Not even a global pandemic can stop the Las Vegas holiday celebrations.
While certain features have been changed to allow for more social distancing, a number of casino operators are pushing elaborate Christmas decorations. Here are some of the festive decorations seen across the Las Vegas Valley.
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas has adorned its halls with six winding winter villages inspired by Gulliver’s Travels, more than 8,000 poinsettias, dozens of Christmas trees and oversized wreaths.
The company is also offering a range of vacation-focused, hands-on, small-group master classes in December. The annual Christmas biscuit and ornament decorating class, led by pastry chef Patrice Caillot, takes place on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and costs $ 125 per person. A class on how to decorate the ultimate gingerbread house, also led by Caillot, will take place on December 18th at 2pm and costs $ 95 per person.
Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam’s Town, Cannery, Aliante, and California
Boyd Gaming Corp. is stirring up its annual tree decoration competition this year. Trees of Hope became Wreaths of Hope, where participating nonprofits were given wreaths to decorate off-site and display in Boyd properties instead of decorating a tree on site.
“We felt this was a safer approach, as it might have been difficult for participants to adequately distance themselves socially while decorating a tree on our property,” said company spokesman David Strow. “In addition, customers can vote online for their favorite charities if they want so everyone can take part in the Wreaths of Hope – even if they stay at home.”
According to a press release from Boyd, US $ 500 in cash prizes were raised this year to provide additional support to nonprofits “in these troubled times.” First place winners will receive $ 3,000 with a guaranteed minimum cash prize of $ 1,000 for all entrants.
With four of Boyd’s homes still closed, seven will be participating this year: Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam’s Town, Cannery, Aliante, and California. A prize pool of $ 60,000 will be given to the 35 participating nonprofits. You can vote online or in participating casinos until December 16.
Linq promenade
This year, Caesars Entertainment Inc. is promoting “socially distant family fun” on the Linq Promenade during the holidays.
The promenade has festive decorations, open-air restaurants and a light show on the high roller that is synchronized with Christmas music. Nevada residents have access to free parking and discounted tickets for the high roller and Fly Linq zipline.
The high roller show “Lights at The Linq” runs every half hour from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm until December 28th.
Bellagio and Aria
While a number of MGM Resorts International resorts get in the vacation mood, the Bellagio Conservatory and Aria Lobby feature large vacation displays.
Bellagio’s “Hopeful Holidays” exhibition debuted in the first week of December. The exhibition includes a snow queen pulled by four white horses in a carriage, a fireplace surrounded by elves, a family of polar bears, and a 12-meter-high Christmas tree.
Aria now has a “Winter Wonderland” lobby display, complete with custom trees, hand-carved ornaments and a 5-meter high Christmas tree with 500 crystals. Chef Mathieu Lavallee, a recent Netflix Sugar High winner, led a team that turned 4,000 pounds of candy into the centerpiece of the exhibit: a five-foot-tall Sugar Palace.
Tropicana
Penn National Gaming’s Tropicana is hosting its first Holiday in Paradise event outside of Germany through January 3rd.
Located outside of Tropicana Plaza, the free light show features more than 25,000 lights on the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd, plus a 20-foot Christmas tree flanked by 25 palm and Christmas trees – all covered with lights. Visitors can take a photo next to a 3 meter high poinsettia photo wall, get a winter drink or hot cocoa from a pop-up bar and listen to Christmas music on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m.
There will be a rotating calendar of holiday-related weekend events, including entertainment, fundraisers for the Three Square Food Bank, and specials.
“We wanted to celebrate the holidays as safely as possible and provide a much-needed free outdoor vacation experience for people of all ages,” said Deputy General Manager Mike Thoma in a press release.
Red Rock Resort
Merry Crimson, a pop-up bar at Red Rock Resort, is serving vacation-themed cocktails through January 3.
A hallway lit with thousands of lights leads visitors to the bar, which features a candy cane swing, a massive gingerbread model of the resort, and photo ops with Santa Claus and a life-size elf on the shelf.
In addition to the indoor offerings, there is also a fire pit, heated cabanas, and outdoor s’mores kits.
Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @bailey_schulz on Twitter.
