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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: Strip closes to cars on Dec 31 at 6 pm, so plan transport ahead.

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.

Top things to do in Las Vegas in December

Aerial view of Las Vegas Strip at night with Treasure Island Hotel and Casino illuminated.

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.

Cowboy performing a stunt on the ground at a rodeo event in Texas.

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.

Young woman tying laces on ice skates at an ice rink.

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.

Relaxing oil massage session with a therapist applying oil on a client's back at a spa.

Relax at a holiday spa day

  • When: Weekdays in December
  • Tags: Wellness seekers, Tour

Vegas spas offer peppermint or cinnamon-scented treatments in December. Look for seasonal discounts on facials or couples' massages at Aria, Waldorf, or Venetian.

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 lightCatch 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 styleDo 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 constellationsWinter 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

National Finals Rodeo (NFR)

  • Dates: 4–14 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Sporting Event
  • Location: Thomas & Mack Center (UNLV)
  • What to expect: Cowboys and fans take over Vegas for 10 nights of pro rodeo. Book tickets early; western-themed afterparties fill bars citywide.

Christmas at the Bellagio

  • Dates: 1–31 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Exhibition
  • Location: Bellagio Conservatory
  • What to expect: A free floral holiday installation inside the Bellagio. Giant ornaments, snow-dusted trees, and polar bears create a magical walkthrough. Go early morning to avoid selfie crowds.

Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

  • Dates: Through 5 Jan 2026
  • Event type: Light Festival
  • Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
  • What to expect: This 2.5-mile drive-through show features 5 million lights. Weekdays after 9 pm are less crowded. Buy tickets online for timed entry.

Enchant Christmas

  • Dates: 26 Nov – 29 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Light Festival
  • What to expect: : Las Vegas Ballpark, Summerlin
  • What to expect: Walk a giant light maze, go ice skating, and shop a festive market. Family-friendly and highly photogenic. Weeknights offer cheaper tickets.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Strip

  • Dates: 31 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Festival
  • Location: Multiple casino rooftops (Strip closed to cars)
  • What to expect: A synchronized midnight show lights up the skyline. Arrive by 5 pm; Strip closes to cars at 6. Wear layers and comfy shoes for the wait.

Great Santa Run

  • Dates: 6 Dec 2025
  • Event type: Charity Run
  • Location: Downtown Las Vegas
  • What to expect: Thousands don red suits and race for charity. All ages welcome. Registration includes a Santa costume.

Las Vegas Bowl

  • Dates: Mid-December [TBC]
  • Event type: Sporting Event
  • Location: Allegiant Stadium
  • What to expect: A major college football matchup. Schedules finalize early December. Check NCAA site for team announcements.

Winter PARQ Night Market

  • Dates: Weekends in December
  • Event type: Market
  • Location: The PARQ Downtown
  • What to expect: Pop-up stalls, food trucks, live music, and seasonal goods. Great for finding handmade gifts and winter bites. Free entry.

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. Hit weekday spa discounts, half-price show tickets at Tix4Tonight, and off-strip dining gems.

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Las Vegas Blvd near Treasure Island

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

  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Fremont East District

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

  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Planet Hollywood Resort

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

  • When: December weekends
  • Where: The PARQ Downtown

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

Is it cold in Las Vegas in December?

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

Is the Strip open on New Year’s Eve?

To pedestrians, yes. But vehicles are banned from 6 pm to ~2 am on Dec 31.

Are pools open in December?

Most aren’t. Some heated pools and spas remain open, but check hotel sites.

What is the NFR?

The National Finals Rodeo is a 10-day pro rodeo championship with events, expos, and nightlife.

Are there Christmas markets in Vegas?

Yes. Enchant Christmas and PARQ Night Market are the main festive shopping spots.

Where to watch NYE fireworks?

Anywhere on the Strip. Arrive by 5 pm; wear warm clothes and comfy shoes.

Is December a good time for deals?

Yes—early December is among the cheapest hotel periods. Rates spike Christmas week.