Las Vegas may not be the first thing that comes to mind during the Christmas season, but its hospitality industry's robust talent for dramatic decor is on full display throughout the month.
In addition to Aria's Winter Wonderland, featuring a 15-foot-tall, 4,000-pound Sugar Palace, the off-Strip Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall's Mystic Falls Park celebrates the season.
The indoor atrium features animated teddy bears, handmade by a family in Italy, and an 18-foot Christmas tree, decorated with red and gold ornaments and 5,300 lights. Garland-wrapped lampposts, streamers, wreaths, lights and ornaments fill the park. The gazebo is decorated with garlands, a sparkling icicle trimming and large candy canes. There are 26,350 points of light and about 13,175 feet, or 2.5 miles, of wire throughout the atrium. Admission is free.
Families, who can drop off their letters for Santa in Santa's mailbox, can also experience the park's new holiday decor from home by tuning in to the attraction's live webcam.
Las Vegas' newest attraction, arts complex Area 15, gets into the spirit with Wanderland, an outdoor holiday experience filled with photo opportunities and otherworldly surprises.
The new Area 15 features Wanderland, an outdoor holiday experience. Photo Credit: Area 15
Balanceville, a 30-foot, intergalactic sleigh, is the centerpiece. Other features include an illuminated, tree-lined village; a festive path of snow globes with holiday vignettes; pop-up retailers Kappa Toys and Wild Muse Boutique; and sweet treats by Emack & Bolio's. Guests can also experience the Winter Beast, an outdoor pop-up eatery. Henry Chang's "Mad Max"-inspired kinetic art car, "Mister Fusion," decked out with Area 15's alien friends, provides another photo op.
Wanderland, with free admission, will run through Dec. 27. For more information, visit Area 15.
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens' "Hopeful Holidays," the imaginary world of Queen Bellissima, is on display until Jan. 9. Designer Ed Libby and the Bellagio Horticulture team created the majestic display with four scenes.
It includes a 42-foot tall, fresh-cut silver tree from California's Mount Shasta decorated with 7,000 white lights, 2,500 ornaments and a Swarovski tree topper; an oversize ornamental egg; four horses pulling a lavishly decorated carriage; and elves preparing the queen's quarters for the season. The conservatory houses 13,780 flowers, 25 Silver Tip Fir trees and five polar bears created with 2,300 white carnations.
Four 12-foot-tall white horses stand in the East Garden of Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden. Photo Credit: Kelly McKeon / MGM Resorts International
"Our amazing horticulture and facilities teams at Bellagio work tirelessly to create and bring to life five themed displays throughout the year," Libby said. "For our final display of 2020, we wanted to deliver a sense of joy and beauty to every person who visits, hoping each guest heads home with a beautiful new memory to share with loved ones as we head into a promising new year."
Finally, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, about a 20-minute drive from downtown, hosts the annual drive-through Glittering Lights show starting at dusk every night. For 20 years, the speedway has collaborated with local and regional partners for the 2.5-mile display that guests experience from their cars with festive music playing on a dedicated radio station. More than 5 million LED lights illuminate scenes that include the Tunnel of Love, Fairytale Land and Santa Goes Racing. The Sports Alley at Glittering Lights highlights the city's blossoming major league sports scene.
"Even through challenging times, Glittering Lights continues to be a source of hope and happiness," said John Bentham, event producer. "We create a positive environment that unifies the community, putting smiles on the faces of visitors from all walks of life. That's what Christmas is all about."
Tickets for each car begin at $25. A portion of each ticket benefits Speedway Children's Charities Las Vegas Chapter. Hot cocoa and fresh-popped kettle corn are available for an additional charge.
This report was updated to change the closing date for Area 15's Wanderland holiday display.