Where to Celebrate the Holiday Season in Las Vegas

Here are the best happenings in Las Vegas this holiday season. 

Photo Credit: MGM Resorts

‘Tis the season at The Chandelier at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: The Chandelier bar has transformed into a dazzling winter escape with the debut of ‘Tis the Season, an enchanting holiday pop-up, open now through through December 31. In addition to being open nightly, three specially programmed evenings will be offered on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays.

On Mondays from 6 – 10 p.m., The Chandelier will spotlight some of the city’s top mixologists in a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Las Vegas Arts District cocktail bars. The series lineup includes:

Doberman Drawing Room: December 1
The Dustland Bar: December 8
Petite Boheme: December 15
Craft Creamery Speakeasy: December 22
Nocturno Cocktail Bar: December 29

On Fridays from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m., guests can enjoy a lively DJ and order from the exclusive holiday menu, and on Saturdays from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m, the weekend continues with live music, performers and a complimentary calligrapher available to sketch guests wearing their holiday best or engrave names on custom gift tags.

Photo Credit: Nocturno

Nocturno Cocktail Bar (one of the highlighted venues above) is celebrating with a menu of seasonal cocktails. Bar director Lu Lopez and the team have reimagined a lineup of holiday favorites, think an Apple Swizzle with tequila and a Banana Nog that adds depth to a classic. The bar itself is also fully dressed for the season, with a gift-wrapped wall and garlands draped across the back bar for a warm, celebratory vibe.

The drinks include:
· Banana Nog – Jamaican Overpoof Rum, Amontillado Sherry, banana, chai, cream, egg, nutmeg
· Apple Swizzle – Tequila, Amaro Meletti, fresh apple juice, lemon, orgeat, nutmeg
· Hot Negroni – Gin, Campari, spiced vermouth blend, lemon, served hot
· Hot Penicillin – Blended Scotch, lemon, ginger, honey, served hot
· Coquito – Puerto Rican Rum, evaporated milk, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove

Photo Credit: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. Now through Jan 4, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is inviting guests to step into a winter wonderland for a festive Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at the hotel’s newly renovated Peacock Alley. Served against one of the best views in town, 23-floors above The Strip, the specially themed Nutcracker Tea will reimagine the hotel’s classic afternoon tea through a cheerful lens and feature a festive menu (see below), including exclusive cocktails and teas, seasonally inspired pastries and scones that embody the flavors and warmth of the holiday season, festive holiday décor, photo opportunities, and more. The menu includes the following items:

SWEET
Santa Choux | Cookies & Cream, Rum Chantilly
Ornament Dome | Cranberry, Orange, Vanilla
Waldorf Present Cake | Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut, Espresso
Rudolf Tart | Spiced Carrot Cake, Fig Custard, Maple Chantilly, Cookie Butter Tuille

SAVORY
Cucumber Trees | Cucumber, Hummus, Tomato Powder
Ham & Swiss + Honey Dijon | French Ham, Milk Bread
Turkey & Cranberry | Smoked Turkey, Cranberry Aioli, Stuffing
Chestnut Gougere | Candied Walnuts, Chestnut Mousse

COCKTAILS
Snow Globe Spritz | Sparkling wine, Rosemary, Cranberry Ice
Pecan Espresso Martini | Pecan infused Vodka, Rumchata, Pecan Bitters
Fig Jam Bee’s Knees | Fig Jam, Gin, Lemon Juice

Photo Credit: Honey Salt

The holidays at Honey Salt. The holiday season has officially arrived, and Las Vegas is leaning all the way into the festive spirit. If you’re looking to add a little seasonal sparkle to your upcoming coverage, Honey Salt has quietly become one of the most charming places to do just that. The beloved Summerlin neighborhood favorite is celebrating the holidays with a thoughtful lineup of limited-time offerings that feel both nostalgic and elevated. For Hanukkah (Dec. 14–17), Honey Salt honors cherished Jewish family traditions through its farm-to-table lens, serving dishes like pillowy challah, comforting matzo ball soup, crisp potato latkes, and beautifully slow-roasted brisket—classic flavors, done the Honey Salt way.

For Christmas, Honey Salt is making things delightfully easy. A fully prepared, to-go Christmas feast is available for pick-up on Dec. 24, designed to serve four. Guests can choose between slow-braised beef short rib or honey-bourbon ham, paired with all the seasonal classics and finished with a decadent Christmas Yule Log for dessert. (Pre-orders are available now.) Throughout the season, the bar is also getting into the holiday mood with a lineup of festive cocktails—think cozy, indulgent, and unapologetically celebratory. It’s festive without being fussy—and exactly the kind of holiday moment Honey Salt does best. Highlights include everything from mulled wine to a modern take on eggnog, with something to suit every winter craving:

Peppermint Cocoa Delight ($15): Vanilla Sobieski Vodka, Chocolate Baileys, Crème de Cacao, Peppermint Schnapps

Summerlin Sleigh ($15): Gordon’s Gin, Cointreau, Luxardo Dom Benedictine, Pineapple Juice, Aquafaba

Bourbon Noël ($15): Blade and Bow Bourbon, Amaretto, Egg Nog, Mole Bitters

Kim’s Mulled Wine ($16): Merlot, Brandy Honey Syrup, Orange, Cloves, Allspice, Star Anise, Cardamom, Cinnamon

Holiday Spritz ($16): Madre Prosecco, Unsweetened Cranberry Juice, Ginger Rosemary Syrup, Soda Water

Gingerbread Man ($22): Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Tuaca, Almond Orgeat, Gingerbread Syrup, Lime Juice, Half & Half

Swingers Las Vegas gets into the swing of things with festive holiday cocktails. Swingers is serving up festive cheer this season with a trio of holiday libations designed to warm spirits and delight every palate.

• The Fireside Old Fashioned: A cozy twist to a classic, blending Rittenhouse Rye, Crown Royal Regal Apple, Canadian Whisky, maple and cinnamon syrups, bright lemon juice and a dash of orange and Angostura bitters.
• The Sleigh Bell: A refreshing balance of Absolut Citron, Cointreau L’Unique, pomegranate syrup and lime juice for a crisp, citrus-forward celebration in a glass.
• White Christmas; A spirit-free indulgence for those looking for a mocktail, featuring Seedlip Spice 94, Coconut Reàl, Giffard Orgeat, lime juice, ginger syrup, honey and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Photo Credit: Pachi Pachi

Pachi Pachi’s Gremlins takeover. Just in time for the holidays, a mischievous takeover has landed at Pachi Pachi, downtown Las Vegas’ buzziest new bar and restaurant. The venue’s signature portal has been hijacked by Gremlins, transforming the space into a playful, cinematic wonderland filled with hidden Easter eggs, unexpected moments, and immersive details dreamed up by creator Branden Powers. The limited-time Gremlins holiday menu leans fully into the theme, with cocktails like Gremlins Grog, Gizmo’s Sweet Song, and Spike’s After Midnight Elixir, alongside non-alcoholic standouts including Mogwai Meltdown and Gremlin Goo. The festive drink lineup was crafted by acclaimed mixologist Bryant Jane of Starboard Tack fame, while exclusive, handcrafted ice cream by Jeff Molitz—Carrot Top’s longtime manager—adds a sweet finish you won’t find anywhere else. The experience goes far beyond the menu. Servers appear fully costumed as Gremlins, disco-era Christmas tracks curated by partner Mark Evensvold set the tone, and the entire space feels like stepping inside a cult holiday film—complete with nightly snowfall, making it the only spot downtown where it snows every evening. 

Lazy Dog Las Vegas does the DIY thing. Lazy Dog is offering up DIY Gingerbread House Kits, which allow guests to get creative while giving back, with 100% of net proceeds from the kits benefiting Habitat for Humanity. Each kit comes complete with pre-cut edible gingerbread walls and roof pieces, icing to keep it all together, and a variety of candy for endless decorating possibilities. The Gingerbread House Kits are available through December 31  and can be found at all Lazy Dog locations for takeout and delivery, or for building at the table while dining in, while supplies last.

Photo Credit: Ski Lodge/Spiegelworld/Facebook

Hit the proverbial slopes with Heavy Metal Holidays at Ski Lodge. Spiegelworld’s Ski Lodge is torching the tinsel and summoning the spirit of Heavy Metal Holidays, in partnership with Diageo, Campari, and Minden Mill. Guests can expect a molten mania of red and black décor and blistering new cocktails, like Hail Santa with brown butter Espalon blanco, black sesame, charred pineapple, and orange; Koffee Krampus with Bulleit rye, espresso, cinnamon Averna, Branca Menta, and cherry; and Run for Your Life Rudolph with Crown Royal Chocolate, cognac, and banana. Plus, now through the end of ski season (April), guests who show a ski pass will receive the Ski Patrol Special. For each pass shown, guests will receive a two-person shotski with a special shot that will rotate weekly.

There’s a Miracle on Easy Street. Easy’s Cocktail Lounge has been transformed into a yuletide haven, alive with twinkling lights, stunning ornaments, and cheerful decor for the holiday season. Guests can unwind to the sounds of Easy’s signature live music while getting into the spirit with a menu of holiday-inspired libations:

• The Naughty Gingerbread is a silky, spiced blend of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, fresh ginger juice, hand-squeezed lemon juice, organic maple syrup, and egg white, topped with freshly grated nutmeg, priced at $29.
• Pistachio Martini gives its take on the classic made with Perrier Jouet, Tito’s Vodka, St. Germain spiced pear liqueur, Amaretto Disaronno, Bailey’s and lemon juice, priced at $21.
• For that luxurious Christmas feel, indulge in a Bumpy Sleigh Ride, which involves a shot of Tito’s vodka paired with a decadent caviar bump, priced at $35.
• And a trio of festive shots, Dasher, Dancer & Prancer, priced together at $29:
  • Tito’s vodka, peppermint schnapps, cranberry and lime juice
  • Perrier-Jouët, Tito’s vodka, St. Germain and fresh lemon juice
  • Tito’s vodka, honey syrup, orange juice and Perrier-Jouët

Photo Credit: Esther’s Kitchen

Try the Spruce Almighty at Esther’s Kitchen. The Spruce Almighty at fan favorite Esther’s Kitchen is a welcome respite from traditional autumnal cocktails laced with baking spices. This is an aromatic low ABV sipper which combines dry and blanc vermouths, fino sherry, eau de vie and amaro. Light-bodied and dry with a silky texture, rosemary nose, its pine and citrus aromatics lead to layered notes of salinity and alpine herbs and honey, ending with an orange and rosemary finish.