7 Free Las Vegas Winter Adventures for the 2019 Holiday Season

Las Vegas is one big melting pot when it comes to the holidays. People come from all across the globe to see the City of Lights transform into a desert winter wonderland.

From the glamour of the Strip to the Glitter Gulch of downtown, the Entertainment Capital of the World will not disappoint our locals and tourists this 2019 holiday season.

7 Free Things to Do in Las Vegas During the 2019 Holidays

Sin City is a place of celebration. As the winter temperatures continue to drop, the 2019 holidays heat up with tons of activities and events throughout December 2018 and into the 2019 New Year.

Here is a list of FREE things to do in Las Vegas this winter in between all your festive gambling, drinking and touring around town!

1. Winter Wonderland Ice Skating & Roasting S’mores

Dates: Now through January 6, 2019

Best for Ages: 5 years and up

Hang out this Christmas season at sister properties Red Rock Resort and Green Valley Ranch. Both have transformed their swimming pools areas into winter wonderlands at Winter’s Village. Spend time ice skating and roasting s’mores by the cozy outdoor fireplace.

There are winter crafts for the entire family, outdoor hairdressing stations, and multiple fireplaces to keep you cozy and warm. Adults have access to some cool holiday boozy drinks.

Admission into either Winter’s Village is absolutely free. However, there’s a charge for ice skating:

• $15 for kids under 5
• $25 for others over age of 6

2. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens:

Dates: Now through January 2019

Best for Ages: All

The Bellagio Gardens at the Bellagio Hotel should always be at the top of every visitor’s list when visiting Las Vegas, however, perhaps more than the rest of the year, the Gardens look incredibly festive during the month of December.

Following Thanksgiving weekend, The Bellagio transforms its garden wonderland into a one-of-a-kind holiday showcase. Open 24 hours a day, this inside oasis is free to the public and is located near the front lobby.

3. Holiday Movies Under the Vegas Stars

Dates: Now through January 1, 2019

Best for Ages: All

Bundle up and prepare for winter movies outdoors at the Cosmopolitan. Enjoy the 65-foot-tall digital marquee uniquely situated right over the Boulevard Pool Ice Rink. Warm up with some adult winter cocktails while hanging out by the fire pits.

Just chill there and watch the screen. Or, throw on a pair of ice skates, and check out the flic as you speed around the ice rink. You’ve never watched winter movies like this!

Some of the awesome movies you can catch at the ice rink Date Skate in Las Vegas include:

• Home Alone
• The Santa Claus
• The Polar Express
• Elf
• Disney’s a Christmas Carol
• Frozen

Showtimes are at 7 pm. Entry is complimentary. However, the cost of renting ice skates is $20. There’s a $10 discount for Cosmopolitan hotel guests, military, and locals.

4. Watch Santa Swim with the Sharks

Dates: Saturdays & Sundays in December / 12pm – 1:15pm & 2pm – 3:15pm

Best for Ages: All

It’s called the Scuba Santa show and you can only find it at the Silverton Casino Hotel. The Silverton is known for its magnificent aquarium featuring 4,000 tropical fish, stingrays, and of course, SHARKS!

During the 2019 holiday season, Santa Claus is making special visits to the Silverton aquarium. And this is no ordinary St. Nick sighting. Here in Las Vegas, we like to do things big, spectacular and downright unique. That’s why Scuba Santa puts on such an amazing show.

Watch Mr. Claus throw on his own scuba gear and hop in the aquarium with his elves. They all swim with the sharks and other sea creatures, giving you a show of pure amazement.

Equipped with a waterproof microphone, he laughs and jokes with the kids watching the show on the other side of the glass during his jolly ole dives in the aquatic blue water. Underwater Santa goes down every Saturday and Sunday in December.

5. Tour the Mystic Falls for a Snowy Delight

Dates: Now through January 1, 2019

Best for Ages: All

Mystic Falls at Sam’s Town is a free indoor park attraction that’s open in Vegas all year long. However, for the holiday season 2019, it has taken on a snowy winter theme to help you stay in the spirit.

Enjoy the colorful touches that come with the season through this rustic, mountain pioneer experience. Tour the entire indoor park, with its numerous winter attractions.

Some of the featured experiences include chirping birds, raging waterfalls, howling wolves, animatronics and of course, in the spirit of Christmas, decorated trees.

6. Christmas Lights at the Cactus Garden

Dates: Now through January 6, 2019

Best for Ages: All

This city of bright lights does NOT dull down during Christmas time. Enjoy the true spirit of Christmas lights in the desert of Las Vegas with the entire family at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory.

There, you’ll discover the Cactus Garden, a kid-friendly land of amazement with a prickly twist. Enjoy the endless strands of sparkly holiday lights over three acres of outdoor fun. Inside Ethel M Chocolate Factory, kids get to watch the pros whip up some of their favorites treats.

There are various sculptures and houses made out of chocolate, that look so good they make your mouth water. Santa even makes special appearances at the Holiday Cactus Garden when he’s not busy at the North Pole.

Entrance is free. You can take your own free photos throughout the garden and with Santa. Professional photos with jolly St. Nick are available for purchase.

7. New Year’s 2019 Fireworks Over Las Vegas

Date: December 31, 2018

Best for Ages: All

Here in Las Vegas, Nevada, we love fireworks! Our New Year’s fireworks show is one of the most anticipated of the year. For 2019, fireworks will spark across the Strip and throughout the entire valley to bring in the new year.

On New Year’s Eve, traffic will be diverted from the Strip to make way for the massive, annual block party. At the stroke of midnight, the explosions will begin, shooting off from several casino rooftops.

The trick is finding the best spot to watch the Las Vegas fireworks. Some great ideas include the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck, the Stratosphere Observation Deck, The LINQ, The Plaza Rooftop and from the sky in a Las Vegas helicopter tour.