Thinking of getting away this Christmas? Las Vegas is the perfect place to visit at Christmas time. The weather is sunny and mild, the entertainment options are world-class, and the food is out of this world. Itâs the perfect excuse to skip the traditional festivities and let loose in true Vegas style. We put together this complete guide to celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas, with our favorite recommendations for holiday dining, sightseeing and activities. Youâll be sure to have a very merry Christmas in Vegas.
Whatâs Christmas Like in Las Vegas?
People flock from all over the country to visit Vegas at Christmas time. While the rest of the country is buried in snow, December weather in Las Vegas stays at an average of 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day â light jacket weather. Youâll see locals dressed up like theyâre afraid of freezing to death, but to visitors it feels heavenly warm. At night it can drop to about 27 degrees, which is still nothing compared to the sub-zero temperatures on the East Coast.
With Christmas Day falling on a Saturday this year, youâll want to plan out and book your trip as soon as possible. If you wait too late, hotel rates will skyrocket and many resorts will sell out completely. Another important factor is making dining reservations â you need to get these arranged well ahead of time. Not making dinner reservations in Vegas can often result in wandering the Strip, fruitlessly looking for somewhere to eat.
Las Vegas goes all-in for Christmas, so youâll get to see the Las Vegas Strip all lit up with Christmas lights and decorations. Many attractions and restaurants are still open on Christmas Day, so the Strip is a bustling, vibrant place to get into the holiday spirit.
Where To Eat on Christmas Day in Las Vegas
Whether your tastebuds are in the mood for a holiday buffet, fine dining cuisine or something in between, there are some excellent options for Christmas dinner in Las Vegas. Here are 5 of our favorite restaurants that are open on Christmas Day in Las Vegas.
STK
Inside The Cosmopolitan, this steakhouse has an ultra-chic, flirty vibe that makes it stand out from other steak and seafood restaurants. The atmosphere at STK is vibrant and hip, with a popping bar and even a DJ. Their fresh take on classic steakhouse cuisine is decidedly different, with playful presentations and delicious flavor combinations. STK is one of our top 10 restaurants in Las Vegas.
STK will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Their Christmas menu in the past has included roasted prime rib with truffle Madeira sauce; and a childrenâs menu with a 4-ounce beef fillet, mac and cheese and sautéed broccoli.
Restaurant Guy Savoy
This French restaurant at Caesars Palace is an unforgettable fine dining experience. It emulates renowned chef Guy Savoyâs restaurant in Paris, France â and it even has a view of Las Vegasâ own Eiffel Tower. The amazingly attentive staff and creative, beautifully-presented dishes make it obvious why Restaurant Guy Savoy has received the Forbes Five-Star Award for many consecutive years.
Restaurant Guy Savoy will be open for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Their Christmas pre-fixe menu in the past has included crab salad and osetra caviar; octopus in cold steam; their famous artichoke and black truffle soup; as well as A5 Kagoshima Japanese wagyu beef.
Top of the World
Top of the World sits at the very top of the Stratosphere, and this iconic location gives them a head start in making your dining experience incredible. Their dining room rotates 360 degrees every 80 minutes, giving you spectacular views of Las Vegas from high above. Their fine dining menu offers award-winning steak and seafood dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Top of the World will be open on both December 24th and 25th. Their previous Christmas menus have included ratatouille tartlet; confit of duck leg with gigante bean cassoulet; short ribs with baby root vegetables and potato puree; and a dessert of eggnog custard tart.
Bacchanal Buffet
The newly renovated Bacchanal Buffet at Caesarâs Palace is one of our top 10 Las Vegas buffets, and for good reason. This extravagant buffet features 9 stations serving up top-notch dishes from around the globe, prepared right in front of you in open kitchens. There is much to choose from, itâs impossible to try everything in one visit.
Bacchanal Buffet will be open on Christmas Day. Make your reservations early to be sure you wonât miss out. Previous Christmas offerings have included grilled quail with dried cherry and mustard vinaigrette; osso bucco; leg of lamb; and cassoulet of duck confit.
Michael Mina
This 5 star, award winning seafood restaurant at Bellagio brings you the finest globally-inspired seafood dishes, expertly curated and flown in daily on a private plane. Internationally-acclaimed Chef Michael Mina personally created the menu which includes fresh raw bar shellfish. With 5 star service, tableside preparation and expert wine pairings, this is a dining experience to remember.
Michael Mina will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Their past Christmas menus have included dishes like lobster pie; alba white truffle risotto; wagyu beef filet mignon with crispy Idaho potato, creamed spinach and truffle jus; and bourbon-glazed Cobia ham with heirloom sweet potatoes, smoked pecans and cranberry chutney.
Things To Do At Christmas Time in Las Vegas
Stuck for ideas of Christmas activities in Vegas? Here are our 5 favorite Las Vegas Christmas activities that will get you into the holiday spirit.
Enchant Christmas Village
This is a Christmas adventure not to be missed. From November 26th to January 2nd, Las Vegas Ballpark is transformed into a gigantic glittering light maze. The kid in you will come out to play as you take part in the magical Christmas story. Your job is to help 9 of Santaâs reindeer out of the mystical Enchant forest.
If that doesnât sound cool enough, there is a meandering ice skating trail you can glide through, surrounded by Christmas lights. Wander through the holiday village and youâll find gourmet treats, artisan vendors, and a whole lot of vibrant Christmas energy. Oh, and Santa will be there to take photos with!
Glittering Lights
Want to stay warm while taking in some beautiful Christmas lights? Glittering Lights is a drive-through light show that takes place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Youâll be filled with wonder as you drive your car through a 2.5 mile course surrounded by millions of twinkling lights.
Glittering Lights is the largest holiday drive-through in Nevada, and a yearly tradition in Vegas. This is the perfect outing to go on with your family, or for a romantic date night. CNN Travel calls it one of the âBest Places To See Christmas Lights in the USâ, so donât miss this wonderful experience. Glittering Lights happens from November 11th to January 3rd.
The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan
The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan is your opportunity to ice skate on the Las Vegas Strip. Every year from November 16th to January 2nd, the Cosmoâs Boulevard Pool turns into a 4,200 square foot rink of real ice. Youâll have a sweeping view of the Strip from high above while you glide around this magical environment.
Every 30 minutes during select times youâll get to experience light snow showers. There are fire pits where you can roast sâmores, and a delicious menu of holiday food and beverages. Every Monday and Tuesday night from November 22nd to December 28th they hold âDate Skateâ, a romantic evening watching a movie under the stars.
Ethel Mâs Holiday Cactus Garden
Perhaps one of the most Vegas Christmas experiences you could have is wandering through a cactus garden filled with half a million twinkling holiday lights. From November 5th to January 2nd, Ethel M Chocolate Factory holds their Holiday Cactus Garden experience. This will be the 28th year in a row that this Vegas tradition has happened.
Santa is going to be there taking photos through December 23rd. And yes, Ethel M is a real chocolate factory, so youâll be able to sip on a hot cup of some of the best hot chocolate youâve ever tasted. Thereâs even a Holiday Chocolate tasting experience to enjoy. Itâs a good idea to make reservations ahead of time, because this is one of the most popular Christmas activities in Vegas.
Merry Crimson at Red Rock Resort
This delightful holiday experience is for the adults. From November 26th to January 3rd, Red Rock Casino Resortâs marvelous pool area is transformed into âTinsel Townâ – a winter wonderland where adults can jingle and mingle. Featuring a gingerbread house, igloos by the pool, a champagne vending machine, and fire pits where you can roast sâmores, Merry Crimson goes all out.
A live DJ will spin a mixture of top 40 hits and holiday favorites while you sip on one of their creative holiday cocktails. With names like âI Think Santa Might Be a Stalkerâ and âNice Until Proven Naughtyâ, you know these drinks will be good. This is a Vegas Christmas experience where you can take some awesome Insta shots, dance with your friends, and get served drinks by Christmas elves.
Las Vegas Christmas Shows You Canât Miss
When weâre talking about Christmas activities in Vegas, we canât keep from mentioning the awesome shows happening during the holiday season. The talented Terry Fator puts on an awesome Christmas special from November 26th to January 1st, called âA Very Terry Christmasâ. Youâll love his celebrity impersonations, delightful puppet cast and holiday songs.
As if the medieval Vegas stage production Tournament of Kings couldnât get any more fun, from November 24th to December 27th it becomes âTwas the Knightâ, their holiday special show. Feast and be merry as you cheer on your teamâs knight in heroic jousting battles. We donât want to give away too much, but there will be snow, holiday-inspired music, and a festive holiday menu.
Las Vegas Christmas Shopping
Need to get some last-minute Christmas shopping done on the night before Christmas? Some of our favorite Las Vegas shopping destinations will be open on Christmas Eve, including the Forum Shops at Caesarâs Palace and the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. With elaborate holiday window displays and more than 1000 shops to choose from, youâll be sure to find everything on your Christmas wishlist.