Your Guide to the Holidays in Vegas

Posted on: December 4, 2024, 05:14h.

Last updated on: December 4, 2024, 05:24h.

Corey Levitan Read More

Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Las Vegas Myths.

The Las Vegas Strip doesn’t stop for much, including sleep. Its casinos, shops, bars, restaurants and (most of its) attractions don’t even close for Christmas. But the Strip does celebrate the holidays in spectacular style, with many resorts going further than just decking their gambling halls with giant trees and blinking lights. Here’s our guide to the most wonderful ways to celebrate the season, Vegas style.

Every holiday season at its Boulevard Pool, the Cosmo puts a rink on it. (Image: MGM Resorts)

Cosmopolitan Ice Rink

3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Admission: $30 including skate rentals

Accompanying the Cosmo’s 4,200 square feet of skating space are the occasional light snowfalls and holiday movies. Located on Level 4 of the Boulevard Tower, the Ice Rink is open 4-11 p.m. weekdays and 12 noon-11 p.m. weekends through January 12. Reservations are available here. Entry around the rink is free.

Enchant Christmas

Las Vegas Ballpark
1650 S. Pavilion Center Drive
Admission: $25-$41

This pop-up includes what’s billed as “the world’s largest Christmas maze.” It includes 80,000 square feet of light sculptures, ice skating, caroling, live entertainment and holiday shopping. Tickets, available here, are free for kids on December 4, 10 and 11.

Fontainebleau Ice Rink

2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Admission: $25 plus $35 skate rentals

The Fontainebleau’s rink, which makes its debut this year, is really two rinks totaling 8,000 square feet, which allows for both public skating and private events. Holiday movies also screen here, and firepits are available to rent. As well as being double the size of the Cosmopolitan rink, it’s also double the price, however. And the Cosmo did it first. Reservations can be made here.

Glittering Lights

Las Vegas Motor Speedway
7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N.
Admission: Varies

The 5 million lights in this 2.5-mile, drive-thru spectacle have been illuminating holidays for 24 years. Get your tickets here.

Holiday Cactus Garden Lights

Ethel M Chocolates
2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson
Admission: $3

A locals favorite, this candy factory has transformed its Botanical Cactus Garden into a winter wonderland every year for the past 31. Over a million Christmas lights adorn its 3 acres of succulent-packed pathways, and Santa is available for photo ops until December 23. The entrance fee goes to HELP of Southern Nevada and the Three Square Food Bank. Click here for hours.

Magical Forest at Opportunity Village

6300 W. Oakey Blvd.
Admission: $27.50

Another locals favorite, this annual attraction — celebrating its 32nd season — offers rides, mini golf, a holiday lights walking path, the Forest Express train and Santa’s cabin. Tickets are on sale here. Proceeds help Opportunity Village fund programs and services for over 3,000 people with disabilities. Children 3 and under are free.