Downtown Summerlin to hold holiday parade

Families throughout the valley are awaiting Friday evening's holiday kickoff celebration at Downtown Summerlin. In addition to Santa's arrival and the opening of the Rock Rink, Friday marks the debut of the Downtown Summerlin Holiday Parade, destined to become another Las Vegas holiday tradition.

This nondenominational holiday spectacle will continue for 20 nights throughout the season, and will include floats, toy soldiers, snowflake princesses and princes, dancers, drummers and festive music to put the entire family into the holiday spirit. Also parading through the streets will be characters such as penguins, polar bears and reindeer. The parade will last for 20 minutes and is scheduled for the evenings of Nov. 20 and 21, 27 and 28, Dec. 4 and 5 and every evening from Dec. 11-24.

"In addition to the festivities, Downtown Summerlin is sure to be a hot spot this season as we've added more than 40 new stores and restaurants in the past year, including a few that have opened this month," said Andrew Ciarrocchi, senior general manager of Downtown Summerlin. "Our retailers are loaded with great gift ideas for anyone on your shopping list, making Downtown Summerlin the place to go this holiday season for shopping, dining, skating and sharing some festive experiences with friends and family."

After Santa's arrival at the parade on Friday, he will be available throughout the holiday season for photos in Downtown Summerlin's Winter Wonderland, near the Pavilion and Rock Rink, an outdoor ice skating rink on the northwest side of the property that debuted last year. Detailed information on Santa appearance times and photo packages are available at www.downtownsummerlin.com.

"Something we've added for our guests this season is a Christmas tree lot that will be in the Winter Wonderland area," Ciarrocchi said. "Anyone who purchases their fir tree at Downtown Summerlin can take advantage of the free delivery service we are offering to anyone living in the Las Vegas Valley."

To celebrate Hanukkah, Downtown Summerlin will host the lighting of the menorah on Dec. 6. For eight nights, the Jewish Community Center will host the lighting of candles, in addition to events and entertainment.

There's much more to the holiday celebration this year at Downtown Summerlin. For a full list of activities, holiday hours, prices and more, visit www.downtownsummerlin.com or call 702-832-1000.