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A guide to holiday events around the Las Vegas Valley

Updated December 17, 2022 - 2:58 pm

From light shows to family-friendly fun, there is no shortage of festive events and performances this holiday season. To help get you in the spirit, here are 22 ways to make merry in 2022.

Snow Carnival Holiday Forest

A snow tubing slide, interactive games and more than 350 tons of snow await guests at the M Resort’s M Pavilion. Complete with the “Mini Matterhorn,” this new attraction includes snowball-throwing challenges, a snowman building area and more, through Jan. 8. Tickets are $36.99 for adults, $29.99 for ages 3-11 and free for ages 2 and younger. Times vary. snowcarnival.com

‘The Immersive Nutcracker, A Winter Miracle’

From the creators of the “Immersive Van Gogh” exhibition, this 30-minute retelling of “The Nutcracker” uses the latest in projection-mapping technology to tell the timeless holiday tale set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Open through Dec. 30 in the Lighthouse ArtSpace Las Vegas at The Shops at Crystals. Tickets start at $35 and family packs are also available. Times vary. immersive-nutcracker.com

‘Heritage Holidays’

Visit the decorated historical homes of Heritage Street at the Clark County Museum. The historic homes are decorated for the holidays through Jan. 10, and viewable from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily (closed Christmas and New Year’s Day). Admission is $1-$2 at 1830 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson. clarkcountynv.gov/parks

Bad Elf Pop-Up Bar

Elves have taken over the Silverton’s Shady Grove Lounge. Through Jan. 2, the holiday-themed pop-up bar features a holiday cocktail menu (The Grinch Shot, Naughty Butter Beer), along with retired “shelf elves” sent to the Silverton from across the country. Three Bad Elf experiences are also offered, starting at $20. silvertoncasino.com/badelf

Mystic Falls Park

A nine-minute laser show with classic holiday songs, animated teddy bears and more than 26,000 points of light brightens the season at Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town. The attraction’s light show runs hourly from 2 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1. Visits with Santa are 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays and 11 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23 at 5111 Boulder Highway. Admission is free. samstownlv.com

Santa Express

Nevada Southern Railway’s fundraising evening Santa Express runs Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 17, and Dec. 20 and 21 from Nevada State Railroad Museum, 601 Yucca St., Boulder City. Tickets are $30 to $50 for the 45-minute ride with story time, Santa and Santa’s Railyard event center. Boarding times are 4, 6 and 8 p.m. In addition, the 30-minute daytime Santa Train returns Dec. 3-18, with departures hourly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $10. nevadasouthern.com

Snow in the Square

Through Dec. 23, Town Square’s annual snow show set to holiday music will be presented at 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 7 and 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays at 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South. mytownsquarelasvegas.com

‘A Very POPera Holiday’

Vegas City Opera will give a tour of modern and classic holiday hits with a twist on Dec. 17 at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. The concert is free and starts at 7 p.m. vegascityopera.org

NBT’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Join Clara on her wondrous adventure to a world of toy soldiers and fairies in Nevada Ballet Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” at The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall. Evening and matinee performances featuring a live orchestra will be on select days from Dec. 9-24. Tickets are $35.95 to $185.95. thesmithcenter.com

‘Candy Cane House’

To benefit HopeLink of Southern Nevada, Victor Cardenas and his husband Joey Cardona showcase their private residence for the holiday themed walk-through event at 366 S. Milan St. in Henderson. The event will continue from 6:30 to 8:30 Dec. 17 (with Santa in attendance for pictures), and from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18, Dec. 22, Dec. 23 and 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 25. link2hope.org

Bellagio holiday display

Highlighted by a giant gingerbread house tucked inside a massive replica Fabergé egg, the Bellagio Conservatory’s holiday display will run through Jan. 1. For the first time, assorted gingerbread cookies, chocolates, popcorn and other confections from the Bellagio bakery can be purchased at the display, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. bellagio.mgmresorts.com

Magical Forest

The Opportunity Village fundraiser celebrates its 31st season with Santa visits, the Avalanche Slide, the Forest Express Passenger Train, Cheyenne’s Enchanted Carousel and more, at 6300 W. Oakey Blvd. The attraction opens at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and daily Dec. 15-31 (closed Christmas). Tickets start at $22. Ages 3 and younger are free. magicalforest.com

Holiday Cactus Garden

Ethel M Chocolates’ sparkling attraction returns for its 29th season with over a million lights and holiday decor. Open 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1 at 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson. ethelm.com

Glittering Lights

A 2.5-mile course through Las Vegas Motor Speedway is decked out with more than 5 million LED lights for the 22nd season. Opens at 4:45 p.m. daily through Jan. 8 at 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Vehicles are $29-$39. A season pass is $129 and a fast pass is $64 on select dates. The Santa Tram operates on select nights through Dec. 23, $20-$25. glitteringlightslasvegas.com

Fremont Street Experience

The annual Christmas tree lighting with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 6. The 42-foot tree will be displayed below the 49.3 million energy-efficient LED lights of the Viva Vision canopy. On Dec. 18, a 20-foot grand menorah will be lit at a ceremony led by Rabbi Levi Harlig and Rabbi Shea Harlig from Chabad of Southern Nevada. The menorah will be up through the Hanukkah season. Admission is free to both events. vegasexperience.com

The Ice Rink

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ Boulevard Pool is a rooftop wonderland with skating, fire pits, classic holiday films on Date Skate nights, and Marquee Nightclub’s Night Circus-themed party on select Sundays. Open daily through Jan. 2. Hours vary. All-day skating is $30, with $20 for locals and military with ID Mondays through Thursdays. Admission to the winter wonderland surrounding the rink is free. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/ice-rink

Rock Rink/Holiday Parade

The annual holiday parade and Rock Rink outdoor skating rink have returned to Downtown Summerlin. The parade starts at 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 17 on Park Centre Drive. The Rock Rink is on the Lawn at Downtown Summerlin, 1980 Festival Plaza Drive. Hours vary. Skate rentals start at $16. Holiday train rides are also available. Rides are $5. Santa Claus’ Chalet is located in the Macy’s Promenade through Dec. 24. Photo packages start at $35. On Dec. 21, Jewish Nevada will host a Hanukkah celebration featuring a menorah lighting, children’s activities, entertainment and more. downtownsummerlin.com

Enchant

The Las Vegas Valley will be home to two Enchant attractions this holiday season with 100-foot trees, light mazes, ice skating and more through Jan. 1. Enchant Christmas returns to Las Vegas Ballpark with a “Mischievous Elf” theme Nov. 25 to Jan. 1. It opens at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays through Dec. 16, and at 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and daily Dec. 19-Jan. 1. Tickets start at $34 for adults and $20 for ages 2 to 12. Resorts World hosts Enchant on the Strip starting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays and daily Dec. 19-26; and at 4:30 p.m. daily Dec. 27-Jan. 1. Tickets start at $44 for adults and $23 for ages 2 to 17. enchantchristmas.com

Horse-and-carriage rides

Tivoli Village offers free horse-and-carriage rides and carolers this holiday season on Dec. 2, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 23. tivolivillagelv.com

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’

Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” returns to Area15’s The Portal through Dec. 29. Tickets for the immersive, projection-mapped screening of the holiday film are $40 for ages 13 and older. Tickets include one cocktail inspired by the movie for ages 21 and older, or a non-alcoholic beverage for guests 13 to 20. Children’s tickets are $20. Days and times vary. area15.com

‘Holiday Wish’

Guests to the Fashion Show mall can write down their wishes at this holiday photo-worthy installation located in the Great Hall. The mall also offers free performances from various magicians on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17, showings of “Elf” on Nov. 27 and “The Grinch” on Dec. 17, and the “Holiday Pet Paw-ty,” featuring a DJ and special treats, on Dec. 5. fslv.com

Santa’s Experience

This festive pop-up social media experience features an oversized gingerbread house, Santa’s workshop, a candy factory and a visit with Santa, along with a video game lounge, inside Tivoli Village. Hours and days of operation vary. Tickets start at $25. santasexperience.com

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