Planning a trip to Las Vegas at Christmas? You’re going to have the time of your life!
With great shows and plenty of entertainment options, you’ll have no trouble finding something exciting to do in Sin City every single day, no matter your tastes.
On top of that, there are also many ways to enjoy Christmas in Las Vegas with your family and friends. Let’s get into it, shall we?
1. Glittering Lights
At the north end of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, you can find the enormous Glittering Lights drive-thru display. This is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!
For an extra special treat, you can ride through the display on the Santa tram on select nights. This option includes photo opportunities with displays and Santa himself!
This year, Glittering Lights takes place from November 10, 2022 through January 10, 2023.
Tickets start at $29 per car during the week and $39 on the weekend. Season passes are also available for $129. Santa tram tickets cost $20 per person.
2. Las Vegas Great Santa Run
Every year, the Fremont Street Experience hosts the Las Vegas Great Santa Run to benefit Opportunity Village, which helps people with disabilities find employment.
In 2022, the run will take place on Saturday, December 3 at 8 AM.
Runners can run a 5K or 1 mile, with both options requiring a $45 registration fee. The fee includes a Santa suit and sack, race medal, and swag bag. Children 3 and under are free.
Can’t make the race this year? You can register as a virtual participant for $45 and run the race in a location of your choice. This option does not include the Santa suit and sack, race medal or swag bag.
3. The Ice Skating Rink At The Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan transforms its Boulevard rooftop pool area into a gorgeous Winter wonderland.
The extravaganza includes a 4,200 square foot ice skating rink, faux snow showers, firepits, s’mores, and wintery cocktails.
Ice skate rentals start at $30, with discounts available for locals, military, and first responders. Skate aids are available to rent at $15, as well.
Every Monday & Tuesday, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, a movie is shown on a large screen, too.
In 2022, The Rink at The Cosmopolitan opens November 15 and runs through January 2.
If you’re not sure when to go, check out these special events listed below.
On November 20 & 27 and December 4, 11, & 18, the Marquee Night Circus will take over The Rink with special performances and a live DJ. Adults 21+ get free entry to Night Circus Sundays at Marquee with a skate rental.
Families with kids may want to visit on December 1 to see Benny the Ice Skating Dog. In addition, there will be FREE photos with Santa! Plus, $2 from every skate rental will be donated to the NSPCA.
Lastly, on December 7, there will be a tree lighting ceremony with Josh Jacobs from the Las Vegas Raiders.
4. The Bellagio Fountains
It’s hard to beat the size and spectacle of the Bellagio Fountains. This free dancing water show is choreographed to well-known music that changes up throughout the year, especially for different holidays.
Monday through Friday, this free show takes place every 30 minutes from 3 to 8 PM and 15 minutes from 8 PM to midnight. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the fountain show starts at noon.
In my opinion, the best time to watch the show is at night, set amidst the glittering lights along the strip.
5. The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle
The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle is a light show and laser-illuminated spectacle that takes place at Lighthouse Artspace at CityCenter.
It is such a fabulous way for family and friends to get into the holiday spirit and create wonderful memories together.
Wintery photo ops are also available – so go early and snap some cute pics for your holiday cards!
This year, The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle takes place from November 19 through December 30, 2022. Tickets start at $35, with upgrades and group discounts available.
6. The Bellagio Conservatory
The Bellagio Conservatory offers the perfect opportunity for a romantic moment during the hectic holiday season.
7. Enchant Christmas at the Las Vegas Ballpark
Enchant Christmas at the Las Vegas Ballpark, over by the Red Rocks Resort & Casino is the perfect family event for kids and adults alike.
With events, attractions and activities including ice skating, a light maze, concerts, a cocktail lounge, snacks, shopping—there’s something for everyone. You can even meet Santa!
This year Enchant Christmas at Las Vegas Ballpark takes place from November 25, 2022 through January 1, 2023. Tickets start at $34 for adults and $20 for kids.
8. Enchant Christmas at Resorts World
If you’re staying on the strip, the Resorts World location of Enchant Christmas will likely be more convenient for you.
The same type of activities are available at this location, including Santa himself.
This year, Enchant Christmas at Resorts World takes place from November 19, 2022 through January 1, 2023.
Tickets start at $44 for adults and $23 for kids, making it slightly more expensive than the Las Vegas ballpark location.
9. Tournament of the Kings: ‘Twas the Night
The Medieval inspired show at the Excalibur brings some festive cheer with Tournament of the Kings: ‘Twas the Night.
In addition to the dueling knights and other revelry, the arena will be festively decked out and the dinner will have special holiday twists, like Christmas cookies for dessert.
This year, Tournament of the Kings: ‘Twas the Knight runs from November 23 through December 25, 2022.
10. Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland
Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall is a must-visit for anyone visiting Vegas during the Christmas season.
The park, which is just minutes from MGM Grand, features a skating rink and a beautiful laser light water show that’s sure to make even adults feel like children again.
To top it all off, there’s an 18-ft Christmas tree, a mailbox for letters to the North Pole, photo ops with Santa, and colorful lights throughout.
This year, Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland is open from November 25 through December 23, 2022.
Admission costs $18 for adults and $15 for children between ages three and twelve.
11. Terry Fator’s A Very Terry Christmas
America’s Got Talent‘s favorite funny ventriloquist, Terry Fator, puts on a X-Mas show at the New York-New York Hotel’s Liberty Loft.
The show includes carols, stories, new characters, plus guest performers like Maynard Thompkins, a popular Elvis impersonator.
This year, A Very Terry Christmas runs from November 25 through December 27, 2022. Tickets start at $34.96 plus tax and fees.
12. The Nutcracker at The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall
Ballet and all things Christmas are a quintessential pairing, and few ballet performances offer a more sparkling affair than The Nutcracker ballet.
The Nevada Ballet Theater puts on its own version of this show choreographed by James Canfield. His show offers everything you love about this festive season, including a decked-out tree, toy soldiers, and snow!
This year, The Nevada Ballet Theater will perform The Nutcracker on select dates from December 9 through the 24, 2022 at The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall. Ticket prices range from $35.95 to $185.95.
13. Shopping at the LINQ Promenade
One of my favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in Las Vegas is to hit up the LINQ Promenade.
The LINQ Promenade, located between the LINQ and Flamingo hotels, is equal parts shopping, dining, and entertainment.
It’s the perfect spot to shop for gifts for your loved ones, enjoy a tasty meal, and marvel at the decorations, including a 30-ft sparkling tree.
Plus, each night, there are singers performing holiday songs and the High Roller ferris wheel puts on a sparkling light show.
Last, but not least, the man himself, Santa Claus, is known to make an appearance.
See the 14,000 sq. ft conservatory filled with poinsettia and other winter floral displays, trees, and sculptures.
This year the holiday display at the Bellagio Conservatory is available November 19, 2022 through January 1, 2023. The best part? It’s open 24 hours a day and is completely free to see!
14. Resort hopping
Speaking of spectacular Christmas displays in Vegas, nearly all hotels and resorts will be decked out!
But some are more spectacular than others and worth a visit even if you aren’t staying there while in town.
At minimum, I recommend checking out the ARIA, Flamingo, The Venetian, and Wynn resorts, in addition to all the hotels and resorts featured in this post!
At ARIA, the pastry chefs fill the lobby with giant displays created with chocolate, macarons, candy cans, and hot cocoa.
The popular Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo is decked out with lights and a giant snow globe.
The Venetian goes all out with holiday decor throughout the Grand Canal Shoppes area with carolers singing in Italian at center stage.
Lastly, Wynn switches up its garden displays with a wintery theme with elaborately decorated trees and wreaths throughout.
15. Holiday pop-up bars
There’s no shortage of holiday-themed pop up bars in Las Vegas. If you’re not sure where to go, check out the top options below.
Bad Elf at Silverton
The Shady Grove Lounge at Silverton Casino & Hotel transforms into the Bad Elf Holiday Pop-Up Bar for the festive season.
The pop-up bar was inspired by the recent Elf on the Shelf trend, so visitors will enjoy seeing some of these elves in, uh, bad situations!
This year, Bad Elf takes over on November 4, 2022 and runs through January 2, 2023.
Miracle on Spring Mountain at Sand Dollar Lounge
Speaking of pop-up bars, if you’re looking to combine kitschy childhood Christmas memories with festive drinks, head to the Sand Dollar Lounge for Miracle on Spring Mountain.
In addition to all of the fun, over-the-top decor, the menu includes festive drinks and pizza specials.
In 2022, Miracle on Spring Mountain returns on November 22 and runs through December 31.
Sippin’ Santa at The Sand Dollar Downtown
If downtown Vegas is more your scene, add Sippin’ Santa to your list.
This pop-up tiki bar from Beachbum Berry takes over The Sand Dollar Downtown lounge at the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
In 2022, Sippin’ Santa is open from November 25 through December 31.
What are your favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in Las Vegas?
I hope you found a few fun ways to celebrate Christmas in Las Vegas from this post. Let us know how your Winter vacay in Sin City goes in the comments below.
For more Las Vegas travel tips, check out these posts:
About the author
Meg Frost is a Boston-based travel blogger that helps people embrace technology to make vacation planning and traveling wicked easy, affordable, and fun.
She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami.
oneearth
Saturday 31st of December 2022
Wow! its amazing ... Hopefully will try to make plan next year. Nice blog! https://oneearthhotels.com/jammuh.aspx
10 Best Pools in Vegas for Fun & Relaxation | Frost + Sun
Wednesday 9th of November 2022
[…] The Boulevard Pool is closed during winter and it is transformed into The Rink. You can read more about it here. […]