The Ultimate 2017 Las Vegas Holiday Bucket List

Photo Credit: Antonio Diaz

There’s no arguing that the holidays can be fun, but there’s a lot of decorating, shopping, cooking, and hosting too. It can be overwhelming. On the contrary, the holidays also bring the most beautiful decorations and the most magical must-see seasonal attractions. Our Las Vegas Holiday Bucket List for 2017 will help you enjoy the best of the holiday season and also help you make it through in one piece. It includes spas to retreat to, must-try delicacies, enchanting attractions, and more.

1. BELLAGIO GALLERY OF FINE ART

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is the stimulating silence you need. The premiere exhibition “Samurai: Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection” is currently on display. It honors the culture, lifestyle, and art of the samurai warrior.

2. SOMMELIER SMACKDOWN

The practice of dining is the quintessential human experience. The same can be said of Wolfgang Puck’s Sommelier Smackdown. Las Vegas’ most recognized sommeliers gather in competition to select wines based on a special menu created by Chef Spencer Rudow. Dining participants are judges throughout the meal. Whoever gets the most votes, wins the title of the best sommelier.

3. ESPA AT VDARA

Photo Credit: MGM Resorts International

Make the conscious effort to get away and reboot. The chilly “Vegas Knights Treatment” at ESPA is inspired by the Vegas Golden Knights, offering 110 minutes of complete rejuvenation. Iced mitts are used to exfoliate the body with their “Relaxing Salt Scrub.” It is then paired with a hot stone massage and aromatherapy oil to warm and relax the muscles. The treatment is topped off with a tranquil scalp regimen.

4. WINTER’S VILLAGE

The impressive AAA Four Diamond Green Valley Ranch Resort welcomes the holiday season in the most extravagant way possible. It has transformed itself into “Winter’s Village” until January 7. Guests will be surprised to see the amphitheater transformed into an ice rink. A portion of “Winter’s Village” proceeds will benefit St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.

5. ENCLAVE

Photo Credit: Powers Imagery

It may seem counterintuitive to stop by, but Las Vegas is one of the nation’s top convention cities. Now’s the time to tour Enclave with ease. The beautiful three-story 75,000-square-foot ballroom and boardroom has a 5,000-square-foot, panoramic rooftop deck overlooking the entire city. It’s ideal for both corporate and social events. It offers state-of-the-art production to green rooms and dressing rooms.

6. BELLAGIO CONSERVATORY & BOTANICAL GARDEN

One of the most enchanting and impressive attractions is the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden. Their team of incredibly talented horticulturists and designers transformed the 14,000-square-foot space into displays made mostly of trees, flowers, and plants. As the seasons’ turn, 90 percent of the foliages used are recycled, as Bellagio’s commitment to preserving the earth.

7. HIDDEN FINE ART

Photo Credit: Javier’s

Some of the world’s most celebrated works of art have been hiding in plain sight. These nine restaurants in Las Vegas have original Piccasos hanging from their walls. Another restaurant has the world’s largest chainsaw art, detailing the mythical “Mayan Story of Creation.” It was carved entirely with chainsaws by artist J. Chester Armstrong.

8. THE NUTCRACKER AT TIVOLI VILLAGE

Anyone with a streak of wonder can enjoy the ballet performance “The Nutcracker.” It’s an enchanting ballet performance, compliments of Tivoli Village. The Tivoli Copenhagen Phil symphony orchestra will play for the first time during the performance. Queen Margrethe’s expert touch is behind the set design and costumes, and the choreography is by Tivolis’ Artistic Director, Peter Bo Bendixen. “The Nutcracker” will run from November 29 to December 30 at the Tivoli Concert Hall.

This list will be updated November 22 to December 31, 2017.