Christmas is right around the corner and with many people getting a few days off work it’s time to take advantage of all the great events Las Vegas has to offer for the holiday season. Here is a list of the best family friendly Christmas and holiday activities around the Las Vegas Valley!
Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden
The Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden is a Knight family tradition. For us, Christmas isn’t complete without a trip to the chocolate factory! Open 7 days a week from 5pm – 10pm visitors can wander through the garden’s illuminated cacti pathways and enjoy the chocolate wonderland. Throughout the season, local choirs will perform holiday favorites and now through December 23rd Santa will be there from 5pm-9pm. Ethel M is located at 2 Cactus Drive Henderson, NV. Do not miss Ethel M’s peppermint bark. This is by far and away the best peppermint bark I have tasted, and I have had a lot as it is my favorite candy! Check out pictures from past years events here!
Visit www.EthelM.com for more information and full schedules. The cactus garden will remain open through January 1, 2014.
Bellagio Conservatory
Photo Credit – Jackie Watson
The Bellagio conservatory is beautiful and breathtaking year round, but perhaps even more so during the holiday season. Enjoy this free exhibit and let you senses experience the holidays in the breathtaking surrounding of this botanical enchantment! The entire exhibit is made from flowers and other botanical that are maintained every morning.
A holiday favorite returns with a family of topiary polar bears adorned with 18,000 snow white carnations. Momma bear will watch over her two cubs as they frolic through the poinsettias and float on an icy pond. In an effort to build awareness about protecting the polar bear’s home, Bellagio will partner with Coca-Cola to promote the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) during this year’s exhibit. Coca-Cola’s goal, in partnership with WWF, is to raise awareness and funds to help create places where polar bears and people can thrive in the Arctic. – Bellagio Conservatory
While you are there don’t forget to step outside and enjoy the fountains as well! Or if it is too chilly, walk around the corner from the conservatory and enjoy the world’s largest chocolate fountain! The Bellagio Conservatory is free and is open 7 days a week 24 hours, and located at 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. The holiday exhibit will be up until January 5th, 2014.
Gilcrease Orchard Sleigh Rides
Gilcrease Orchard has teamed up with Doubletree Carriage and our horse drawn sleigh on wheels will take you through the vistas and views on the gorgeous orchard wonderland. As you make your way to the North Pole, you will hear sounds of jingle bells on the horses and will be entertained with soothing Christmas stories from the sleigh drivers, who are remarkable to say the least. Enjoy the cozy little ride all the way to the north pole where you will be greeted by Santa’s elves who will escort you through a secret tunnel through time to visit good ‘ol St. Nick himself! That’s right, Santa Claus will be waiting for you in his home!
Sleigh rides last 20-25 minutes and you can spend as much time at Santa’s cottage as you’d like. Refreshments are available for purchase. Tickets cost $12.50 and are required for everyone ages 3+. Click Here to Book Now Rides go until Dec 24th 2013, Closed Sundays. Rides go out daily from 3-8pm and leave every 15 minutes. Limited availability on Dec 20-21st. Call (702)751–2747 for more information. Gilcrease Orchard is located at 7800 N Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, NV 89131.
Santa Train – Boulder City
All Aboard! Kids of all ages will love spending a few hours in Boulder City at the Nevada Southern Railway.
This year the State Railroad Museum at Boulder City celebrates it’s 12th Annual Santa Train. This fun family event has become a tradition in many homes throughout the Las Vegas valley. Family’s get to experience riding the a train decorated for the holidays and have an opportunity to visit and have photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they make their way through the train. After their visit with Santa, children will be able to experience face painting and balloon creations on the platform. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the Eureka, a fully restored & operating late 19th century steam locomotive. Visitors will also be able to take rides on our Live Steamers (mini-steam engines) and experience a holiday wonderland at the model train show as well.
The Santa train is in it’s last weekend (but does run for several weekends in December) running the 21st-22nd. Tickets cost $5 for everyone 1 and up. Tickets can be bought in the Museum Shop Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and on weekends at the Station Ticket Office from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or go to http://www.nevadasouthern.com/Ticket_Availability.html for mail order tickets. (There are no online ticket sales).
Bass Pro Shop Santa’s Workshop
I promise they loved it every other year we went, but I can’t resist sharing the Santa Fail of 2010!
Head over to the Bass Pro Shop and take the kids on a outdoor adventure that is all indoors. Meet Santa and get a free picture to take home, play with tons of fun games and activities that are on display including a train, monster trucks, and a fun race track for remote controlled cars, and then head over to partake in a free craft! you can even write and mail letters to Santa! Plus there are fun things to look at all around the store including the fish tanks and many kinds of wild animals. Check the Bass Pro schedule for Santa times as well as craft times. Bass Pro Shop is located at 8200 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89139 and the holiday activities will run through December 24th.
Other Holiday Ideas:
- Sledding on Mt. Charleston
- Magical Forest
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway Glittering Lights
- Town Square Santa and Snow in the Square
Do you have something you love to do for the Holidays in Las Vegas? Share in the comments below!
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How how fun! I wish we had a Santa train here.
Fun! I love and do all of these activities every year too. The Smith Center has the Nutcracker and other holiday concerts. There is also The Magical Forest where they raise money for Opportunity Village. It’s fun. We also love the now 5 different locations to go outdoor ice skating around Vegas with our favorite being the roof of the Cosmopolitan. My favorite is attending the Live Nativity at the Opportunity Village Campus every year but it was last week and is over now. So much to do and see here in Las Vegas for Christmas. Merry Christmas to you!
You guys have a ton of stuff to do there!!
We went to the Santa Train last week and my boys loved it. We are excited to go and see the lights at the Speedway this weekend. Thanks for sharing all of these other ideas as well. I’m not from here originally and don’t know always know how to find out about the different events that are good for kids.
Oh my, that Santa fail picture! Ha ha- don’t we all have one or two of those?! What a great list- all of them look like tons of fun!