Every year, thousands of locals and visitors enjoy a Las Vegas Christmas. There are so many Las Vegas Christmas events and experiences to enjoy, both off and on The Strip, that it is no wonder that Vegas is a top holiday destination.
The weather in Las Vegas during the holiday season is quite chilly, and I have visited on a couple occassions when it has snowed! So bundle up and enjoy some our favorite Christmas events in Las Vegas for 2025.
Las Vegas Christmas Events in 2025 Off the Strip
Enchant Christmas
Enchant Christmas is in its third year in Las Vegas this Christmas season. It will be open November 21 – December 28, 2025. It will be located at the Las Vegas Ballpark.
These type of immersive holiday light experiences are popping up all over the country and we are all in!
There is a Reindeer Games Light Maze (perfect for great Instagram photos and the largest Christmas maze in the world), an ice skating trail, meet and greets with Santa, A Children’s Play Place, and plenty of gourmet holiday treats to enjoy. This is a popular Las Vegas Christmas attraction, so purchase your tickets in advance.
Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Glittering Lights is a drive-through holiday light experience on 2.5-mile course at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway running November 7, 2025 through January 4, 2026 from 4:45-9pm (Monday through Thursday) and 4:45-10pm on weekends.
There are over five million twinkling lights, 600 animated displays, nearly 200 lights trees, and even a live nativity to enjoy. Drive in your own vehicle or purchase a ticket for the Santa Tram and skip the lines and view them from an open-air vehicle.
Best of all, a portion of your admission fee goes to help fund over 50 children’s charities around Southern Nevada. As a matter of fact, the money raised makes up a large portion of these charities’ annual donations.
You can purchase your tickets in advance, and even buy a Fastpass if you want to skip the line. This is an extremely popular Las Vegas Christmas attraction with over 250,000 visitors annually.
Ethel M Chocolate Factory Holiday Cactus Garden
Only in Las vegas will you find a chocolate factory that also has an impressive cactus garden!
From November 6 – January 3, 2026, The Ethel M Chocolate Factory Cactus Garden will be decked out with 500,000 lights, animated figures, and other holiday decor. This is the 32nd year this annual events has taken place.
Wandering through the gardens costs only $3 per person, so come for the chocolate and stay for the barrel cactus, yuccas, and prickly pears covered in lights. Just remember to look but don’t touch- ouch! Don’t forget to keep your eyes out for Santa. Bring a toy and non-perishable food to donate.
Note: Santa will not be at the garden after December 23rd.
The lights are on from 5 to 10pm every night. You can pre-order hot chocolate, cookies, and cupcakes to enjoy while you visit. This year you can also book a Limited Edition Holiday Chocolate Tasting.
Winter is a great time to get outside in Las Vegas. Here are 8 Great Outdoor Activities in Las Vegas!
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops always get in the holiday spirit and it is no different at the Las Vegas location near the Silverton Casino.
You can get a free photo with Santa, November 1 – December 24, 2025. Be sure to make your free reservation online up to seven days before you visit.
There are also holiday crafts for the kids to enjoy. During your visit, families can mail their letter to Santa and receive free giveaways while supplies last. There is also a toy shop where kids can point out all the things they want for Christmas.
Of course, kids always love checking out the aqauriums and wildlife displays inside the store. If you visit on a weekend in December, be sure to stop by the Silverton Casino to check out the Underwater Scuba Santa from 12 – 1:15pm or 2 – 3:15pm.
Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
Another wildly popular Las Vegas Christmas event that is now in its 33rd year is the Magical Forest. Over three million lights sparkle on hundreds of trees.
There will be an Avalanche Slide, carousel, a train, escape rooms, midway games, mini golf, and plenty of food, drink, and photo ops including pictures with Santa.
All the money raised at the Magical Forest goes towards programs at Opportunity Village wich help over 3,000 people with disabilites. This year’s event runs on evenings November 28 – December 31, 2025.
Tickets can be purchased online and do sell out.
Summerlin Rock Rink
The ice skating rink returns for another year. It is a festive open-air ice skating scene with a 40-foot Christmas tree next to the rink and plenty of lights overhead.
There is also a holiday train that circles the rink and plenty of festive holiday music to keep spirits jolly.
Summerlin Holiday Parade
Why should a parade last just one day? Downtown Summerlin’s Holiday Parade runs Fridays and Saturdays at 6pm from November 28 – December 2, 2025.
The show is performed by local kids from various local high schools, dance teams, and theater troupes and includes floats, characters, dancers and so much more! All shows are free and open to the general public. The parade takes place on Park Centre Drive.
Mystic Falls Park Winter Wonderland at Sam’s Town
Sam’s Town has long been a favorite casino among locals and their Mystic Falls Park is always a crowd pleaser but come the holiday season, it gets even better!
Mystic Falls Park’s Winter Wonderland display is a holiday laser show with more than 26,000 points of light.
Classic holiday songs, including Let It Snow, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman play during the nine-minute show which runs on the hour from 2-10pm November 28, 2025 through January 1, 2026.
World of Illumination at Cowabunga Bay Water Park
World of Illumination brings its mile-long drive-through holiday light show to Cowabunga Bay Water Park in 2025 (last year it was at M Resort).
There will be millions of synchronized lights, lots of animated displays, and several different themed scenes you enjoy from your car.
Dates: Nov 25, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026. Hours: Tue–Sun, 6–10pm (timed-entry windows). Tickets: start at $39.99 per vehicle, one ticket per car, online only, open rain or shine. Book early via the Early Sleigh Presale and save (up to 25% off)!
Holiday Roar at Lion Habitat Ranch
Remember when MGM Grand had lions in the lobby? Ever wonder what happened to them? Turns out they ended up at Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson and you can visit this nonprofit sanctuary to see them and other animals.
This year the Ranch is hosting Holida Roar- a daytime, family event with extended hours, festive add-ons, and lots of animal-themed holiday fun. Activities included arts & crafts, holiday music, ugly sweater contests (winners fed a lion!), lion enrichment demos, story time (“Christmas at the Zoo”), and a Jeep photo op with Swifty.
In 2024, Holiday Roar ran Dec 21–22 from 11am–5:30pm. Locals were $20 and non-locals were $25 with one free kid (14 & under) admission per paid adult. 2025 dates are still TBD but expect the event to be the weekend before Christmas.
Henderson WinterFest
Locals love to kick off the holidays in Downtown Henderson at WinterFest with two free nights of festivities.
Thursday, Dec 4 (5–7:30pm) features the Tree Lighting Ceremony plus a drone show over Water Street Plaza, with live performances and food vendors. Friday, Dec 5 (6:30–8:30pm) brings the glowing Electric Light Parade along Water Street.
Trekaroo tip: Arrive early for parking and check city updates for any changes.
Santa Train at Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City
All aboard for a classic, kid-friendly ride with Santa on board. The 40-minute round-trip ride to Paradise Hills features holiday music, candy canes from Santa’s helpers, and time for photos with the big guy.
The Santa Train runs Saturdays & Sundays, Nov 30–Dec 22, 2025 with departures at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. Tickets: $12 per person and sales open Nov 1—these trains sell out, so book early.
The museum also runs the North Pole Express on select evenings Nov 29–Dec 22 (Fri–Sun) at 5pm & 7pm with cocoa, cookies, games at Santa’s Railyard, and standard/first-class seating options.
Holiday Express at the Springs Preserve
The Holiday Expres is a trackless train that whisks you to a charming “Santa’s Village” for photos, crafts, storytelling, and even a little desert “snow.” Specific 2025 dates and times aren’t posted yet on the Preserve’s events calendar, but this program traditionally runs on select December days with timed departures and advance reservations required.
In addition to the train ride to Santa’s Village families will enjoy visits with Santa, holiday crafts & treats, and snowy photo ops.
Fremont Street Experience Holiday Tree & Viva Vision
The big holiday kickoff in Downtown Vegas takes place at the Fremont Street Experience Christmas Tree lighting under the Viva Vision canopy. It is followed by nightly Viva Vision LED shows set to music on a daily basis.
The light-show spectacular runs at the top of every hour from 6:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. and each show lasts about 6–8 minutes. Last year’s season kickoff was on December 10.
Las Vegas Christmas Events and Attractions on The Strip
The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
For the 10th year, the roof top of The Cosmopolitan will have an outdoor ice rink! The Boulevard Pool is iced over and the ice skating can’t be beat!
There will also be fire pits for roasting s’mores, food and drink (including seasonal cocktails for mom and dad), the occasional “snowfall”, and even holiday movies playing the background.
The ice rink is opened November 28, 2024 – January 12, 2025 last year.This year’s dates are TBD Hours vary. All-day skating access (including skate rentals) is $20 for locals, military, and first responders (Monday through Thursday). It is $30 for everyone else. Snow showers happen every 30 minutes during select times throughout the season.
Here are our 10 favorite things to do in Las Vegas with kids, no matter the season.
Winter Wonderland at the LINQ Promenade
The LINQ Promenade is already a wildly popular attraction on the Las Vegas Strip, thans to the 550-feet tall High Roller observation wheel.
But during the holiday season, the Promenade is transformed into a winter wonderland with festive lights and decor and a sparkling holiday light show on the High Roller.
featuring more than 2,000 LED lights synchronized to popular holiday music during the nightly “Lights at The LINQ” show.
Showtime: The show runs every hour on the half hour from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
Aria Resort’s Giant Gingerbread House
In what has quickly become a holiday tradition, the Aria Resort & Casino will be once again be creating a giant gingergbread house display. It will be on display in the main lobby through thr first week in January.
Expect it to be massive in size (think 15 feet high and seven feet wide!) and made from an obscene amount of sugar. More than 400lbs of gingerbread goes into this heavenly creation as does 200lbs of icing and a thousand pounds of candy!
If looking at the gingerbread masterpiece makes you crave something sweet, you will be happy to know sweet treats and warm beverages will be on sale onsite.
Bellagio Conservatory and Fountains Holiday Displays
Every year we all look forward to the Bellagio going all out with their impressive and beautiful holiday display inside the Bellagio Conservatory.
Highlights include a 40-foot tree, polar bears made from carnations, a train and penguins both made from red and white roses, and a massive snow globe.
The entire scene is truly a work of art and each year it changes. The holiday display will be available for viewing from November 15, 2025 – January 3, 2026. The Conservatory is open 24 hours a day.
Don’t forget to make time to watch the Bellagio Fountains put on a choreographed water show to the tune of your favorite holiday songs. The holiday water shows play December through the first weekend in January. I think it is most magical to experience it in the evening.
Take a Trip to the North Pole at Fashion Show Las Vegas
Get your holiday shopping done and take in the holiday scene at Road Trip to the North Pole at Fashion Show Las Vegas (November 25 – December 29, 2025. There will be spot to take retro holiday photos in the Great Hall from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.
There will also be pictures with Santa near Neiman Marcus and Holiday Glow Live, a high-fashion musical showcase featuring your favorite holiday characters.
Mariah Carey’s Christmastime in Las Vegas
The self-proclaimed “The Queen of Christmas” brings a festive, ten-show run of Christmastime in Las Vegas to Dolby Live at Park MGM with holiday classics (yes, that song), fan favorites, and a full seasonal production. Performance dates: Nov 28–29; Dec 2–3, 5–6, 9–10, 12–13 and will sell out.
Excalibur — Tournament of Kings: ’Twas the Knight
Excalibur’s medieval arena gets a holly-jolly makeover for the holiday season during “Twas the Knight. There will be snow-kissed set pieces and a special holiday menu layered onto the classic jousting-and-feasting spectacle. This event runs November 26 – December 25, 2025.
Shows run Wednesday–Monday at 6:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. (dark Tuesdays). Tickets from $85.13 + fees; dinner is included and holiday items (like a pumpkin pastry dessert) appear on the seasonal menu.
The Palazzo — Waterfall Atrium Holiday Décor
The Palazzo’s Waterfall Atrium turns into a glittering holiday Winter Wonderland, typically anchored by a gold snowflake tree and oversized décor which is free to visit and a great location for photos. Also, in celebration of The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, the Waterfall Atrium is featuring life-size Oz characters and a yellow-brick-road scene through the end of 2025.
Leona Lewis is also having a Christmas residency called A Starry Night at Voltaire in the Venetian Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026. It is billed to be a festive concert experience with her holiday hits
Trekaroo tip: The exosphere of the famed Sphere runs a festive “Sphere of Cheer” holiday animations in December that ae great free photo ops.
I was first attracted to the world of blogging because I was a mother of infant twins and I wanted to show others that if I could travel with two young kids and expose them to many adventures that would shape their lives, then so could they! I received my degree in Communications from UC Davis in 2000 and have had a passion for writing since I learned to use a #2 pencil many moons ago.
I am proud to have been featured as a top family travel writer by USA Today and have been featured in the Orange County Register, Huffington Post, CBS LA, MSNBC, Backpacker Magazine, and countless other publications over the years. I have also had the joy of working as a writer for some of my local tourism bureaus, Destination Irvine and Visit Anaheim, as well as providing my expertise on many projects including building family travel tourism in Peru and family-focused articles for Vail Resorts.
I have worked with the biggest players in the family travel industry including Disney Resorts, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Marriott, Hilton, Adventures by Disney, KOA, Visit Britain, Visit Norway, Visit California, Visit Florida, and so many more amazing organizations than I have space to list.
I currently live in Orange County, CA with my husband, twin son and daughter (who are now Seniors in high school!), three rescue dogs, and one rescue cat. My favorite things (besides travel) are the San Francisco 49ers, animal rescue, Mexican food, being outside, being crafty, and my ridiculously large crystal and mineral collection.
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