10 Things to Do in Las Vegas in Winter

Thinking of traveling to Las Vegas in winter? I can assure you that you will not regret it. The city at this time of the year dresses up and presents a lot of activities.

Nicolas Reffray

Nicolas Reffray

8 min read

10 Things to Do in Las Vegas in Winter

Christmas tree in Las Vegas | ©Thomas Dwyer

Despite the low temperatures, every year Las Vegas receives hundreds of thousands of tourists who come to its hotels in search of fun. And this is a special city for that, since you will not find another place in the world with so many shows, games, shows, gastronomy and museums.

In winter the city lights up even more than usual, since it begins to prepare for the arrival of Christmas. All the hotels compete for who has the best decorations, some even go so far as to build miniature snowy villages! If you want to know what to see and do in Las Vegas this guide is definitely for you.

1. Enjoy some of the shows

Cirque du Soleil Love| ©Johane Deslandes
Cirque du Soleil Love| ©Johane Deslandes

Las Vegas is the city with the most shows you can imagine, from the winter classics like The Nutcracker or the city's Philharmonic concerts, to the most modern and spectacular Cirque du Soleil shows.

If you are interested in this type of show, you can check which ones are currently available. In general, this Canadian company has several shows running simultaneously, so you will have no trouble finding your tickets for the best Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas.

Although if what you want is to enjoy a musical show, let me tell you that this is the ideal city for it. There are many international stars that include a show in Las Vegas in their tours, such as Lady Gaga or Celine Dion. So do not hesitate to book a concert in Las Vegas, but do it with time.

Book the best shows in Las Vegas

2. Enjoy the snow in the Grand Canyon of Colorado

Skiing in the Grand Canyon| ©Coconino National
Skiing in the Grand Canyon| ©Coconino National

Excursions from Las Vegas to different nearby places are very common with the excuse to change the air and take a break from so much neon light. Among them, booking a getaway to the Grand Canyon is one of the most requested activities.

Located some 445 kilometers from Sin City, this incredible place was declared a World Heritage Site and is one of the 7 wonders of the world.

In winter, the northern region is covered with snow, making it ideal for skiing and other recreational activities. This is an activity that can only be done at this time of the year, so you cannot miss this unbeatable opportunity.

Book your Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas

3. Go to the Christmas theme park and The Linq Promenade

Winter PARQ| ©kobby_dagan
Winter PARQ| ©kobby_dagan

Between the MGM and New York New York hotels, in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, we find a small park that every year dresses up to welcome Christmas with a tree about 20 meters high, decorated with more than 13 thousand lights and 3 thousand ornaments.

In addition, after going through a tunnel full of lights, you can enjoy a few drinks at The Linq Promenade, located just meters from there. It is a place to enjoy outdoor shows and concerts

To crown the evening, nothing better than booking a ticket to High Roller, one of the most popular attractions of The Linq. This immense Ferris wheel will allow you to see the city of Las Vegas from the air, with its millions of twinkling Christmas lights. Don't worry about the cold, the High Roller capsules are closed.

Reserve your ticket for the High Roller

4. Spend the afternoon at an exclusive spa

Bellagio Spa| ©D K
Bellagio Spa| ©D K

Don't let the cold weather stop you from enjoying the city. Las Vegas is also a great place to spend an afternoon in one of its incredible spas. Find out which are the best spas in Las Vegas, and don't hesitate, you deserve this break.

Like almost everything in this amazing city, to book an afternoon at a luxury spa in Las Vegas and enjoy it, you don't need to leave the hotel. Some of the best hotels with spa service are:

  • The Venetian, with its Canyon Ranch Spa Club, a true paradise of hedonistic self-worship.
  • The Caesar's Palace, with its Bath's & Spa, a place full of luxury with a Roman bath, worthy of the emperor.
  • The Bellagio, with its Bellagio Spa, one of the best places to enjoy alone or as a couple.
  • The Vdara, and its Spa Espa, with a modern and warm style at the same time, can also be enjoyed by two.

Book a couple's massage in Las Vegas

5. Take refuge in the Madame Tussauds wax museum

Madame Tussauds Museum exterior| ©maria1bjt
Madame Tussauds Museum exterior| ©maria1bjt

Cold temperatures invite you to enjoy indoor spaces, and Las Vegas has plenty of indoor and heated options. But if you want to live a unique experience, you must book tickets for the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Upon entering you will be amazed with the level of detail of the statues, and is that they really just need to talk. Here you can take a picture with stars like Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, Miley Cyrus or Tupac. In addition, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas has two special things:

  • Marvel Universe 4D Movie, a show with truly amazing effects that will make you jump out of your seat more than once.
  • The Hangover experience bar, the "Hangover in Vegas" themed bar where you can relive the movie The Hangover over a beer or a cocktail.

Book tickets to Madame Tussauds

6. Tour the Botanical Garden at the Bellagio Hotel

Bellagio Conservatory and Gardens| ©Ramon Prieto
Bellagio Conservatory and Gardens| ©Ramon Prieto

The Grand Bellagio Hotel is one of the most important and impressive hotels in Las Vegas. World famous for the daily show offered by its fountains and for having been the scene of the movie The Great Swindle, the Bellagio is full of surprises.

Inside, in addition to its casinos, incredible decorations that include works of art and a myriad of other activities, you can find the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden. This is a colorful space that changes according to the season in which you decide to visit it.

In winter, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is a spectacle in itself. With its large Christmas tree and decorations that include polar bears, igloos, penguins, millions of Christmas lights and tons of flowers, it is impossible to miss. In addition, a miniature train runs through the place, a true visual marvel.

7. Enjoy The Chalet and skate on The Ice Rink

Ice skating at the Cosmopolitan| ©Scuba
Ice skating at the Cosmopolitan| ©Scuba

The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino presents The Chalet experience. With the spirit of a warm and luxurious cabin in the middle of the snow, The Chalet is the ideal retreat to enjoy the winter in Las Vegas, where you can warm up with a bowl of hot chocolate while eating some delicious S'mores.

And if cold and fun are synonymous for you, let me tell you that every winter, the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino 's Boulevard Pool transforms into a charming ice skating rink where you can enjoy a beautiful moment skating alone, with friends or with your family.

8. Visit the Ethel M's chocolate factory

Ethel M's Chocolate Factory| ©AriannaVatun
Ethel M's Chocolate Factory| ©AriannaVatun

The famous Ethel M's Chocolate Factory opens its doors to the public during the winter months. In this charming place you can not only taste delicious chocolates, but also walk through its cactus garden of more than 12 thousand square meters, decorated with thousands of Christmas lights.

Ethel M's chocolates have always been truly sublime, so you can't miss this visit to its charming factory. For those who don't know, Ethel M's is the brand responsible for the famous Mars and colorful M & M 's chocolates.

In addition to the beautiful garden with its cactus and factory tour, you can take a short chocolate tasting and sampling course taught by some of the best chocolate specialists on the West Coast of the United States.

9. Visit the Winter Wonderland

Wynn Hotel in winter| ©gary sielaff
Wynn Hotel in winter| ©gary sielaff

This is one of the must-see Las Vegas tours during the winter months. Each year the Wynn Hotel puts special dedication into creating a truly magical universe.

Inspired by some of the most famous stories in children's literature, such as Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels or Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, a team of professionals build a small winter village, full of truly enchanting details.

The Wynn's Winter Wonderland is open to the public and you do not need to be staying at the hotel to visit. Admission is free.

10. Enjoy the Las Vegas Baseball Field

Las Vegas Baseball Field| ©MiguelRomero
Las Vegas Baseball Field| ©MiguelRomero

Every year at this time, the city' s traditional baseball diamond is enchanted. From the end of November until the first days of January, everything is dressed up to welcome Christmas with activities such as ice skating, games and a traditional Christmas market.

It is an ideal place if you are looking for what to do with kids in Las Vegas, since during the whole month of December they will be able to see Santa Claus, who comes to Las Vegas Ball Park straight from the North Pole to visit all the friends who are passing through Las Vegas.

Tips for your trip to Las Vegas in winter

Christmas in Las Vegas| ©gary sielaff
Christmas in Las Vegas| ©gary sielaff

Here are some tips to help you organize your trip to Las Vegas in winter. From the weather and what to pack in your suitcase to the best options for shopping.

What should I pack to visit Las Vegas in winter?

  • You should include some warm jackets and a few sweaters.
  • Some light coats that you can leave on if you are indoors.

What are the temperatures in Las Vegas during the winter months?

The average temperatures in the city of Las Vegas during the winter are around 15 degrees Celsius.

Of course, if you go on an excursion to an open space, such as the Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon Nature Park, you will need to bring a warmer jacket, as without the shelter of the city with its lights and adrenaline, temperatures may be quite a bit lower.

Is it worth it to go shopping in a city like Las Vegas?

The answer is a resounding yes. Of course, if you're hoping to find bargains near the Strip, you can sit tight.

The city of Las Vegas has a few Outlet Malls, the main ones are the ones in the north and the ones in the south.

The ones that offer the best prices are the Las Vegas South Premium Outlets, besides having free parking.

Tourist influx in Las Vegas in winter

Las Vegas is one of those cities that are always full of visitors, basically because it is a place that lives precisely from tourism.

However, during special dates, such as Christmas, New Year's Day or Valentine's Day, the influx of tourists is usually higher.

If, in addition, some of these dates coincide with a sporting event or a highly anticipated concert, it may seem that the city explodes with people, and you have to wait in line at attractions or restaurants.