Holiday attractions feature lights, snow, Santa

Folks looking for holiday cheer have plenty to choose from in the Las Vegas Valley. Here are major attractions open for viewing.

■ "BELIEVE IN MAGIC" HOLIDAY SHOW at the Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, features the Fashion Show dancers, artificial snow, Santa Claus and a 35-foot Christmas tree in the Great Hall near Nordstrom. Hours are noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 11 and daily Dec. 16-24.

■ GLITTERING LIGHTS at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North, boasts two miles of lights and more than 400 animated and sparkling displays in a drive-thru setting. Hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Jan. 1. Admission is $15 per car. All proceeds benefit Speedway Children's Charities Las Vegas Chapter (vegasglitteringlights.com).

■ HOLIDAY CACTUS GARDEN, Ethel M, 2 Cactus Drive, Henderson, features three acres of lights and animated displays. Hours are 5-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1. Admission is free. Glasses for a 3-D experience can be purchased inside the Ethel M store next to the garden. Santa Claus visits 5-9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Dec. 19-23.

■ HOLIDAY VILLAGE at the Four Seasons, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South, features 20 gingerbread "real estate" properties and a life-sized working carousel. Created by pastry chef Jean-Luc Dau, the village is on display through Dec. 25. The display is free to the public.

■ ICE SKATING at the Village Lake Las Vegas, 15 Costa di Lago, Henderson, is available through Jan. 29. Hours for the floating ice rink are 3-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; noon-9 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and school vacations. Admission, which includes skate rental and full-day pass, is $15 for adults, $12 for children (thevillagellv.com).

■ MAGICAL FOREST at Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., is in its 20th year, featuring decorated trees, a passenger train, the Enchanted Carousel, the Gingerbread House, a cafe, entertainment, and other activities and special events. Hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 31. Admission is $9.75 for those 13 and older, $7.75 for ages 3 to 12, and free for children younger than 3. Rides are separate, although admission and ride packages are available. All proceeds benefit disabled people served by Opportunity Village (magicalforest.org).

■ SAM'S TOWN, 5111 Boulder Highway, presents its annual winter wonderland at Mystic Falls Park. Garland streams, wreaths and snow adorn the trees and lampposts. Also featured are an ice sculpture, polar bears, indoor snow and a Santa's workshop. The free 15-minute winter laser light spectacular is at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1. Cowboy Santa Claus hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and noon-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23, $11-$17 for photos.

■ TIVOLI VILLAGE, 302 S. Rampart Blvd., features Santa Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides and strolling carolers among its holiday offerings Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 18. A schedule of activities for Dec. 19-25 will be announced later (tivolivillagelv.com).

■ TOWN SQUARE, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South, offers several holiday activities, including photos with Santa Claus through Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays; and Claus and Paws pet photos 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 21. "Snow in the Square" appears through Dec. 23, 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7 and 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Community concerts are offered at 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 21 (www.mytownsquarelasvegas.com/holiday-events.html).

■ WINTER IN VENICE at The Venetian and the Palazzo, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, includes a 65-foot LED holiday tree, ice skating and the "Nightly Holiday Spectacular" light show. Hours for the outdoor ice-skating rink are 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and tickets are $15 for 45-minute sessions. The holiday light show is at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. through Jan. 8 (venetian.com).

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564. Follow @StripSonya on Twitter.