Why the Vegas Strip is a must this holiday season
You don’t have to look too far back to find a time when Las Vegas was not a holiday destination. December was well-known as being one of the quietest months of the year when it came to the number of tourists, and casinos certainly saw a slump in trade. Now, the Vegas Strip holiday is becoming more popular than ever before.
It’s that slump in trade that led to things starting to change. Casinos started to explore what they could do to attract people during the month and that meant that they turned to a program of events and spectacles.
December kicks off with the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). This is a 10-day rodeo event that has a whole lot more going on at the same time. It’s a time when every casino and entertainment value books more country music artists than you’ll ever be able to find anywhere else.
One of the biggest changes to have taken place in Las Vegas is the fact that December is now the month when holiday activities and displays are rolled out. This was unheard of in Vegas until just a few years ago.
The thing is, Las Vegas never really did anything to make itself seem like a holiday destination. The exception was always the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden. What’s happened now is that Vegas as a whole has gone on to provide a host of attractions for both locals and visitors.
Las Vegas has also made itself a go-to destination to welcome in the New Year. For reasons far beyond casino games such as blackjack, roulette, slots and baccarat. With parties and performances, those attending will also witness an absolutely huge firework display.
With the pre-ramble done, let’s take a look at just what Las Vegas has to offer during the upcoming holiday season.
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Vegas Strip holiday – Holiday attractions of the Vegas strip
What used to happen on the Vegas Strip during the holiday period was that everyone would be subjected to some pretty naff holiday music and they’d be some half-hearted decorations going up. Thankfully, that’s all changed and Las Vegas now has something to offer entire families.
Yes, Vegas is known for its casinos and that’s the number one reason to visit, but the holiday experience offers so much more. Whoever would have guessed that Vegas would be a family destination for the holidays? Not us! However, we have to say that what has been pulled off is nothing short of spectacular.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden
Visiting Las Vegas for Christmas means starting at the center of the Vegas Strip. There’s a good reason why this is the place to kick off your visit. The display that you’ll find at the Bellagio Conservatory is one of the most popular, and best, free attractions around.
What Bellagio has to offer this year is the ‘Gingerbread Dreams’ display. This involves visitors taking some time out from the casino environment as they go on a journey that includes an astonishing 15,000 gingerbread men.
Just some of the sights that can be enjoyed here include a gingerbread house that stands at an impressive 25 feet. The centerpiece, however, is a stunning 42-foot tree. This huge tree comes with around 10,000 lights and some 8,700 decorations.
If these lights aren’t enough, visitors will also find 41 fir trees on their travels. These include a total of 110,000 lights and this spectacle is nothing short of magical.
Enchant at Resorts World Las Vegas
The Enchant on the Strip is set to take place outside of Resorts World Las Vegas. The company behind this produces the world’s largest Christmas light experience, but this is about more than just a display. This is an interactive experience that covers a 10-acre site
With a tree standing at 100 feet tall, visitors can also enjoy the walk through a light maze as well as ice skating and Santa visits. The experience is completed by live entertainment as well as plenty of food and drink from the Resorts World restaurant.
Being sponsored by Hallmark, there are a few special extras that appear here too. These include the ‘Cozy Christmas Corner’. This is an area where guests can kick back and relax and take plenty of photos to remember the experience.
Ice skating – The Cosmopolitan Rooftop Pool
This year marks the 11th one in a row when The Cosmopolitan has transformed its Boulevard Pool. The magic worked here sees the pool becoming a 4,200 square foot rink that comes with real ice which is accompanied by snow showers every half an hour.
What really adds to this experience is the presence of fire pits. These can be used by all visitors, free of charge, to toast s’mores and enjoy a host of other holiday food and drink.
While ice skating itself incurs a charge, this is certainly worthwhile. You’d be hard-pushed to ice skate anywhere else in the world where there are such amazing views to be enjoyed.
Vegas Strip holiday – What else is taking place?
You may find it hard to find anything that can match the beauty of what’s offered at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden, but there are still other sights to be enjoyed. Pretty much every casino on the Strip will be showing some form of decorations and these are well worth exploring.
If you’re looking for something where you get even more of the holiday spirit, these locations are well worth a visit:
- Wynn Las Vegas
- Mandalay Bay
- Aria
- Flamingo/The Linq
- The Venetian and The Palazzo
The Vegas Strip and New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve celebrations have exploded in popularity in Las Vegas. What’s offered here is on par with anything else that you can find across the whole of the US. As the clock strikes midnight, everyone makes their way onto the Vegas Strip to enjoy a truly spectacular firework show. Fortunately, this is one of the few times when cars are banned from the area.
Casinos that will be shooting off fireworks come midnight include:
- MGM
- Aria
- Planet Hollywood
- Resorts World
- Caesars Palace
As you can see, much has changed in Las Vegas and it now really does provide a magical holiday experience.
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