Top Christmas Events in Las Vegas for 2023

Click here for the best places to get a photo with Santa in Las Vegas 2023

This article was updated on Dec. 12, 2023, to include the Lion Habitat Ranch.

Vegas is known for being over the top, and the holidays are no exception.

With 365 days of flashing lights on the Strip, you may wonder what else can be wrapped in twinkle lights. Well, sit back and find out. We’re diving into the best Christmas light displays in Las Vegas. For reference, check out the Top Christmas Events in Las Vegas from 2022.

If you’re visiting the city, most of these holiday extravaganzas are going to require a drive, but they’re worth it. Each offers something a little different and gives you a unique holiday experience, so if you have the chance, check them all out.

Editor’s note: We would love to see you celebrating the holidays at these light displays in Las Vegas. Tag us on Instagram or TikTok (@fullmetaltraveler) and show us your favorite.

Glittering Lights

Probably the most well-known holiday light display in Las Vegas is Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This drive-thru light show has grown to over 600 displays, with over 5 million lights drawing over 350,000 visitors each year. You can drive through the displays yourself or take a ride on the Santa Tram so everyone can enjoy the lights and concessions. 

Glittering Lights opens in November and runs until early January, with tickets starting at $39 per vehicle.                         

Enchant Christmas as Las Vegas Ballpark

If you’ve ever wondered what happens at a baseball park in the off-season, we have the answer. Holiday lights! In November, the Las Vegas Ballpark is transformed into an immersive holiday experience. These Christmas lights are more than just pretty scenery, they are a maze! Enchant Christmas also has an ice skating trail, Santa’s Landing, activities for little ones, and a shopping village of tiny storefronts featuring artisan vendors, specialty crafters, and boutiques.

You can purchase individual tickets or family packs and enjoy everything Enchant Christmas has to offer from November 24- December 31.

Rockin’ Christmas at M Resort

We all enjoy an animated light show and Rockin’ Christmas at M Resort is one of the best! Presented by World of Illumination, Rockin’ Christmas is an audio-visual experience that will ROCK your holidays. This mile-long drive-thru display features millions of colorful LED lights and hundreds of moving displays set to music. 

Rockin’ Christmas gets an early start, opening November 17^th and running every Tuesday – Sunday night from 6-10 p.m. until December 31^st. Tickets must be purchased online and begin at $39.99 per vehicle.

Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town

Mystic Falls Park in Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall can be enjoyed all year round. The indoor park has a waterfall, live trees, and nightly laser shows under the 10-story high skylight but for the holidays it’s even better! Christmas trees, lights, holiday decorations, and a few other surprises turn the park into a winter wonderland you don’t want to miss. And the best part is it’s completely free!

Mystic Falls Park atrium is located in the center of the Sam’s Place casino floor and is open to the public. The holiday transformation begins in November and can be enjoyed until January.

Ethel M Cactus Garden

In Las Vegas, we’ll put lights on just about anything, and Ethel M Chocolates does just that. From the first weekend of November until New Year’s Eve, you can visit the Holiday Cactus Garden, the largest botanical cactus garden in Nevada. The Holiday Garden is open nightly (Except for Christmas Day) from 5-10 p.m. The entrance fee is $2 per person, all of which is donated to Help of Southern Nevada and Three Square Food Bank.

After wandering through the one million lights and holiday décor, you can take a picture with Santa, enjoy a delicious hot chocolate, and grab a snack from the food truck.

Magical Forest at Opportunity Village

Magical Forest is more than just a light show, it’s a winter festival with lights, rides, and food vendors. For over thirty years, Opportunity Village has hosted visitors to Magical Forest which funds programs and services for over 3,000 people with disabilities.

This holiday park is open on select days starting the day after Thanksgiving and closes on New Year’s Eve from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Passport Admission starts at $24 per person and gives you unlimited rides and attractions for the evening.

Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Not really a light display, but still worthy of a stop is the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden Winter display. Horticulture and Engineering teams transform the 14,000-square-foot Botanical Gardens each season into a showcase of sights using living plants and have a special display for the Lunar New Year. 

The winter display at Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is open daily from December 2 until January 7 and is completely free for all visitors. Located in the atrium next to the Bellagio Hotel lobby, you can miss it!

The Lion Habitat Ranch Pawliday Lights & Roaring Nights

The Lion Habitat Ranch is a non-profit animal sanctuary just south of Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada. The ranch is home to the famous retired MGM lions, one very charismatic giraffe named Ozzie, as well as a colorful collection of parrots, tortoises, emus, and ostriches.

This year they are hosting their very first Pawliday Lights & Roaring Nights event on Friday, December 22nd, and Saturday, December 23rd, from 5pm-7pm. Tickets are $30, and every adult ticket comes with one free child admission (under age 14).

All general admission amenities will be available, including giraffe feeds, lion feeds, Ozzie painting sessions, and a few other surprises! The lions will be receiving holiday-themed enrichment and will even have some special enrichment for guests who attend.