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Las Vegas wasn’t always a holiday vacation destination. In fact, December used to be one of the slowest months for tourism.
Many tourists, like myself, used to take advantage of the slow period in Las Vegas. A lot has changed over the years as casino operators and venues look to create programming to increase visitation.
December begins with the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). This is more than just a 10-day rodeo. Casino and entertainment venue operators book more country music performers than you’ll see in a 10-day period in most cities around the country.
This month is also when Las Vegas casinos roll out their holiday displays and activities. This is one of the biggest changes in Las Vegas for December.
Other than the gorgeous Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Las Vegas didn’t always feel like a holiday destination. That’s changed a lot as there are plenty of attractions for visitors and locals alike.
The year ends with a bang and hundreds of thousands of people will finish the year in Las Vegas. In addition to a massive fireworks show on the Vegas Strip at midnight on New Year’s Eve, there are parties and performances all over Las Vegas.
Today we’ll look at things to do on the Vegas Strip during the holiday season.
Vegas Strip Holiday Attractions
There was a time when casinos on the Vegas Strip would simply play holiday music and have a few decorations for the holiday season. Today, there’s holiday fun for the family all over Las Vegas.
While the penultimate holiday display is still around, there are unique holiday experiences throughout the Las Vegas Blvd. tourist corridor.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden
Christmas in Las Vegas often starts around the center of the Vegas Strip. The holiday display at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens remains one of the most popular free attractions in Las Vegas.
This year Bellagio has the “Gingerbread Dreams” display. The magnificent snowy gingerbread village takes visitors out of the casino environment and takes them on a holiday voyage that includes 15,000 gingerbread men.
The 25-foot-tall gingerbread house on the east end of the display is just a small part of the horticultural experience. The centerpiece of Gingerbread Dreams is the 42-foot-tall tree. The massive tree is adorned with 10,000 lights and 8,700 ornaments.
Altogether, there are 110,000 lights among 41 fresh-cut white fir trees within the display.
This year Bellagio’s pastry team is making sweet holiday treats for visitors. Guests can buy drinks and snacks at the Conservatory alcove located behind the South Bed.
Enchant at Resorts World Las Vegas
This company is the producer of the world’s largest Christmas light experiences. “Enchant on the Strip” is taking place outside of Resorts World Las Vegas.
This is more than just a holiday display. The truly interactive experience occupies more than 10 acres of land at Resorts World.
Enchant on the Strip has an immersive walk-thru light maze, ice skating, visits from Santa, and a 100-foot-tall holiday tree. The experience also features live entertainment, a holiday marketplace, as well as food and beverages from Resorts World restaurants.
Since this is sponsored by the Hallmark Channel, there are a few special experiences not available at other Enchant locations. The Hallmark Channel “Cozy Christmas Corner” allows guests a space to relax and take photos. Guests can also enter to win a trip to the set of a Hallmark Channel movie.
This experience takes the Las Vegas holiday experience to another level.
Ice Skating At The Cosmopolitan Rooftop Pool
This is the 11th year The Cosmopolitan is offering ice skating at its Boulevard Pool. The pool is transformed into a 4,200-square-foot rink with real ice for skating and snow showers every 30 minutes.
There are firepits available to all visitors surrounding the skating rink. Guests can toast s’mores and enjoy holiday-inspired food and drink.
While skating with a view of the Vegas Strip is the focal point of this experience it’s also a winter celebration for anyone looking to enjoy the cooler temperatures and fresh air.
For starters, Overlook Grill becomes Overlook Chill with seasonal food and beverage. Guests can also enjoy food and drink in a more festive setting.
The concept isn’t entirely holiday focused but this is such a unique experience for anyone visiting a Vegas Strip casino.
While entry to the space is free, there’s a fee for skate rentals. Regional guests can bring their own skates.
More Holiday Experiences on the Vegas Strip
Many casinos on the Vegas Strip have pretty displays up for the holiday. While these may not be on par with the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden, they’re still pretty and make for good backgrounds for Instagram or TikTok.
All Vegas Strip casinos will have some kind of holiday decorations. Visit these properties for some extra holiday spirit:
- Aria
- Flamingo/The Linq (shopping promenade)
- Mandalay Bay
- The Venetian & The Palazzo
- Wynn Las Vegas
Additionally, New York-New York is home to the Terry Fator Christmas show. Excalibur has a holiday edition of its Tournament of Kings dinner show. Immersive Nutcracker is now showing at Crystals Mall next to Aria.
New Year’s Eve On The Vegas Strip
The popularity of New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas rivals any city in the country. There are different ways to celebrate the new year in Las Vegas depending on location.
As the clock closes in on midnight on Dec. 31, the crowds head out of the Vegas Strip casinos and onto the streets to watch a beautiful fireworks show. This is one of the rare occasions where automobiles aren’t allowed on the Vegas Strip so revelers can roam the streets.
Fireworks will be shot into the sky at midnight from the following casinos:
Security is high on New Year’s Eve so visitors can safely roam the Vegas Strip. For example, metal and glass are not allowed on the street. Drinkers can enjoy their beverages in plastic cups.
Anyone visiting the Vegas Strip to see the fireworks should arrive early and plan to leave late due to road closures. It’s difficult to navigate the area so be patient. Lastly, be aware that rideshares will likely have high surge pricing in effect as demand in the area will be heavy.
In addition to the fireworks show, every club and concert venue will have entertainment and parties.
