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

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.

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 31^st 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.

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

“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