Stroll through frosted holiday displays at Enchant at the Las Vegas Ballpark. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
A holly jolly experience awaits at the Las Vegas Ballpark, where Enchant will light up the holiday season with the world’s largest Christmas light maze and a magical ice skating trail. The kids will love visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the Christmas village offers the perfect place to find a unique gift to nestle under the tree. Don’t miss themed events, including Ugly Holiday Sweater Night on Dec. 7, Paws n’ Claus Night on Dec. 8, and Date Night on Dec. 13.
Experience Winter Wonderland at the Museum of Illusions this holiday season. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Winter Wonderland at Museum of Illusions Las Vegas
Throughout the month of December, head to the Museum of Illusions for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. The Winter Wonderland exhibit transforms the space into a flurry of sparkling snowflakes, exploding presents and other optical illusions that turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Don’t forget pictures with Santa on select dates for a memorable keepsake.
The Connoisseur Series at Wynn Las Vegas
Hone your skills under the guidance of Wynn Las Vegas’ talented artists during December’s Connoisseur Series classes. Join Wynn Master Mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini for Holiday Cocktail Entertaining on Dec. 13, where she’ll share seasonal cocktail recipes and pro entertaining tips. The next day, on Dec. 14, master cake artist Floral Aghababyan and the Wynn Las Vegas pastry team will teach a family-friendly Gingerbread House Decorating Class. On Dec. 19, SW Steakhouse and Delilah pastry chef Michael Outlaw will share his sweet secrets during Dream Holiday Desserts. Finally, on Dec. 21, pastry chef Vivian Lam will lead guests through the eighth annual Treat Trimming Class. Hot chocolate will be served as you learn to put the finishing touches on sugar cookies, edible ornaments and more.
Pastry chef Vivian Lam will teach the annual Treat Trimming Class at Wynn Las Vegas on Dec. 21. PHOTO BY DAVID HARTUNG
Winter Wonderland at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Tidings of joy await at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Take a spin on the Oasis Ice Rink, and reserve a private AlpenGlobe at the rinkside Winter Village, where Veuve Clicquot bottles and gourmet snacks bring the holiday cheer. Holiday movies will be shown at the Oasis Ice Rink through Jan. 1, including Home Alone, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Frozen. If you prefer to stay inside, head to Navidad Azul, an over-the-top holiday bar at Azul, where donning ugly sweaters and sipping seasonal cocktails is encouraged. Learn how to make festive sweets—like the iconic Buche de Noel and peppermint pretzel bark—at the Holiday Sweets class on Dec. 7, and see seasonal shows featuring Derek Hough (Dec. 20) and Jennifer Hudson (Dec. 21 and 22) at the BleauLive Theater. At La Fontaine, the whole family will love the elegant Santa Brunch (Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22) featuring a three-course prix fixe brunch menu, cookie decorating, letter writing to Santa and photo opportunities with Old St. Nick himself. Santa will also be available for photos at the Bleau Gallerie on Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Christmas Parlor at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar
Make the season merry and boozy at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar’s Christmas-themed speakeasy, A Christmas Parlor. The whimsical pop-up allows for plenty of sports game viewing alongside seasonal bites such as roasted turkey sliders, jumbo holiday wings with cranberry chili glaze and baked brie. Be sure to order one of the specialty cocktails like the bourbon and chocolate bitters Tree Topper or the gin and St.- Germain-based Frosted Intentions, among other creations by master mixologist Francesco Lafranconi. Cheers!
The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is open through Jan. 10. PHOTO COURTESY OF MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
The Boulevard Pool will become a winter wonderland through Jan. 10, when the 4,200-square-foot ice rink returns to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Warm up by an outdoor fire pit, roast s’mores, sip seasonal beverages and watch the snow fall every 30 minutes on select nights. On New Year's Eve, fireworks will light up the night sky above the rink.
Deck the halls every Friday and Saturday night during Downtown Summerlin’s free holiday parade. Running through Dec. 21, the parade will see Santa, festive dancers and snowfall light up Park Centre Drive. Snap a photo with the big man in the Santa Chalet (open through Dec. 24), and glide across the ice at The Rock Rink until Jan. 20.
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Sip festive cocktails at Rouge Wonderland. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa’s elegant Rouge Room will become Rouge Wonderland through Dec. 30. Guests will be transported to Candy Cane Lane through whimsical holiday decor, fire pits, sweet treats and themed cocktails. Sip a Fireside Old-Fashioned in the main lounge or head outdoors to cozy up under the stars at The Ski Lodge. Don't miss the Christmas Karaoke Party on Dec. 5, the Let It Snow Apres Ski Party with live DJs on Dec. 7, and Elfed Up, an ugly sweater party on Dec. 20.
Holiday Speakeasy at Wax Rabbit
Located within Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant at Durango Casino & Resort, the Wax Rabbit speakeasy is bringing boozy holiday cheer to its secret bar hideaway. Head down the rabbit hole into a winter wonderland of sparkling trees, lush greenery and seasonal cocktails such as The Mistletoe with Volcán Reposado and ginger beer, Mexican eggnog and The Grinch, a bright green concoction of Midori, Ancho Reyes and egg white. For reservations, visit the website here.
Candy Rush Drive Thru Light Show
Drive out to M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson to discover Candy Rush, a drive-thru holiday light display spanning one mile. A symphony of colors and sounds will bring this experience to life, as drivers and passengers view millions of LED lights and hundreds of moving displays. See the spectacle through Dec. 29.
The Crooked Antler cocktail at Miracle on Spring Mountain; PHOTO BY MELISSA HOM
Las Vegas’ official Miracle pop-up bar returns for another frosty season of fun. Don your favorite holiday attire as you sip themed cocktails that are as delicious as they are photo-worthy. The over-the-top decor will have you feeling the holiday spirit as you enjoy the Jingle Balls Nog, Elfing Around or Snowball Old-Fashioned. Bottoms up!
The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
For more than three decades, The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village has been shining bright during this family-friendly holiday tradition. Open on select nights through Dec. 31, the outdoor attraction invites holiday lovers of all ages to meet with Santa, race down the 50-foot-tall Avalanche Slide, and ride Cheyenne's Enchanted Carousel and the Forest Express Passenger Train. Find the perfect gift to tuck under the tree at the holiday gift shop, win big while playing carnival games and take your best shot at Rod's Mini Golf. Proceeds from the theme park benefit the more than 3,000 people living with disabilities that Opportunity Village supports. 'Tis the season!
Nevada's largest botanical cactus garden will be illuminated with more than one million lights during this annual event in Henderson. Open nightly beginning at 5 p.m., the outdoor display invites families to stroll through the stunning display, snap photos with Santa, sip Ethel M's famous hot chocolate and enjoy small bites from the Ethel M Chocolate food truck. Stop by now through Jan. 4.
Book a private igloo at Winter at the Terrace at Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino is bringing back its Winter at the Terrace pop-up. Reserve a private igloo or warm up by a fire pit as you toast the season with the tequila-tinged Under the Mistletoe cocktail or the vodka-spiked Winter Wonderland. Pours from the hot chocolate cart add a sweet touch to the evening, while a plate of potato chips and caviar or a warm bowl of winter fondue will keep stomachs full. Don't miss the Camp Fire S'mores for dessert. Walk-ins are welcome but we suggest booking a reservation for a table or igloo at 702.617.7744. Cheers!
Deck the halls at Silverton Casino Lodge's Bad Elf Pop-Up Bar. PHOTO BY EUGENE DELA CRUZ
Open through Dec. 29, Silverton Casino Lodge's Shady Grove Lounge has once again received a Santa-approved makeover with the return of the Bad Elf Pop-Up Bar. The wildly kitschy display includes dozens of colorful string lights hanging from the ceiling, larger-than-life ornaments and mischievous elves galore. Book the Bad Elf Experience, which scores you a Bad Elf souvenir glass and the opportunity to play the Bad Elf Puzzle Hunt, a game of solving puzzles via clues found throughout the bar. Those who conquer the puzzles will be entered to win a staycation at Silverton Casino Lodge, plus dinner for two at Twin Creeks Steakhouse. How’s that for the nice list?
Stroll through Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens this holiday season. PHOTO BY TREVOR OSHANA/MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Open through Jan. 4, Bellagio’s awe-inspiring holiday display, ’Twas, stuns with breathtaking florals and festive decor thanks to designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s horticulture team. Visit the nearby Peppermint Express to enjoy holiday-inspired cookies, peppermint meringue, chocolate candies, popcorn, drip coffee and hot chocolate daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Celebrate the season in Queensridge at Tivoli Village. Shop at the Nutcracker Night Market (Dec. 5 to 19, 4 to 8 p.m.), where unique gifts are displayed alongside live entertainment by the Bella Strings Trio, meet-and-greets with the Sugarplum Fairy and Nutcracker Prince, twinkling holiday lights, local food options and more. From Dec. 5 to 21, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides between 4 and 8 p.m., and support local artisans during the Craft Festival on Sunday, Dec. 8. On Saturday, Dec. 7, more than 40 vendors will offer officially licensed sports merchandise during Raid the Knight (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and The Piazza will be filled with good times during Puppies and Prosecco (Dec. 7, noon to 4 p.m.). The adoption event will include adorable pups looking for their next home, live music, face painting, and complimentary prosecco or cider from Ada’s Food + Wine. During the event, dress up your furry pals for Tivoli’s inaugural Pet Sweater Contest.
From Dec. 15 to 31, Easy’s Cocktail Lounge at ARIA Resort & Casino will undergo a festive makeover and serve limited-time holiday cocktails. Order A Bumpy Sleigh Ride—a shot of Absolut Elyx served with a caviar bump—or the Dasher, Dancer and Prancer, a trio of shots in cheery glasses.
I Know Him!, a chocolate martini featuring Ketel One vodka, Bailey's, Dekuyper creme de cacao, Toschi Nocello, chocolate syrup and toasted marshmallows, from The Jingle Bar; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
The Jingle Bar at the Foundation Room
This December, the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino will transform into The Jingle Bar, a festive winter wonderland filled with dazzling decor, seasonal cocktails, and plenty of holiday cheer. Open through Dec. 28, the venue offers stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip and a cheerful holiday cocktail menu, perfect for enjoying with loved ones. Word to the elves: Jingle Bar will be closed on Christmas Eve and Day.
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