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Las Vegas in December 2025

Las Vegas in December flips the script: daytime temps stay crisp and dry, but the city pulses with indoor energy. Casinos and resorts go all-in on festive decor, rodeo fans take over during the NFR, and the Strip erupts in fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Early in the month, hotel deals abound—but they vanish fast by Christmas week. Pro tip: The Las Vegas Strip closes for cars on Dec 31 at 6 pm, so plan alternative ways to travel ahead of time.

Las Vegas in December 2025 at a glance

🌦️ Weather

Daytime highs near 14°C / 57°F, but nights drop to 3°C / 37°F

☀️ Daylight

10 hours of sun; sunset around 4:30 pm

🎉 Key events

National Finals Rodeo (Dec 4–14), Christmas shows, NYE fireworks (Dec 31)

👥 Crowds

Light early month, heavy during holidays

🧳 What to pack

Warm coat, scarf, layers for nights, plus something festive

🍴 Seasonal treats

Peppermint desserts, holiday prix fixe menus, winter cocktails

How December Compares

CategoryNovemberDecemberJanuary

Weather

20 °C highs, cool nights

Cooler: 14°C days, 3°C nights

Similar to Dec; dry and chilly

Crowds & vibe

Moderate, except for big events

Quiet early, wild end of month

Low after New Year; calmer vibe

Key events

Formula 1 Grand Prix, Veterans Day

NFR, Christmas, NYE fireworks

CES tech show, AVN Expo

Best for

Hikers, value-seekers

Rodeo fans, festive tourists

Indoor shows, bargain hunters

Book early?

Yes (F1 week, Thanksgiving)

Yes for NYE & NFR

Yes for CES week only

Transport notes

Strip traffic from F1 closures

NYE Strip closes to vehicles

Airport busy CES week

Budget

High during F1, moderate after

Low early month, spikes late

Low-mid, spikes during CES

Top things to do in Las Vegas in December

Celebrate New Year’s Eve on the Strip

  • When: December 31
  • Tags: Festival, Outdoors

Fireworks erupt from casino rooftops as the Strip turns into a pedestrian party zone on NYE. Arrive by 5 pm; vehicle traffic closes by 6 pm. Expect 300,000+ revelers, loud DJs, and an unforgettable midnight countdown.

Watch the National Finals Rodeo (NFR)

  • When: December 4–14
  • Tags: Festival, Cultural experience

Cowboy hats flood Vegas as the NFR returns for 10 nights. The main rodeo is at Thomas & Mack Center, with fan zones, western concerts, and late-night saloons citywide.

Ice skate under neon at The Cosmopolitan

  • When: Nov 19 – Jan 5
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Outdoors

The Boulevard Pool becomes a rooftop rink with fire pits, cocktails, and Strip views. Entry starts ~$30 with skate rental. S'mores kits are extra.

Ride the High Roller at sunset

  • When: Daily
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Outdoors, Tour

The 550-foot High Roller observation wheel offers panoramic views of the Strip and desert mountains. December sunsets here are crisp and colorful, with early darkness revealing Vegas’ neon glow by 5 pm.

Recommended experiences:

  • The High Roller at The LINQ Tickets
  • Combo (Save 15%): The High Roller at The LINQ + Eiffel Tower Las Vegas Viewing Deck Tickets
Explore all High Roller Observation Wheel Tickets

Explore Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

  • When: Evenings, through Jan 5
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Seasonal

Drive through 5 million+ lights at this 2.5-mile course. Best time is weekday evenings after 9 pm. Weekends have traffic; buy timed-entry tickets online.

Catch a holiday-themed show or residency

  • When: Throughout December
  • Tags: Tour, Seasonal

Many Vegas residencies add festive twists—think holiday sets from Adele or comedy from seasonal acts. Check Caesars, MGM, and Wynn lineups for one-night Christmas specials.

Take a seasonal Bellagio Conservatory tour

  • When: All month
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Cultural experience

The Bellagio’s free winter display features giant ornaments, polar bears, and holiday flora under its soaring glass dome. Go early morning or late evening to dodge crowds.

Photograph the Holiday Cactus Garden

  • When: Dusk to 10 pm
  • Tags: Explorer, Seasonal

Ethel M Chocolates lights its desert garden with half a million bulbs. Free to enter but timed reservations required. Combine with a hot chocolate stop at the factory.

Offbeat experiences in December

Tour the Neon Museum at twilight

Classic signs in soft December light

Catch the magic hour glow on old Vegas neon from vintage casinos and motels. Cooler evenings mean fewer crowds, and timed entries help with pacing.
📍 Where: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N

Find vintage gifts in the Arts District

Holiday browsing with desert style

Do your gifting in 18b, where retro shops sell vinyl, art prints, and upcycled decor. Bars stay festive with pop-up holiday themes.
📍 Where: Main Street, south of Charleston Blvd

Stargaze from Red Rock Canyon

Brisk air and desert constellations

Winter skies are crisp and clear. Hike the Calico Tanks trail before dusk, then stargaze from the Scenic Drive (entry closes at 4:30 pm).
📍 Where: Red Rock Canyon NCA

Warm up with a themed escape room

Frosty outside, puzzles inside

Solve wintry mysteries or apocalyptic Santa quests with friends. Venues like Escapology and The Basement lean into seasonal sets.
📍 Where: Multiple venues citywide

Snap pics at the Silverton Aquarium

Mermaids and holiday reef shows

Silverton Casino’s aquarium decks its tanks for December. Divers in Santa gear feed fish on schedule. No ticket needed, just show up near the lobby.
📍 Where: 3333 Blue Diamond Rd

Festivals and events in Las Vegas this December 2025

EventDatesEvent TypeLocationWhat to expect

National Finals Rodeo (NFR)

4–14 Dec 2025

Sporting Event

Thomas & Mack Center

Ten nights of pro rodeo. Cowboys and fans flood Vegas. Book early—western-themed afterparties take over bars citywide.

Christmas at the Bellagio

1–31 Dec 2025

Exhibition

Bellagio Conservatory

Free floral holiday display with giant ornaments, snow-dusted trees, and polar bears. Best visited early morning to avoid crowds.

Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Through 5 Jan 2026

Light Festival

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

2.5-mile drive-through with 5 million lights. Weekdays after 9 pm are less crowded. Timed entry tickets online.

Enchant Christmas

26 Nov – 29 Dec 2025

Light Festival

Las Vegas Ballpark, Summerlin

Light maze, ice skating, festive market. Family-friendly and photogenic. Weeknight tickets are cheaper.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Strip

31 Dec 2025

Festival

Multiple casino rooftops

Synchronized midnight fireworks show. Arrive by 5 pm; Strip closes 6 pm. Wear layers and comfy shoes.

Great Santa Run

6 Dec 2025

Charity Run

Downtown Las Vegas

Thousands race in Santa suits for charity. Registration includes costume. All ages welcome.

Las Vegas Bowl

Mid-Dec [TBC]

Sporting Event

Allegiant Stadium

Major college football matchup. Exact schedule confirmed early December. Check NCAA for teams.

Winter PARQ Night Market

Weekends in Dec 2025

Market

The PARQ Downtown

Pop-up stalls, food trucks, live music, and seasonal goods. Free entry, good for gifts and food.

Highlights for different traveller types

Families with kids

Glittering Lights is a cozy, in-car show ideal for young ones. Try Silverton Aquarium for indoor fun, and grab cocoa at Enchant Christmas while skating the maze.

Couples

The Cosmopolitan ice rink is tailor-made for date nights. Add a peppermint massage at Aria Spa and cap it with holiday cocktails downtown.

Culture vultures

Explore the Bellagio Conservatory by day, and the Neon Museum at dusk. Add a holiday version of a Cirque show or headline concert for contrast.

Value hunters

Early December means hotel deals and fewer crowds. Take advantage of weekday spa discounts, half-price show tickets at Tix4Tonight, and off-strip dining gems. Seasonal menus often debut at lower prices, and holiday displays are easier to explore without the rush.

Night-owls

From cowboy dive bars during NFR to all-night NYE parties, December stays wild after dark. Lounge-hop on Fremont Street or hit a club on the Strip.

Your perfect 3-day Las Vegas in December itinerary

Two people toasting with cocktails in a bar setting.
  • Morning: Walk Fremont Street before the daytime crowd swells. Pop into the Mob Museum if temps stay brisk.
  • Breakfast: Try bacon hash at Eat (707 Carson St), a Downtown staple.
  • Midday: Head to Thomas & Mack for the NFR fan expo and daytime rodeo sessions.
  • Lunch: Grab Tex-Mex at Nacho Daddy near UNLV.
  • Afternoon: Explore gift shops and western-themed pop-ups inside Resorts World.
  • Evening: Line-dance or sip whiskey at Gilley’s Saloon (TI) for an NFR party vibe.
Espresso pouring into cup at Caffè Pedrocchi, Italy.
  • Morning: Visit Bellagio Conservatory before 10 am to avoid crowds.
  • Breakfast: Fuel up with a holiday crêpe and espresso at La Belle Terre Bakery.
  • Midday: Ice skate at The Cosmopolitan; bring gloves and prebook a time slot.
  • Lunch: Dine fireside at Mon Ami Gabi with Strip views.
  • Afternoon: Drive to Ethel M for cactus garden lights and chocolate.
  • Evening: Take the Glittering Lights drive-through after 9 pm to skip traffic.
Las Vegas Strip at night with Bellagio fountains and Eiffel Tower replica.
  • Morning: Start slow with a facial or steam at Waldorf Spa.
  • Breakfast: Order pecan pancakes at Primrose (Park MGM).
  • Midday: Browse Arts District shops for vintage or quirky finds.
  • Lunch: Try lunch specials at Esther’s Kitchen (Main St).
  • Afternoon: Secure a Strip viewing spot before 5 pm; bring snacks and dress warm.
  • Evening: Join 300,000+ revelers for the Strip fireworks. Toast at midnight with a Champagne street vendor.

Best day trips from Las Vegas in December

Red Rock Canyon

🚗 Travel time: ~30 min by car

Cool December weather is ideal for hiking without desert heat. Calico Tanks and Ice Box Canyon trails offer stunning views. Bring layers; it gets chilly at dusk.

Hoover Dam & Boulder City

🚗 Travel time: ~45 min by car

Tour the iconic dam, then stroll Boulder City’s holiday-lit streets. Visit the Hoover Dam Museum or grab pie at Coffee Cup Café.

Mt. Charleston snow play

🚗 Travel time: ~1 h by car

Snow dusts this alpine peak just an hour from Vegas. Go tubing or build snowmen near Lee Canyon. Check road conditions before driving up.

Valley of Fire State Park

🚗 Travel time: ~1 h by car

Less crowded in winter, the park glows red at sunset. Hike Fire Wave trail or see petroglyphs at Mouse’s Tank. Carry water even in cooler months.

Go shopping in Las Vegas in December

Women shopping with bags in a modern mall.

Anchored by Nordstrom and Zara, this massive mall adds seasonal decor and events in December. Free runway shows on weekends.

Crowd enjoying a concert with vibrant stage lights.

Eco-friendly shops in stacked shipping containers. Holiday concerts and family movie nights happen in the central plaza.

Old woman purchasing items at a Paris gift shop.

Indoor mall with 170+ stores and affordable gift options. Expect holiday deals and entertainment pop-ups.

Person receiving a burger from a food truck.

A seasonal event with handmade gifts, live music, and food trucks. Dress warm; it’s open-air.

Pro tips for visiting Las Vegas in December

1. Book NYE hotels by September—rates triple by December and sell out near Strip.

2. Bellagio Conservatory crowds peak 1–3 pm; aim for morning or after 9 pm.

3. Bring gloves and hat for evening walks; temps drop below 5 °C / 41 °F fast.

4. Strip closes to vehicles at 6 pm on Dec 31; use monorail or walk.

5. Restaurant waitlists spike around Dec 24–26; reserve special dinners early.

6. Holiday spa deals offer 20–30% off on weekdays; book via hotel app.

7. Downtown parking is cheaper than Strip garages—good for light festival evenings.

8. Most pools are closed, but spa hot tubs stay open.

9. Fremont Street has nightly holiday light shows and buskers in Santa suits.

10. Avoid the Strip post-midnight on NYE—rideshare waits and surge pricing skyrocket.

Frequently asked questions about Las Vegas in October

Yes. Daytime highs are around 14 °C / 57 °F, but nights dip to 3 °C / 37 °F. Bring layers.