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Things to do in Vegas During the Winter

While summers in Las Vegas can be sweltering and downright oppressive, the winters can be startlingly chilly. Many first-time visitors don’t realize that low temperatures frequently dip into the 40’s and 30’s while high temperatures only reach the 50’s and 60’s.

Although the weather may not be the balmy oasis you desired, one thing is certain: There are plenty of unique things to do in Vegas during the winter, both indoors and out.

I’ll hit on some of the more unique and popular activities below!

Related: What time of the year is Vegas cheapest visit? Hint: Winter (and Summer).

Las Vegas Winter Activities

Ice Skating at Cosmopolitan: Cosmopolitan transforms its Boulevard Pool, located on the rooftop overlooking the Strip, into a 4,200 square-foot ice skating rink every winter.

Guests are able to rent skates for a fee and take in stunning views of the Strip while enjoying one of the more unique things to do in Vegas during the winter.

Skaters glide across the ice skating rink at Cosmopolitan.
The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan – Courtesy of the LVCVA

Terry Fator’s “A Very Terry Christmas”: Terry’s popular ventriloquism show “Who’s The Dummy Now?” transitions to a Christmas theme from November 24th – December 30th and will feature popular holiday songs alongside gut-busting comedy.

Scope out Terry Fator tickets for your desired dates here.

Terry Fator and puppets sit in front of a Christmas tree.
Courtesy of KF Publicity

Bellagio Conservatory Holiday Display: While Bellagio’s conservatory is always a sight to see, the display assumes a holiday identity during the winter months.

Get into the Christmas spirit by walking through ornaments, lights, and thousands of flowers in addition to other seasonal design elements arranged in a way that is sure to exceed your expectations.

The Bellagio Conservatory’s holiday display usually debuts in early December.

Holiday decor in Bellagio's conservatory
©kitleong/123RF.COM

Fountains of Bellagio: After you check out the Conservatory, make a pit stop at the Fountains of Bellagio. A can’t miss free show, the always elegant fountains dance to classic holiday songs like Santa Baby, Carol of the Bells, and It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas in December and January.

See Bellagio fountain showtimes.

Fountains of Bellagio with Paris Las Vegas in the Background
©klotz/123RF.COM

See Also: A complete list of 90+ free things to do in Las Vegas.

The Park Transforms to a Winter Paradise: The pedestrian mall situated between New York New York and Park MGM is a must-visit in the winter. Featuring a 60-foot tall holiday tree decorated with 3,000 ornaments and over 13,000 lights.

Additionally, guests can walk through 16-foot tall “ornament tunnels” (pictured below), and even skate at The Park’s ice skating rink.

People walking through an illuminated ornament
Photo Credit – Glenn Pinkerton/Las Vegas News Bureau

Walk Winter PARQ: The LINQ Promenade dresses up for the holidays annually and features a 35 foot Christmas tree, 2,000 synchronized lights, and live entertainment.

Concert stage at the Linq Promenade with the High Roller Observation Wheel in the Background
Photo Credit – Las Vegas News Bureau/Bill Hughes

After walking the holiday display, take a spin on the High Roller Observation Wheel. While the weather may be chilly outside, you’ll find warmth and one hell of a view from one of the High Roller’s 28 pods.

I suggest booking your ride in advance, which will allow you to skip the ticket line at the attraction and save a few bucks.

Mystic Falls Holiday Display: While not as high profile as Bellagio’s Conservatory, Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town decorates their naturally lit indoor park for the holidays as part of their Winter Wonderland display.

In addition to one of the more impressive Christmas light displays, they also feature a holiday-inspired Sunset Stampede laser light show.

Santa even makes an appearance for the little ones at select times which are communicated by Sam’s Town’s Facebook page.

Christmas decorations within Mystic Falls Park at Sam's Town
©kitleong/123RF.COM

Aria’s Winter Wonderland Display: A holiday display featuring a “Sugar Palace” and in addition to a 17-foot tall Christmas Tree, Aria’s Winter Wonderland is made of gingerbread and is the creation of the pastry team. The display will be open to the public until January 5th.

Wynn’s Winter Wonderland: Inspired by the novel Gulliver’s Travels, Wynn transforms their atrium into a whimsical winter village. There is nothing that Wynn does less than 100%, and this holiday attraction is no exception.

Free to the public, Wynn’s Winter Wonderland should be near the top of your winter to-do list in Vegas.

Wynn's Winter Wonderland Atrium Villiage
Wynn’s Winter Wonderland – Photo Courtesy of Wynn Resorts

Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory Holiday Display: During the colder winter months of November through January, Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory invites guests to tour their 3-acre cactus garden which they illuminate with over a million Christmas lights.

After you stroll through their festive holiday display, pop in for a chocolate factory tour.

Related: See my Ethel M Factory Tour and Cactus Garden Review!

People walking through illuminated decor in The Park
Photo Credit – Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

Enchant at the Las Vegas Ballpark: Enchant is a winter wonderland that’s home to a holiday village complete with ice skating, games, dining, and holiday shopping opportunities. Of course, Santa and Mrs. Clause will also make appearances.

Enchant runs from November 19th – January 1st, and tickets can be purchased here.

Enchant Las Vegas from above
Courtesy of Enchant Las Vegas

Fremont Street Experience Holiday Tree: Attend the lighting ceremony for Fremont’s 50-foot tall Christmas tree which typically occurs in early December or stop by anytime thereafter to admire it.

Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Fremont Street
Photo Credit – Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Drive through millions of Christmas lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as part of their enormous holiday display which starts on November 9th and runs through January 7th.

Tickets per car start at $39 and the dazzling route is 2.5 miles long.

A holiday light display at Glittering Lights
Entrance to the Glittering Lights drive-thru experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Credit – Gabe Ginsberg.

See Scuba Santa at Silverton: Typically, mermaids entertain the crowds in Silverton’s 117,000-gallon fish tank, but Santa commonly makes an appearance over the holidays. I’ll be sure to update with specific times & dates for Santa appearances once they’re made available by Silverton.

See Underwater Santa times here.

Large fish tank at Silverton Las Vegas
©eevontually/123RF.COM

Shopping: Las Vegas offers a number of intriguing shopping options, some on the luxurious side, that could be the perfect activity on a cold winter day. Even non-shoppers will enjoy strolling Crystals, Forum Shops, Grand Canal Shoppes, or Wynn’s Plaza Shops.

Wynn Las Vegas Plaza Shops
Everything Wynn does is spectacular, why would the Plaza Shops be different?

See a Show: Vegas is the city of entertainment and there is so much to do indoors besides gambling. Shows in Vegas range from comedy performances to daring acrobatic displays. My favorite show is Absinthe at Caesars Palace, which is a raunchy comedy that will have you rolling.

I created a guide to help you explore Las Vegas shows by genre, here.

The Gazillionaire performing on stage
Absinthe at Caesars Palace

Take Advantage of the Outdoors: According to survey data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority, outdoor activities near Vegas like Death Valley, the Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park, Bryce Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon are the most popular day trips made by visitors to Las Vegas.

The winter months are a great time to visit these outdoor wonders to avoid the heat.

Red Rock Canyon sign

Warm Outdoor Displays: Both the Mirage Volcano and the Praying Mantis at the Container Park put on a show with fire as the main draw. Both free shows offer enough power to warm you up on a cold night.

Downtown Container Park Praying Mantis

Go Swimming: Yes, that’s right. Pack your suit. Every once in a while you will get surprised with an unseasonably warm day and you will want to take advantage.

I put together a rundown of Las Vegas pools that stay open during the winter.

Atop the list of options is Circa’s Stadium Swim rooftop pool deck downtown. The pool, which doubles as a sports viewing amphitheater is heated to 80+ degrees 365 days per year.

Access for non-guests costs $20 or more depending on the day, and it’s worth it.

Circa Stadium Swim
The water temperature hovers in the 80-degree range year-round.

Hopefully, I was able to help you find a unique thing to do in Vegas this Winter! From ice skating to holiday displays, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy.

See Also: Buy the exact scents Las Vegas casinos use for your home! Here’s how.

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Vegas123

Monday 9th of November 2020

The Bellagio holiday display is by far one of the best things to see in winter time in Vegas ;)

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