Most casinos have some Christmas decorations, though we've noticed that they've been decreasing over the years. Here are the few that stand out; the three non-casino venues are continuing long holiday-spirit traditions.
Bellagio Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens introduced this year’s holiday display the over the week following Thanksgiving. The new presentation features a two families, one of polar bears, the other of elves decorating the 42-foot-tall white fir tree. New this year are two 10-foot trains adorned with 1,200 red and white roses that roll through a train station coated with crushed walnuts and filled with poinsettias; four animated toy soldiers stand guard.
The LINQ Promenade The LINQ Promenade transforms into Winter PARQ, which this year features Lights at The LINQ. More than 2,000 lights change colors in syncopation with holiday music as "snow" falls on the outdoor area.
Wynn The horticulture team at the Wynn puts up a winter wonderland spectacle with five distinct fantasy villages, 33 beautifully embellished holiday trees, thousands of poinsettias, gold and seasonal lighting displays.
The Park The Park, behind New York-New York outside the T-Mobile Arena, features a 60-foot-tall silver-tip fir tree (Las Vegas' largest Christmas tree that we know of) adorned with 3,000 holiday ornaments and 13,000 lights. Santa Claus and carolers roam through a winter wonderland: tree branches sparkle with icicles, 16-foot-tall tunnels display ornaments, and there’s an ice-skating rink nearby at Toshiba Plaza, with hot beverages and holiday treats.
Fremont Street The Fremont Street Experience Christmas-tree-lighting ceremony took place just last night, with Mayor Carolyn Goodman flipping the switch at 5 p.m. The 50-foot-tall tree is second tallest behind the one at the Park.
Four Seasons Hotel The Four Seasons (at Mandalay Bay) will again host its gingerbread display, created by Pastry Chef Jean-Luc Dual, for the 18th consecutive year.
Silverton If it's something a little less traditional that you have in mind, head over to Silverton to catch their famous Underwater Santa, who makes appearances each weekend until Christmas between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Sam’s Town Mystic Falls at Sam's Town turns into a winter wonderland; its daily light-and-laser shows incorporate snowfall from noon to 4 p.m. daily (8:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun.).
Fashion Show Mall DreamWorks Animation and The Fashion Show Mall team up again this year with the 15-minute immersive and interactive "Adventure to Santa"; it features Kung Fu Panda. Admission is $40-$75, depending on the package.
Magical Forest The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village (6300 W. Oakey Blvd.) is Las Vegas’ longest running holiday tradition. Celebrating its silver anniversary this year, Magical Forest has a mini-forest with decorated pine trees centered around a large holiday tree, plus the Forest Express passenger train, a carousel, Boris the Elf's 3-D Experience, the avalanche slide, Rudolph's raceway, mini-golf, a magical midway, nightly entertainment, and of course photos with Santa. It’s open nightly through Jan. 4, with tickets $12.50 for adults, $10.50 for kids.
Ethel M For the 23rd year in a row, the three-acre cactus garden at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory (2 Cactus Garden Dr., Henderson) is lit up with a half-million LEDs decorating over 300 unique species of desert plants and cactus. Admission is free, as is the tour of the chocolate factory, which you should definitely do while you're there, if only for the free samples at the end. The lights are on nightly through Jan. 1 from 5 to 10 p.m., with visits from Santa every Fri.-Sun., from 5-9 p.m., through Dec. 24.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway In its 16th year, Nevada’s largest holiday drive-through light show, "Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway," features more than three million lights and more than 400 animated displays, all accompanied by Christmas music. Millions of people have viewed this exhibit since its inaugural year in 2000. Sunday -Thursday 5- 9 p.m., Friday, Saturday, and holidays till 10; Mon.-Thurs $20 per vehicle, Fri.-Sun., holidays, and Dec. 19-25 $30.
