How to “Holiday” in Las Vegas

Every December, Las Vegas transforms into a winter wonderland bursting with holiday merriment. Want to go ice skating beneath lightly falling snow and surrounded by twinkle lights? No problem. Want to dress up as Santa and run a 5K with 5000 other Santa’s? Of course you can! Or maybe you just want to wander through an indoor botanical garden where 34,000 flowers form flying reindeers and frolicking polar bears. Las Vegas during the holidays has it all.

Downtown Las Vegas Holiday Traditions

Kick off the holidays with three downtown Las Vegas traditions. Dress up like Santa and join thousands of runners and walkers for the annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run at the Fremont St. Experience. The fun kicks off on Dec. 3 at 8am and the 5K Race starts at 10am. Register now for a free Santa Suit! Be sure to come back for the annual lighting of downtown’s holiday tree shining brightly with more than 49 million energy-efficient LED lights. And get your tickets now for the Nutcracker at Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

Enchant

A festive fantasyland filled with sparkling lights, icy trails and holiday glee Enchant Christmas Village, the world’s largest Christmas light maze, returns to the Las Vegas Ballpark while Enchant on the Strip arrives at the Resorts World Las Vegas. Skate you way through immersive light mazes as snow gently falls all around and stunning light sculptures transport you to a holiday wonderland. Be sure to make a stop at Santa’s station.

More Glittering Lights

Three million lights, 170 lighted trees and a live nativity scene wow holiday visitors as they drive through the enormous Glittering Light at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which runs from November 10 through January 8. The light show supports various charitable organizations through its ticket sales.

Ice Skating

The 4,200-square-foot rooftop Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan is a winter wonderland overlooking the Strip where you can skate beneath a light snowfall then snuggle up next to the fire pits with a warm cocktail and s’mores. Or, head over to the Rock Rink at Downtown Summerlin for family-fun ice skating.

Las Vegas Strip

While every Strip resort is decked out in holiday splendor, there are a few that make you want to break out into a chorus of “Deck The Halls.” Stop to enjoy the dancing Bellagio Fountains featuring classic holiday tunes then prepare to be amazed by Bellagio Conservatory’s 14,000-square-foot colossal holiday display where the sights, smells and sounds of the holidays could make even Ebenezer Scrooge embrace the season. Join in the holiday magic at the LINQ Promenade for holiday entertainment, carolers, hot chocolate and family fun or stop by Aria for a display made totally of edible sweets.

Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden

Nothing says the holidays in Las Vegas more than cactus covered in twinkling lights. Every inch of the three-acre cactus garden at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory is covered in more than half a million lights, animated reindeer and holiday décor.

The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village

For 31 years, families have made a visit to the Magical Forest a holiday tradition. In addition to walking through the brightly lit forest featuring more than three million lights, hundreds of festive trees and gingerbread houses, guests can take a ride on the Forest Express Train, slide down the 50-foot Avalanche Slide, ride the enchanted carousel, play midway games and play an 8-hole mini-golf course.

More Winter Wonderlands

The Mini Matterhorn snow slide and Candy Cane forest highlight the adventures waiting at the Snow Carnival Holiday Forest at the M Resort or enjoy the holiday-themed laser light show at Sam’s Town Mystic Falls.

PAC-12 and SEC Football Hit the Turf at Allegiant Stadium

The 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game returns to Las Vegas on December 2 at Allegiant Stadium, home to the Las Vegas Raiders and the 2024 Super Bowl! For a special holiday treat, take in the Las Vegas Bowl’s first-ever SEC vs. Pac-12 matchup on December 17.

These and other living in Las Vegas lifestyle tips are brought to you by Juhl, the modern loft-style high-rise condominium community on Bonneville Ave. in downtown Las Vegas. For more information visit the Juhl website or call 702.825.7129.