Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Snow on the Strip, underwater Santa and more: It’s holiday season in Las Vegas

Holiday Cactus Garden at Ethel M

L.E. Baskow

The Cactus Garden at Ethel M Chocolate Factory is lit with holiday lights Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, in Henderson.

The holiday season has arrived, and Las Vegas is responding with lights, artistry, and, in some cases, snow. These 10 holiday displays, some with deep roots and others just establishing themselves, offer an array of festive ways to celebrate.

Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd.

The Magical Forest, now in its 24th year, offers a winter wonderland with thousands of lights, food and nightly entertainment. Attractions include a Forest Express Passenger Train, an enchanted carousel and an avalanche slide.

Hours: 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Cost: Visitors can purchase passport tickets, which include admission to rides and attractions, online for $21.99 for adults and $18.99 for children ages 3-12. Another option is to purchase admission tickets for $11.99 for adults and $9.99 for kids, then buy tickets at individual rides. A $1.50 service fee applies for passport and admission tickets.

Gift of Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North

Nevada’s largest holiday drive-through light show returns to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this year and runs through Jan. 3. The display features more than 3 million lights arranged in a variety of traditional holiday scenes along a 2.5-mile course.

Hours: 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.

Cost: Sundays through Thursdays — $20, or $15 with a clothing donation to Goodwill; Fridays, Saturdays and holidays — $20, or $18 with a clothing donation.

Ethel M Chocolate Factory, 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson

A four-acre garden containing more than 300 plant species is transformed into a holiday scene with thousands of lights and a collection of sculptures adorning the factory’s desert vegetation. Guests can visit with Santa on the weekends and listen to holiday classics performed by local choirs. The attraction runs through Jan. 1.

Hours: 5-10 p.m., with Santa visits from 5-9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and choir performances from 6-8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.

Cost: Free

Fashion Show Mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South

For those wanting an interactive holiday display, joining Shrek and his friends on an adventure to the North Pole might be the perfect remedy. Guests have the opportunity to explore Santa’s home, take a sleigh ride, pose with Santa for a photo and bring home a holiday memory. The display is offered through Dec. 24.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Cost: Tickets can be booked online.

Town Square, Las Vegas Boulevard and Sunset Road

The shopping center's Snow in the Square show runs through Dec. 23. The 10-minute show is choreographed to classic holiday music.

Hours: 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Fridays and Sundays.

Cost: Free

Sam’s Town Mystic Falls, 5225 Boulder Highway

An 18-year tradition continues as the indoor park gets decked out in holiday gear, complete with a 30-foot Christmas tree and displays of polar bears fishing in the pond. Guests will be able to enjoy a laser light show as well as a visit from Santa.

Hours: Check website for times.

Cost: Free

Scuba Santa at the Silverton Aquarium, 3333 Blue Diamond Road

Santa Claus dons scuba gear and entertains guests from the Silverton’s 117,000-gallon aquarium, which is filled with more than 4,000 exotic fish. A microphone and speakers will allow Santa to listen and speak to guests.

Hours: Noon to 1:15 p.m. and 2-3:15 p.m. starting Dec. 5.

Cost: Free

Bellagio Conservatory and Fountains, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South

From Dec. 4 to Jan. 3, the conservatory will feature traditional holiday characters and scenes sculpted from a variety of flowers, maintained by the resort's 120-person horticulture staff. The fountains will feature sets choreographed to such holiday music such as "Carol of the Bells" and "Santa Baby."

Hours: Conservatory is open 24 hours. Check online for fountain show times.

Cost: Free

The Ice Rink at Cosmopolitan, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South

For a quick winter getaway, guests can visit the transformed Boulevard Pool to skate on real ice and enjoy a brisk climate. Fire pits, s’mores and man-made snow showers help to bring a winter feeling to the Las Vegas Strip.

Hours: 3 p.m.-midnight Mondays through Fridays, noon to midnight Saturdays and Sundays

Cost: $15 for all-day skating access, or $10 for Nevada residents. Children 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Four Seasons’ Holiday Village, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South

The annual gingerbread display, created by pastry chef Jean-Luc Daul, has opened again this holiday season, but in a smaller fashion. Spacing issues may have forced the village to cut down about one-third of its size, but that doesn’t take away from the art and creativity of the gingerbread displays, which are up through Christmas day.

Hours and more info: Call (702) 632-5000.

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