Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Las Vegas area offers sleighful of ongoing holiday events

Bellagio's 2010 Holiday Display

Reindeer made from pecans decorate the Bellagio Conservatory in Las Vegas Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. Launch slideshow »

Magical Forest and Lockup

Families walk through the Magical Forest at the Opportunity Village Oakey Boulevard campus Monday night. Launch slideshow »

From reindeer rides and visits with Santa to viewing Christmas displays and holiday cactus light shows, Las Vegas Valley residents have a stocking full of choices for holiday fun.

Most of the following community events are ongoing through Christmas week throughout the area.

Third annual Winter Lights Festival at Springs Preserve: Springs Preserve is keeping with the green theme as its display will feature half a million eco-friendly LED lights. Children can take a ride on a "reindeer" pony, a holiday sleigh or a kiddie train.

The Magical Forest: Every year this favorite community event brings even finer decorations and enhancements and includes two train rides, an indoor dining spot, ample benches for relaxing in the glow and space for that special visit with Santa. The proceeds benefit the clients and programs of Opportunity Village.

Gift of Lights at Sunset Park: A drive-through celebration of many cultures, holidays and observances. Stay toasty warm while enjoying this from your car as you view a sparkling array of decorations and displays.

Ethel's Holiday Cactus Garden: See holiday lights as only Vegas could do them — on cacti. Local school choirs will perform during the evenings, and Santa Claus will make appearances each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 20 and on the Monday and Tuesday of Christmas week.

Christmas Walk on Main Street at The District: The District at Green Valley Ranch presents the Christmas Walk — A Joyful Holiday Celebration. Walk around festively decorated Main Street, stop for photos with Santa in The Courtyard, take complimentary horse and carriage rides, listen to live music and watch a Christmas tree light show. Performers from local schools, churches and performance groups will provide holiday music on Main Street through Dec. 20, and the tree light show will run through Dec. 24.

Snow in the Square in Town Square Park: Snowflakes will be falling to the tune of holiday music at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Photos with Santa Claus in Town Square Park: Children and pets can have their pictures taken with Santa at his Norman-Rockwell-inspired house in Town Square Park. Mr. Claus will be on duty from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Keep in mind Santa has a milk-and-cookies break Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:15 to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Cats and dogs are invited to have photos with Santa on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Old-Fashioned Sleigh Rides at the Old Mill Campground: The campground in Lee Canyon gets into the holiday spirit with old-fashioned sleigh rides. The event is by reservation only, so please call 596-6715 for more information.

Underwater Santa at the Silverton: Using a special underwater communication mask, Silverton Casino Lodge's "Underwater Santa" will be available to talk with visitors about what they would like for Christmas from the comfort of a submerged holiday throne. Instead of elves, Santa will be assisted by the Silverton Mermaids.

Bellagio Conservatory's holiday display: The Bellagio's Conservatory and Botanical Gardens have undergone yet another transformation into a winter wonderland. The display features a family of polar bears made up of 36,000 white carnations, a 15-foot-tall rocking horse that actually rocks and a 42-foot-tall Christmas tree.

Mystic Falls Indoor Park: Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Sam's Town's Winter Wonderland. This is the time of year when you cans see beautiful lights and holiday decorations in Mystic Falls Park. Three shows daily at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. through Jan. 2.

Holiday Polar Bear Exhibit The Palazzo: The Palazzo has partnered with Polar Bears International to debut educational winter displays to raise awareness about the conservation of polar bears. The lavish seasonal décor consists of a 16-foot-tall polar bear mother and 6-foot-tall polar bear baby, made entirely of 10,000 specially-developed “Polar Bear” white poinsettias.

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