Christmas in Las Vegas

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Bright red baubles hanging from a cactus in the Mojave Desert near Las Vegas

Towering fir trees festooned with tinsel and shiny baubles, magical festive scenes and nearly as many fairy lights as there are stars in the sky. Christmas in Las Vegas is every bit as flamboyant and OTT as you’d expect from the neon capital of the world. And here, as every day in Sin City, you’ll find everything (and we mean everything) open as usual: that includes all shops, restaurants, bars, casinos and thrill rides.

As the song says: ‘Christmas in Las Vegas, it’s a trip!’ So dive in and check out our guide to some of the best things to do in Vegas during holiday season, including:

  • Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Ice skating at The Cosmopolitan
  • Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Speedway
  • Flamingo and LINQ Promenade
  • Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden
  • The Magical Forest
  • The Great Santa Run

The Bellagio at Christmas

The Bellagio’s dazzling dancing fountains are a spectacle at any time of year, but be sure to catch them during December when the huge water plumes soar and sway to Mariah, Bing, Wham! and other Christmas party bangers. Inside, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens gets a marvelous festive makeover, with decorations made from plants and flowers and supersize displays featuring sparkly polar bears, massive Christmas baubles, thousands of lights, and that all-important skyscraping Christmas tree. Best of all, it’s completely free and – unlike elsewhere in the Bellagio – children are welcome.

Ice Skating at the Cosmopolitan

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High above the Strip lies a winter wonderland par excellence in the shape of the Cosmopolitan’s rooftop which – glitzy enough at the best of times – really ramps up the tinsel factor in December. Expect cozy Christmas vibes aplenty thanks to sparkling trees, blazing firepits, gooey s’mores, festive cocktails (snowball, anyone?) and romantic views of the neon-lit Eiffel Tower over at Paris Las Vegas. Better yet, a 4,200 square foot ice rink replaces the pool up here during the holiday season, complete with fake snowflakes. So pull on your mittens, wrap your scarf tight, strap on your skates, hit the ice and let it snow!

Drive-Through Light Show

Rev up your engine and hit the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Glittering Lights, one of the biggest and best light shows in the country. Every December, the 2-5-mile course is festooned with somewhere in the region of five million – yep, that’s five MILLION – lights, each contributing to spectacular festive scenes and other Vegas-themed displays, meaning you’re as likely to see a hip-wiggling house-sized Elvis as a jolly Santa Claus. Pile the family into the car (with a hot chocolate each), tune into the custom radio station that plays carols and other Christmas favorites, and brace yourselves for the light show of a lifetime.

Winter Parq

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Have you been dreaming of a... pink Christmas? Look no further than the Winter Parq – the promenade connecting the Flamingo and LINQ hotels where, by the Flamingo at least, bright pink decorations are de rigueur. Take in the glittering lights, giant snow globe and kitschy Christmas ornaments at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat before strolling to the LINQ for live entertainment and Christmassy cocktails under the towering tree. Afterwards, warm up and take in panoramic views of the Neon City aboard the High Roller Observation Wheel which (you’ll be unsurprised to learn) is, at 550 feet, one of the tallest on the planet (second only to the Ain Dubai). Those who suffer from vertigo need not apply.

Ethel M Cactus Garden

Image of Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Festival, Christmas Tree,

If there’s anything more ubiquitous than Christmas trees in Vegas in December, it’s Christmas cacti. You’ll see these bristly beauties bedecked with festive baubles nearly everywhere you go, but nowhere more so than in the grounds of the legendary Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Here, the three-acre cactus garden receives an annual festive revamp that incorporates hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, Christmassy scenes aplenty, and even a family of animated reindeer. We recommend visiting in the evening when the garden's at its most magical and, of course, combining your visit with a chocolate-tasting experience. It would be almost rude not to!

Take in a Show

There can be few quicker ways of getting right into the Christmas spirit than an evening spent watching classic Las Vegas shows that have been tweaked for the holiday season. Think classic Christmas rock and pop hits (as well as a few carols) from the Legends in Concert, immersive performances of The Nutcracker, and Christmas-themed magic and comedy shows. As Christmassy as your dad’s Rudolph sweater.

Christmas Tree Trail

Image of Tree,

December in Las Vegas sees Christmas trees sprouting up here, there and everywhere, each more fantastically bejeweled than the last. Take advantage of this free spectacle by visiting some of the major hotels to see how many stops have been pulled out to get one up on their neighbors. At over 40 feet, the Bellagio’s is inevitably among the most spectacular but the trees at Wynn’s Winter Wonderland, the Fashion Show Mall and the Venetian are no slouches either. Take a tour with your camera and make your Instagram feed the envy of all your Christmas-loving buddies back home.

The Magical Forest

A stalwart of the Vegas Christmas scene, the Magical Forest is just that: a woodland wonderland crammed with twinkling lights and festive decorations. This one is a must-do if you’re traveling with kids: they’re going to absolutely love the carousel, giant slide and cute train rides on the Forest Express. Plenty of live performances, food trucks and funnel cakes should keep the grown-ups happy too.

Santa Claus!

Image of Festival, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Christmas,

A visit to Las Vegas in December might almost make you believe there's more than one Father Christmas. He certainly gets around. Meet him at the aforementioned Magical Forest or head to Tivoli Village for a few memorable family snaps in his beautifully decorated grotto. You can even see the man in red swimming with sharks at the Mandalay Bay Shipwreck! If that’s not enough for you, go all in and dress up as Santa yourself: the Great Santa Run takes place in downtown Vegas and sees thousands of wannabe Santas take to the streets for a 5k fun run (or walk, if you prefer) every December. Ho ho ho and viva Las Vegas!

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Things to do in Las Vegas for Pride Day

Las Vegas is as camp as Christmas. This, after all, is the city that has hosted epic residences by some of the planet’s biggest gay icons – Elton John, Celine Dion, Cher, Barry Manilow, Katy Perry, Mariah and Liberace, to name just a few. Sin City’s 24-hour party culture means there’s always a club, restaurant or high-class cocktail bar to get the party started, and who hasn’t dreamt of spending feather boa-clad evenings at the blackjack tables followed by long languid days sipping pina coladas in poolside cabanas? Naturally, then, fabulous Las Vegas is also a fine place to celebrate Pride, with a flamboyant annual parade and festival that could even be said to rival the more famous parties in neighboring San Diego and LA. Better yet, in a bid to dodge the searing desert heat of traditional summer Pride events, Sin City’s official Pride parade and festival takes place in the marginally more bearable climes of October, meaning you can, should you so wish, march for Pride twice in the same year! Here’s what to expect from Las Vegas Pride, and the city’s other hot tickets for LGBTQ+ travelers, in October, in June, and all year round!. Las Vegas Pride Parade and Festival The Las Vegas Pride Night Parade and Festival take place over a single weekend in October. Friday evening sees the weekend get started in earnest as some 30,000 revelers join the party in Downtown Las Vegas. There’s a pre-show from around 6PM, with a parade along 4th Street at 7PM. You can expect all the usual entertainments: eye-poppingly OTT floats (many sponsored by the huge Vegas casino resorts), plus theatrical costumes, drag kings and queens, live music and marching bands. Like pretty much everything else in Vegas, it’s quite the spectacle. The parade finishes close to the Fremont Street Experience, the ultra-modern dining and entertainment complex that’s the jewel in Downtown’s sparkling crown, and where you can expect plenty of Pride-related partying, with cocktails, live music and LED light shows getting the party into full swing. The official Pride Block Party, however, can be found a little further back along 4th Street, featuring food trucks, bars and live performances until late. Entry to the Friday event is free, but you’ll need tickets for the all-day festival at the same location on the Saturday. Kids are welcome to hang out until 7PM but stage shows get a little racy after with acts that are not necessarily recommended for tender young eyes and ears. There’s also a Pride Pets event at Craig Ranch Regional Park on Saturday afternoon, with prizes available for very good (and very well-dressed) doggos. June Pride in Las Vegas Las Vegas is of course fabulous year-round (it even says so on the famous sign!) so – no surprises – the city does also get heavily involved in the global Pride month of June, with unofficial Pride parties and events popping up across town. Some of the best recurring annual shindigs include these absolute must-dos… The Phoenix Bar & Club is one of Sin City’s premier gay bars and hosts a Pride party on the first Saturday every single month of the year. For obvious reasons, June’s is perhaps the biggest of them all. Expect karaoke, drag acts and other surprises. Only the biggest and best LGBTQ+ pool parties in Vegas, Temptation Sundays run weekly at the Luxor through summer, promising go-go dancers, stylish drag queens, live DJs and pool discos! Catch the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus performing their uplifting mix of pop, Motown and musical showtunes. The legendary Queen Las Vegas is the Strip’s only LGBTQ+ bar, restaurant and club. June highlights include karaoke (natch), drag queen performances (of course), ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ viewing parties, and weekend drag brunches. LGBT+ Las Vegas Nightlife The LGBTQ+ nightlife in Las Vegas is wild at just about any time of year, but never more than in June and October, when there are all sorts of Pride-related theme nights going on. We’ve already mentioned the must-visit Queen Las Vegas, with its hedonistic weekend club nights. Celeb fave Piranha offers similarly hi-NRG all-night beats, strobe lighting and exclusive boxes with Strip and dance floor views.  Hit up the Flex Cocktail Lounge, Quadz, Fun Hog Ranch and The Garage for slightly more laid back LGBTQ+ vibes, including theme nights, karaoke, billiards, darts and more. Unleash your inner Nina Simone accompanied by a live pianist at Fremont Street karaoke favorite Don’t Tell Mama. Or mosey over to the Flamingo to catch the rip-roaring theatrical production of RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!, starring a rotating cast of the planet’s most fabulous drag queens. Of course, this barely scratches the surface of the astonishing number (and variety) of LGBTQ+ parties and events held year-round in Sin City. Check the official Las Vegas Pride calendar for all the latest listings. Top Las Vegas Attractions You’re in Vegas, baby! This a city that truly never sleeps, so naturally there’s plenty to see and do here, should you fancy a break from all that partying. Some of our favorite things to do include the below… Seeing the Bellagio fountain lit up in the colors of the Pride flag during the festival. Catch the show every 15 minutes from 7PM. And while you’re there, the Bellagio just happens to have its own fine art gallery and botanical garden, as well as some of the hottest designer shopping in town. There’s no souvenir selfie more fabulous than a snap by the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign at the end of the Strip. Get there via the quite excellent Deuce bus service or, heck, hire a pink cadillac and drive there with the top-down for ultimate Instagram bragging rights. You’re spoiled for choice with the proliferation of shows in and around the Las Vegas Strip. Pick from major rock and pop stars, comedians, conjurors, puppeteers and, of course, the famous Blue Man Group and Cirque shows. Choose your own adventure on a Pink Jeep Tour of Vegas – or beyond! Options include Strip deep dives, cruises out to Red Rock Canyon, and even epic round-trips to Death Valley’s Badwater Basin. Get pampered to the max at the Roman baths at Qua Baths & Spa in Caesars Palace, where the 24-carat gold collagen facial massage is just about as decadent as massage gets. Ride the Las Vegas High Roller, currently the second-tallest observation wheel on the planet, for far-reaching views across the glittering city skyline and beyond. Book a private pod with bubbly for the win (and to calm your nerves 550 feet up)! Many of the above attractions and activities are included with a Go Las Vegas pass, which could save you up to 50% when visiting multiple Sin City bucket-listers. Find out more about the different types of Go Las Vegas pass and choose yours here.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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Best things to do in Las Vegas in February

Rising like an oasis out of the Nevada desert, Las Vegas is an all-year-round destination, with plenty to do when it's scorching hot and just as much in the cooler months. February is a great time to see Las Vegas. You’ll still be guaranteed warmth and sunshine, with the benefit of fewer crowds. However, believe it or not, it can actually get chilly out in the desert, especially once the sun goes down, so don’t forget your layers! Here are some ideas of the best things to do in Las Vegas in February. Iconic sights You can't come to Sin City without ticking off the most iconic sights. Make sure to do the poker-player pilgrimage to the Strip, the home of all the world-famous casinos where you’ll also see the Bellagio fountains, the Luxor Pyramid and the Eiffel Tower! Vegas isn’t short of sky-high thrills and sights. Why not also head over to SkyPod at The STRAT – the tallest freestanding observation tower in the US – where you’ll get a whole other perspective over the city and the desert beyond. If you’re daring enough, then you’ve got to try out the hair-raising SkyJump at The STRAT. This heart-pumping open-air leap will see you hurtle at speeds of up to 40mph from a height of 855 feet! Shows Get outside Museums If that doesn’t tickle your desires, then give yourself a giggle at the Erotic Heritage Museum which explores human sexuality through art, multimedia displays, and powerful exhibitions. You’ll see how erotic art has influenced today’s culture and get a look at all sorts of cheeky artefacts from the world over. Where better than Sin City for a little naughtiness? Save on Attraction Admission Pick up a Go City® pass for Las Vegas and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this February itinerary is just one of many ways to experience Las Vegas. Go City® gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so grab your Las Vegas pass, and choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests.
Samuel Ford
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Fremont Street Fun: Top Experiences You Can’t Miss in Downtown Vegas

Ready to experience Vegas beyond the tourist-packed Strip? Let’s talk about Fremont Street—a wild, joyful mashup of historic casinos, jaw-dropping light shows, street performers on stilts, and some of the city’s tastiest bites and quirkiest attractions. Downtown Las Vegas feels like a party that never ends, whether you’re ziplining above the crowds, sipping retro cocktails, or getting a front-row seat to neon history. Want to pack your day (and night) with unforgettable Fremont Street moments? Here’s where the fun begins.  Our fave things to do on and around Fremont Street include:  Fremont Street Experience  The Mob Museum  The Neon Museum  SlotZilla Zipline  Container Park  Circa Stadium Swim  Downtown cocktail hop  Golden Nugget’s Shark Tank  Secret Pizza at Pizza Rock  Fremont Street Experience: The Heartbeat of Downtown Vegas  Every trip to Fremont Street should start under the Viva Vision canopy. This pedestrian mall thrums day and night with dazzling LED displays high overhead—think epic music videos and light shows that ripple across 1,500 feet of screen. The vibe is nothing short of electric: towering neon, classic casinos, three stages blasting live bands, wild buskers, and that unbeatable energy you can’t fake.  When the Viva Vision show sparks to life (every hour after sunset), the crowd collectively looks up—and for a few minutes, you’re wrapped in a Vegas spectacle that feels utterly unique. Try to time your visit with a scheduled tribute, whether it’s Queen, The Killers, or Imagine Dragons. Don’t miss the people-watching either. You’ll spot everything from Elvis impersonators to flame-jugglers and maybe even a wedding party in sequins. Whether you stroll through with a yard-long margarita or post up by a classic casino like the Golden Nugget, this spot captures that pure downtown buzz.  The Neon Museum: Vegas’s Glowiest Time Capsule  You’ve seen photos: an otherworldly boneyard of neon signs sparkling against the desert sky. The Neon Museum preserves Vegas’s brightest relics—giant martini glasses from long-lost bars, massive casino letters, grinning cowboy silhouettes. A guided tour weaves you through decades of sin city style, telling each sign’s story and the legends who brightened the city’s nights.  Night tours are a favorite. The restored signs flicker back to their original glory, washing the gravel “boneyard” in pink, orange, and blue. You’ll snap showstopping photos and maybe pick up surprising trivia (did you know about the Moulin Rouge’s connection to civil rights?). The museum sits just a short walk or Uber from Fremont—so even the location feels like a hidden downtown find. For anyone keen to feel vintage Vegas vibes, nothing beats a sunset stroll among these glowing giants.  SlotZilla Zipline: Fly Over the Frenzy  Is your inner daredevil itching for a thrill? Sling yourself into the thick of downtown action with SlotZilla—a zipline that launches riders beneath the Viva Vision canopy! Choose traditional “Zip-Zilla” (sitting, 77 feet up) or go all-in with “Super-Hero Zoom” (prone, superhero-style, 114 feet above the crowd). The rush is unbeatable as you soar above onlookers for a few blocks of pure adrenaline.  SlotZilla is more than just a ride; it gives you a totally fresh perspective on Fremont. You’ll spot costumed street performers, catch the casino lights winking up at you, and hear the live music blurring by as you zoom past. Day or night, the neon makes it feel one part retro video game, one part urban thrill ride. Wind in your hair, lights flashing below—this is downtown’s best selfie moment.  Container Park: Eats, Shops, and a Fire-Breathing Mantis  A block off Fremont, this open-air mall is a local favorite for good reason. Crafted entirely from repurposed shipping containers, it’s packed with indie boutiques, quirky art, playgrounds, and a lineup of truly fun eats and drinks. The massive praying mantis at the entrance literally spits fire on the hour—kids and grown-ups love it.  Grab tacos at Pinches or savor gourmet popcorn while listening to live music on the treehouse stage. The central play area is family-friendly by day, then morphs into a trendy spot for date-night cocktails or craft beers after dark. Local artisans hawk everything from handmade jewelry to wild vintage finds. Container Park’s creative energy (and super walkable setup) make it a cheerful downtown detour when you need a break from the ringing slots.  Circa Stadium Swim: Pool Parties, Vegas-Style  If your idea of vacation is a pool, a cocktail, and a giant game on the screen, slide over to Circa’s Stadium Swim. Perched atop the newest (and adults-only) hotel on Fremont, this complex features six rooftop pools, multiple bars, and a 143-foot screen blaring sports and music videos all day.  You can rent a cushy daybed with friends or just float with your favorite drink—it’s laidback during the day and ramps up as the sun goes down. DJs spin poolside, sports fans cheer, and every inch feels purpose-built for group fun. The vibe is bright, social, and summery, even if you visit outside pool season—heated water means parties never stop. The skyline views alone are worth popping in for a photo or two.  Golden Nugget’s Shark Tank: Swim and Sip Next to Sharks  The Golden Nugget’s pool is a local legend, and not just for its waterfall or luxe cabanas. The centerpiece is a 200,000-gallon aquarium teeming with sharks and rays, smack in the middle of the pool area. You get the rare opportunity to glide down a three-story waterslide that takes you right through the center of the tank—yes, separated by clear panels, but you’ll feel like you’re diving with the big fish. The experience is a wild mix of adrenaline and wonder, suitable for both kids craving a little thrill and grownups soaking up the sun in style.  Cabanas and loungers sprinkle the pool deck, with servers offering up signature cocktails—try the “Shark Bite” for fruity punch and a bit of Vegas cheek. Whether you stay for a dip, snap photos by the tank, or just kick back and people-watch (it’s prime for this), the Golden Nugget pool brings the fun, flashy energy that’s made Fremont Street famous. When you need to escape the casino noise but still want serious novelty, this is your spot.  Secret Pizza at Pizza Rock: Late-Night Cravings Solved  Walking Fremont until midnight (or beyond) is practically a rite of passage, and when the munchies call, Pizza Rock answers with style. Tucked inside a rock’n’roll-themed dining room just off the main drag, this pizzeria slings seriously satisfying slices—crispy crusts, generous toppings, and drippy cheese blends that win awards year after year.  Ask about their “secret menu” and you might score a funky specialty pie (like the DJ 12-inch with ‘all the toppings’). For a true Vegas treat, grab the Sicilian-style slice: pillowy, cheesy perfection. The vibe is loud, lively, and giggle-inducing after a night out. Neon lights, punk posters, and high-energy staff make every late-night stop feel like a party. Already friends with the bartenders? They’ll usually know your name by your second round. Whether you need a pre-gamble bite or post-bar refuel, Pizza Rock’s generous pies are an essential downtown fix.  Bonus: Fremont’s Free Live Music and Street Performers  You don’t have to drop a dime to be wildly entertained on Fremont Street. Three stages bookend the pedestrian mall, hosting an ever-changing parade of bands—from ‘80s cover groups to blues guitar legends and EDM mashups. Dancers, magicians, and jaw-dropping acrobats line the walkways, so you’re never more than a few steps from a live show.  The street performers are part of Fremont’s wild character: you might spot a Michael Jackson tribute one block over and a saxophone prodigy the next. Local fans know the schedule by heart, and you’ll quickly see why—it’s the heartbeat of the area, with people of every age and background gathering to dance, cheer, and snag selfies.    Ready for your Fremont adventure? From poolside shark tanks to mouthwatering pizza and history that packs a punch, downtown Vegas is a whirlwind of bold lights and bigger personalities. It’s a wild ride you’ll want to savor every step of the way!    Enjoyed this? Check out our guide to the perfect birthday on the Strip, and see our picks of Vegas’ top casinos.  Step up your sightseeing with Go City®  We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  See more, do more, and experience more with Go City®– just choose a pass to get started! 

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