Question of the Day - 30 November 2014

Certainly! Interesting, there have been some cutbacks since last year, especially in terms of skating rinks, with 2013 seeing an all-time (evidently excessive) high of five seasonal rinks now whittled down to two, both on the Strip, but there will be plenty of festive displays and holiday diversions to enjoy. Here are some suggestions:

• The LINQ Promade, as it's now termed (to distinguish it from The LINQ hotel) is the most recent casino property to announce its holiday festivities, with word that the area will transform into "Winter PARQ" as of Dec. 5, with a 30-foot "tubing hill" made of snow, plus holiday carolers, and real snow falls every 30 minutes.
• Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens will feature its traditional winter-wonderland display from Dec. 6 through Jan. 4, with a giant Shasta Fir serving as the centerpiece to what is always an extravagant and fun exhibit, featuring seasonal plants like poinsettias, plus an array of horticultural reindeer, penguins, and so on.
• Venetian/Palazzo also decorates its atrium extravagantly for the holidays, plus there's a 65-foot LED-illuminated tree out front, although no skating rink this year.
• If it's ice rinks you're after, Caesars Palace's "Chalet" attraction has returned to the fountain area, as has Cosmopolitan's rink at the Boulevard Pool. Both feature real ice, plus festive fare to eat and drink nightly, fire pits, snow showers, and more.
• If it's something a little less traditional that you have in mind, head over to the Silverton to catch their famous "Underwater Santa," who returns to the aquarium the first weekend in December and will be making appearances each weekend until Christmas between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Mystic Falls at Sam's Town is back in action after a brief hiatus that saw the attraction upgraded earlier in the year. The winter wonderland transformation has already occurred and now through Dec. 23, enjoy daily light-and-laser shows and snowfall from noon to 4 p.m. daily (8:30 p.m. Sat/Sun).
• The annual tree lighting ceremony at the Fremont Street Experience downtown takes place on Dec. 9, while the annual menorah lighting will be on Dec. 16. Expect seasonal entertainment on the free stages and the Viva Vision light canopy through the holiday season.
• In terms of some non-casino highlights, Town Square retail village on Las Vegas Boulevard, just south of the official end of the Strip, is going all-out this year with "Snow in the Square" real 10-minute snow flurries choreographed to holiday music now through Dec. 23. Snowfalls take place nightly at 7 pm, with additional 8 p.m. shows Fri.-Sun. In addition, there are photo opportunities for kids with Santa available daily through Dec. 24, Enjoy all the holiday lights nightly, with daily musical performances from local elementary and high school students. Times vary daily, so check the official website for the schedule.
• Springs Preserve's botanical gardens are already decked out in their annual festive LED light display. Some are visible from the free trails, although to enjoy the full benefit, you'll need to pay the GA price of $18.95 ($9.95 for locals). Note that the gardens are only open until 4 p.m., however.
• The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on Oakey Boulevard features a forest filled with hundreds of dazzling trees, the Forest Express passenger train, an enchanted carousel, Boris the Elf's 3-D Experience, the avalanche slide, Rudolph's raceway, mini-golf, a magical midway, nightly entertainment, photos with Santa, and much more! The attraction is open nightly through Jan. 4, with GA tickets $12.50 for adults, $10.50 for kids (inc. of fees).
• For the 21st year in succession, the cactus garden at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson chocolate factory is lit up with a half-million LED lights through Jan. 1. Admission is free and the lights are on nightly now through Jan. 1, from 5 to 10 p.m., with visits from Santa every Fri.-Sun., from 5-9 p.m., through Dec. 24.

No doubt more festivities and special holiday events will be announced between now and Christmas, plus the R-J also publishes a list of the best neighborhood light displays, so watch Today's News for updates.