10 Things to Do in Las Vegas in Winter

Thinking of travelling to Las Vegas in winter? I can assure you that you won't regret it. The city at this time of the year is full of festivities and a wide range 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 welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists who come to its hotels in search of fun. You won't find anywhere else in the world with so many shows, games, shows, gastronomy and museums.

In winter, the city lights up even more than usual, as it begins to prepare for the arrival of Christmas. All the hotels compete for who has the best decorations, some even go as far as building miniature snowy villages! If you want to find out 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 winter classics like The Nutcracker or the city's Philharmonic concerts, to the more 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 won't have any 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 that. There are many international stars that include a show in Las Vegas in their tours, such as Lady Gaga or Celine Dion. So don't hesitate to book a concert in Las Vegas, but do it in advance.

Book the best shows in Las Vegas

2. Enjoy the snow at the Grand Canyon of Colorado

Grand Canyon Skiing| ©Coconino National
Grand Canyon Skiing| ©Coconino National

Excursions from Las Vegas to various nearby locations are very common with the excuse of getting a change of scenery and a break from all the neon lights. Among them, booking a getaway to the Grand Canyon is one of the most requested activities.

Located about 445 kilometres 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 in 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 can't 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, right on the Las Vegas Strip, you'll find a small park that dresses up every year to welcome Christmas with a 20-metre high tree, decorated with more than 13,000 lights and 3,000 ornaments.

Also, after going through a tunnel full of lights, you can enjoy a few drinks at The Linq Promenade, located just a few metres away. It is a place to enjoy open-air shows and concerts

To round off the evening, there is nothing better than booking a ticket for the High Roller, one of the most popular attractions at The Linq. This huge Ferris wheel allows 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.

Book 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 at 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 else in this amazing city, to book an afternoon at a luxury spa in Las Vegas and enjoy it, you don't even have to leave your hotel. Some of the best hotels with spa services are:

  • The Venetian, with its Canyon Ranch Spa Club, a haven 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 yet warm style, can also be enjoyed by two.

Book a couples 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 the indoors, and Las Vegas has plenty of indoor and heated options. But if you want a unique experience, you must book tickets to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Upon entering, you will be amazed by the level of detail of the statues, which really only need to talk. Here you can have your photo taken with stars such as Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, Miley Cyrus and 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-themed bar where you can relive the Hangover movie 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 its daily fountain show and for having been the setting for the film The Great Swindle, the Bellagio is full of surprises.

Inside, in addition to its casinos, incredible decorations including artwork and a host of other activities, you'll find the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This is a colourful space that changes according to the season you choose to visit.

In winter, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is a spectacle in itself. With its huge Christmas tree and decorations including polar bears, igloos, penguins, millions of Christmas lights and tons of flowers, it's impossible to miss. There is also a miniature train that 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, luxurious cabin in the middle of the snow, The Chalet is the ideal winter retreat in Las Vegas, where you can warm up with a bowl of hot chocolate while eating 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 time skating alone, with friends or with your family.

8. Visit Ethel M's Chocolate Factory

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

The famous Ethel M's Chocolate Factory is open to the public during the winter months. In this enchanting place you can not only taste delicious chocolates, but also walk through the 12,000 square metre cactus garden, decorated with thousands of Christmas lights.

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

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

9. Visit Winter Wonderland

Wynn Hotel in Winter| ©gary sielaff
Wynn Hotel in Winter| ©gary sielaff

This is one of the must-see Las Vegas attractions 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 and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, a team of professionals build a small winter village, full of 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 of year, the city' s traditional baseball diamond is a delight to behold. From late November through early January, it's all dressed up for Christmas with activities such as ice skating, games and a traditional Christmas market.

It's a great place if you're looking for things to do with kids in Las Vegas, as during the whole month of December you'll be able to see none other than Father Christmas, who arrives at the Las Vegas Ball Park straight from the North Pole to visit all his friends 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 organise 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 jumpers.
  • A light coat that you can keep on if you're indoors.

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

Average temperatures in the city of Las Vegas during the winter are around 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit).

Of course, if you're hiking in the great outdoors, such as Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon Nature Park, you'll want to pack a warmer jacket, as without the shelter of the city with its lights and adrenaline, temperatures may be a bit cooler.

Is it worth 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 number of Outlet Malls, the main ones being in the north and south.

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

Tourist crowds in Las Vegas in winter

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

However, during special dates, such as Christmas, New Year's Day or Valentine's Day, the number of tourists tends to be higher.

If, in addition, one of these dates coincides with a sporting event or a much-anticipated concert, you may find that the city seems to explode with people, and you may have to queue much longer at attractions or restaurants.