Five Things To See In Las Vegas Casinos During The Holidays

The holidays have arrived, and numerous individuals will be visiting Las Vegas for the first time in several years.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, there has been a decline in visitation to Las Vegas. However, it’s now showing signs of recovery. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s monthly Executive Report indicates that the visitor volume in October was only 8% less than that of the same month in 2019.

The number of people returning to Las Vegas continues to increase, although it remains below 2019 levels.

Many people may be visiting Las Vegas for the first time during the holidays. The city has specific mandates for different venues, which are separate from the varying COVID-19 protocols across the country.

COVID-19 protocols

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nevada currently enforces the indoor face mask mandate.

Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals within a Nevada business are required to wear a mask. This mandate is applicable to all businesses, from casinos and local stores to McCarron Airport.

The rules for casinos concerning COVID-19 are quite straightforward. Inside a casino, a face mask can only be taken off when eating, drinking, or smoking. However, outside the casino, face masks are not mandatory.

Masks should remain on within a casino, only being lowered when needed for drinking or smoking. However, some casino guests do not adhere to this guideline, fully removing their face coverings while partaking in these activities.

Knowing the policies of both the inside and outside of the casinos will enhance your holiday experience in Las Vegas, which is considered the best.

Entertainment venues have distinct COVID-19 policies. Please refer to the specific event within the venue for the latest COVID-19 guidelines.

Five Las Vegas casino holiday experiences

The festive atmosphere is palpable throughout Las Vegas, with special holiday events happening citywide. Given time constraints, we can’t cover all, so let’s concentrate on the holiday happenings around the casinos.

Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, located just off the main casino floor, is a breathtaking display of floral beauty. During the holiday season, MGM Resorts, who operates Bellagio, enhances this arrangement to an even more spectacular level.

This year’s holiday display at Bellagio is aptly titled “Holiday Time,” and despite its relatively small size, it requires some time to explore, especially if you’re planning on taking selfies or recording videos.

Highlights of “Holiday Time” horticulture inside Bellagio include:

• A 42-foot fir tree adorned with 8,700 ornaments and illuminated by 7,000 LED lights.
• 25: Fresh-cut silvertip fir trees that are 25 feet tall.
• 13,250 White carnations, 7,500 Poinsettias, and 2,000 Senecio “Angel’s Wings” plants.
• 24: Giant snowflakes
• 8: Arctic animals

The beautiful display just about 100 steps away from the gaming floor is so stunning that words and pictures simply can’t do it justice.

Enjoy the Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan

The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan, located where the Boulevard Pool sits, offers stunning views of the Vegas Strip from its rooftop location. This seasonal event features ice skating and other activities.

In addition, the rooftop skating rink, which spans 4,200 square feet, is constructed from natural ice. Patrons have the option to pay for a skating session or simply step outside to enjoy the fresh air and festive ambiance.

Even if you don’t skate, you can still enjoy seasonal snacks and cocktails with everyone or at a private firepit. The Cosmopolitan provides all the ingredients for toasting s’mores at their private booths equipped with firepits, which also serve to keep guests warm.

This unparalleled rooftop experience in Las Vegas offers a skating experience that is unrivaled anywhere else. The breathtaking outdoor view of the Vegas Strip from the rooftop is almost impossible to exaggerate.

Merry Crimson at Red Rock Casino

Red Rock Casino has transformed its nightclub into a pop-up bar and lounge, now affectionately known as “Tinsel Town” for the holiday season. This indoor and outdoor poolside lounge is a festive spot to enjoy.

Holiday drinks and photo-worthy decorations can be enjoyed by guests in Tinsel Town. The pool deck also offers igloos where visitors can relish holiday cocktails outdoors.

Red Rock offers over ten distinct cocktails for Tinsel Town, such as “Milk & Cookies for Santa” and “Don’t Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle.”

Furthermore, this experience provides an excellent backdrop for photos and a wonderful spot for drinks. Anyone looking to elevate their holiday experience around Red Rock Casino can simply cross the street to visit Enchant Christmas.

“This Is Christmas” at The Venetian

” This Is Christmas” is an animated holiday extravaganza featuring Santa, Scrooge, and other iconic Christmas figures, making it an all-ages suitable festive show.

Additionally, the show incorporates new holiday tunes along with classic songs. The cast of “This Is Christmas” features several “American Idol” alumni, including:

• Diana DeGarmo
• Lou Gazzara
• Jasmine Trias
• Ben Stone
• Ace Young
• Laura Suzanne Wright.

The cast is also equally enhanced with the award-winning dance duo Alejandro Domingo and Sarah Le Clear, Broadway star Randal Keith, and Las Vegas headliner Jaclyn McSpadden.

“The show “This Is Christmas” has a limited number of performances taking place on December 9-12 and again on December 16, 19, 22, 25, and 26.

Some may find it surprising that this is the only significant holiday production show on the Vegas Strip this holiday season.

Winter Wonderland display and Holiday Laser Light Show at Sam’s Town

Sam’s Town is slightly out of the way for most Las Vegas visitors. This holiday event caters to those seeking a unique experience.

Situated roughly 20 minutes to the east of the Vegas Strip on Boulder Highway, Sam’s Town is a renowned local casino. It is particularly famous for its 25,000-square-foot indoor park that is situated adjacent to the gaming floor.

Primarily, Mystic Falls Park transforms into a holiday paradise, offering guests a unique experience. The park’s festive embellishments feature an 18-foot Christmas tree decorated with 5,300 twinkling lights. As guests stroll through the park, they will be greeted by snow-covered landscapes and animatronic characters adorned with Santa hats.

The holiday laser light show at Mystic Falls Park, which lasts for nine minutes, is a highlight of the walk. This laser show, presented every hour, showcases a range of traditional holiday songs such as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “Let It, Snow.” This is particularly fitting for Las Vegas, a city where everyone has dreams.