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 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 Baby, Carol of the Bells, Hallelujah 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!