Christmas in Las Vegas with kids.
Christmas in Las Vegas with kids is better than you might think. Just skip the nightlife. The big family picks are the free holiday display at the Bellagio, the cactus garden lights at Ethel M, and Magical Forest. Enchant adds a big light maze and a holiday village at the ballpark.
Henderson, next door, runs lots of free and low-cost family events. There's a tree lighting with a drone show and a lighted parade. Desert nights get chilly, so pack jackets.
Before you go
- The Bellagio Conservatory display is free and indoors. Plan about half an hour, then catch a fountain show out front after dark.
- Ethel M's cactus garden lights cost just a few dollars, and Santa visits on many nights.
- Many of Henderson's city events are free or cost very little.
- Desert nights get cold in December. Bring jackets.
- More events post their 2026 dates in November. Check back for updates.
Family Christmas events in Las Vegas
14 events
- Christmas lightsFree Good for toddlers
Bellagio Conservatory Holiday Display
- Dates
- Nov 14 - Jan 2 · Daily, Nov 14-Jan 2. The garden closes Nov 8-13 and Jan 3-8 while the displays change.
- Where
- Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, next to the hotel lobby, Center Strip
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Bellagio's glass-roofed garden gets a full holiday makeover each winter. It's free, indoors and easy to fit between other Strip stops.
Parent tip: Plan about half an hour. Step outside after dark to catch a fountain show on the lake out front.
- Christmas lightsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden
- Dates
- Nov 5 - Jan 3 · Nightly 5-10pm. Dec 24, Dec 31 and Jan 1 close at 8pm. Closed Dec 25. Santa nightly through Dec 23.
- Where
- Ethel M Chocolates factory and cactus garden, Henderson
- Price
- $3 per person, cash or card. Under 2 and 65+ free. Part of the fee goes to local food charities.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No reservations for the garden. Pay at the entrance.
The cactus garden behind the chocolate factory is wrapped in lights for the season. Santa is there for photos most nights until Dec 23.
Parent tip: Santa's line closes at 9pm. Park in the Ethel M lots or the Smith's lot across the street, since nearby business lots tow.
- Christmas lightsHoliday festivalsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Jan 1 · Nov 27-29, Dec 3-24 and Dec 26-Jan 1. Sun-Thu 5:30-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-9:30pm. Closed Nov 30-Dec 2 and Dec 25.
- Where
- Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., West of the Strip
- Price
- 2026 ticket prices not posted yet. Kids 3 and under free. Midway games $5 each.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · See the official site. Ticket sales open in fall 2026.
A holiday park run by a local nonprofit that supports people with disabilities. Kids ride a small train, a carousel and a sack slide among lit trees.
Parent tip: Kids under 42 inches need an adult on the train, carousel and whirlpool. Diaper bags are fine, but backpacks are not allowed.
- Christmas lightsIce skatingSanta visits Good for toddlers
Enchant Las Vegas
- Dates
- Nov 20 - Dec 27 · Nov 20-Dec 27. Check the official site for nightly hours.
- Where
- Las Vegas Ballpark, Summerlin
- Price
- From $27. Prices change by date, entry time and demand. Skating costs extra.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy timed tickets online
A large holiday light maze and village set up at the minor-league ballpark. A visit with Santa for photos comes with general admission.
Parent tip: Kids under 5 must skate with an adult. Plan a couple of hours, and expect a wait for skates on busy nights.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Nevada Ballet Theatre: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
- Dates
- Dec 12-27 · Dec 12-27. Most days have a 2pm matinee. Evening shows at 7:30pm. Live orchestra Dec 12-13 only.
- Where
- The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown (Symphony Park)
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Kids who can sit through a two-hour ballet · Buy ahead online
Las Vegas's ballet company dances Balanchine's version of the holiday classic. It runs about 1 hour 50 minutes, with a 20-minute break.
Parent tip: Pick a 2pm show for younger kids. Choose Dec 12 or 13 if you want the live Las Vegas Philharmonic.
- Ice skating
Oasis Ice Rink at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
- Dates
- Nov 19 - Jan 4 · Nov 19-Jan 4. Weekdays mostly 5-11pm, weekends from 2pm. Longer hours on holiday weeks.
- Where
- Fontainebleau Las Vegas, third-floor pool deck, North Strip
- Price
- Free to visit the rink deck. Skating from $30 plus taxes and fees.
- Ages and booking
- Kids who can skate. See the official site for age rules. · Reserve skate rentals online
The resort turns its rooftop pool deck into a real-ice rink for the holidays. You'll also find fire pits, photo spots and holiday movies.
Parent tip: Go in the afternoon or early evening. Late sessions run past midnight and draw an adult crowd.
- Parades and tree lightingsHoliday festivalsFree Good for toddlers
Henderson WinterFest Tree Lighting and Drone Show
- Dates
- Dec 3 · Thu Dec 3, 5-7:30pm
- Where
- Water Street Plaza, Downtown Henderson
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No tickets. Arrive early to park.
Henderson lights its city tree with live music, food vendors and a drone show in the sky. It starts the city's month of holiday events.
Parent tip: Free parking is in the Water Street garage at 235 S. Water St. and the City Hall garage. There's no shuttle.
- Parades and tree lightingsFree Good for toddlers
Henderson Electric Light Parade
- Dates
- Dec 4 · Fri Dec 4, 6:30-8:30pm
- Where
- Water Street, between Basic Road and Victory Road, Downtown Henderson
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No tickets. Arrive early for a curb spot.
Lit-up floats, marching bands and cheer teams roll down Water Street after dark. The parade lasts about 90 minutes.
Parent tip: The city suggests taking a photo of your child when you arrive, in case you get separated. Pets, umbrellas and scooters aren't allowed.
- Holiday festivals Good for toddlers
Las Vegas Great Santa Run
- Dates
- Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5. Check-in from 12:30pm, races start at 2:30pm.
- Where
- Magical Forest at Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., West of the Strip
- Price
- $42.50-57.50, rising closer to race day. Kids 3 and under free. Pets $10.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Register online ahead
A charity 5K or 1-mile walk where everyone dresses as Santa. Sign-up includes a five-piece Santa suit while supplies last.
Parent tip: The course is stroller-friendly, so the 1-mile walk works well with little kids.
- Shows and Nutcracker
A Very Vegas Christmas (Las Vegas Philharmonic)
- Dates
- Dec 5-6 · Sat Dec 5 at 7:30pm and Sun Dec 6 at 2pm
- Where
- Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Downtown (Symphony Park)
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- See the official site for age guidance · Buy ahead online or call 702-749-2000
The city orchestra's holiday pops concert, with singers, a youth choir and a Nutcracker dance by Nevada Ballet Theatre artists.
Parent tip: The Sunday 2pm show is the easier pick for kids.
- Holiday festivals Good for toddlers
The Great Migratory Elf Hunt
- Dates
- Nov 28 - Dec 23 · Daily, Nov 28-Dec 23, 7am-1:30pm
- Where
- Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, 350 E. Galleria Dr.
- Price
- Registration required. See the official site for cost.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Register ahead online
A self-paced scavenger hunt at a city bird preserve. Kids get a map and stickers, then look for elves hidden along the trails.
Parent tip: Go in the morning. It's cooler, and the hunt ends at 1:30pm.
- Santa visits Good for toddlers
Pictures with Santa at Black Mountain Recreation Center
- Dates
- Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5, 9-11am
- Where
- Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Rd., Henderson
- Price
- Registration required. See the official site for cost.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Register ahead online
A short Saturday-morning Santa visit at a city rec center. Each family gets a digital photo by email, and you can bring your own camera too.
Parent tip: A morning slot is easy to fit around naps.
- Holiday festivals Good for toddlers
Reindeer Dash 5K and 1-Mile Walk
- Dates
- Dec 12 · Sat Dec 12, 10am-noon
- Where
- Cornerstone Park, 1600 Wigwam Pkwy., Henderson
- Price
- 5K $35-45, 1-mile walk $30-40, rising closer to race day
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Register online ahead
A holiday fun run from Cornerstone Park onto the Pittman Wash Trail. Costumes and ugly sweaters are encouraged, and the first 300 get a medal and shirt.
Parent tip: Pick up race packets on Dec 10 or 11 to skip the race-morning line.
- Holiday festivals Good for toddlers
Cosmic Swim Winter Wonderland
- Dates
- Dec 18 · Fri Dec 18, 7-9pm
- Where
- Henderson Multigenerational Indoor Pool, 250 S. Green Valley Pkwy.
- Price
- Registration required. See the official site for cost.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Register ahead online
A glow-in-the-dark holiday swim night at an indoor city pool, with music, lights and glow gear.
Parent tip: Many resort pools close or cut back in December. This is a warm way to swim.
Dates and prices were checked on each event's official site. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
On a budget? See every free Christmas event in Las Vegas, including parades and tree lightings.
Planning a Santa visit? See where to find Santa in Las Vegas, plus free Santa photos, breakfasts with Santa and tips for skipping the line.
Going to the ballet? Compare every Nutcracker in Las Vegas, with run times, age tips and sensory-friendly shows.
Planning the whole trip? See our full guide to Las Vegas with kids.
Questions parents ask
What is there to do in Las Vegas for Christmas with kids?
See the holiday display at the Bellagio Conservatory, walk the cactus garden lights at Ethel M, and visit Magical Forest. Enchant has a big light maze, a holiday village, and Santa photos.
In Henderson, catch the tree lighting with a drone show or the Electric Light Parade.
Is the Bellagio Christmas display free?
Yes. The Bellagio Conservatory's holiday display is free to visit. In 2026 it runs from November 14 to January 2.
What are the free Christmas events in Las Vegas?
The Bellagio Conservatory display, the Henderson WinterFest tree lighting, and the Henderson Electric Light Parade are free.
Tap "Free" above to see them together.
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