Haute Event: The Palazzo Celebrates Chinese New Year

The Venetian and the Palazzo rang in the Year of the Dragon today with a ceremonial Dragon Dance beginning in front of the Venetian. Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman of the board for Las Vegas Sands Corp., painted the eyes of the majestic dragon, bringing it to life. The colorful spectacle paraded through the casino before arriving in The Waterfall & Atrium Gardens of the Palazzo for the 128-foot dragon’s inaugural fire breathing. Surrounded by overhead lanterns, fresh bamboo and the feng shui-inspired gardens, guests were seen feeding traditional red envelopes to the lion dancers and circling the 8,000-pound dragon three times to bring good fortune in 2012.

Spanning the entire atrium, the signature dragon attraction took more than a year to create and is the brainchild of more than 100 artisans from across the globe. Taking 10 days to install on site, the dragon and surrounding décor is designed by the ancient Chinese art of feng shui. For an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at what it took to create the massive dragon, click here.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.