Despite being in a desert, Las Vegas is a great place to celebrate the holidays. Find out what's happening around town:
LIGHTS AROUND TOWN
ETHEL M HOLIDAY CACTUS GARDEN
Open until 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 5, 2020
3-acre cactus garden with thousands of lights
Photos with Santa every Friday through Sunday
Food trucks for dinner and dessert
Outdoor movie theater featuring holiday classics
Free admission
OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE MAGICAL FOREST
Open through Jan. 4, 2020
Opens at 5:30 p.m. nightly
Winter wonderland
Over 1 million lights synchronized to music
Presentation of “Elf The Musical” featuring 20 cast members from 6 to 8 p.m.
Delicious food and beverages
Rides and other attractions
General admission $15
Passport admission $22
GLITTERING LIGHTS LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Open through Jan. 5, 2020
Drive-thru light show at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Features thousands of lights and displays
Benefits Speedway Children’s Charities and Goodwill of Southern Nevada
$20-$30 per car
$30 any day tickets
$20-$25 Santa tram
$50 fast pass
$75 season pass per vehicle
COWABUNGA BAY
Open Nov. 29 through Dec. 31
40-foot Christmas tree, 100-foot sledding hill, 40-passenger Polar Express train
Photos with Santa
Flashing light show with more than 3 million lights
$20 general admission tickets
RELATED: Where to eat Christmas dinner in Las Vegas | 2019
SHOWS
DR. SEUSS HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
“Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas: opens Nov. 26 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
The musical features hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas.”
Performances Nov, 26-230 and Dec 1
Tickets start at $30
TERRY FATOR CHRISTMAS SHOW
“A Very Terry Christmas 2, The Sequel”
Opens Nov. 29
New characters, new comedy, new songs and a new theme
Also a quick lesson about “Juana,” a holiday guaranteed to make audiences laugh
7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and select Friday and Saturday shows
Tickets start at $39.95, MVP Experience available
A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS SHOW
Lightwire Theater’s “A Very Electric Christmas” show at Charleston Heights Art Center
All ages show about a young bird named Max and his family who head south for the winter and ends up at North Pole
2 p.m. Nov. 23
$25 adults/$12.50 youth
FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY
"Friends! The Musical Parody" is celebrating National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Dec. 20. Fans of the iconic sitcom can use the promo code UGLY SWEATER to save 25% on show tickets through Dec. 31. Guests wearing an ugly Christmas sweater to the show December 18-20 will receive a free drink (domestic beer, wine, well drink) in FRIENDS! The Musical Parody cups.
HOODWINK -- THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
HeadzUP Las Vegas at Fashion Show Mall has a holiday-themed pop-up art exhibition titled "Hoodwink -- The Christmas Special!" The exhibit features more than 40 holiday-focused, 3D trick art images. It is located adjacent to the acclaimed "Banksy: Genius or Vandal?" exhibition inside Immersion Vegas.
IT’S A GRIMM CHRISTMAS
Michal Grimm presents “It’s A Grimm Christmas Full of Holiday Spirits”
Dec. 6 and 7
The Smith Center for Performing Arts
Tickets start at $30
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” presented by Rainbow Company Youth Theatre
Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15
Charleston Heights Arts Center
A beloved holiday classic.
$6 plus
DEANA MARTIN HOLIDAY CHEERS!
Deana Martin, daughter of Dean Martin, performs Dec. 8
Songs include “Winter Wonderland” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas:
2 and 6 p.m.
Tickets start at $39
HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Singer Clint Holmes presents “Holmes for the Holidays”
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
Groove into the holiday season with Las Vegas favorite Clint Holmes
Dec. 13-15
Tickets start at $37
LEGENDS IN CONCERT
"Legends In Concert" at The Tropicana is celebrating the holiday season through Dec. 30. This year’s production is more dazzling than ever with special tributes to Reba McEntire, Elvis Presley, Mariah Carey and Bono! A must-see holiday festivity in Las Vegas, Legends in Concert performs Monday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and is dark on Sundays. Tickets start at $49.99 with VIP and preferred seating available.
THE NUTCRACKER
Nevada Ballet Theater’s “The Nutcracker” at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 13-15, Dec. 19-24
Choreographed by Hames Canfield. A magical journey through a larger than life world filled with waltzing flowers, nimble fairies and moonlit snow.
Tickets start at $32.95
SUGAR PLUM PARTY
Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends during party at Tivoli Village
2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 27 and 24
Arts and crafts and performances by Las Vegas Dance Academy Youth Ensemble
$15 one child, $10 per child for 2 or more
FASHION SHOW MALL HOLIDAY SHOW
“Holiday Glow” holiday runway show debuting Black Friday
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the holiday season
Additionally shows during Christmas week
Multiple pop-up experiences throughout mall
Holly Jolly photos with Santa
Santa Cares Day (sensory friendly event) on Nov. 24 and Dec. 6
Holiday helpers at guest services
LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC HOLIDAY CONCERTS
“A Baroque Holiday featuring Handel’s Messiah” with the Las Vegas Master Singers on Dec. 6
“A Classic Holiday Concert: with vocalists Kristen Hertzenberg and Travis Cloer” on Dec. 7
MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER HOLIDAY SHOWS
Unique holiday mystery at “Marriage Can Be Murder”
D Las Vegas
3-course meal and non-alcoholic beverages included in price
$75.27 plus for general admission
VIP tickets available
Dec. 1 through Jan. 2, 2020
MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING: A CARPENTERS’ CHRISTMAS
“Merry Christmas Darling: A Carpenters’ Christmas” stars Michelle Berting Brett paying tribute to classic Carpenters Christmas recordings
8 p.m. Dec. 15
Tickets start at $19.95
A TASTE OF CHRISTMAS
Tyriq Johnson presents “A Taste of Christmas: featuring Christmas songs from childhood to present
7 p.m. Dec. 16
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $20
VINTAGE CHRISTMAS AT SMITH CENTER
Las Vegas’ First Lady of Jazz Michelle Johnson brings “Vintage Christmas” the The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
3 p.m. Dec. 22
Tickets start at $25
EVENTS AND OTHER
THE ICE RINK AT COSMOPOLITAN
Opens to public Nov. 20
Daily ice skating and treats
Third annual tree lighting ceremony with VGK’s Marc-Andre Fleury and Max Pacioretty Nov. 22
Performance by Benny the Ice-Skating Dog Nov. 27
Marquee Mistletoe Ball — Dec. 4
A Night with the Knights — Dec. 6
Date skate Mondays and Tuesdays featuring holiday movie classics Nov. 25-30
GRAND MENORAH LIGHTING AT FREMONT STREET
The Fremont Street Experience is hosting a Grand Menorah lighting on Dec. 22. The ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will be led by Rabbi Harlig from Chabad of Southern Nevada. Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem Michele Fiore and Patrick Hughes, President of Fremont Street Experience, will take part in the festivities. The menorah will remain on display throughout the Hanukkah season.
GRAND MENORAH LIGHTING AT THE DISTRICT
Chabad of Henderson will be lighting their Grand Menorah during Light Up The District at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 23.
DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN HOLIDAY PARADE
Nov. 15 through Dec. 31
All shows are free and open to general public
Parade features students from Palo Verde High School, Faith Lutheran, Las Vegas Academy and UNLV
Photos with Santa at Santa Claus' Chalet
The Rock (ice skating) Rink open Nov. 15-Jan. 20
THE LINQ PROMENADE
The LINQ Promenade has turned into a modern winter wonderland with Holiday Magic, featuring festive décor and live entertainment from now through Wednesday, Dec. 25. Don’t miss the nightly holiday stage show at the top of the hour from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring seasonal songs mixed with hip-hop favorites—all accompanied by LED-costumed dancers, stunt acrobatics, street “elves” and snowfall. New to Holiday Magic this year is an interactive tree light display, where guests can create their own personalized light show straight from their phones’ playlists. The technology includes 16 strands of lights on a 12-foot-tall tree, which will twinkle in syncopation with music selections from guests’ smartphones.
HOLIDAYS AT MADAME TUSSAUDS
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is celebrating the holidays through Dec. 31 with dazzling decorations, merry music, Christmas movies, specialty cocktails and more. They are also transforming their 4D theater into THE POLAR EXPRESS 4D EXPERIENCE. There will also be seasonal drinks in the Hangover Lounge and guests can create wax hand souvenirs with a cheerful twist.
MIRACLE ON SPRING MOUNTAIN
Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up bar at Sand Dollar Lounge
Nov. 25 through New Year’s Eve
Theme nights include Deadhead Xmas, Christmas burlesque, rockabilly, and annual Christmas party
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
ADOPT A REINDEER AND VISIT SANTA
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Tivoli Village
10 local artists paint life-size ceramic deer
Each reindeer will be adopted out to highest bidder.
Photos with Santa, food, games, face painting, music and more.
NEVADA CARES WITH SANTA
Fashion Show Las Vegas
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 24
8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Dec. 8
Sensory-friendly event providing early access and extra time
Families with kids with autism and other special needs
Partnership with Best Buddies Nevada
GALLERIA AT SUNSET MALL SANTA
Breakfast with Santa Claus on Nov. 16, includes breakfast, holiday crafts and activities, cookie decorating, face painting
Photos with Santa Nov. 16 through Dec. 24 in Center Court
OPERATION SANTA’S WORKSHOP
Operation Santa’s Workshop at Tivoli Village features 5 themed rooms, each one transporting you into a world of holiday fun.
Nov. 22-24, times vary
Tickets $34-$39
PHOTOS WITH SANTA AT GREEN VALLEY RANCH
Photos with Santa at The District at Green Valley Ranch
Nov. 29 through Dec. 24
OUT OF TOWN
LONDON BRIDGE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
24th annual Festival of Lights
500,000 festive lights in English Village and on the bridge
Santa visits every Friday and Saturday night
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