Ho Ho Holidays: 6 Ways to Celebrate in Las Vegas
The Holidays are fast approaching and to usher in the season, many casinos across in Las Vegas have stuffed those stockings and prepared loads of special deals, discounts and opportunities to help players embrace the spirit of the season—and have a lot of fun too.
For many Casino Player readers, the holiday season is the perfect time of the year to head out and enjoy a well-deserved getaway and there’s no better time to make an early resolution this year to treat yourself and head to Las Vegas for some holiday fun. Pack your bags, and try some of our favorite ways to spend the holiday season!
The Ice Rink Returns to The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
For the eighth consecutive year, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas welcomes the return of The Ice Rink as Boulevard Pool transforms into a winter wonderland high above the Las Vegas Strip through Jan. 5.
Visitors will enjoy roof-top ice skating on more than 4,200 square feet of real ice, roasting s’mores by the fire, light snow showers, adult renditions of seasonal culinary classics, and breathtaking views surrounded by vibrant city lights.
All-day skating access is $25. Monday through Thursday, all day skating access for Nevada residents, hotel guests and military is only $15. Skate aid seals and reindeers are available for $10 an hour.
For some extra holiday cheer, Date Skate on Mondays and Tuesday through December 30 will feature holiday movie classics starting at 6:30 p.m. Guests can cuddle up at a fire pit and stay toasty with a signature cocktail while classic holiday films play above The Strip on the resort’s 65-foot digital marquee.
Upcoming flicks include Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town (Dec. 2), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Dec. 3), Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (Dec. 9), Santa Buddies (Dec. 16), Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (Dec. 17), Elf (Dec. 23), The Grinch (Dec. 24) and The Polar Express (Dec. 30).
Holiday Magic at The Linq
Whether you’re taking in a show at the Brooklyn Bowl, having a laugh at the newly-opened Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, dining at one of 15 restaurants, taking a ride on the one and only zip line on the Las Vegas strip, or you’re enjoying the world’s tallest observation wheel called The High Roller, there’s so much to take in at The Linq. And this time of year, it’s feeling particularly joyful now that it’s fully decorated in keeping with the Christmas spirit. Holiday Magic is a vibrant and festive celebration with lights, snow and a interactive Christmas tree that begins nightly at 6 p.m., Plus, there are free, live holiday performances at the Fountain Stage, Thursday thru Sunday.
And to warm things up a bit (so to say), check out IceBar—the coolest experience in Las Vegas. Celebrate the art of ice and get transported to a winter wonderland where everything inside the ice bar is made of ice–the walls, the seats and even the glasses that you enjoy your beverage in. They even provide all the gear to keep you warm.
Bellissimo Bellagio
The Conservatory & Botanical Garden at the Bellagio in Las Vegas is always a treat to behold, but it’s extra special during the Christmas season. Each season, the enormously talented horticulturalists and designers who make up the Bellagio Conservatory team transform this 14,000-square-foot floral playground into a showcase of the distinctive sights and colors of spring, summer, fall and winter—along with a special display for Chinese New Year. When the seasons turn and the displays rotate, 90 percent of the trees, flowers and plants in the conservatory are recycled, to further celebrate their commitment to the earth.
After Thanksgiving, the Conservatory is transported to a winter wonderland where you’ll find lush plants, vibrant flowers and tall trees, all designed with a magical holiday theme. At press time, the theme was not yet announced but displays from years’ past brought everything from ice princesses to horses pulling a gleaming carriage and a polar bear poised atop an iceberg, swaying in a pool of water. An impeccably decorated 42-foot Christmas tree adorned with 2,500 ornaments and 7,000 lights is the center attraction each year.
The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is free to the public and is open 24 hours a day, with the holiday theme on display thru Jan. 6. Winding pathways invite guests to experience this visually stunning display at their leisure, ensuring you’ll feel transported into a magical, wonderful world for the holidays.
Walk In a Winter Wonderland at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall
A Vegas tradition for 25 years, Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas is bringing a warm, snowy sensation to the desert with the return of Mystic Falls Winter Wonderland. Long consider one of the best free shows in Las Vegas, the annual holiday display includes a large Christmas tree, thousands of twinkling lights, holiday decorations throughout the indoor park and a variety of festive
music, including classics “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Let it Snow,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman.”
A nine-minute laser light show is the centerpiece of the display, featuring a variety of classic holiday songs. Performances run every hour, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Adding to the wintery experience, Mystic Falls Park will make it snow in the Las Vegas desert every night through the new year. Santa Claus will also join in on the festivities to welcome families. For more information, visit samstownlv.com.
Take In the views and Countdown to 2020 at the STRAT Hotel Casino & Skypod
The STRAT Hotel, Casino and SkyPod will count down to 2020 with festive dinners at BLVD & MAIN Taphouse, Crafted Buffet, 107 SkyLounge and the award-winning Top of the World restaurant; as well as a countdown celebration with 108 Party in the Sky on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
108 Party in the Sky will be held from 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. on The STRAT’s stylish Observation Deck. Set to a festive party mix, 108 Party in the Sky will include a premium bar and martini bar, a dessert station, and performances by DJ Godzilla and DJ Mickey. A countdown at midnight will include a champagne toast, along with magnificent views of the fireworks displays throughout the Las Vegas Valley and on the Strip. The party is priced at $265, excluding tax and gratuity, with complimentary admission for guests who dine at Top of the World.
Top of the World will offer a decadent dinner set to 360-degree rotating views from more than 800 feet high. Chef Robert Lomeli has developed an à la carte menu for $299 per person. Located on the second floor of Top of the World, 107 SkyLounge will host a celebration from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. with appetizers and party mixes by DJ CC and DJ Stephi K. The celebration is priced at $199, excluding tax and gratuity, per person.
Johannes Bernau, executive chef at BLVD & MAIN Taphouse, has prepared a three-course prix fixe menu for New Year’s Eve priced at $35 per person. McCall’s Heartland Grill will offer a New Year’s Eve dinner priced at $65 per person with dinner will be available from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Crafted Buffet will serve a New Year’s Eve seafood buffet, priced at $34.99 per person, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. The buffet will include snow crab, assorted seafood sushi rolls, seafood paella, mussels Fra Diavolo and New York strip steak.
Free parking and valet are always available at The STRAT Hotel, Casino and SkyPod.
Chris Isaak Sings the Holidays
This holiday season, platinum-selling and GRAMMY-nominated singer and actor Chris Isaak makes his Wynn Las Vegas debut for two nights only on Dec. 20 and 21 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas as he performs his hits and classic holiday favorites at the final stop of his Chris Isaak Holiday Tour
Over the course of his three-decade plus career, Isaak has performed to sold-out crowds with his longtime band Silvertone, has released nine albums, 12 singles and acted in several motion pictures. Behind the scenes, Isaak has created music for multiple film soundtracks, including Eyes Wide Shut, True Romance, Wild at Heart and Blue Velvet.
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Isaak’s beloved Heart-Shaped World album, which includes his breakthrough classic “Wicked Game.” Fans can expect to hear more from the album and other favorites, including “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing” and “Blue Hotel,” along with celebrated holiday songs in this intimate limited engagement.
To purchase tickets, visit www.Tickemaster.com
