2015 Holiday Light Displays and Events around Las Vegas

Each year we celebrate the holidays by providing a list of the homes around the Las Vegas Valley that participate in holiday light displays. If you know of a house or Event that should be included be sure to hit the comments section and let us know!

Neighborhoods

Take a tour of holiday lights and decorations around the Las Vegas Valley. The area is divided into quadrants by using Sahara Avenue to divide north from south and Interstate 15 to divide east from west.

Downtown

Twisted Vegas at 1941 Houston Drive

Northeast

Address: 3164 Mclennan Ave., North Las Vegas, 89081
Resident: Kellee Enneman
Description: 5 - 11 p.m. Perfectly straight house lights and multiple yard decorations. Decorations are accompanied by music.

Address: 1343 Villa Park Court, Las Vegas, 89110
Resident: Chris Colasuono
Description: 4 - 10:30 p.m. Sun-Thurs; 4 - 11 p.m. Fri-Sat. 10,000 lights that are synchromized to music. Music can be heard on station 106.1 FM. Currently 14 various song/light shows are programmed.

Northwest

Address: 8117 Chestnut Hollow Ave., Las Vegas, 89131
Resident: Frank Endellicate
Description: Entire house decorated from top to bottom. Various lawn ornaments, blow ups, reindeer and santas! Lights galore!

Address: 6759 Rowena Circle, Las Vegas, 89131
Resident: Missi K. Winter
Description: Anytime after 5:30 pm. Themed as the Peanuts visiting the North Pole!

Address: 6601 Brandywine Way, Las Vegas
Submitted by Bonnie Sandusky
Description: 7 - 10 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday; Monday-Tuesday, all day. My parents' home, always decorated every space you can imagine ... from the roof to the whole front yard! My Dad does this himself everyt year. He is 80 years old! Climbs up that roof, etc. Then goes to my sister's house & helps her! Every year! Needs to be recognized.

Address: 6313 Bristol Way, Las Vegas, 89107
Submitted by Bonnie Sandusky
Description: My sister's house says: Happy Birthday Jesus. Everyone seems to forget what Christmas really means & her display says it all ... a must see! 

New addition submitted by one of our readers

Northwest

Residential home has an animated musical Christmas Lights display and a video of Santa in a window. A joke telling elf is hosting the Broadcast on 101.1 Fm  

3646 Carol Lark Court Las Vegas 89129

New additions submitted by one of our readers

Southwest

Address: 4255 El Cid Way Las Vegas NV 89121
Description: Huge two story house all decorated, TONS OF LIGHTS, garage has a viewing of a HUGE mini Christmas village built up on Styrofoam which includes three full trains running throughout the mini village, house will NOT disappoint! Truly a masterpiece!!!

Address: 2757 Grande Valley, Las Vegas, 89135
Resident: Rupert Chamberlain
Description: 5-10 p.m. My favorite TV show of all time is "Star Trek." The recent "Star Trek" movie was OK, but I much prefer the original cast. As a tribute to the show I have decorated my front yard to represent some of my favorite episodes with a holiday twist. Kirk and Spock in hand-to-hand combat armed with candy canes and dressed as elves, red, white and green animatronic tribbles and much much more. A true Trekkies holiday delight! Come one and all and join for a Romulan ale as we boldly go where no man has gone before!

Address: 10878 Milbank Ave, Las Vegas, 89135
Resident: Jerrold E. Creed
Description: 4 to 10 p.m. daily. Tune your car radio to 103.9 FM. Thousands of LED lights set to music. THX opening, Carol of the Bells, Linus and Lucy, Jingle Bells, TSO Wizards of Winter. Picture on this web page is this house. Featuring 16 mini trees out front. Merry Christmas. 

Address: 346 Maddalena, Las Vegas, 89183
Resident: Ryan S. Knepp
Description: 6 - 8 p.m. My 14-year-old stepson Ryan Knepp loves Christmas decorations. With every dime he gets he buys blow-up decorations to place in the yard. Over the last month he has spent countless hours setting up his display.

He has about 40 blow ups plus countless lights and other displays. Last year he had blow ups stolen. He now attaches each one to plywood and puts a cable around all of them to prevent them from being stolen. He is very meticulous and makes sure every wire and string is just right. This 14-year-old does this all by himself and with his own money. Truly an inspiring story about Christmas and youth.

Address: 3308 Surfline Dr., Las Vegas 89117
Resident: Walt Patalina
Description: 5-11 p.m.

Henderson

Address: 3018 Scenic Valley Way, Henderson 89052
Resident: Robert Thomas
Description: 4:30 - 11:30 p.m. Lots of lights, inflatable airplane on roof, nativity scene, snow globe and lighted animals, angels and more. Live Santa appearing on Sundays.

New addition: 1700 block of Quiver Point Avenue

North Las Vegas

A new addition: 3016 Judson Avenue

Cactus Garden at Ethel M

Cactus Garden at Ethel M

Events

A Christmas Carol at UNLV’s Judy Bayley Theatre

Bah, humbug! UNLV’s Nevada Conservatory Theatre again reminds audiences of the meaning of Christmas, as Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas novel comes to life on the Judy Bayley Theatre stage. December 11 & 12, 8 p.m., $27.50 - $33.

Bellagio Conservatory

The perennial garden’s holiday display is likely the most anticipated of the year, as the Strip resort seems to pull out its big botanical guns to really make the season come to life. This year’s installment took 34,000 flowers to create, and includes a 42-foot White Fir tree (with 7,000 lights and 2,500 ornaments), a 12-foot jack-in-the-box, polar bears made of white carnations, penguins peeking out of igloos, and two 12-foot snow globes. Let the photo ops begin. Through January 3, 24/7, free.

Container Park

Santa Claus parks it Downtown every weekend to take photos with the little ones. And did we mention Oak & Ivy has a new seasonal cocktail menu? December 11, 18, 24, 5-8 p.m.; December 12-13, 19-20, noon-5 p.m.; free.

December to Remember at the Neon Museum

The Downtown institution invites families to the Neon Boneyard for some ornament-making, hot chocolate and carols sung by the Las Vegas Academy choir. Bonus: Take a photo with Santa in the museum.December 12, 2-6 p.m., free.

The Dock of Lights at Lake Mead’s Calville Bay

The National Recreation Area puts on a nautical Noel, as boat owners at Calville Bay decorate their rigs with Christmas lights and displays. The little ones can also say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus and warm up with some hot chocolate at this unique yuletide happening. December 12, 7 p.m., thelakemeadyachtclub.com.

Downtown Summerlin

Catch the nightly holiday parade (7 p.m.) before photos with St. Nick. Have a furry friend? Paws and Claus pet-photo night happens Thursdays 6:30 to 9 p.m. December 11, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; December 12, 14-18, 20-23, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; December 13, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; December 19, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; December 24, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; $22-$48.

Fashion Show Mall

The Strip-side shopping mall’s interactive, Shrek-themed “Adventure to Santa” program includes opportunities to explore Santa’s home and more. December 12, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; December 13-20, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; December 21-23, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; December 24, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., $40-$74.

Festivus Gathering at the Grand Bazaar Shops

Fan of Seinfeld? Take pictures with the Festivus pole and participate in the parody holiday's "feats of strength" tradition by lifting a 100-pound dumbbell above your head. Those who complete the brawny challenge score a complimentary photo, Starbucks drink samples and Grand Bazaar Shops coupon books. Just don't forget to air your grievances (and politely ignore the fact that this holiday, meant as an alternative to commercialized Christmas, is being celebrated at an outdoor shopping mall). December 23, noon-4 p.m.

Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

The annual event bills itself as “Nevada’s largest holiday drive-thru light show”—and while we don’t know of another mobile, Christmas light-viewing experience in the Silver State, Glittering Lights’ 2.5-mile course of yuletide illumination is worth your consideration. Through January 3; Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday & holidays, 5:30-9 p.m.; $20.

Holiday Cactus Garden at Ethel M

Desert landscapes aren’t the ideal canvas for a winter wonderland, but the local chocolate company accomplishes it every year. The gorgeous garden gets even more festive on weekends, with visits from Santa Claus (Friday to Sunday until Christmas, 5-9 p.m.) and entertainment from local school choirs (Friday to Sunday, 6-8 p.m.). Through January 1, 5-10 p.m. free.

The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan

Ice skating under showers of “snow” with breathtaking views of the iconic Las Vegas Strip—what more do you need? Well, we suppose the fire pits (and s’mores!) and hot toddies are the cherry on top of this quintessentially Vegas holiday experience. Taking to the ice? Save yourself some time before you go and fill out the required waiver online. December 11, 14-18, 3 p.m.-midnight; December 12 & 13, December 19-January 3, noon-midnight; free admission, $10-$15 skating access, $5 skate rentals.

Jingle Bell Run at Pecos Legacy Park

Get a head start on your New Year’s resolution or battle the holiday weight gain at this 3.1-mile race along Henderson’s Pittman Wash Trail. The run culminates with holiday music, a visit from Santa and—speaking of that holiday weight gain—hot chocolate, coffee and cookies for purchase. Get fit and festive!December 19, 9 a.m., $25-$30, cityofhenderson.com.

Mystic Falls at Sam’s Town

The Boulder Highway hotel adds some holiday flair to its year-round faux nature display, where kids can take photos with Santa and take in the Sunset Stampede laser light show (at 2, 4, 8 and 10 p.m.). Santa photos: December 11, 17-18, 4-8:30 p.m.; December 12 & 13, 19-20, noon-8:30 p.m.; December 21-23, noon-8:30 p.m.; $14.95-$19.95.

The Nutcracker at the Smith Center

Nevada Ballet Theatre brings the beloved Christmas tale to the Smith Center stage with a life-size Victorian dollhouse, a 100-foot Christmas tree, more than 100 cast and crew members and Tchaikovsky’s suite performed live by a full orchestra of Las Vegas Philharmonic musicians. December 12, 18, 19, 7:30 p.m.; December 13, 20, 1 & 5:30 p.m.; December 19, 2 p.m.; $29-$179.

Rock Rink at Downtown Summerlin

Make a day out of your holiday shopping outings with some wintery fun. You can now practice that triple axel (or just staying on your feet) in the suburbs, as Summerlin’s retail epicenter also put up an ice-skating rink this year.Through January 18 (closed December 25); Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., $15 includes skate rental.

Silverton

The man in the bright red suit flies a sleigh led by magical reindeer—did you really think he’s not a total outdoorsy badass? Instead of taking to the skies, Old St. Nick takes the plunge at Silverton, scuba diving in the resort’s aquarium to take photos and spread some under-the-sea holiday cheer. Saturday & Sunday through December, noon-1:15 p.m., 2:15-3:30 p.m., free.

Tivoli Village

The kids can take photos with Santa in between train rides through the suburban open-air mall. Family members with paws are invited on December 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. for Tivoli’s pet-photo night. December 11 & 18, noon-4 p.m.; December 12, 21-24, 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; December 13 & 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; $10-$20.

Town Square

The kids might not appreciate Santa’s Norman Rockwell-inspired digs as much as their parents, but photos with the jolly old soul and the Snow in the Square holiday dance shows (through December 23, Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 7 and 8 p.m.) might be right up their alley. Your dog or cat will likely also be unimpressed by the Rockwell house (especially those cats, let’s be honest), but they’re invited for photos every Wednesday until Christmas. Through December 11-19; Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30-5 p.m., 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11-2 p.m., 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; December 20-23, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; December 24, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; reservations required through December 23, walk-ups only on December 24.

WinterFest at Henderson Events Plaza

The City of Henderson’s annual holiday bash includes a Friday-night tree lighting ceremony (6 p.m.) and a Saturday light parade (5 p.m.), in addition to arts, crafts and food vendors, kids activities and live entertainment.December 11, 6-9 p.m.; December 12, noon-8 p.m., free.

Special thanks to the Las Vegas Weekly.

Las Vegas Holiday Fun Things to Do

We thought it best to break our Holiday Lights Displays and Fun Things to Do into two separate blog posts so that people can find what they are looking for quicker and easier.

 

Bellagio Conservatory

Bellagio Conservatory

Bellagio Resort & Casino Conservatory

This year’s winter display includes more than 32,000 fresh poinsettias and a 45-foot-tall (14-meter) tree, along with a chocolate reindeer and life-size candy house

 

The Fountains at Bellagio

Bellagio's famed fountains dance like sugar plum fairies to iconic holiday hits throughout the season. Sing along to favorites like Santa BabyCarol of the BellsHallelujah Chorus and The Most Wonderful Time of the Year while the water spouts perform magical routines. Shows run every half hour Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from noon to 7 p.m. Performances shift to every quarter hour from 7 p.m. to midnight nightly.

 

The Nutcracker at the Smith Center

Witness a production of one of the most beloved holiday classics by the Nevada Ballet Theater. With choreography by Artistic Director, James Canfield, new elements, and a grandiose set, you're sure to fall in love with this timeless tale again. See the performance December 14-22 at varying show times. Tickets start at $52 (plus taxes and fees). No children under three-years-old will be permitted to attend. Purchase your tickets online.

 

Santa Claus at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

Kris Kringle ventures 20,000 leagues under the sea to join the finned creatures of the Shark Reef Aquarium for a very unique Christmas photo op at the Shipwreck. With every admission, children 12 and under will receive a complimentary photo and candy cane with Santa and his shark helper, Santa Jaws. Children can also check out Santa's mad SCUBA skills at approximately 4:15 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Aquarium admission is $18 for adults and $12 for children. Children ages 4 and under are free. Santa drops by between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 7, 8, 14, 15 and 21-24.

Ice Skating Rinks:

THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS

Real ice will be used for the rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas' Boulevard Pool, beginning Nov. 30. In addition to the rink, the complex will feature such cozy touches as fire pits, warm cocktails and s'mores. Date Skate Mondays will feature holiday movies on the resort's 65-foot digital marquee, and Throwback Thursdays will feature music from the '70s to the '90s, with skaters invited to dress appropriately for the period. Regular hours will be from 3 to 11 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekends, with extended holiday hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily from Dec. 24 to Jan. 4 (but closed New Year's Eve). All-day skating access will be $10 for Nevada residents, $15 for nonresidents; access to the complex is free. It will be open to those 2 and older, but those 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult who's at least 21.

 

Caesars Palace

Glide to your heart's content on the Bella Luce Terrace at Caesars December 6 through January 12. You can practice your favorite Blades of Glory moves for $10 with a $5 fee to rent skates. Rink is open daily from 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The Venetian

Wave to the canal gondoliers and their passengers as you skate by. The Venetian's rink (open until January 5) floats along the water and features phenomenal views of the Strip. Open daily from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., hourly skate sessions and rentals are $14.95 per person or $9.95 for Grazie members and locals.

Tony Hsieh's Downtown Rink at Gold Spike Hotel

The not yet unveiled but highly anticipated downtown attraction, comprised of over 4,000-square-feet of synthetic ice, is the newest pet project of the Zappos.com CEO. While creating quite a stir in local media and gossip columns, few details have emerged about its inception, except to expect it to be open before next weekend, December 14.

 

Happy Holidays!