Everything You Need to Do in Las Vegas Over the Holidays
Drive your car through a racetrack of holiday lights
Friday, November 13–Sunday, January 10
North Las Vegas
The annual Glittering Lights display is back, celebrating 20 years at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Drive your car through exhibits of more than 3 million lights covering nearly three miles. Highlights include the Neon Forest of glowing trees and Sports Alley, which pays tribute to local teams. A living nativity scene performs on select evenings.
Cost: Admission begins at $25 per vehicle
Big cities may have a lot going on for the holidays, but no one does festive cheer like a small town. That’s why Maker’s Mark is giving one remarkable small town a holiday to remember this December with a holiday makeover -- complete with plenty of much-needed festiveness. It was all part of the Small Town, Bright Lights contest, so check back soon to see who took home the grand prize.
Ice skate and ride a train in Downtown Summerlin
Friday, November 13–Wednesday, January 20
Downtown Summerlin is toning down its holiday celebration this year—but just a little bit. You can still lace up your skates by a 40-foot holiday tree and take a spin on the Rock Rink on The Lawn with reservations required. The train rides are back and the Lane of Lights (near H&M and Hollister) promises to be a colorful selfie station. No parades and no Santa this year, but kids can drop off a letter to the Jolly One at a red mailbox until December 22. Carolers will perform on Fridays and Saturdays until December 19 and you can marvel at a second 30-foot tree in the Dining Grotto. The lighting of the menorah for Hanukkah is December 14.
Cost: Ice skate rentals start at $16, train rides are $4
Ice skate on a rooftop pool deck
Wednesday, November 18–Sunday, January 3
The Cosmopolitan
This annual holiday tradition never gets old, especially with a cocktail in hand. The Boulevard Pool rooftop deck mixes Vegas Strip views with the fun of a skating rink. Admission on the ice is limited with capacity updated on a TV monitor. When not slipping and falling on the ice, roast s'mores by socially distanced fire pits and pick out libations from a holiday drink menu. Campfire snacks include tomato soup with grilled cheese and a hot dog topped with BBQ beef brisket. Stop by on Mondays and Tuesday for holiday movies on the Cosmopolitan's giant digital marquee at 6:30pm.
Cost: Free admission (all day skating begins at $30 with discounts for locals, hotel guests, and military)
Drink and dine at the Sugar Palace
Thursday, November 20–Tuesday, January 5
Aria
The Aria debuts an immersive Winter Wonderland display in the lobby, featuring a 15-foot-tall white and silver Sugar Palace made of sugar bricks and tile and designed by Pastry Chef Mathieu Lavalle (who recently won an episode of "Sugar Rush" on Netflix). Browse a selection of snacks and chocolate stocking stuffers or grab a cocktail in the nearby lounge with nightly piano music.
Cost: Free admission (prices vary for food and cocktails)
Enjoy a spicy spin on a Friendsgiving meal
Monday, November 23
Summerlin
For the seventh year in a row, Lola's is hosting the Feast of Feathered Friends at its Summerlin location. Think of it as a pre-game for Thanksgiving with traditional holiday dishes given a Cajun-Creole twist. Tables can be reserved for parties of two, four, or six. Book while you still can. This one tends to sell out fast.
Cost: $85 per person or $100 per person with welcome champagne and wine courses
Ride the rails and enjoy holiday treats
Monday, November 23–Thursday, December 31
Boulder City
One of the coolest things to do in Vegas is only getting better during the winter season. Rail Explorers now has holiday-themed tours with elves providing cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate, and apple cider during evening hours. Maintain social distance while pedaling your own way down a historic Boulder City railroad track.
Cost: Tandem rail bike for two starts at $85, quad rail bike for four starts at $150
Sip on festive cocktails at The Dorsey and Electra
Monday, November 23–Thursday, December 31
Venetian
Vegas has no shortage of top-notch craft cocktail bars, but if you need another option, visit The Dorsey and Electra at the Venetian. Both bars are featuring a killer lineup of holiday-themed creations, including the Lion's Tale Fix (an allspice Old Fashioned with a candy cane), minty Alpine Negroni, and the Roman Holiday (which mixes rye with pine liqueur). Ask about the specialty punchbowl to share (only available at The Dorsey).
Cost: Cocktails $18, punch bowl $90
Sip on drink at a holiday pop-up cocktail bar
Monday, November 23–Tuesday, December 31
Chinatown
The historic Sand Dollar Lounge is once again transforming into "Miracle on Spring Mountain" to serve holiday-themed craft cocktails. Everything is served in festive mugs and glassware that even the Grinch would appreciate. Think of it as the ultimate Christmas office party with over-the-top decorations, stiff drinks, and a loose social atmosphere. (Just behave yourself and wear a mask when not drinking… even under the mistletoe.) The Sand Dollar now has table reservations to ensure social distancing and will host live music and guest chef pizza pop-ups throughout the season.
Cost: Free admission
Let the holidays shine with the Festival of Lights
Tuesday, November 24–Saturday, January 9
Craig Ranch Regional Park welcomes the Festival of Lights 5:30-10:30 pm daily. Social distancing protocols will be in place while wandering among more than a million lights that synchronize to holiday music three times an hour. Snowfall is every 30 minutes. Hop on carnival rides, enjoy festive treats, and say hello to Santa (from a distance, of course).
Cost: Daily passes begin at $15, Santa photos $14
Enjoy the lights and sights at The LINQ promenade
Wednesday, November 25–Monday, December 28
The LINQ
The 550-foot-tall High Roller observation wheel illuminates in holiday colors for "Lights at The LINQ'' performances every hour on the half hour from 5:30-11:30 pm with synchronized music throughout the promenade. Locals can also get 50% off standard tickets for a spin on the High Roller and $10 off the FLY LINQ zipline with Nevada ID. Stick around and try the Hot Chocolate (with the option to add a little booze) at Icebar.
Cost: High Roller tickets begin at $20.50 (kids $7.50), FLY LINQ tickets begin at $21.75
Have a holly, jolly bar crawl on Fremont Street
Wednesday, November 25-–Thursday, December 31
Downtown
Take your choice of two Downtown bars for a "Holly Jolly on Fremont" holiday pop-up celebration. The outdoor patio at Park on Fremont is being transformed into Santa's Workshop while the Laundry Room continues its takeover of Commonwealth as an engaging Winter Wonderland with live piano performances, roasted chestnuts, and a DJ on the rooftop deck. Both venues will have full holiday menus with complex winter-themed cocktails. Make a reservation at either one—or both!
Cost: Prices vary
Sip (or share) a limited-edition barley wine
Friday, November 27
Henderson & Downtown
If you need a good stocking stuffer, turn your attention to the always-growing craft beer scene in Las Vegas. CraftHaus Brewing is putting Big Boy Pants on sale—a robust barley wine with three cans packaged in a Santa-themed cylinder. Just 50 gift packs will be produced, so order fast. Pickup dates are from December 11-23.
Cost: $29.99
Do your holiday shopping at Fashion Show Mall
Friday, November 27–December 20, 23-24
The Strip
The Fashion Show Mall is adding a few interactive installations to make holiday shopping a little more fun. Explore the candy cane pathway of Santa's Workshop, the white trees of Winter Wonderland, or the Jingle Bells in the Great Hall, where two-minute golden bell performances take place Thursdays-Sundays (plus December 23) at 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm. Head to the Plaza for live musicians with nutcracker dancers and sugar plum ballerinas. Take advantage of the free gift wrapping at the customer service desk December 18-24.
Cost: Free
Have Yourself a "Merry Crimson" in Summerlin
Friday, November 27–Sunday, January 3
Red Rock Resort
The Crimson poolside lounge is introducing "Merry Crimson" Thursday through Sunday nights. The indoor seating area is nice and warm with endless decorations, including a mirrored front entrance tunnel, oversized gingerbread house, and a selfie station based on "A Christmas Story." The outside pool deck can get chilly, but warm up by roasting marshmallows at one of several fire pits. Festive cocktails include the Drunken Cocoa Bomb (basically a spiked gingerbread hot chocolate) and Reindeer Room (similar to a vanilla-pear Old Fashioned). A few of the drinks have fun, interactive presentations. Table reservations are recommended. (Ask for a cabana if you're feeling fancy.)
Cost: Cocktails $16-19
Wander an intergalactic holiday park at AREA15
Friday, November 27–Sunday, January 3
Off the Strip
AREA15 is transforming its A-Lot outdoor space into Wanderland, a trippy tree-lined village with rentable igloos, fire pits, pop-up treats, and shops, and plenty of selfie spots for your Instagram feed. Snap pics in front of a Mad Max-inspired kinetic art car and a 30-foot illuminated art sleigh, which is something Santa might use to travel from planet to planet. Visit The Portal next door, where "Holiday 360: The Dream Before," a 30-minute wraparound sound-and-projection show, runs regularly (with a drink included for every adult ticket).
Cost: Wanderland is $20 for adults, $15 for kids ages three to ten, free for children under two, and $60 for a four-ticket bundle; "Holiday 360: The Dream Before" is $20 for adults and $12 for kids ages 3-11
Sip on holiday cocktails at Santa Baby
Monday, November 30–Wednesday, December 23
Tivoli Village
Santa Baby is a pop-up holiday bar on the upstairs level of Tivoli Village. Hang out and enjoy the festive decor while sipping on a rotating selection of "reinbeers," wine, and themed cocktails with glassware shaped like stockings and tree ornaments. Guests under 21 are allowed Mondays only. Get creative and decorate your own ornaments to bring home.
Cost: Prices vary per drink; admission tickets are $5.50 for an hour with the number visitors limited to ensure social distancing guidelines
Walk among the trees at Mystic Falls
Monday, November 30–Friday, January 1
Sam's Town
After a quiet period this year, Mystic Falls roars back to life with a new holiday display. Located underneath a towering atrium, the indoor park is shining bright with thousands of lights, an 18-foot Christmas tree, and lamp posts wrapped in garland. New this year—animatronic teddy bears handmade in Italy. Drop off letters to Santa at a mailbox near the gazebo.
Cost: Free admission
Take a "Holiday in Paradise" at the Trop
Monday, November 30–Sunday, January 3
The Tropicana
Holiday in Paradise is an outdoor winter garden with 25,000 lights, 25 trees, and a wall of poinsettias for the ultimate photo spot. There will be a themed bar for adults and hot cocoa for kids (including limited free giveaways December 4-5 and December 18-19). Showgirls, magicians, and tribute artists will perform throughout the season from a socially distant stage. If you want to make a staycation out of the experience, the Tropicana has winter rates as low as $29 per night.
Cost: Free admission
Slurp on a boozy holiday shake
Tuesday, December 1–Thursday, December 31
The Strip
The Sugar Factory knows how to mix a dessert and cocktail into one delicious holiday treat. 'Tis The Season blends vanilla ice cream with peppermint sticks into a long candy-coated white chocolate ganache mug with a mini-gingerbread house as garnish. Two straws are included for sharing. The shake is available all month long.
Cost: $21
Dream of a "White Christmas" at the Vegas Room
Wednesday, December 2–Monday, December 28
Off the Strip
The Vegas Room celebrates the music of Irving Berlin with a holiday show featuring a rotating lineup of singers and dancers. In true supper club style, the evening includes a six-course holiday feast with winter cocktails available and a choice of roast beef, turkey, or a vegan mushroom bourguignon as the main entree. Save room for a dessert that "snows."
Cost: Tickets begin at $109
Hit the Bellagio lobby for a festive floral display
Monday, December 7
Bellagio
The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio—also known as the best place on the Strip to walk into someone's camera shot—is one of the busiest free attractions in Vegas. The annual winter display debuts with a "Hopeful Holidays" theme this year, including nearly 14,000 flowers, five polar bears crafted from white carnations, 25 silver tip fir trees, and as a centerpiece, a 42-foot holiday tree with lights, ornaments, and a sparkling Swarovski topper.
Cost: Free
Learn to make your own holiday treats
Saturday, December 12
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Executive Pastry Chef Patrice Caillot leads a holiday cookie and ornament decoration class at 2pm on Saturday, December 12. Enjoy hot chocolate while learning about how to liven up your sugar cookies and fun things to hand on your try. A good activity for the young and old.
Cost: Email the Wynn concierge to learn more and make a reservation
Get lit at the Fremont Street Experience
Thursday, December 10–Tuesday December 15
Downtown
The Fremont Street Experience has a double-shot of holiday cheer within a five-day span. The lighting of a 20-foot-tall menorah on December 10 will celebrate the first day of Hanukkah and remain on display throughout the Jewish holiday. Less than a week later on December 15, Santa will help flip the switch on a 50-foot tall Christmas tree, which will remain up through the rest of the month. Both events are a good excuse to get a look at the Viva Vision overhead video-screen canopy, which was renovated late last year with more than 12 million LED lights.
Cost: Free
Eat out at a steakhouse for Christmas
Thursday, December 24–Friday, December 25
The Strip
Nothing beats a Las Vegas steakhouse for an over-the-top holiday dinner. Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres at the Sahara has a Christmas Eve dinner for $95 per person. The spread includes suckling lamb cordero asado and josper-roasted monkfish. STK at the Cosmopolitan is serving a Linz Prime Rib dinner for $69 per person on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with confit fingerling potatoes and port wine shallots with black truffle madeira sauce. Add shaved truffles for $15 or foie gras butter for $10. Old Homestead at Caesars Palace has a three-course Christmas dinner for $120 per person with a choice of dover sole or rosemary-crusted prime rib as the main course. No matter what you get, go with the eggnog cheesecake for dessert.
Cost: See above
Say goodbye to 2020 once and for all
Tuesday, December 31
The Strip & Downtown
As we continue to grapple with the limits of social distancing, plans for New Year's Eve are still being sorted out in Las Vegas. The annual fireworks show on the Strip has been cancelled this year, although the usual block party on Las Vegas Boulevard (with the tourist corridor closed to traffic), hasn't been ruled out. You can definitely still see midnight fireworks at the west end of the Fremont Street Experience, where The Plaza is promising to continue its annual spectacle. Expect VIP viewing from the pool deck and part of Main Street to be closed off to give revellers a little more space and breathing room.
Cost: Free
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