Las Vegas is known as Sin City, the City of Lights, and the gaming center of the United States. It sits in the middle of the Nevada desert, sweltering in the warm sunshine, and is probably the exact opposite of how many picture Christmas. The holiday season is often portrayed as being snowy, a winter wonderland where tradition and family are at the forefront of your thoughts. There seems to be little correlation between the holiday season and Las Vegas.
Christmas does come to Vegas, and despite the sunshine and poker games not being traditional festive pastimes, there are plenty of Christmas-themed attractions for those wanting to get their Santa on. If you want some holiday sunshine, enjoy being dealt into a hand of Texas Hold’em, but wish to knock back some eggnog and feel festive at the same time, here are the places to visit in Vegas this festive season.
Bellagio Conservatory and Gardens
The Bellagio is one of the most instantly recognizable Vegas casinos. It boasts a complete gaming experience, from high-roller poker rooms to plenty of table games, but it is so much more than just a casino. The Bellagio Conservatory puts on a renowned show every Christmas, and there are some special new features this year. There’s a life-sized gingerbread house, 14ft nutcracker guards, and holiday treats on sale. The Bellagio is the perfect place to get festive but also enjoy the gaming experience Vegas is famous for.
Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street is a key destination for any visit to Vegas – it’s ranked as one of the top things to do in Vegas that isn’t related to poker or its many casinos. The annual switching on of the Christmas tree lights kicks things off at the start of December, but the fun goes right through the holiday season. There are plenty of other attractions and events in the area to make you feel festive, which in the past have included a Santa-themed Elvis, carol service and those traditional Vegas lights with a Christmas flavor of course!
Cosmopolitan Ice Rink
The Cosmopolitan Ice Rink returns to Vegas for the 11th year in a row. Situated on The Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool, it comes with snow flurries, events such as Date Night Skate and meals for visitors that encompass the best of your festive favorites; from chicken pot pies to beef brisket, you’ll soon be in the mood for Santa’s visit after skating on the rink. The rooftop venue is also the perfect place for some iconic views of Vegas landmarks. If you get bored of the festive lights, there are plenty of stereotypical Vegas lights in the building, including video poker and more than 1300 slot machines.
Snow Carnival at M Resort
The Snow Carnival at the M Resort is a brand-new festive treat for 2022. It’s described as a one-of-a-kind winter wonderland, bringing the best of winter to the warm Nevada evenings. There’s plenty of snow to be seen, with a snow-blanketed indoor meadow and the ‘mini-Matterhorn’ slide for adults to enjoy. The attraction is made up of 350 tonnes of real snow, and when that gets too much, you can retire to an igloo for festive refreshments or hit the gaming floor and poker rooms for some less traditional holiday fun.
Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village might not have the snow, but a maze of festive lights will ensure you’re ready for presents and gathering around the tree come Christmas morning. You can visit Santa, ride a carousel and even hitch a ride on a special Forest Express Passenger Train. Every dollar spent on the event goes to charity, which means you’re also indulging in the goodwill to all men (and women) when you visit. Plus, it isn’t in (or on top of) a casino, so it’s an escape from Vegas’s other attractions and is focused purely on Christmas.
If heat and sandy vistas are your things, then you might find our guide to five things to do in India helpful this Christmas!