Las Vegas Holiday Light Displays!

 

Las Vegas Area Holiday & Christmas Light Displays 2011

 

North Las Vegas 2011 Christmas Tree Lighting Event...
North Las Vegas 2011 Christmas Tree Lighting Event will take place on 12/1/2011 at 4 pm. This will be the formal grand opening of the new North Las Vegas City Hall. Join The North Las Vegas Mayor and City Council in the celebration that will include entertainment and refreshment for all. A beautiful holiday event for the entire community to ring in a season of holiday goodwill and a Happy New Year. Activities will be held in the courtyard area and is free.
Location: North Las Vegas City Hall
Address: 2250 Las Vegas Boulevard North North Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone: 633-2613
Website: www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com


The Annual Christmas Parade of Lights on Lake Mead...
The Annual Christmas Parade of Lights on Lake Mead will be held on 12/3/2011 at 7 pm. There will be over 50 boats from 16 feet to 75 feet all aglow with sparkling holiday lights. The boats will sail along the shore of Boulder Beach from the Lake Mead Marina to the Hemenway Launch Ramp and then returning to the Lake Mead Marina There will be 10 individual classes of boats and awards will be presented in each class. This is an unforgettable family holiday experience just in the beauty of seeing the holiday lights reflecting in the water from the all the decorated boats. This is a free event for observers with no entry fees for participating boats. This event is sponsored by the Lake Mead Boat Owners Association.
Location: Lake Mead
Address: Boulder Beach Lake Mead, Nevada
Phone: 271-4083
Website: www.lmboa.org


Holiday Spectacular and Christmas Light Show...
Holiday Spectacular is a beautiful winter wonderland event being held at the Springs Preserve on 12/3-12/4, 12/10-12/11 and 12/17-12/23/2011. Performance time is 5 pm until 9 pm. The whole family will enjoy the thousands of LED lights featuring train and reindeer rides (pony) for the smallest family members. Join in the fun of holiday arts and crafts while delighting in yummy holiday treats. There will be photos with Santa available and ice skating too! Prices for Adults are $8, Children 5-12 are $5 and Children under 5 are free. Ice skating fees are $5 for a 20 minute session.
Location: Springs Preserve
Address: 333 South Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone: 822-7700
Website: www.springspreserve.org


Winter in Venice at The Venetian and The Palazzo...
Winter in Venice will be presented by The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas from 11/21/2011 through 1/8/2012. This 49 days of winter celebration is a first time event for Las Vegas and includes an ice skating rink above the outdoor Grand Canal, a 65-foot LED holiday tree with guests strolling among candy cane stilt walkers, jugglers, magicians and puppets. Each evening guests can enjoy the "Nightly Holiday Spectacular" including music, lights, and the unforgettable ending as an angel lights the holiday tree. Show times are 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 9:30 pm and 10:30 pm at The Venetian‘s Doge‘s Palace and is free for everyone. For those wanting to take a turn on the skating rink, packages are available for $49 that include one gondola ride, ice skate rental, and 30 minutes of skating along with a souvenir Winter in Venice photo and hot chocolate. Skating only prices are $19 per person with the rink open daily from 11 am until 11 pm.
Location: Venetian and Palazzo Las Vegas
Address: 3355 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone: 414-1000
Website: www.Venetian.com


Ethel M Christmas Lights...
The Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden offers the opportunity to get into the full swing of the holiday from 11//16/2011 through 1/1/2012 at their Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Aglow with over 500,000 holiday lights, their three acres of desert landscaping and cacti come alive this season with special 3-D effects. Special glasses are available for purchase in the Ethel M store. Santa stops by for a visit each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm and photos with Santa are available for purchase. The lights come on each night from 5 pm to 10 pm. Bring the entire family for a beautiful night of holiday twinkle, see the factory, enjoy some hot chocolate and take home some "to-die-for" chocolates. The Holiday Cactus Garden is free to tour.
Location: Ethel M Chocolate Factory
Address: 2 Cactus Garden Drive Henderson, Nevada
Phone: 435-2655
Website: www.ethelm.com


The Opportunity Village Magic Forest...
The Magic Forest presented by Opportunity Village will be celebrating 20 years of magic beginning on 11/23 through 12/31. The whole family will delight in taking a stroll through this amazing forest of holiday lights and decorations. Enjoy the view of the forest on the Forest Express passenger train, laugh at the blur of lights while swirling around on the Enchanted Carousel and end up at the Gift Box Cafe enjoying a delicious funnel cake and hot chocolate. Don‘t forget the raffle at the Gingerbread House! Take advantage of the wonderful gifts available at the Gift Cabin. All proceeds benefit people with disabilities at Opportunity Village. General Admission (no rides) are Adults 13 and over $9.75, Children under 13 $7.75, Children 3 and under are free. Passport prices (entry and unlimited rides) are Adults 13 and over $16.25 and Children under 13 $14.25. Seasonal passes are also available. Hours of operation are: Sunday through Thursday 5:30 pm until 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30 pm until 10 pm.
Location: Opportunity Village
Address: 6300 W. Oakey Blvd Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone: 259-3741
Website: www.opportunityvillage.org


MonteLago Christmas Lights Display...
MonteLago Christmas Village Holiday Celebration will begin on 11/26/2011 at 5 pm with their spectacular tree lighting ceremony in addition to the opening of the Ice Skating Rink (open 12 pm until 9 pm), the arrival of Santa and his Elves, a holiday performance of ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas‘ by the Sin City Opera and ending with a Holiday Concert featuring favorite holiday songs. Grown-up elves can enjoy The Spirit of Christmas Cocktail Walk on 12/2/2011 at 5 pm until 11 pm. On 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 12/21 and 12/24 the entire family can see Santa and his Elves (12 pm until 2:30 pm), strolling carolers from the Sin City Opera (1pm until 4 pm). On 12/3 there will be a special Holiday Fireworks show held at 9 pm. On Sunday 12/11 kids can have fun at the ‘Free Children‘s Holiday Cookie Decorating‘ at 12 pm until 3 pm. The Sin City Opera will delight the whole family with their performance of Menotti‘s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors‘ on 12/18 at 4 pm until 7 pm in addition to their performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas‘ on 12/21 at 4 pm until 7 pm. The tree lighting ceremony and holiday entertainment is free to all ages. Ice skating fees are $15 for Adults and $12 for children. Toy donations are accepted to support Help of Southern Nevada.
Location: The Village Lake Las Vegas
Address: 15 Costa di Lago Henderson, Nevada
Phone: 564-4766
Website: www.lakelasvegas.com


Free Christmas Activities at Town Square...
Holiday Nights & Lights will be held every Wednesday night at Town Square Park from 11/23/2011 through 12/21/2011 at 6 pm until 7 pm. Join in the free family fun when local community groups put on performances from holiday musicals to school choirs by elementary to high school students from schools in Las Vegas. The performances are free and certain to provide holiday spirit all around!
Location: Town Square
Address: 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone: 269-5001
Website: www.mytownsquarelasvegas.com


Mystic Falls and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony...
Mystic Falls located inside Sam‘s Town Hotel and Casino provides a delightful holiday experience for your whole family when it transforms itself into a wonderland of holiday fun and music during the holiday season. This indoor park will have their tree lighting ceremony on 11/23/2011 that includs thousands of lights lit upon a 30 foot Christmas tree. Enjoy displays that include polar bears fishing in a pond set among holiday tunes. There will be a free 15 minute show nightly at 6 pm, 8 pm and 10 pm through 12/31/2011. Cowboy Santa arrives on 11/25/2011 and photos with Santa will be available for purchase until 12/23/2011. This event is free!
Location: Sam‘s Town Hotel and Casino
Address: 5111 Boulder Highway Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone: 637-4665
Website: www.samstownlv.com


Bellagio Christmas Lights and Carolers...
Bellagio‘s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens will give locals and tourists a holiday experience that is unforgettable. This winter display is free for all to enjoy! It features a polar bear family made with white carnations and a flying reindeer made completely of whole pecans. The sculpted rocking horse is surrounded by an whimsical working train. All this highlighting the 42-foot Shasta Fir tree sitting in the center covered with thousands of holiday lights. The display can be viewed from 12/6/2011 through 1/2/2012. "Mr. and Ms Green Thumb" will be available daily from 10:30 am until 11:30 pm to answer all your questions about this amazing holiday display. While at the Bellagio, the Fountains at Bellagio is a must see, and hear, during the holiday season. The whole family will enjoy their stroll out front of the Bellagio taking in the wonder of the fountains dancing to holiday music. This year you will enjoy such holiday music favorites as Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, It‘s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Santa Baby.
Location: Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Address: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, Nevada
Phone: 693-7111
Website: www.bellagio.com


Annual Heritage Street Holiday...
Annual Heritage Street Holiday will be on display on Heritage Street located at the Clark County Museum beginning on 11/14/2011 through 1/16/2012. Take the family on a trip back in time and follow through the decades from the 1900s to the 60s as you view these historic homes decorated with trees and ornaments of the different times. Enjoy the progression of our American ornaments and decorations from the crocheted lacy ornaments and cotton snowmen to the tinsel covered trees and color light wheels of the 60s. Both fun and educational, this event is a great family fun filled day! This exhibit is open daily (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) from 9 am until 4:30 pm. Admission is Adults $2, Seniors (50+) $1, Children 3-17 $1, with Children under 3 free!
Location: Heritage Street, Clark County Museum
Address: 1830 S. Boulder Highway Henderson, Nevada
Phone: 455-7955
Website: www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/parks/Pages/clark-county-museum.aspx


Glittering Lights...
Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be from 11/18 through 1/1/2012. Hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday 5:30 pm until 9 pm and Friday through Sunday 5:30 pm until 10 pm. This attraction will give the whole family 2.5 miles of lights to drive through among 400 twinkling animated displays of holiday fun. Celebrating it‘s 11th year, this year will include Santa‘s Village with a heated snow castle tent and snow making machines providing a winter wonderland for pictures with Santa, the Nutcracker and Frosty while drinking a cup of hot chocolate! The cost is $15 per vehicle with the first 15,000 vehicles to receive a gift bag of goodies. $2 discount coupons can be found at Walgreens, Lowes, or visiting the website.
Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Address: 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N Las Vegas
Phone: 926-7402
Website: www.VegasGlitteringLights.com

Spending Thanksgiving in Las Vegas?

 

If you are spending Thanksgiving in the Bright Light City, we've got some the info you are looking for regarding events and dining.

 

Events

Turkey Day 5K, 6:30-9:30 a.m. Nov. 24, Fremont Street Experience, $20-$30, All Ages
The very first Turkey Day 5K is sponsored by Life Time Fitness and will benefit Three Square. All participants are asked to bring at least three non-perishable food items to donate at drop boxes on race day. More info at www.turkeyday-5k.com.

 

Thanksgiving Services

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-458-2241.

Thanksgiving Eve Service, 7 p.m. Nov. 23, First Henderson United Methodist Church, 609 E. Horizon Drive, Henderson.

 

 

Thanksgiving Dinners

Alize, Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, multi-course Thanksgiving menu with foie gras soup, scallops, free-range turkey and more, 4-9 p.m., $85 per person, 702-951-7000.

Andre's, Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. South, a sophisticated Thanksgiving menu with lobster and corn soup, sea scallops, free-range turkey or wild salmon or suffed pork tenderloin, $75 per person, 4 to 9 p.m., 702-798-7151.

The Barrymore, Royal Resort, 99 Convention Center, traditional family-style Thanksgiving dinner, 702-735-6117.

Central Michel Richard, Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South, French twist to Thanksgiving, three course meal, $50 per person, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., 702-650-5921.

The Cosmopolitan
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, $75 per person prix-fixe menu, 2-7 p.m., 702-736-0808

Comme Ca, family-style, prix-fixe dinner, $49 per person, 4-11 p.m., 702-698-7910

Scarpetta, numerous festive additions to classic a la carte Italian menu, 4-11 p.m., 702-698-7960

STK, organic traditional turkey dinner, proceeds to benefit Three Square Food Bank, $48 per plate, $14 dessert, 5:30 p.m.-midnight, 702-798-7990

Wicked Spoon, Thanksgiving-inspired additions to the buffet, $29 or $37 with unlimited mimosas or Bloody Marys for brunch or $40 and $48 for unlimited champagne or wine for dinner. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.

DJT, Trump Tower, 2000 N. Fashion Show Drive, traditional Thanksgiving dinner, $39, 3-10 p.m., 702-476-7358.

Hash House A Go Go, Plaza hotel, M Resort and Imperial Palace locations, special menu items including pumpkin bisque, roasted turkey breast, stuffing, green beans, grilled pork, peach cobbler and more, $5.95 to $19.95. Limited reservations accepted.

Hash House A Go Go, West Sahara location, Turkey Dinner To Go Go, serves six people, $89.95, must order by Nov. 21, 702-804-4646.

Mon Ami Gabi, Paris, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South, choice of salmon or turkey dinners, 4-11 p.m., $45 per person, 702-944-4224.

Simon, Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, traditional Thanksgiving menu served family-style, $55 per person, noon to 7 p.m., 702-944-3292.


Feast and Festival Buffets will feature many traditional Thanksgiving favorites such as turkey, green beans, sage stuffing, pumpkin ravioli, caramel apples and more. Buffet hours remain the same and vary by property. Price also varies by property.

Pasta Cucina will put an Italian twist on the holiday, Aliante Station, Boulder Station and Texas Station, $14.99.

Terra Rossa at Red Rock Resort and Terra Verde at Green Valley Ranch Resort will offer a gourmet Italian food experience with individually crafted menus. Prices range $10-$48 at Terra Rossa and $10-$28 per dish at Terra Verde. Terra Rossa will open at noon and Terra Verde will open at 11:30.

Cabo Mexican will offer a south-of-the-border spin on the Thanksgiving meal. A decor and ambiance similar to Senor Frog,  Cabo Mexican will offer guests an exciting Thanksgiving dinner. Cabo opens at 11 a.m. at Boulder, noon at Sunset, 3 p.m. at Aliante and 4 p.m. at Palace. Cost for the platter is $13.99 per person.

All Grand Cafes will offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams and pie. The special will be offered befinning at 11 a.m. Cost is $15.99 at Red Rock where there will be a prime rib option, an additional soup.salad course and more desert options. Cost is $9.99 at the other properties.

Austins Steakhouse, Texas Station, traditional turkey dinner, open at 3 p.m., $33.

Texas Star Oyster Bar, Texas Station, swordfish and squash soup, open at noon, $24.

The Broiler Steak & Seafood, Palace Station and Boulder Station, traditional turkey dinner, $19 Palace Station, $19.99 Boulder Station.

China Spice, Green Valley Ranch, turkey or ham dinner, open at 5 p.m., $19.99.

Amigo's Mexican Cantina, Fiesta Henderson, classic turkey dinner, $9.99.

Oyster Bar at Sunset Station, roasted turkey, open at 11:30 a.m., $20.

Tides Oyster Bar, Green Valley Ranch, Virginia ham dinner, open at 11 a.m., $24.

Sonoma Cellar Steakhouse at Sunset Station, MRKT at Aliante Station and Charcoal Room at Santa Fe, roasted turkey dinner, MRKT and Charcoal open at 3, Sonoma open at 4, $25.

Hank's Fine Steaks, Green Valley Ranch, traditional turkey dinner, a la carte menu, open at 4 p.m., $8-$35.

T-Bones Chophouse, Red Rock Resort, turkey or salmon, a la carte menu, open at 3 p.m., $8-$42.

Fuego at Fiesta Henderson, traditional turkey dinner, open at 4 p.m. $24.

Texas de Brazil, 6533 Las Vegas Blvd. South, roasted turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce and sweet potato casserole in addition to regular menu and specialty cocktails, noon to 10 p.m., 702-614-0080.

Ravella at Lake Las Vegas, Bottomless Champagne Thanksgiving Day Feast, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., prime rib of beef, organic turkey, herb stuffing, a seafood station, desserts, $45 per adult, $20 children. 702-567-4700.

Ravella at Lake Las Vegas, Thanksgiving To Go, Thanksgiving spread for 5 people, $120, must be ordered by Nov. 19, 702-567-4700.

Via Brasil Steakhouse, 1225, S. Fort Apache Road, Thanksgiving favorites such as roasted turkey, stuffing and corn in addition to regular "Rodizio" menu. $36.99 lunch; $45.99 dinner; $28.99 salad bar only. Holiday hours 11 a.m.-3 p.m. lunch and 3-9 p.m. dinner, 702-804-1400.

The El Cortez celebrates 70 years of classic Las Vegas style

Hard to believe that the El Cortez is 70 years old but the venerable hotel/casino is still going strong and celebrating all year long.

 Opened by J.Kell Houssels in 1941, it was considered to be too far down Fremont Street.  But from the beginning it was successful.  Ben Siegel came to town to muscle in on the race wire at the hotel and with Meyer Lansky, Gus Greenbaum and Moe Sedway  bought the casino from Houssels in the mid-1940s for $600,000.  They didn't hang on to it for long as Siegel was already working on his dream project on the Las Vegas Strip, the Flamingo.  They sold it back to Houssels in 1946 for $766,000.  Houssels bought in famed Los Angeles architect, Wayne McAllister, to do a remodel on the hotel.

In 1963, young Jackie Gaughan, who had come to Las Vegas in 1943 when he was stationed at the old Air Base (that would become Nellis).  He moved his wife Roberta and two sons, Michael and Jackie, jr to Las Vegas in 1951.  He bought a small 3% of the Boulder Club and 3% of the Flamingo with partner Eddie BarrickJackie had a knack for sports books and handicapping.  In 1961, he and partner Mel Exber bought the Las Vegas Club and in 1963, they bought the El CortezGaughan hired Wayne McAllister to oversee the design and construction of a new room tower.

Fremont Street back then was the center of town.  The telephone company and Sears were located across the street, JC Penny's was nearby as was Woolworth's and Skaggs.  People came downtown not only to gamble but to shop.  From the beginning the El Cortez was a hit with not only the tourists but locals as well.

Jackie invented the Fun Book, filled with coupons for free drinks, free slot pulls and two for one dinners.  Like Benny Binion, he had a knack for understanding and treating his customers like kings.

Jackie had his ties in downtown real estate from the beginning.  With Kell Houssels, Sam Boyd and others, they opened the Union Plaza.  Throughout the 1970s and 1980s while the neighborhood around the El Cortez changed and the local businesses that catered to local shopping moved out to the suburbs, the El Cortez never waivered. 

Jackie sold the El Cortez to family members a few years ago but he still lives in the hotel and can still be seen walking through the casino.  The last few years, the hotel has undergone renovation and upgrades from a new air ventilation/filteration system to the Cabana Suites with its great mid-century modern flair, across the street.

As part of the 70 year celebration, the Flame Restaurant is offering Oysters Rockefeller and Hearts of Palms every Tuesday through Thursday for the rest of the year.

So go downtown and help the El Cortez celebrate 70 years of history and enjoy a taste of classic Las Vegas.

Happy Halloweeen: An Interview with the Vegas Vampire

Just in time for Halloween, the Vegas Vampire will appear tonight, Saturday, Oct. 29th at the Skyline Casino in Henderson.

There will a costume contest, some reminiscing about the his days on Channnel 5 as the weekend late night horror film host and Mr. Parker wants all his fans to know that this a "tribute to them.  For forty years they have been there for me and I salute them."

He'll be signing autographs and encourages fans to bring cameras to take pictures.

I got a chance to spend a few minutes talking to Jim this morning and wanted to share with all of you.

Where did the idea of the Vegas Vampire come from?

"I always liked horror-comedy films and alliteration.  And Vegas Vampire sounds cool.  I had difficulty getting it on the air.  I was working at KORK (the NBC radio and broadcast affiliate for Las Vegas) and was told "you can't do that, you're a news man."  But Al Cohen was about to start managing Channel 5 (KVVU, an independent channel back then) and he offered me the opportunity.

"I had the idea from back when I was a kid growing up in Wisconsin.  I taught other kids acting on my back porch.  I was always into horror.  I love the old classic horror movies.  And Tarzan.  I would go to the movies on Saturday afternoons to see Tarzan."

"When I was doing the Vegas Vampire show, who was at Caesars Palace, Tarzan! (Johnny Weismuller, the actor who played Tarzan in a number of MGM movies was the official greeter at Caesars in the late 1960s.)  We became good friends and he would always hurry home to watch the show."

What are some of your memories of the show?

"When we first went on the air, it was all done live.  Entertainers would want to be on the show and we would tell them "drive out the Boulder Highway until your car smells like it's on fire, we're on the left." 

"Sammy loved the show but he was always so busy so he arranged for us to come to him for a remote shoot.  Mel Torme was another.  He had to do the show because he loved horror comedy.  Frank Sinatra, Jr. and Lee Greenwood were big fans."

"When it was live we never knew who would show up.  Strange people would show up in costume at the door to be part of the audience.  You never knew who was going to call in.  It was so much fun.  I miss that spirit of fun.

"Using a little political satire and pie-in-the-face slapstick comedy we had a large audience that ranged from kids to senior citizens.  We got temporarily cancelled because we insulted then President, Richard Nixon.  We did over  a 1,000 shows from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s..  We were on Channel 5 and then on Channel 13."

What do you miss of those days and Las Vegas?

"I miss the fun.  When they blew up the Sands, that should have been a museum."

He hopes to bring the Vegas Vampire character back to life.  He would like to do a documentary on comedy in Las Vegas during the classic days as well.  In the meantime, you can catch up with Jim tonight.