Your Complete Guide to Celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas (2024)

Thinking of getting away this Christmas? Las Vegas is the perfect place to visit at Christmas time. The weather is sunny and mild, the entertainment options are world-class, and the food is out of this world. It’s the perfect excuse to skip the traditional festivities and let loose in true Vegas style. We put together this complete guide to celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas, with our favorite recommendations for holiday dining, sightseeing and activities. You’ll be sure to have a very merry Christmas in Vegas.

What’s Christmas Like in Las Vegas?

People flock from all over the country to visit Vegas at Christmas time. While the rest of the country is buried in snow, December weather in Las Vegas stays at an average of 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day – light jacket weather. You’ll see locals dressed up like they’re afraid of freezing to death, but to visitors it feels heavenly warm. At night it can drop to about 27 degrees, which is still nothing compared to the sub-zero temperatures on the East Coast.

It’s a good idea to plan out and book your Las Vegas Christmas trip as soon as possible. If you wait too late, hotel rates will skyrocket and many resorts will sell out completely. Another important factor is making dining reservations – you need to get these arranged well ahead of time. Not making dinner reservations in Vegas can often result in wandering the Strip, fruitlessly looking for somewhere to eat.

Las Vegas goes all-in for Christmas, so you’ll get to see the Las Vegas Strip all lit up with Christmas lights and decorations. Many attractions and restaurants are still open on Christmas Day, so the Strip is a bustling, vibrant place to get into the holiday spirit.

Where To Eat on Christmas Day in Las Vegas

Whether your taste buds are in the mood for a holiday buffet, fine dining cuisine or something in between, there are some excellent options for Christmas dinner in Las Vegas. Here are 5 of our favorite restaurants that are open on Christmas Day in Las Vegas.

STK

Inside The Cosmopolitan, this steakhouse has an ultra-chic, flirty vibe that makes it stand out from other steak and seafood restaurants. The atmosphere at STK is vibrant and hip, with a popping bar and even a DJ. Their fresh take on classic steakhouse cuisine is decidedly different, with playful presentations and delicious flavor combinations. STK is one of our top 10 restaurants in Las Vegas.

This year, STK is offering a Holiday Cheers menu on both December 24^th and 25^th. The menu for 2024 includes options like Pan Seared Hokkaido Scallops with a celeriac purée, brown butter, and a pomegranate reduction, three different cuts of wagyu, and a duck confit gnocchi with oyster mushrooms and a parmesan crema. They also have had holiday-themed cocktails with names like Naughty Claus and Santa’s Egg Nog.

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Eiffel Tower Restaurant

Perched on top of Paris Las Vegas’ replica Eiffel Tower right in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Eiffel Tower Restaurant offers a fine dining experience with an unparalleled view of the glittering city below. It’s definitely one of the most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant will be serving a multi-course Christmas Dinner on December 24^th and 25^th this year. Their delicious Christmas menu includes options like Casco Bay sea scallops with braised fennel and tomato confit, a branzino filet with slow braised root vegetables and jus de poisson, and a dessert of peppermint soufflé with white chocolate.

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Bacchanal Buffet

The recently renovated Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar’s Palace is one of our top 10 Las Vegas buffets, and for good reason. This extravagant buffet features 9 stations serving up top-notch dishes from around the globe, prepared right in front of you in open kitchens. There is much to choose from, it’s impossible to try everything in one visit.

Bacchanal Buffet will be open on Christmas Day. Make your reservations early to be sure you won’t miss out. Previous Christmas offerings have included grilled quail with dried cherry and mustard vinaigrette; osso bucco; leg of lamb; and cassoulet of duck confit.

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Mon Ami Gabi

Dining at this indulgent French cafe at Paris Las Vegas will make you feel as though you’re in an authentic Parisian bistro – except you’ll have a great view of the Las Vegas Strip and the Fountains of Bellagio. Choose from their impressive wine list while you enjoy the ambiance of their open-air patio or bright atrium.

On December 24^th and 25^th this year, savor holiday classics with a distinctly French spin like  Gabi’s Salad de Noel, Roasted Butternut Squash Cappuccino, Petite Filet & Garlic Shrimp, and Buche de Noel. Pricing is a la carte.

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Veranda at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

Veranda, located at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, serves modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean Flair.  The restaurant’s spacious dining room gets lots of natural lights from floor to ceiling windows, while the lovely outdoor terrace overlooks the hotel’s pool area.

On Christmas Day from 11am to 1.30pm, Veranda is offering a festive Christmas brunch buffet. The menu has not been released for 2024 yet, but past offerings on Christmas Day have included Sunchoke Bisque, Wooden-Oven Roasted King Salmon, Slow Braised Veal Osso Buco, and Buche de Noel.

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Things To Do At Christmas Time in Las Vegas

Stuck for ideas of Christmas activities in Vegas? Here are our 4 favorite Las Vegas Christmas activities that will get you into the holiday spirit.

Enchant – Reindeer Games

This is a Christmas adventure not to be missed. From November 22nd to December 29th, Las Vegas Ballpark becomes a winter wonderland with a gigantic glittering light maze. The kid in you will come out to play as you take part in the magical Christmas story. Your job is to search for missing bells required to fly Santa’s sleigh!

If that doesn’t sound cool enough, there is a meandering ice skating trail you can glide through, surrounded by Christmas lights. Wander through the holiday village and you’ll find gourmet treats, artisan vendors, and a whole lot of vibrant Christmas energy. Oh, and Santa will be there to take photos with!

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Glittering Lights

Want to stay warm while taking in some beautiful Christmas lights? Glittering Lights is a drive-through light show that takes place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. You’ll be filled with wonder as you drive your car through a 2.5 mile course surrounded by millions of twinkling lights.

Glittering Lights is the largest holiday drive-through in Nevada, and a yearly tradition in Vegas. This is the perfect outing to go on with your family, or for a romantic date night. CNN Travel calls it one of the “Best Places To See Christmas Lights in the US”, so don’t miss this wonderful experience. Glittering Lights happens from November 8th to January 5th.

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The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan

The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan is your opportunity to ice skate on the Las Vegas Strip. Every year from November 28^th to January 10^th, the Cosmo’s Boulevard Pool turns into a 4,200 square foot rink of real ice. You’ll have a sweeping view of the Strip from high above while you glide around this magical environment.

Every 30 minutes during select times you’ll get to experience light snow showers. There are fire pits where you can roast s’mores, and a delicious menu of holiday food and beverages. Every Monday and Tuesday night in December, they hold “Date Skate”, a romantic evening watching a movie under the stars.

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Ethel M’s Holiday Cactus Garden

Perhaps one of the most Vegas Christmas experiences you could have is wandering through a cactus garden filled with half a million twinkling holiday lights. From November 1st to January 4th, Ethel M Chocolate Factory holds their Holiday Cactus Garden experience. This year will be the 31^st anniversary of this classic Vegas tradition.

Santa is going to be there taking photos through December 23^rd. And yes, Ethel M is a real chocolate factory, so you’ll be able to sip on a hot cup of some of the best hot chocolate you’ve ever tasted. There’s even a Holiday Chocolate tasting experience to enjoy. No reservations are required this year.

Please note: this attraction is not open on Christmas Day, December 25th.

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The House On Fifth Street

The House on Fifth Street is a wonderful Christmas light display in Boulder City! Every year, Dale Ryan adorns his house with thousands of lights and decorations, creating an absolutely magical holiday atmosphere. This beautiful display has become a tradition for many Boulder City residents, and it’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

Dale has an incredible eye for detail and works tirelessly to make sure his display is as impressive as possible. He starts planning his display months in advance, and he puts in countless hours to make sure everything is perfect, including hand-painting bulbs back to their original colors.

Address: 1529 5th St, Boulder City, NV 89005

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Candy Cane House

The Henderson Candy Cane House is a true testament to how far a little bit of Christmas cheer can go. Victor Cardenas and Joey Cardona created the spectacular display in 2019 to celebrate Joey’s recovery from cancer, and they have used it to give back to the Las Vegas community ever since. 

A total of 60 thousand lights and 80 trees will be displayed at the Candy Cane House, as well as free hot chocolate and treats being given out to enjoy as you walk around and enjoy the beautiful decorations. You can walk through the display on weekends until December 23rd for free, but donations to HopeLink of Southern Nevada, a foundation fighting homelessness, are appreciated.

Address: 366 Milan St, Henderson, NV 89015

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Mystic Falls Park Display at Sam’s Town

Winter Wonderland at Mystic Falls is a casino display off the strip that cannot be missed! This display is something special for the whole family, the event features over 25 thousand lights in the display, a Christmas themed overlay of their nightly laser show, and photos with Santa. It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit and make lasting memories with your loved ones. 

Winter Wonderland runs from November 27th to January 1st and is free to attend. Santa will be visiting from 4:00PM to 8:00PM on Fridays, and 11:00AM to 3:00PM and 4:00PM to 7:00PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Guests are welcome to bring their cameras for plenty of photos.

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Candy Rush

The Candy Rush drive-through display is just a short drive from the Las Vegas strip and is definitely worth a visit. This mile long drive-through light show is set in a sugar filled wonderland that is sure to delight all ages!

This incredible animated drive through show is playing almost every night from the beginning of October to New Years Eve. Passes are available for purchase on the website of the World of Illuminations and will give your car access to the event on the night of your choice.

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Santa in the Shipwreck 

This holiday season, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is transforming into a winter wonderland. Guests can meet Santa Jaws, take photos with the big man himself, and enjoy a farewell dive where santa suits up in his scuba gear and starts his swim back to the North Pole

Santa in the Shipwreck runs December 7-8, 14-15, & 21-24 from 10AM to 4PM. Photos with Santa for visitors 12 and under are included in admission to Shark Reef Aquarium.  

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Santa Train Boulder City

A tradition in Boulder City for over 20 years, the Santa Train is an amazing hidden gem that can’t be missed. The train goes on a 40 minute ride along the historic railroad from the Nevada State Railroad Museum while Santa and his helpers hand out treats to the passengers on board and take photos.

Tickets are $12 and the train runs every Saturday and Sunday throughout December at 10AM and 5PM. You can reserve your spot online and pay at the entrance for your tickets.

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Winter Wonderland at Fontainebleau 

Winter Wonderland at Fontainebleau is a festive extravaganza that transforms the resort into a holiday paradise. Visitors can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities, such as ice skating on top of the transformed six-acre pool. Throughout December, Fontainebleau is also offering movie nights on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as Christmas Eve.

Winter Wonderland Admission is $15 for ages 2-11 and $25 for 12 and older. Included in admission is access to all of the holiday festivities including the movie nights. If you’re looking to skate, prices start at $25.

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Las Vegas Christmas Shows You Can’t Miss

When we’re talking about Christmas activities in Vegas, we can’t keep from mentioning the awesome shows happening during the holiday season. The talented Terry Fator puts on an awesome Christmas special from November 24^th to December 30^th, called “A Very Terry Christmas”. You’ll love his celebrity impersonations, delightful puppet cast and holiday songs.

As if the medieval Vegas stage production Tournament of Kings couldn’t get any more fun, from November 27^th to December 25^th it becomes “Twas the Knight”, their holiday special show. Feast and be merry as you cheer on your team’s knight in heroic jousting battles. We don’t want to give away too much, but there will be snow, holiday-inspired music, and a festive holiday menu.

Las Vegas Christmas Shopping

Need to get some last-minute Christmas shopping done on the night before Christmas? Some of our favorite Las Vegas shopping destinations will be open on Christmas Eve, including the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. With elaborate holiday window displays and more than 1000 shops to choose from, you’ll be sure to find everything on your Christmas wishlist.

See our top holiday activities guide for even more things to do during Christmas season!