Whether you’re a long time local or a newbie to the entertainment capital of the world like me, the holiday season in Las Vegas can sound exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The city that’s already got lights year round has been a surprising place to find holiday activities and shows. Here’s what you should absolutely see in Vegas for the holidays that doesn’t involve dropping all your money in a slot machine.
Bellagio Botanical
Anyone who hasn’t been to the Bellagio during the holidays is really missing out. A 40-foot Christmas tree, huge snow globe, red and white roses and tons of holiday decor in the casino conservatory. It’s open 24 hours a day and decked out for Christmas through January 7, 2024. Best of all the fountains shows outside are back and set to Christmas music up to x-mas.
Ethel M Chocolate/Cactus Garden
If you don’t mind venturing a bit away from the strip you can take the family to the Ethel M Chocolate factory in Henderson. Not only can you grab some of the best hot chocolate drink in Vegas but you can also tour their Christmas decorated cactus garden. It’s a short tour full of bright lights and holiday decor surrounding some of the stunning desert plant life. Best of all it’s free. The holiday cactus garden runs through the end of this month.
Vegas Shows!
The entertainment capital of the world doesn’t slow down for the holidays. Nightly entertainment from musicians, comedians, singers, and tons of variety shows are going on and some have holiday skins on. Among the best we saw were Ru Paul’s Drag Race Live at the Flamingo and Absinthe in the garden outside of Cesar’s Palace. These were definitely the shows that you can’t find anywhere else on Earth.
Nightmare Before Christmas at Area 15!
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” immersive viewing experience is at the AREA15 attraction, best known for housing the Meow Wolf interactive art installation OmegaMart, for the third consecutive year. Guests can enjoy Tim Burton’s holiday classic enhanced with choreographed light and sound elements synced to the movie inside 360-degree, projection-mapped Portal. I guarantee you’ve never seen the Tim Burton classic like this.
