Looking for some fun ways to celebrate the holiday season around Southern Nevada? Look no further! We have rounded up some of this year’s most exciting holiday activities and events! From holiday hikes to glittering lights, grab your fam bam, besties or that hottie date and sleigh away from The Strip for some ho, ho ho hometown good time vibes.
A Parade of Lights on Water
Bundle up and motor on over to watch the 44th Annual Parade of Lights presented by Boating Lake Mead. On Saturday, December 3, boating contestants will decorate their vessels and parade along the waters at Lake Mead from Las Vegas Boat Harbor to the viewing area at Boulder Beach. Best part, the viewers get to vote for Best in Show, and the winner gets $500 bucks! Parade of Lights
Santa’s Electric Night Parade
Prefer the city streets to water, then the Santa’s Electric Night Parade is a great option for Saturday, December 3. Starting at 4:30 p.m. Boulder City lights up as the parade snakes through historic downtown. Families can make a day of it and visit Santa for pics and a FREE coloring book and goodie bag from Jingle Cat. Santa’s Electric Night Parade
Parade of Lights on Land
Mesquite sleighs with its abundance of recreation from golf to hiking and off-roading trails. The city draws many competitions with its vast sporting complexes. If you find yourself in Mesquite on Thursday, December 8, ring in the holiday season with Mesquite Parade of Lights.
Jingle Jam 2022 and Best Dam Ugly Sweater Wine Walk
Nestled 32 miles southeast of the Las Vegas strip is a charming small town getaway, and during the holidays its bustling with mom and pop shops to delight like the photo below left from Boulder City Co. Store. Plan your trip to Boulder City on December 10, and enjoy interactive holiday shopping, booths like wreath and ornament making, kids activities, and for the adults, the Best Dam Ugly Sweater Wine Walk! Not visiting during the holidays, no worries, the wine walks are scheduled through April 2023.
Holiday Hike at Candy Cane Canyon
The sleigh heads to Red Rock Canyon, approximately 25 minutes from The Strip, to celebrate the Santa-worthy scenery of Candy Cane Canyon (aka Gateway Canyon). On Sunday, December 11, join guides on a beautiful winter hike through one of Red Rock Canyon’s hidden gems, tucked at the back of Calico Basin, while learning about geology and wildlife from interpretive naturalists. This one is for the age 12+ crowd. The hike covers a 3.4 mile distance and begins with a relatively steep incline, and downhill most of the way. Free, but registration is necessary. Limited space. Call (702) 515-5367. Time of hike and meet-up location provided at registration. Hosted by Southern Nevada Conservancy.
Point the Sleigh to Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway lights up with Glittering Lights, a 2.5 mile course of dazzling holiday displays through January 8, 2023. No car, no problem. Check out transportation options from one of our trusted travel partners. Select nights offer an out of car Santa Tram experience for even more of a holiday buzz! Your choice is to hop back in your vehicle, turn up the tunes and drive-thru or hop in the tram and let them sleigh you through. Tickets
Walk through a Cactus Garden of Lights
Southern Nevada’s favorite sweet treat factory, located 20 minutes from The Strip is hosting its 29th Annual Holiday Cactus Garden Lights through January 1, 2023. Nevada’s largest botanical cactus garden will be decorated with more than one million lights and decor. Take pictures with Santa, sip on Ethel M’s famous hot chocolate, or grab a bite from the food truck to accompany your journey through the garden. Pro tip: skip the line and pre-order your favorite holiday treats.
All Aboard! Santa Express
Put on those holiday jammies and sweaters and check out this unique sleigh on tracks! Santa’s Railyard is a Christmas-themed train departing this holiday season in Boulder City. Hosted by Friends of the Nevada Southern Railway, this holiday experience includes a 40-minute train ride in a vintage, restored railcar with storytime, and a tour through Santa’s Railyard with hot chocolate and a cookie. Select dates and times. Tickets must be purchased in advance as trains have required assigned seating.
