When you live in the desert, getting in the holiday spirit can prove difficult, especially with the six days of rain pouring down on the valley. But slip down to the Strip and you can find a winter wonderland created just in time for the holidays. Here are five ways to get in the holiday spirit.
The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio
The holidays always bring out the best at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio. Walking through the gardens, you first encounter a 42-foot Shasta fir decked out in more than 7,000 twinkling lights and decorated with more than 1,800 red, gold and silver holiday ornaments. Four 15-foot tall toy soldiers stand guard around the tree, while a 7-foot-tall, custom-sculpted rocking horse awaits a rider and a five-car toy train rotates around the base of the tree.
Above, look for eight reindeer made from 110 pounds of whole pecans donned in mid-flight guiding a red sleigh through the night. To the north, a family of 28 adult and baby penguins come to life, waddling on a patch of arctic terrain. To the south, three light-draped Manzanita trees stand quietly over a “reflective pond” as three massive icicle stars hover angelically overhead. A polar bear family dons coats made of 16,000 white carnations. To the east, five large twinkling gold holiday ornaments, ranging in size from 4-feet to 8-feet tall, welcome guests amid dancing water and a bed of colorful seasonal flora.
This display is live through Jan. 2.
The Holiday Village at the Four Seasons
The holidays take a culinary turn at the Four Seasons, where Pastry Chef Jean-Luc Daul and his team have created the 12th annual Holiday Village in gingerbread and chocolate. Twenty real estate properties make up the village, including a life-sized, working carousel. Best of all, each piece can be purchased or sponsored with proceeds benefitting the Nevada Cancer Institute.
Winter Decor at the Palazzo
A walk through the Waterfall Atrium unveils woodland decor draping the space within the Shoppes at the Palazzo. Look for 70 hand-designed snowflakes, ranging from 36 to 60 inches, suspended midair above traditional holiday cyclamen and holly topiaries. Ice branches, holly trees and 20-foot frosted birch and pine trees surround the picturesque waterfall and crystal ice ponds. More than 600 fresh poinsettias and 34 specially designed 4-foot lit icicles atop the ground fountains round out the decor.
While you’re there, stop by Fusion Mixology Bar on the casino floor for a nip of Feliz Navinog. The eggnog-inspired cocktail contains Christian Brothers brandy and a dash of Patron XO Café topped with fresh cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Or sit at Laguna Champagne Bar at the Palazzo or Oculus and La Scena Lounge at the Venetian for a Holiday Chocolate Mint Martini made with Godiva Chocolate, Green Crème de Menthe and Stoli Vanilla Vodka.
Here Comes Santa
It doesn’t typically snow in Las Vegas — unless you’re at Fashion Show mall for the annual holiday production of “Believe in the Magic” in the Great Hall near Nordstrom. Every other hour from noon to 4 p.m. this Friday, Santa makes his arrival in Sin City backed by dancers and artificial snow falling from the ceiling. A magical sight indeed.
Deck the Halls
The walkways of Crystals at CityCenter get decked out for the holiday season with shimmering icicles, jewel-toned ribbons, a potpourri of spectacular flowers and a dazzling galaxy of custom-designed candy twists overhead.
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