Things to Do in December in Las Vegas: 2026 Guide

December brings illuminated desert gardens, a three-mile drive-through light show, an ice rink, and rodeo events. Attractions are spread across the valley, so group stops by area rather than trying to cross town repeatedly in one evening.

Some attractions are ticketed, some are free, and schedules vary around Christmas. Listed prices below are as of November 3, 2026.

What are the best things to do in Las Vegas in December?

The strongest December picks are Enchant at Las Vegas Ballpark, Ethel M’s Holiday Cactus Garden Lights in Henderson, Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Fontainebleau’s Oasis Ice Rink. For a distinctly Las Vegas calendar event, add the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and its Cowboy Christmas gift show.

Choose by mood and logistics. Enchant combines a light maze, skating, food, entertainment, and shopping in one venue; Ethel M pairs lights with a cactus garden; Glittering Lights is designed to be seen from a car. Fontainebleau’s rink and holiday movies offer another seasonal option on the Strip.

Families can compare these activities with other Christmas vacation ideas for families, while couples planning around cost may also like these affordable December getaway ideas. If your trip includes another holiday city, see our guide to December in New York City.

Where can you see Christmas lights in Las Vegas?

You can see holiday lights at Ethel M’s Cactus Garden in Henderson, Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Enchant at Las Vegas Ballpark, and the Bellagio Conservatory on the Strip. Downtown Summerlin also lists a free holiday parade on Friday and Saturday evenings from November 21 through December 22, 2026 (as of November 3, 2026).

Ethel M’s Holiday Cactus Garden Lights run nightly from November 5, 2026, through January 3, 2027. The garden is open from 5 to 10 p.m. most nights; it closes at 8 p.m. on December 24 and is closed on December 25. Admission is $3 per person, with children under 2 and seniors 65 and older admitted free (as of November 3, 2026). No reservations are required. Santa visits are scheduled through December 23, and the Santa Express Pass is $40 for up to six people (as of November 3, 2026). Check the official Ethel M holiday garden schedule before setting out.

Glittering Lights runs November 6, 2026, through January 3, 2027, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Its six million LED lights line a three-mile drive-through course. The show opens nightly at 5 p.m. Carload admission is $39 cash on site or $44 by credit card per vehicle (as of November 3, 2026); check the Glittering Lights event details and prices before you go.

Enchant Las Vegas is scheduled at Las Vegas Ballpark from November 20 through December 27, 2026. It includes a light maze, ice skating, seasonal food and drinks, live entertainment, and a shopping village. Admission is advertised from $27, with the final price varying by date, entry time, and demand (as of November 3, 2026). See the official Enchant Las Vegas dates and tickets and choose an entry time before traveling to the ballpark.

The Bellagio Conservatory’s 2026 holiday display is titled “All Aboard for Holiday Bells and Whistles,” with a train theme. The conservatory covers 14,000 square feet and changes its displays seasonally. It is a Strip stop to pair with dinner or an evening walk.

Where can you go ice skating in Las Vegas in December?

You can skate at Enchant Las Vegas or Fontainebleau’s Oasis Ice Rink during the 2026 holiday season. Fontainebleau’s rink is scheduled to operate November 18, 2026, through January 4, 2027; entry to the rink area is complimentary, but skating requires a separate paid ticket.

Fontainebleau skating starts at $30, plus taxes and fees. Select late-night sessions list Nevada-local skating from $15, plus taxes and fees, with valid Nevada identification (prices as of November 3, 2026). The venue also lists holiday movie nights: Elf on December 1, The Polar Express on December 15, and A Christmas Story on December 22, with screenings at 5 and 8 p.m. Review the Oasis Ice Rink schedule and skating information before booking.

For an outing with children, the rink and movie combination offers a clear plan; Enchant adds a maze and seasonal village in one visit. At Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest, younger visitors can ride the Forest Express train, play mini-golf, and try the 50-foot Avalanche Slide.

When is the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in 2026?

The 2026 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo runs December 3–12 at Thomas & Mack Center, with performances scheduled for 5:45 p.m. each night. Hotel prices and availability may be higher during the event, so plan lodging early if your visit overlaps those dates.

Cowboy Christmas, the official NFR gift show, is scheduled for December 3–12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Admission is free, and the listed daily hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (as of November 3, 2026). It gives visitors a daytime event to pair with an evening performance; see the official NFR performance schedule for rodeo times.

Build in travel time between the Convention Center and Thomas & Mack Center. The rodeo dates also overlap with the early part of several holiday attractions, so plan a light display for a separate night rather than squeezing it in after a performance.

What are the dates and hours for the Magical Forest?

Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest is scheduled for November 27–29, December 3–24, and December 26, 2026–January 1, 2027. Hours are 5:30–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30–9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; the box office closes 30 minutes before the park.

The Forest Express train, mini-golf, and 50-foot Avalanche Slide make this a family-focused option. Children age 3 and under enter free (as of November 3, 2026). The schedule does not include December 25, so check Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest dates and hours before visiting.

What is open in Las Vegas on Christmas Day?

Ethel M’s garden is closed on December 25, and the Magical Forest schedule does not include that date. Other event schedules may differ, so confirm an attraction’s Christmas Day hours before making it the center of your plans.

For a December 25 itinerary, keep the plan flexible and choose activities with confirmed holiday hours. If you are traveling with children, consider a second activity that does not depend on the same seasonal event calendar. For broader holiday trip planning, our guide to family Christmas vacations offers more ideas.

What is the weather like in Las Vegas in December?

December conditions can vary, and evenings can feel cool, so bring layers for outdoor light displays and skating. Check the forecast close to your trip, especially if your plans include waiting outside.

Keep a warmer layer accessible rather than buried in the car. The conservatory and Enchant’s seasonal food and drinks offer options to mix outdoor events with other stops.

How can you plan a December Las Vegas itinerary?

Plan around event location and date first, then add one or two seasonal stops nearby. Downtown Summerlin, Henderson, Las Vegas Ballpark, the Strip, the Speedway, and the NFR venues are separate destinations; a focused evening is easier to manage than an overpacked cross-valley route.

1. For the Strip: Visit the Bellagio Conservatory, then consider Fontainebleau’s rink or a listed movie night.
2. For a family evening: Choose Magical Forest, Enchant, or Ethel M, and check age details, hours, and admission before leaving.
3. For a car-based outing: Set aside an evening for Glittering Lights, which opens at 5 p.m.
4. For rodeo week: Pair daytime Cowboy Christmas with an NFR performance, allowing time to travel between venues.

Book the events that matter most to your group first, especially if your dates fall December 3–12. Check schedules and ticket details close to your visit, and keep Christmas Day plans tied to confirmed opening information.