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Guide on what to do for the Holiday Season in Las Vegas 2023

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Now that you are in Las Vegas for the holiday season, what to do? There are many things to do, including, shopping, dining, shows, gambling and seeing some unique attractions that are only open during the holiday season. November and December are great months to visit Las Vegas.

UPDATED 12/23/2023

Attractions this year include (Scan down for details):

ARIA’s Winter Wonderland Displays

Each year the Aria Resort on the Las Vegas Strip transforms the hotel lobby into a Winter Wonderland. The holiday display changes each year. Also, be sure to check out other displays located throughout the property (there are several). The Aria does a great job each year. This free attraction runs from mid-November to early January.

Aria Resort & Casino address: 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland Experience

Festivities return to Bass Pro Shops during the annual Santa’s Wonderland experience until December 24.  Enjoy holiday-themed games, crafts and festive giveaways and you can visit Santa and get a free printed 4×6 photo.

Bass Pro Shops address: 8200 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas

Bellagio Conservatory “The Nutcracker” Winter Display

The Bellagio Conservatory Winter Display will open December 2 and run until January 7, 2024. VegasChanges.com will be posting both day and night photos when it opens. The name will be Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet classic “The Nutcracker” and should feature the traditional 42-foot-tall Christmas tree.

Bellagio Resort & Casino address: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Boulder City North Pole Express (train)

The Friends of Nevada Southern Railway Inc. are hosting the Annual Boulder City North Pole Express 2023. A Fundraising Event to benefit the Nevada State Railroad Museum. (This was formerly known as the Pajama Train or Santa Train). A time for family and friends to travel to Santa’s Rail yard. The 90-minute event includes an early evening train ride, then time in Santa’s rail yard before taking the short train ride back to the station. November 24 to December 20, 2023 on select days. Details and Tickets

Boulder City Southern Railroad address: 601 Yucca St, Boulder City

The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan

The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas transforms into a wonderland with snow showers, fire pits and a 4,200 square-foot ice-skating rink. Varied hours from December 2 to January 2, 2024. $30 all-day skate pass; $20 Monday through Thursday for Nevada residents, first responders and military.

Admission to the dazzling winter wonderland atmosphere surrounding The Ice Rink is free. Holiday films displayed above the rink on the resort’s 65-foot marquee every Monday and Tuesday at 7pm and snow showers take place every half hour after 7pm.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas address: 3708 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

The District at Green Valley Ranch Tree Lighting

Join us on November 18 from 5pm to 8pm and immerse yourself in the holidays. Experience hourly snow fall, meet & greet with Sugarplum Fairy & The Nutcracker, indulge in sweet treats, dance with loved ones to live holiday music, special appearance by Santa and enjoy Polar Express under the stars at The Green at 7pm.

Don’t forget to drop off a toy for children ages 11 – 18 for our first toy drive with St. Jude’s Ranch For Children.

The District at Green Valley Rance address: 2240 Village Walk Dr, Henderson

Downtown Summerlin

Rock Rink opens November 10. Skate under the stars and a 40-foot-tall holiday tree at the Rock Rink in Downtown Summerlin. Skate rentals start at $16. Open to all ages.  Time on the rink is limited to 75 minutes.

Holiday Train opens November 10. The holiday train circles the rink and 40-foot holiday tree. Rides are $5 per person.

Holiday Parade every Friday and Saturday evening at 6pm from November 17 through December 16. The parade is free and will run along Park Centre Drive.

Photos with Santa open daily until December 24. Photos with pets are offered on Tuesdays from November 21 through December 19 between 7pm and 9pm and on Saturday, December 9 from 10am to noon

Hanukkah celebration on December 13, includes the lighting of the Menorah, family skate night, entertainment, kids activities, and hot cocoa with light bites.

Rock Rink address: 1825 Festival Plaza Dr, Las Vegas

Enchant Christmas at the Las Vegas Ballpark

All-New Light Maze for 2023. Santa’s Magic Timepiece is a full sensory adventure – explore far and wide in the search to find the eight missing star fragments that make up Santa’s magic timepiece in order to save Christmas!

Start your adventure in our spectacular, all-new, story-themed Christmas Light Maze for Las Vegas. This year discover The Mischievous Elf Maze. Stroll through lighted tunnels, search for larger-than-life presents, find your way to our epic 100 foot tall Christmas tree, and look for special surprises along the way. They also have Ice Skating on real ice, The Village for dining and shopping, you can meet Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus and more.

Open November 24 to December 31, 2023. General admission tickets start at $34 for adults and $25 for children.

Las Vegas Ballpark address: 1650 South Pavilion Center Drive, Las Vegas

Ethel M’s Holiday Cactus Garden

In its 30th year, more than a million lights decorate the Ethel M Chocolates Factory’s 3-acre Holiday Cactus Garden. The family friendly Holiday Garden is open nightly from 5pm to 10pm until December 31st, 2023. Christmas Eve 10am-8pm, Christmas Day CLOSED and New Year’s Eve 10am-8pm.

You can take pictures with Santa, enjoy our famous hot chocolate, and grab a quick bite from our food truck.

This year, a $2 entrance fee per person is required and will be donated to Help of Southern Nevada and Three Square Food Bank. The entrance fee can be paid with either cash or credit card. Please note that we will not be collecting toys and non-perishable food items this year.

Ethel M’s Chocolates Factory address: 2 Cactus Garden Dr, Henderson

Fremont Street Experience Christmas Tree Lighting

The Fremont Street Experience Christmas Tree Lighting will take place December 5 at 5pm.

Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Located at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Glittering Lights features more than 3 million holiday lights. Guests can enjoy the dazzling array of festive lights and sounds while driving a 2.5 mile course through the speedway. The attraction also offers an open-air tram ride as part of its Santa tram.

Open until January 7, 2024 Sunday – Thursday: 4:30pm – 9:00pm and Friday, Saturday, Holidays, December 16-26: 4:30pm – 10:00pm. Tickets start at $39 per car or truck. Santa Tram $25 per person. Other packages are available.

Driving Directions: Tip: Using a GPS will double your travel time, routing you to Las Vegas Blvd. The best way to arrive is I-15, exit 54, turn right on Speedway Blvd. Continue for a half mile and turn right into the entrance of Glittering Lights.

Glittering Lights address: 7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas

Las Vegas Great Santa Run

The iconic Las Vegas Great Santa Run will take flight on Dec. 2, 2023 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, 200 S. 3rd Street. Registration is open, so start stretching those Santa muscles and get ready for the jolliest 5k or 1-mile jaunt of the season.

Join Opportunity Village on a Downtown Las Vegas course packed with all the entertainment and style that Las Vegas is known for, while raising money to help adults with disabilities in our community. Presented by Circle K and hosted by Opportunity Village and Fox5 and their Take 5 to Care Partners, Findlay Subaru of Las Vegas and Landmark Recovery, festivities begin at 8am with the races starting at 10am.

Join co-Grand Marshals the Jabbawockeez and Blue Man Group as they lead the 1-mile Wock and 5k. Entertainment includes performances by Travis Cloer, Lorena Peril, Miss Nevada Taylor Blatchford, SPICE Wannabe, Adam London from Laughternoon, and Zowie Bowie. Register HERE

Downtown Las Vegas Events Center address: 200 S. 3rd Street, Las Vegas

Linq Promenade Holiday Displays

Each holiday season the Linq Promenade goes all out with great displays. In the past they have had free parades, shows and more. This usually runs from late November to early January.

Linq Promenade address: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Magical Forest at Opportunity Village

This year, the Magical Forest will celebrate its 31st season. For more than three decades, Opportunity Village has welcomed families and friends from across the globe. With every dollar spent at the Magical Forest, visitors are helping Opportunity Village fund programs and services for over 3,000 people with disabilities. So while you warm your hands on a cup of hot cocoa from Frostbites, you can also warm your heart knowing you are making a positive impact on someone’s life.

The Magical Forest is a winter wonderland with over a million sparkling lights, exciting rides, great food and endless holiday cheer.

The Magical Forest is a festive, all-ages theme park right here in Las Vegas. It is an outdoor event so be sure to dress warmly. Open nightly at 5:30pm and closes at 9pm Sunday-Thursday and 9:30pm Friday-Saturday Nov. 24-26, Nov. 30- Dec. 3, Dec. 7-10, Dec 14-31 (Closed Christmas). General admission starts at $24. Other packages are available.

Magical Forest address: 6300 W Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas

Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium: Santa in the Shipwreck

The annual Santa in the Shipwreck at Shark Reef Aquarium is returning from December 16-24 from 10am-4pm. Prices for adults: $29 (timed entry) and $36 (anytime tickets), children ages 5 – 12: $24 (timed entry) and $31 (anytime), children ages 4 and under are free. With each paid admission, children 12 and under receive a complimentary photograph with Santa Claus.

Special appearances by Santa Jaws will take place every hour for photos and interactions with kids and families. Santa Claus will put on a SCUBA suit and plunge into the shipwreck exhibit to wave farewell before heading back to the North Pole.

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino address: 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland at Sam’s Town

A holiday tradition for decades, Mystic Falls Park will be decked out for the holidays with beautiful holiday decor, an exciting laser light show and they will be making it snow in Vegas every night through the new year!

Holiday shows begin at sundown on Wednesday, November 22, through Sunday, January 1, 2024. The light show will run every hour, between 2pm and 10pm.

Santa will visit from Friday, November 24 to Saturday, December 23 from 4pm to 8pm on Fridays, and 11am to 7pm on Saturdays & Sundays. (Guests can take photos using their own camera). Kids are encouraged to bring in a letter for Santa, which can be dropped off in Santa’s mailbox.

Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall address: 5111 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas

Rockin’ Christmas at the M Resort

A mesmerizing audio-visual experience that will ROCK your holidays – featuring millions of colorful LED lights and hundreds of moving displays in a mile-long symphony of sight and sound. November 17 to December 31. Hours of operation: Tuesday through Sunday from 6pm-10pm. They will also be open on Monday, December 18 and Monday, December 25. Tickets start at $31.99. No tickets sold at the venue (buy online).

The M Resort address: 12300 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Silverton Tree Lighting, The BAD ELF Experience, Underwater Santa & More

The annual tree lighting event will take place on Friday, November 24 from 3-6pm at The Green. The family-friendly event will feature holiday entertainment, kids crafts, free hot chocolate and cookies. The tree lighting will be at sunset.

The Bad Elf holiday pop-up bar is back at the Shady Grove Lounge inside the casino. It is open daily until January 2, 2024. Visitors to BAD ELF must be 21+ and it will be closed on select dates for private events. The BAD ELF Experience Details

Join us at the Silverton Aquarium this holiday season for a chat with Santa and story time with the Mermaids. Saturday & Sunday November 25 to December 23. Mermaid Tales – Holiday story time with the Silverton Mermaids. 11:45am-12pm,  1pm-1:15pm, 1:45pm-2pm and 3pm-3:15pm. Underwater Santa – Share your Christmas wish list with Santa and his helpers. 12pm-1pm and 2pm-3:00pm.

Silverton Casino Lodge address: 3333 Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas

“The Nutcracker” at The Smith Center

Nevada Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker is a magical journey through a larger-than-life world filled with waltzing flowers, nimble fairies and moonlit snow. Choreographed by James Canfield, Las Vegas’ favorite holiday tradition is filled with glittering holiday cheer as Clara and her handsome Prince travel from the warmth of her family home to a land of toy soldiers, mischievous rodents and exotic visitors from faraway lands. Happy Holidays indeed! December 8-24 at The Smith Center. Tickets $30.95 to $189.95.

The Smith Center address: 361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas

Tivoli Village Tree Lighting

Tivoli Village will host its annual tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 22 from 5-8pm. Immerse yourselves in the holidays by dancing in the streets to your favorite holiday music. Meet-and-greet with Sugarplum Fairy and Nutcracker while The Grinch tries to sabotage the lighting of the tree! Will Santa be able to save the night!? Don’t forget to setup a chair at The Stage to view The Grinch under the stars at 7pm.

Tivoli Village address: 400 S Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas

Tournament of Kings ‘Twas the Knight Dinner Show

From November 22 to December 25, 2023 the 900-seat arena will turn into a holiday wonderland. There will be the mythical Merlin and even falling snow! But the battle for honor must go on. The fate of King Arthur hangs in the balance. Knights will ride, charge and joust their way to victory, while you cheer on your country’s hero and indulge in a celebratory three-course feast! It’s the perfect way to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season. Tickets start at $41.87.

Excalibur Hotel & Casino address: 3850 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

Town Square Tree Lighting & More

Santa and Snow in the Square Celebration will take place November 11 from 5-8pm at Town Square. It will feature the tree lighting, snow in The Square, Santa photos, entertainment, prizes and special guests. Santa will arrive at 7pm.

They will also be giving away hundreds of FREE Glow Items with purchase(s) totaling $10 or more from any Town Square Las Vegas merchant. While supplies last. One glow item per receipt.

Photos with Santa will take place November 12 to December 20 (online registration required) and December 21-21 (walk-ups only). Santa visits will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Snow in the Square from November 11 to December 23, Monday-Thursday 7pm and Friday-Sunday at 7pm & 8pm.

Town Square address: 6605 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

WinterFest – Henderson’s Holiday Tradition

The City of Henderson invites you to celebrate the holidays all month long; beginning with the annual kick-off, WinterFest! This annual tradition returns with a special new feature: a drone show in the sky! The first night is the tree lighting ceremony and drone show. The second night is the Lights Parade! There will be plenty of winter cheer along with a variety of holiday entertainment including the Henderson Symphony Orchestra, and festive illumination of holiday décor at the Water Street Plaza.

November 30 Tree Lighting at 5pm and Drone Show at 6:45pm. December 1 Light Parade at 6:30pm.

Location: Water Street Plaza (tree lighting ceremony and drone show) and along Water Street (parade)

Wynn’s Winter Wonderland Displays

Inspired by the novel, Gulliver’s Travels, discover a dazzling neighborhood at Wynn, as six intricately crafted whimsical miniature winter villages take up residence in the Atrium adjacent to the Main Hotel Registration at Wynn Las Vegas. There are also other holiday displays throughout the property. Opens in late November or early December.

Wynn Las Vegas Resort & Casino address: 3131 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas

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