The best Christmas events in Las Vegas for a festive holiday

The Cosmopolitan is once again transforming its fourth-floor Boulevard Pool into a holiday ice rink and winter escape (expect snow flurries). Guests can rent skates and glide across the ice, roast s’mores over open fire pits, enjoy seasonal cocktails or bottomless holiday-flavored mimosas, and warm up with a bowl of chili or grilled cheese with tomato soup. Dec 2–Jan 2.

Enchant Christmas has become one of the city’s most anticipated annual events. Taking place at the Las Vegas Ballpark, Enchant features a light maze, winding ice skating trail, kid zone (for those under age seven), and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. There is also a village that resembles a European Christmas market with vendors selling arts and crafts, food, drinks, cocoa and cocktails. Nov 24-Dec 31.

Rockin’ Christmas’ is a new outdoor holiday drive-thru experience that will debut at the M Resort this season. So pack some snacks, load up the car with the kids and make the slow crawl through the millions of colorful LED lights along the mile-long route. Nov 17-Dec 31.

Throw on your ugly Christmas sweater and hit up the historic Sand Dollar blues bar (where Mick Jagger once played). The Christmas-themed pop-up is known for its holiday spirit and spirited cocktails, like the Christmaspolitan and SanTaRex, served in holiday glassware. The atmosphere is over-the-top. Every inch of the place is covered in Christmas wrapping paper and decked out in ornaments. As a bonus, visit the downtown Sand Dollar’s Miracle spin-off, Sippin' Santa, a tropical-themed holiday pop-up with tiki-inspired cocktails like the Kris Kringle colada. Nov 24-Dec 31.

The sweetest event of the season can be found among the sea of lights at Ethel M’s Holiday Cactus Garden. Tour the factory, pick up some chocolatier’s candies for stocking stuffers and enjoy chocolate dipping demonstrations, sweets and cocktails in the brightly lit garden. For a unique experience take part in the Chocolate & Wine Pairing where tastings include milk chocolate bananas foster paired with a white riesling and white chocolate pumpkin pie with a tawny port. Nov 3-Dec 31.

A holiday tradition returns. Visit the land of toy soldiers, waltzing flowers and shimmering snow as Clara goes on her magical journey in The Nutcracker, performed by the Nevada Ballet Theatre at the Smith Center. Dec 8-Jan 7.

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The popular annual attraction, now in its 31st year, features trees strung with millions of lights, rides, slides, mini golf, food trucks and the Forest Express—a train ride through the light-filled forest. Proceeds benefit Opportunity Village, an organization helping local adults with intellectual disabilities. Nov 24-Dec 31.

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Each year, thousands of runners don Santa suits to take part in the 5k or 1-mile fun run through downtown Las Vegas. It’s quite the spectacle to witness in person and proceeds from the event benefit Opportunity Village. Dec 2.

Cozy up in an igloo or roast s’mores by the fire pit at this popular Henderson pop-up. Spiked hot chocolates, holiday-themed cocktails and punches warm the soul, while light bites and charcuterie boards fill the stomach. Reservations are recommended to secure an igloo. ​Various dates.

The holiday-themed version of Tournament of Kings is a bit more fun and festive, with a special menu, colorful costumes and a wizard decked in holiday garb. Excalibur’s medieval dinner show (prepare to eat with your bare hands) features teams cheering for their knight as they joust and battle in the ring. Nov 22-Dec 25.

The Bellagio Conservatory is switching up its polar bear and Swiss village display and paying tribute to The Nutcracker this holiday season. Horticulturists are recreating some of the ballet's most iconic moments, placing Clara and the Nutcracker Prince in magical floral scenes. Dec 2-Jan 7.

You won’t exactly race through this drive-thru holiday display even though it’s at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 2.5-mile course, with its five million lights and over 3,000 displays, is best gawked at traveling at low speed in your own sleigh (sorry, vehicle) or on the Santa Tram, an outdoor open-air trolley. There are also games and a mini train for the little ones, and, of course, Santa Claus will make an appearance. Nov 9-Jan 7.

The elves are up to no good once again. They’re taking over Shady Grove Lounge at the off-Strip Silverton Casino and throwing quite the cocktail party. Dozens of elves–hidden in all corners of the room–keep a watchful eye over the festivities as guests sip mistletoe margaritas, Santa’s spiked ciders and bad elf nogs while surrounded by colorful string lights, oversized ornaments, and snow-covered Christmas trees. Nov 4-Jan 1.

A Tim Burton-inspired pop-up and Christmas fiesta, isn’t a sentence I ever thought I’d write. But that’s precisely what this taco parlor and speakeasy in Chinatown transforms into for the holidays. Nightmare Before X Más at Más Por Favor transports guests to Christmas Town to meet Oogie Boogie and Jack Skellington replicas while munching on holiday-themed menu items. Eggnog, spiked hot chocolate and specialty cocktails are served in themed “Nightmare Before Christmas” mugs. Nov 22-Dec 28.

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Appropriately named the Ski Lodge, Spiegelworld’s speakeasy-style cocktail bar at the Cosmopolitan serves seasonal drinks, signature pizzas and toasted s’mores in a comfy, winter cabin-themed setting. Bundle up in your best apres-ski style, settle in and watch pop-up performances from Spiegelworld cast members.

Follow the holiday road to Fashion Show Mall. The Strip shopping center will host a number of holiday events throughout the season. There’s Road Trip: North Pole (an interactive photo experience), an evening with Fashion Santa (Dec 2) and photo ops with “classic” Santa (Nov 24 to Dec 24). Nov 21-Dec 27.