Dec. 1-4, 8-11, 15-31 (Closed Christmas Day)
Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
The Magical Forest celebrates its 31st season of spreading holiday cheer to families and those in need. Every dollar spent at this outdoor winter wonderland will go to the organization’s disability programs and services. Rides, escape rooms, food trucks, shops, and games offer enough stimuli to keep even the most hot-chocolate-buzzed kids busy.
5-9p, for ticketing info see website, Opportunity Village – Oakey Campus, opportunityvillage.org/magical-forest
Dec. 1-10
Cowboy Christmas
A Las Vegas tradition since 1986, the Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas is the only official gift show of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, welcoming more than 240,000 attendees over the last four years. More than 350 exhibitors sprawl across 500,000 square feet of show floor, where you can find custom jewelry, art, furniture, home goods, and the best western wear and boots.
9a-4p daily, free, Las Vegas Convention center, nfrexperience.com
Dec. 2
From Paris with Love – Celebrating the Holidays!
Enjoy an evening with Paris Chansons as they return to Las Vegas to perform classic French favorites with a holiday twist. They perform a mix of jazzy improvisation and slow-burning ballads, taking the audience on a journey that celebrates French and international music.
6-7:15p, free, Whitney Library, lvccld.bibliocommons.com
Dec. 2
David Perrico Pop Strings Orchestra – The Christmas Show
David Perrico’s Pop Strings Orchestra plays anything “from Beyonce to Beethoven,” as they’re fond of saying, including classical, EDM, Latin, jazz, pop, R&B, rock, and original compositions. The dynamic, 14-piece orchestra comes together for
a special Christmas show, which will incorporate their innovative flair in holiday hits.
7p, for prices visit website, Myron’s at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com
Dec. 3
Las Vegas Great Santa Run
Arguably the most popular of local holiday fun runs returns to Downtown Las Vegas this year for its 18th season, this time with a hybrid format! The in-person race will include a Fremont Street Experience pre-show before participants embark on the 5k course and then cross the finish line into post-race fun — food trucks, vendors, and live entertainment. The virtual run can be completed any time between December 3 and 24. Santa pets are welcome, too!
8a, $45, Fremont Street Experience, raceroster.com
Dec. 4
Winter Wonderfulness: Nevada Chamber Orchestra
The Nevada Chamber Orchestra, directed by Gregory Maldonado, will get you in the holiday mood with its Winter Wonderfulness concert — a combo of classic nostalgic holiday tunes and new winter works.
3p, $10-15, Summerlin Library, nvchamberorchestra.com
Dec. 9
Cosmic Swim Winter Wonderland
Who says pool parties are only for summer? Enjoy a bright and festive night at this cosmic-themed aquatic experience, where bathers of all ages can be immersed in music and glow-gear, lighting up the pool with a green and red shimer.
7-9p, $5, Henderson Multigenerational Indoor Pool, cityofhenderson.com
Dec. 10
Bossa Christmas
Brazilian singer Caro Pierotto uses her voice to share love and healing beyond the borders of genre, as her repertoire includes samba, forró, reggae, soul, and pop. She brings warmth to the holiday season in her new show, Bossa Christmas.
3-4:15p, free, East Las Vegas Library, lvccld.bibliocommons.com
Dec. 10
Very Very Mariachi
Want to make any song sound better? Mariachify it. In this holiday show, the Latin Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México will break out Mexican and American seasonal classics, which (please please please!) hopefully includes “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”
7:30p, $20-50, UNLV’s Artemus Ham Hall, unlv.edu/pac
Dec. 10-11
Merry Grinchmas at Heritage Bark Park
Although the Grinch certainly isn’t fond of the holiday season, or people, for that matter, he does have a soft spot for his equally furry friend and faithful dog, Max. Bring your pups to meet the Grinch at Bark Park for photos, treats, and pop-up agility courses .10:30a-noon, $4 per pup in advance, $5 day-of (cash only), Bark Park in Heritage Park, cityofhenderson.com
Dec. 11
Five Times the Brass
The Pentagogical Brass Band is five brass-wielding music teachers, and in this concert, they’ll be schooling the public with a selection of holiday music. Some Pentagogical Brass members are retired educators; others are still happily brassing it up in the classroom. Together, they put on a classy show of horned instrumentals that will be music to your ears.
2p, free, West Charleston Library, lvccld.org
Dec. 12
Carols & Ales
Raise a pint with whateverandeveramen., a project-based choir that holds performances in art galleries, bars, parks, and — on the rare occasion — even churches and concert halls. For Christmas, you can hear them perform carols while enjoying a pint of craft beer from Lovelady Brewing at their Carols & Ales holiday event.
6:30-9:30p, $20, Lovelady Brewing Company, whateverchoir.org/schedule
Dec. 18
Music of the Beatles for Kids: Holiday Celebration
Hosted by The Rock and Roll Playhouse, this event encourages the whole family to move, play, and sing while listening to hits with a Beatles-themed holiday twist. The Rock and Roll Playhouse aims to entertain and educate families, piquing them to explore their creativity and introduce an appreciation of iconic musicians in rock history.
2p, $15, Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas, brooklynbowl.com
Dec. 18
Winter Solstice at the Bird Viewing Preserve
While migratory birds pass the winter in the south, enjoy their digs with a celebration of the solstice. Attendees will be invited to generate light, warmth, and spirit celebrating the dark and short days of the year by enjoying refreshments, strolling around the ponds and scenic trails, and making crafts.
12p, $10, Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, cityofhenderson.com
Through Dec. 24
The Nutcracker
Choreographed by James Canfield, Nevada Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker takes the audience on a dazzling journey that has become a Las Vegas holiday favorite over the past 41 years.
Evening times vary, $35.95-185.95, Reynolds Hall at The Smiths Center, thesmithcenter.com
Through Dec. 25
Tournament of Kings: ’Twas the Knight
Guests of all ages can eat a three-course sans-utensil feast, hosted by King Arthur’s court, while cheering on knights in their valorous exploits. This year, Merlin goes holiday Medieval on audiences by summoning snowfall upon the kingdom during this special show.
Evening times vary, $51.86, Excalibur Hotel & Casino, excalibur.mgmresorts.com
Dec. 26
Kwanzaa Celebration
Ina Buckner-Barnette, aka the “Sunshine Storyteller,” wants audiences to leave her interactive performances feeling empowered. For this Kwanzaa Celebration, she’ll share international folktales through art, storytelling, and song, in a family-friendly workshop format.
6-9p, free, West Las Vegas Library, lvccld.bibliocommons.com
Through Dec. 27
A Very Terry Christmas
Singer, comedian, and ventriloquist Terry Fator returns for a holiday special, using his kaleidoscopic voice to bring to life an iconic puppet cast. Characters joining him onstage include Elvis impersonator Maynard Thompkins with a rendition of “Blue Christmas” and Apollo Theater veteran Julius with his Barry White version of “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.”
7:30p, $34.95-$54.99, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, newyorknewyork.mgmresorts.com
Dec. 31
Time of Your Life Festival
Ring in the New Year at the ultimate Downtown Las Vegas dance party. Partygoers can revel in the final moments of 2022 with performances throughout the night by favorites such as Bush, Sugar Ray, and DJ Skribble. This event is 21 and up only.
6p, $50, Fremont Street Experience hotel properties, vegasexperience.com
Through Dec. 31
The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle
Step into a Christmas classic dream world! A 500,000-cubic-foot display of projections and special effects bring The Nutcracker to life for an immersive holiday experience. Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and a life-sized Nutcracker are the icing on the holiday fruitcake.
11a-7:30p, $34.99-49.99, Lighthouse Immersive Las Vegas at The Shops at Crystals,immersive-nutcracker.com
Through Jan. 1
Enchant Las Vegas
No time to fly overseas to the actual City of Lights? No problem! In its second year, Enchant Las Vegas has fashioned its own illuminated winter wonderland — with light maze, shops, artisan vendors, and ice skating — now with two locations: Resorts World and Las Vegas Ballpark.
Evening times vary, $19.95-34, Las Vegas Ballpark and Resorts World Las Vegas, enchantchristmas.com
Through Jan. 1
Holiday Cactus Garden Lights
Take the whole family for Santa selfies or enjoy chocolatey treats while strolling through a million-plus Christmas lights and holiday décor. The entrance fee this year will be donated to Help of Southern Nevada homeless youth and Three Square Food Bank. 5:30-10p, $1, Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Garden, ethelm.com
Through Jan. 2
The Rink at the Boulevard Pool
Each year, the Cosmo’s rooftop Boulevard Pool transforms into a 4,200-square-foot ice-skating rink, with light snowfall, holiday movies playing, and s’mores served over the fire pits. Think of it as a way to enjoy the lights of the Las Vegas Strip from above.
Afternoon and evening times vary, $15-30, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
Through Jan. 8
Snow Carnival
With 350 tons of real snow falling from the rafters and coating the ground, M Resort’s indoor Snow Carnival could be your only opportunity this winter to build snowmen, throw snowballs, and coast down slopes through a candy cane forest.
3-9p, $29.99-36.99, M Resort Spa Casino, snowcarnival.com
Through Jan. 8
Glittering Lights Drive-Thru Light Show
This Southern Nevada tradition welcomes about a quarter-million visitors annually, dazzling them on a 2.5-mile course with more than five million lights and 600 holiday displays. In its 22nd year, the drive-thru light show will donate a portion of each ticket sold to Speedway Children’s Charities.4:45-10:00p, $29-129, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, glitteringlightslasvegas.com
Through Jan. 11
Bad Elf Popup Bar
Naughty elves will take over the Shady Grove Lounge — which the Silverton dubs the “home to all rebels without a Claus” — by giving it a makeover of festive garland, twinkly lights, and oversized ornaments. Inspired by everyone’s favorite shady holiday menace, the Elf on the Shelf, the bar introduces a holiday cocktail menu.
Times vary, prices vary, Shady Grove Lounge at Silverton Casino Hotel, silvertoncasino.com
Through Jan. 15
Christmas in Hell
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ... of damned souls? The musical-comedy Christmas in Hell, makes its Las Vegas debut, following a young boy who gets mistakenly sent down to Hell on Christmas Eve, prompting his father’s journey to make a deal with the devil and get him back.
7p, $55-65, Notoriety in Neonopolis Downtown Las Vegas, notorietylive.com