21+ Reasons It’s Worth Going to Las Vegas in December☀️
Las Vegas is famous for its vibrant lights, attractions, and lively atmosphere. While Vegas has a well-earned reputation for fun, people often wonder if the city slows down during winter.
For instance, is it worth going to Las Vegas in December?
Yes, it is worth visiting Las Vegas in December due to the vibrant holiday ambiance and cooler temperatures. Despite the cold, Las Vegas remains bustling in winter. Despite common beliefs, many tourists visit Las Vegas in December to enjoy the city’s holiday festivities.
In fact, Business Insider declared Las Vegas as one of the 25 most festive cities in the world to visit for the holidays. (source)
Note: Las Vegas has a subtropical desert climate, so the winter weather in December is mild compared to other parts of the country.
Best Things to Do in Las Vegas in Winter
Las Vegas, as well as several nearby areas, provide an abundance of events and activities that are perfect for visitors in winter. In Las Vegas, the show always goes on, whatever the month. Let me tell you about some of the special things happening in December.
Las Vegas December Events
Just because it’s colder doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do in this desert town. Travelers don’t stop coming during this time. More people are coming to Las Vegas in December than ever before.
As usual, there is an abundance of concerts and shows in December. If you’re a sporting fan, you’ll want to check out the annual Las Vegas Bowl football game and the annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run. Both are big events that take place in December.
Vacationing in Las Vegas during December is a great way to celebrate the holidays. Many holiday activities are taking place in town, and if you’re here at the end of the month, you can even participate in the Las Vegas New Year Celebration on the Strip.
Branded as America’s Party, it’s one of the country’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations. (source)
Quick tip: If you want to travel to Las Vegas at any point in December, book as early as possible, as it’s a busy time of year, and the best rooms fill up fast.
Click to compare and save on Las Vegas hotel rooms with TripAdvisor.
Holiday Activities in Vegas
This is a town that knows how to celebrate holidays. There are plenty of holiday activities around the city to choose from. Here are a few examples.
- Fremont Street Experience: The Christmas decorations and lights last for the entire month of December. In addition, you will find many of the hotels on Fremont Street offer live shows and holiday-themed entertainment all month long.
- Fountains of Bellagio: At the famous Bellagio Fountains, you can dance along to classic holiday tunes as you watch the synchronized display of water shooting hundreds of feet into the air. Also, you’ll find many wonderful holiday displays and activities taking place in and around the various hotels close to the fountains.
- Mystic Falls Park: Mystic Falls is an indoor waterfall and nature display at Sam’s Town Casino (off-Strip) with free year-round shows. During the holidays Mystic Falls transforms into a winter wonderland and features an animatronic laser show where it actually starts snowing. It is well worth a visit!
- Glittering Lights: This incredible holiday experience occurs at Las Vegas Motor Speedway annually. It features millions of twinkling lights, and festive displays spread across a 2.5-mile drive-through course. Visitors can experience the magic of the holiday season from the comfort of their vehicles as they drive through the dazzling light show.
- Lake Mead Christmas Parade of Lights: One night a year in December, boats decorated with lights for the holidays sail across an area of Lake Mead near the town of Boulder City (just outside of Las Vegas). You can view the Christmas ships from either the marina or Boulder Beach. The marina restaurants are open for the festivities and have plenty of food and drink specials. Check here for this year’s schedule.
- Santa Run: Every year, thousands of runners dressed as Santa run through Downtown Las Vegas and all along the Strip. You’ve never seen so many Santas in one place! This is a fun charity event, and all proceeds benefit Opportunity Village programs. You can find this year’s schedule here.
This event is believed to be the largest gathering of Santas in the world. In 2016, there were about 9,000 Santas. These Santas walk or run one mile (there’s also a 5k run). The race starts in the downtown Fremont Street area of Las Vegas at 8 a.m. with pre-race entertainment, while the race starts at 10 a.m.
The registration includes a five-piece Santa suit for you to wear. The cost is free for kids 3 and under and $35-$55 for adults, depending on how early you register. There’s even a costume contest for your pet!
For even more holiday events in Las Vegas, see my article: 16 Christmassy Things to Do in Las Vegas.
Visiting Mount Charleston from Vegas in December
If you’d like to get away from the bright lights and noisy festivities of Las Vegas for a while, then there is an option for a quieter winter vacation to nearby Mount Charleston.
Mount Charleston is approximately 45 minutes from the Strip and sits at 7,510 feet. In December, you can expect snow, and the small town of Mt. Charleston (pop. 357) boasts a nice lodge as well as nearby snow parks and skiing.
Once here, you can play at the ski and snowboard resort or drink some hot chocolate by a cozy fire in the lodge. You can even ride a winter sleigh through the tall pine tree forest.
When snow covers the ground here, you will see a part of greater Las Vegas that many people have no idea even exits.
December Lodging in Vegas
Almost all Las Vegas casinos and hotels have special December holiday packages available. Vacation packages like these typically cover ground transportation, lodging, airfare, and various dining and entertainment options.
Holiday resort deals can be found at resorts throughout the Las Vegas Valley, so you don’t need to confine yourself just to the Strip.
Again, you’ll want to book early for the best holiday deals. See what packages are currently available at Vegas.com.
Does Las Vegas Have Winter Weather?
Contrary to what you may have heard, Las Vegas isn’t hot all year long. It does cool off during the winter months. Being in a high desert location means that while the days can be nice, the temperatures can really drop at night.
| Month | High/Low (Fahrenheit) | Rain |
| December | 60°/ 27° | 1 day |
| January | 59° / 28° | 1 day |
| February | 66° / 33° | 1 day |
(source)
One of the coolest months in Las Vegas is December. December temperatures often make you want to gather around a fire instead of lounging by a pool outside.
Ensure you wear enough layers of clothing to be comfortable in the 50-60-degree range during the day. Be sure to add a few more layers at night, as some evenings will get down to 40 degrees or colder. Having said that, if you’re coming from many other places in the country, these are downright balmy temperatures for winter months.
How to Pack for December / Winter in Las Vegas
The weather is fairly predictable, so you can be pretty safe when you pack. Here is a good starter list, which includes some warm-weather gear, just in case you need it! Definitely plan on wearing some layers in the evenings.
- Khakis or jeans
- Skirt or shorts
- Bathing suit and some cover item
- Tank tops and t-shirts
- Dressy blouse or collared shirt
- Light jacket or sweater
- Sunscreen, even when it’s cool out
Fun Fact: You won’t see many Las Vegas locals wearing shorts in the winter months. However, it’s always easy to spot a tourist from a much colder part of the country because it will be 60 degrees outside, and they’re wearing shorts. For many people, an average Las Vegas winter day feels like a nice spring day back home.
What to Do in Las Vegas in December
One of the best times to come to Las Vegas is in December. You can take a day trip to Mt. Charleston and come back to the city by night, so you can ski in the mountains and party on the Strip all on the same day!
If you want to relax by the pool, then you might want to put away your bathing suit and get a sweater to enjoy a nice cocktail by the water instead of an ice-cold swim. Many pools are closed in Las Vegas during the winter, but you can find some heated swimming pools at the bigger hotels on the Strip.
We have a list of all the heated Las Vegas pools open in the winter on our website here.
Taking in a show is always a good idea when you’re in Las Vegas. When you plan a trip, you should compare the prices of tours and attractions so that you can find the best shows in Vegas for the best deals at times that fit your schedule.
Our Las Vegas shows section can help you find shows and tickets at the best prices.
LINQ Promenade Dress Up For The Holidays
During the magical times of the holiday season, many buildings transform inside and out to bring out the holiday spirit in everyone. There will be carolers and festive holiday music all around you in December.
One thing you can try is taking a ride on the High Roller. The High Roller is a slow-turning observation wheel. It takes about 30 minutes to go around once.
Each of the 28 fully enclosed and heated cabins can hold up to 40 people, and some cabins even have their own tended bar. At 550 feet in the air, you can see iconic landmarks, the Strip, and downtown from the world’s highest observation wheel. Check for times and prices at vegas.com.
Real Bodies at Horseshoe
Here, you can get an up-close look at the human anatomy. Over 20 human bodies have been preserved, dissected, and displayed. This exhibit will educate you and make you think about your body in an entirely new way.
There are 11 exhibits where you will explore the inner workings of the human body. This will show you what your body goes through to stay alive daily. It may make you think twice about that all-you-can-eat casino buffet!
You will see firsthand the synergy between hunger, breathing, heart rhythm, thought, emotion, and love that makes every person unique.
Hours and tickets can be found here at vegas.com.
The Big Bus Las Vegas Tour
This is one of the best ways to get around the city and observe the si