the general Christmas ambiance. There is a nightly show with excellent singers and dancers, so do be sure to stick around for that. The best part is that these performances are entirely free!
The High Roller Ferris wheel ride will also be decorated to fit the holiday cheer!
14. Get a picture with Santa 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 where you 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
15. Get your Christmas spirit on at the Downtown Summerlin Holiday Parade
The Downtown Summerlin Holiday Parades feature delightful floats inspired by iconic classic holiday movies. They also feature festive dancers and your favorite characters to greet you all. There is even a bit of snow! The parade is FREE and open to the public. They will be held every Friday and Saturday night until December 16th at 6 pm.
Location: Summerlin South, NV 89135
16-26. Hit up one of these 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 attend in Vegas. P.S. We’d recommend getting tickets sooner rather than later.
- Time of Your Life Festival
- Area15
- Steve Aoki at Omnia
27. Head to Henderson’s WinterFest
Henderson sure knows how to celebrate the holidays! The iconic WinterFest is back for another at the Water Street Plaza. The fun lasts from December 1st into January 1st. They have prepared a variety of family-friendly activities, such as the official tree-lighting ceremony and the Winterfest Live! They have a concert series every Saturday this month. You can also snap a picture with Santa before or after enjoying the delicious food and treats. The live entertainment and a spectacular evening light parade make this event one of the best this holiday season.
28. 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 vibrant seasons 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 2023’s Christmas display. The team has done a great job of putting together photo-worthy sculptures made of plants and flowers, and they’ll be opening with a new theme on December 1st.
29. Head to Las Vegas’ biggest winter wonderland, Enchant
Enter a glittering holiday lights adventure where you’ll move through a stunning light maze while you search for Santa’s missing star fragments. Enchant Christmas at the Las Vegas Ballpark is filled with holiday fun, with activities like an ice skating rink, an adorable Christmas village filled with artisan vendors, a children’s play area, and Santa Claus himself.
30. Participate in The Great Santa Run
Did you ever want to see a sea of Santas racing to the finish line? On December 2nd, Opportunity Village will host a holiday-themed race with as many Santas as you can count. The party atmosphere will continue with live entertainment, festive music, and an after-party at the end of the race. The fun-filled Christmas event starts at 8 am until at least 1:30 pm. You can either walk or run a 5K or a mile race. All that’s required is holiday cheer!
31. 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 overlooking the rink. The joyful holiday music and warm drinks from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s truck offering. The Rock Rink will be open until January 15, 2024! Tickets must be reserved in advance.
32. 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. The Palazzo Waterfall Atrium and Gardens is a must-see during the holiday season. The display is open to the public 24 hours a day and lasts through the first week of the new year.
33. See some stunning fireworks on Dec 31st
Let’s welcome in the new year with a bang! This year’s Las Vegas Strip fireworks display includes eight casino rooftops and is choreographed to some of the best hits as the fireworks light up our Vegas sky! The fireworks show is set to last 10 minutes and will have over 80,000 fireworks explosions! The eight casino rooftops are:
ARIA Resort & Casino
Caesars Palace
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Resorts World Las Vegas
Treasure Island
The Venetian
The STRAT Hotel Casino and SkyPod
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