14 Christmas and holiday events in the Las Vegas Valley – Las Vegas Review-Journal

This winter, discover unique pop-up bars, family-friendly festivities and sparkly new ways to enjoy the holiday season in the Las Vegas Valley.

A Christmas Carol

Bradley Whitford takes on the role of Charles Dickens literary curmudgeon in A Christmas Carol, which runs Nov. 23-28 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

Enchant A new Christmas village and light maze are slated to bring holiday cheer to Las Vegas this winter. (Enchant)

A new Christmas village and light maze are slated to bring holiday cheer to Las Vegas Nov. 26 through Jan. 2.

Enchant will take over the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, transforming the venue into a winter wonderland.

Enchant will feature The Great Search maze, an Ice Skating Trail, a Christmas Village serving holiday treats from around the world, an artisan Christmas market and visits with Santa Claus.

Tickets start at $19 for children and $20 for adults.

Enchant partners with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation to host a special Knight of Giving on Dec. 13. Tickets for the event start at $29 for adults and $19 for children 2 through 12. enchantchristmas.com

Festival of Lanterns

In December, experience a holiday spectacular at Cowabunga Bay (900 Galleria Drive) with all the festive trimmings.

Listen to the sounds of carolers, then have a photo taken with Santa. Vibrant vistas bring the magic of the Christmas Lanterns to life with Santa Claus, Candyland and a 20-foot tall Christmas tree.

Beginning at 4:00 pm each day, guests can stroll through the outdoor festival enjoying the lantern exhibits at their leisure. Tickets are $25.95 for adults and $21.95 for children 12 and under. Parking is free. cowabungabayvegas.com

Glittering Lights Cars tour through Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Monday Nov. 30, 2020. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Glittering Lights, the holiday drive-through spectacular, is a dazzling array of festive Christmas lights and sounds featuring more than 5 million LED lights that intertwine throughout a 2.5-mile course through the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Its shining 21 years bright this holiday season.

The attraction runs through Jan. 9 and admission is $25 per vehicle at the Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North. glitteringlightslasvegas.com

Holiday Cactus Garden Ethel M Chocolates Annual Holiday Cactus Garden. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Holiday Cactus Garden at Ethel M Chocolates in Henderson, 2 Cactus Garden Drive, is open through Jan 2.

Guests can stroll through the three-acre cactus garden with over a million twinkling lights from 5 to 10 p.m.

Santa will be in the garden nightly through Dec. 23 and available for photos.

Reservations are recommended and can be booked at ethem.com. Walk-ins are welcome but will have to wait in line. Each reservation can accommodate up to 6 people. For more information, call 800-438-4356. Reservations are not required to enter the store.

In lieu of collecting toy and food donations this year, a $5 non-refundable donation will be required per group of 6 people when making a garden reservation. The $5 fee will be donated to Three Square Food Bank and HELP of Southern Nevada.

Holiday Parade

The holiday parade at Downtown Summerlin is returning later this month after a one-year hiatus.

It will run every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. from Nov. 19-Dec. 18.

The tradition, complete with holiday music, snow, dancers, and Santa, runs along Park Centre Drive and includes a new Nutcracker-inspired float. The parade is complimentary and open to the public.

Lincoln County Christmas Express Western Elites Lincoln County Ranch (courtesy)

Located at Western Elites Lincoln County Ranch 60 miles north of Las Vegas, Christmas Express is a free, family-friendly holiday extravaganza.

The holiday celebration features train rides in a classic train car, hay and carriage rides, a copious amount of Christmas lights and dcor for viewing, farm animals including camels, horses and pigs free food and hot cocoa, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a live nativity scene and more.

The event will kick off Dec. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m., with additional event dates on Dec. 4, Dec. 9, Dec. 10 and Dec. 11. WesternElite.com

Magical Forest

The Magical Forest is a winter wonderland with millions of sparkling lights, exciting rides, great food and endless holiday cheer.

This year, the Magical Forest will celebrate its 30th season of being open to the public.

The Magical Forest is a walk-through attraction of lights and festive installations. Attractions include a slide, carousel, food trucks and photos with Santa. opportunityvillage.org

Menorah lighting

On Dec. 1, Downtown Summerlin will partner with Jewish Nevada to host a one-night Hanukkah celebration that includes the lighting of the Menorah, family skate night, entertainment, kids activities and hot cocoa with light bites.

Miracle on Spring Mountain Miracle on Spring Mountain (courtesy)

The Miracle on Spring Mountain holiday-themed pop-up bar takes over The Sand Dollar Lounge, 3355 Spring Mountain Road, once again for the season.

The Las Vegas location of the renowned Miracle Bar Popup will transform The Sand Dollar Lounge into a fully immersive Winter Wonderland from Nov. 22 through a New Years Eve celebration.

Hours for the pop-up will be 3 p.m. to 4 a.m. seven days a week, closed Thanksgiving Day.

The pop-up has five themed dress-up nights including Vodka Latke night and Ugly Sweater night. thesanddollarlv.com

Mystic Falls Park Mystic Falls Park at Sam's Town (courtesy)

Sams Town is making the season merry and bright with the return of Mystic Falls Parks winter wonderland display, featuring festive dcor, more than 26,000 points of light and the return of its holiday laser light show.

The holiday attraction can be enjoyed starting at sundown on Nov. 24 through Jan. 1.

Returning for the first time since 2019 is a nine-minute holiday laser light show.

Performances run every hour, between 2 and 10 p.m. Mystic Falls Park will make it snow in the Las Vegas desert every night through the new year. samstownlv.com

Rock Rink

The Rock Rink at Downtown Summerlin, located at Sahara Avenue east of the 215 Beltway, has returned for the holidays.

Downtown Summerlin kicked off the holiday season Friday with the arrival of Santa Claus and the opening of the skating rink Rock Rink. Skate rentals are $16. Hours vary, and appointments are required. Check summerlin.com for details.

This is Christmas show

Backed by a live all-star band, This is Christmas will bring audiences on a magical journey through the holiday season featuring timeless Christmas favorites.

The show, held in The Palazzo Theatre, will feature a cast of 10 performers from television and Broadway including American Idols Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young.

Tickets are available for the 7 p.m. show: Nov. 26-28; Dec. 2-5; Dec. 9-12; Dec. 16-19; and Dec. 22-25. In addition, a 3 p.m. matinee performance is available on Dec. 19, 25 and 26.

Winter at The Terrace Winter at The Terrace Anthony Mair (courtesy)

Green Valley Ranch rings in the season with its festive holiday-themed outdoor pop-up lounge, Winter at The Terrace. OpeningNov. 19 through February, the resorts patio, located in The Backyard, will transform into a winter wonderland.

The 21+ holiday experience will have merry music and photo opportunities,with cozy igloos, fire pits, twinkling lights, snowflakes and more.

Live music on Fridays and Saturdays will set the tone for the festive pop-up.

Winter at The Terrace will be open Sunday through Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to midnight.

Contact Janna Karel at jkarel@reviewjournal.com. Follow @jannainprogress on Twitter.

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14 Christmas and holiday events in the Las Vegas Valley - Las Vegas Review-Journal