From lights to music to Santas galore, a roundup of holiday fun
Against 2021’s many reasons to just stay home and watch the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes again, this holiday season offers plenty of inducements to get out and inhale some festive spirit. From pop-up bars and themed entertainment to dazzling light shows and family-friendly festivities, there are plenty of sparkly new ways to enjoy this time in the Las Vegas Valley.
‘NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS’
This version of Tim Burton’s holiday classic has been given the Area15 treatment: It’s now an immersive experience, with the film having been “projection mapped” — don’t know what that is, but it sure sounds cool — and festooned with specially designed light and sound elements synced to the narrative. All of which is how they can charge $40 for adults and $20 for kids to see a movie that came out in 1993. Through Dec. 25, 3215 S. Rancho Drive. area15.com
Scott Dickensheets
MAGICAL FOREST
The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village celebrates its 30th season with a dazzling array of lights and attractions. Visitors can ride the Avalanche Slide, Cheyenne’s Enchanted Carousel and the Forest Express passenger train, play midway carnival games and miniature golf, shop at the Candy Cabin and food trucks, and take photos with Santa. Tickets start at $22 (children 3 and younger admitted free.). The Magical Forest, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., is open daily at 5:30 p.m., except Christmas, through Jan. 2. opportunityvillage.org.
Christopher Lawrence
ENCHANT CHRISTMAS
You can skate your way through Las Vegas Ballpark this holiday season with Enchant Christmas. The new attraction boasts a Christmas village, light maze and ice skating trail. Guests can buy gourmet treats, shop the artisan market and meet Santa. Tickets start at $29 for adults, $19 for ages 2-12. Enchant Christmas opens at 4:30 p.m. daily, except Monday, through Jan. 2. Enchant partners with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation to host a special “Knight of Giving” on Dec. 13. Tickets for the event start at $29 for adults and $19 for children 2 through 12. enchantchristmas.com
Christopher Lawrence
‘A VERY TERRY CHRISTMAS’
The room may have changed, but the sentiment remains the same. Terry Fator’s holiday-themed show, “A Very Terry Christmas,” returns for another year of favorite Christmas songs as well as original music written by the “America’s Got Talent”-winning ventriloquist. The holiday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and run through Jan. 1 in his new venue, Liberty Loft inside New York-New York. Tickets start at $34.95. terryfator.com
Christopher Lawrence
‘THIS IS CHRISTMAS’
“American Idol” alums Diana DeGarmo, Jasmine Trias, Ace Young, Lou Gazzara and Laura Suzanne Wright headline “This Is Christmas.” The original musical production features holiday favorites and appearances by Santa, Scrooge and other characters. “This Is Christmas” debuts at 7 p.m. Friday and runs through Dec. 26 in the Palazzo Theatre at The Venetian. Tickets start at $69.95. venetianlasvegas.com/entertainment
Christopher Lawrence
GLITTERING LIGHTS
Glittering Lights takes over Las Vegas Motor Speedway with more than 5 million LED lights making up more than 600 animated and sparkling displays throughout the 2½-mile course. Now in its 21st year, Glittering Lights opens daily at dusk through Jan. 9. Admission starts at $25 per vehicle. 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North. glitteringlightslasvegas.com
Christopher Lawrence
DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN
Downtown Summerlin gets into the holiday spirit with ice skating, a weekend parade and visits with Santa. Rock Rink is open daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas, through Jan. 17; skate rentals start at $16. The Holiday Parade, featuring music, dancers, snow and Santa, runs along Park Centre Drive at 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 18. Santa Claus’ Chalet is open daily through Dec. 24. summerlin.com
Christopher Lawrence
COSMOPOLITAN ICE RINK
Fire pits and a menu of seasonal food and drinks return to the ice rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The wintry-themed area includes light snow showers at selected times and hosts Date Skate Nights, with holiday movies on the resort’s digital marquee, on Mondays and Tuesdays. It’s open daily through Jan. 2, and admission is free. Skate rentals start at $20. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
Christopher Lawrence
MERRY CRIMSON, WINTER AT THE TERRACE
Red Rock Resort and Green Valley Ranch Resort show their holiday spirit with festive outdoor winter lounges. Red Rock transforms its indoor and outdoor poolside lounge into Merry Crimson Tinsel Town, with loads of holiday decor through Jan. 1, while GVR’s The Backyard has become Winter on the Terrace through February. Both have fire pits, igloos, lots of photo-ops and specialty cocktails and holiday treats. Admission to both is free, though reservations are recommended. Tinsel Town is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23 and then daily through Jan. 1, and Winter at the Terrace is open from 3 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 3 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. stationscasinos.com
Heidi Knapp Rinella
CACTUS GARDEN
Ethel M Chocolates has illuminated its 28th holiday display with thousands of lights at 2 Cactus Garden Drive in Henderson. The gardens will keep the lights glowing from 5 to 9:30 each evening until Jan. 2, with Santa in attendance through Dec. 23. The company is requiring $5 reservations that cover up to six people. Proceeds will benefit Three Square food bank and HELP of Southern Nevada. For more information, call 800-438-4356. Reservations are not required to enter the store. ethelm.com
Heidi Knapp Rinella
MYSTIC FALLS PARK
Is it Christmas in Las Vegas without lasers? Luckily, Sam’s Town brings back the Mystic Falls Park winter wonderland display, featuring festive decor, more than 26,000 points of light and, absent since 2019, a nine-minute holiday laser light show. Performances run every hour, from 2 to 10 p.m., through Jan. 1. samstownlv.com
Janna Karel
‘VERY VEGAS HOLIDAY’
Nothing against eggnog, trees, shiny lights or presents, but the best thing about Christmas is the music, and that’s particularly true when you’ve got Yuletide tunes presented by the Las Vegas Philharmonic in its “Very Vegas Holiday” showcase. The concert will include classic and popular holiday favorites. Donato Cabrera will conduct, and performers from the Composers Showcase will provide vocal accompaniment. Scheduled to perform are Travis Cloer, Vita Corimbi, Michelle Johnson, Ellie Smith and Eric Jordan Young. The concerts will be at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at The Smith Center. Tickets start at $29. lvphil.org/events
John Przybys
THE APPLE SISTERS
Imagine a World War II-era Christmas radio broadcast by the Andrews Sisters not going as planned, and it’ll give you some idea of what “The Apple Sisters Happy Holi-Doozy Christ-mess Special” is like. The vintage musical-comedy trio from Los Angeles calls the show “a throwback to the days of Big Bands, slapstick and modest product endorsement … with a modern twist” that takes the form of a live radio broadcast with original songs. The extravaganza begins at 8 p.m. Monday at Majestic Repertory Theatre, 1217 S. Main St. Tickets are $20. majesticrepertory.com
John Przybys
FESTIVAL OF LANTERNS
In December, experience a holiday spectacular at Cowabunga Bay, 900 Galleria Drive, with all the festive trimmings: Santa Claus, Candyland, carolers and a 20-foot-tall tree. Beginning at 4 p.m. each day, guests can stroll through the outdoor festival enjoying the lantern exhibits at their leisure. Tickets are $25.95 for adults and $21.95 for children 12 and under. Parking is free. cowabungabayvegas.com
Janna Karel
LINCOLN COUNTY CHRISTMAS EXPRESS
Located at Western Elite’s Lincoln County Ranch, 60 miles north of Las Vegas, Christmas Express is a free, family-friendly holiday extravaganza. It features train rides, hay and carriage rides, a copious amount of Christmas lights and decor for viewing, animals — including camels, horses and pigs — free food and hot cocoa, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a live Nativity scene and more. The event kicks off from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, with additional event dates Saturday, Thursday and Dec. 10-11. westernelite.com
Janna Karel
JAZZY CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Jazzmin Vocal Band will explore the jazzy side of Christmas in a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Fifth Street School auditorium, 401 S. Fourth St. The band will perform songs from “Jazzy Christmas,” its fourth studio album, as well as new material. Bandleader Rod Henley is a College of Southern Nevada professor who has worked with Tony Bennett. The concert is free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served, and doors open at 6:30 p.m. artslasvegas.org
John Przybys
MIRACLE ON SPRING MOUNTAIN
The Miracle on Spring Mountain holiday-themed pop-up bar takes over the Sand Dollar Lounge, 3355 Spring Mountain Road, through New Year’s Eve. Look for a fully immersive winter wonderland from 3 p.m. to 4 a.m. seven days a week. Oh, yeah: There will be themed dress-up nights, including Vodka Latke night and Ugly Sweater night. thesanddollarlv.com
Janna Karel
The Review-Journal is owned by the family of Dr. Miriam Adelson, the majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corp., which operates The Venetian.