Meet a SCUBA Santa, cheer on NHL hockey from a pool, skate to the classics.

Extravagant displays, an embarrassment of entertainment and pop-up bars and assorted festive experiences make the desert days merry and bright each holiday season. Las Vegas, not one to overlook an opportunity to celebrate, certainly does the holidays in grand fashion. 

And while everyone loves the marquee events and attractions—your Bellagio Conservatory, your rooftop ice rink at The Cosmopolitan, and what have you—there’s so much happening in a town that doesn’t really wind down the other way cities might, if it even bothers to take Dec. 25 off at all. 

This year, give yourself a gift and unwrap some of these should-be-essential Vegas holiday experiences.  

Take in a different kind of holiday light show 

The city so bright you can see it from space gets even brighter at this time of year —but there’s a year-round light display at the Neon Museum, where a festive visit to the famed outdoor “boneyard" makes for a perfect and utterly photogenic Christmas Eve (or even Christmas Day) evening from 5-10 p.m. 

Watch ‘A Christmas Story' outdoors on Christmas Day 

Fontainebleau sees other skating pop-ups and raises you the new Oasis Ice Rink at the Winter Wonderland presented by Fontainbleau Las Vegas, offering about 8,000 square feet of frozen surface, along with lots of Veuve Cliquot bubbly for purchase, outdoor fire pits and more. On Christmas Day, they’ll show the treasured holiday classic on the big screen. $25 gets you in. 

 

Go swimming with Santa 

Grab your trunks and jump into the fun at the Winter Wonderland Pool Party on Dec. 20, complete with poolside photo-ops with the man in red and a performance from the Nevada Desert Mermaids synchronized swim club. Just $4 for this local happening that runs from 5-7:30pm at the Pavilion Center Pool, not far from The Strip. Closer to the Strip, the Silverton Aquarium, known for the mermaids who swim the resort’s 117,000-gallon tank to the delight of onlookers year-round, are joined by a jolly Scuba Santa joins them on Saturdays and Sundays. Whisper your wish list through the glass; after all, he’s magic!

Quit dreaming of a white Christmas—and do it 

Who needs a proper winter when you can just drive to one any time you like? Only 45 minutes from The Strip and 8,510 feet into the sky, Mt. Charleston and the recently upgraded Lee Canyon ski resort await, currently open for skiing, snowboarding or for those looking to just toss a few snowballs. Kids 12 and under ski free with the Power Kids Pass. 

Take a ride over to Shanghai on Christmas Day 

Spring Mountain Road west of the Fashion Show Mall has become one of America’s most vibrant Chinatowns, stretching for miles. Finding a dim sum lunch on Christmas Day is easy; finding a table can be tough. Park at the popular Shanghai Plaza and try the so-hot-right-now China Mama—or any of the other restaurants in the plaza if you strike out. Reservations recommended. 

Cheer on the Golden Knights—outdoors at the world’s largest hot tub party

With pools heated to a toasty 104 degrees, the Winter Swim at Circa’s outdoor Stadium Swim is one of the finest ways to spend a sunny and chilly December afternoon—particularly if the hockey game (yes, Vegas has a Stanley Cup-winning NHL team!) is up on the 143-foot screen. And it will be, on Dec. 19, 21, 23, 27, 29 and 31.