LAS VEGAS HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
and, on Monday nights through Jan. 14, free holiday- and winter-themed movies. The crowd swelled to more than 800 on the Monday “Elf” was shown.
Frank Perez, a 33-year-old physiotherapist for the Cirque du Soleil show “KA” in Las Vegas, had never ice-skated until he laced up a pair at Cosmopolitan in early December. He wore a GoPro video camera on his head to record the event as part of a Christmas present for his 89-year-old grandmother. They also watched “Elf” and roasted s’mores.
“I think we’re going to come back next week,” he said.
VENETIAN What: Winter in Venice festival. Features: Outdoor skating rink on the Strip, parade, strolling carolers, nightly light show. Mannheim Steamroller has a special Christmas in Las Vegas concert at Venetian’s sister hotel Palazzo. When: Through Sunday, Jan. 6. Admission: Skating is $9.95$14.95. Mannheim Steamroller tickets start at $64 plus tax. Details: venetian.com. BELLAGIO What: Lavish display at the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Features: Poinsettias galore, a gingerbread village, skating animated penguins, a 7-foot-tall rocking horse, polar bears made of thousands of carnations, a 45-foottall Christmas tree and more. The conservatory is open 24 hours. When: Through Saturday, Jan. 5. Admission: Free. Details: bellagio.com.
What: Ice-skating and Monday
COSMOPOLITAN holiday movies at the Boulevard Pool, which overlooks the Strip. Features: Firepits, s’mores kits for sale, specialty cocktails and comfort food such as chili in a bread bowl. When: Through Sunday, Jan. 20. Admission: Free for the rink area and Monday-night movies. Iceskating costs $15 for all-day access plus a $5 skate-rental fee. There is no movie New Year’s Eve. Details: cosmopolitanlasvegas .com/experience. WYNN What: Decorations and free holiday photos. Features: The Wynn atrium, a year-round photo hotspot, is a holiday wonderland with 16 fruit trees, 120 fresh-flower balls and 5,500 poinsettias. The buffet has a giant gingerbread replica of the Wynn and sister resort Encore. When: Decorations will remain through the holidays. Holiday photos, available to those who sign up for the hotel’s free casinoloyalty program, are available through Wednesday, Dec. 26. Admission: Free to look at the decorations. Admission to the buffet is $19.99-$39.99 Details: wynnlasvegas.com.