The holidays in Las Vegas may lack snow, but the spirit of the season is fully intact. From the suburbs to The Strip, Las Vegans are big on celebrating and (especially) giving. Much of that enthusiasm stems from the fact this city is unlike any other, with experiences and events that are both unique to Las Vegas and uniquely Las Vegas.
If you’re looking for the ideal way to let someone know you care this holiday season, here are five ideas that will leave them saying, “You shouldn’t have, but I’m so happy you did.”
Let’s Rodeo
Santa hats aren’t the only fashionable headwear in December. For ten days beginning December 5, Las Vegas is transformed into the country’s cowboy capital as the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo moseys into town. The biggest names in country music are headlining throughout the city. And The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will become a rodeo destination with Boots on the Boulevard, featuring live country music at Sundays at The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails and a December 14 performance by multi-platinum singer/songwriter Kip Moore and country group Midland at The Chelsea.
If you’re getting tickets, you can package them in a brand new pair of cowboy boots at Cowboy Christmas. From December 5-14, the Las Vegas Convention Center opens its doors to the public for a holiday shopping extravaganza featuring hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of products. Belt buckles, boots, hats, you name it. If you’re going to The Cosmopolitan’s Boots on the Boulevard (or any NFR event), you’ve got to dress the part.
Go for a Ride at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
If you have family arriving in town for the holidays, you can spend an evening at Nevada’s most popular drive-through light show. Glittering Lights is staged every year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (less than 20 minutes north of The Strip) and is open November 8 through January 5. The experience is home to 2.5 miles of light displays that you can drive through in your vehicle, or hitch a ride on the “Santa Tram.”
Get Rocked at The Chelsea
The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is ground zero for two of the season’s biggest concerts, beginning with X107.5’s Holiday Havoc on Tuesday, December 3. This year, the English pop quartet The 1975 will headline the show, with Judah & The Lion, White Reaper, Joywave, and iDKHOW also on the bill. On Friday, December 6, Mix 94.1 personality Mercedes Martinez will host the annual Not So Silent Night concert featuring Goo Goo Dolls, Natasha Bedingfield, Dean Lewis, and Maddie Poppe.
Take the Family to See a Timeless Classic
Nevada Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker is bound to be one of this year’s hottest holiday tickets. Fortunately, there are 13 performances on the calendar from December 13-24 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Choreographed by James Canfield, this version of The Nutcracker features all of the hallmarks of the holiday classic, including the giant toy soldiers!
Donate. Skate. Celebrate.
When it comes to giving, you don’t have to stop with the family and friends you know and love. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has partnered with resident DJ Vice, TAO Group Hospitality Cares, and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth for the December 18 Vice on Ice holiday donation celebration at the resort’s outdoor Ice Rink. Bring a gift from the NPHY’s wishlist, and you’ll receive complimentary skate rental while Vice plays behind the booth.
Need more gift ideas? Here are some dining destinations to consider and some additional reasons to host your holiday in Las Vegas.
