The holidays are a time of year beloved by people around the world. Many places celebrate with light shows, parades, caroling, and festive events, but each state, city, or town goes about them uniquely. Nevada’s diverse landscape means there are varied environments in which to enjoy a holiday season. There are plenty of appealing holiday destinations, from mountainous towns with excellent skiing to desert cities famous for their live shows.
If you want to create festive memories that will last a lifetime, let’s look at some of the towns and cities to visit in Nevada this holiday season.
Las Vegas
When you think of wholesome holiday fun, your mind may not go directly to Las Vegas. But even though it has a reputation as a hub for nightlife, Las Vegas makes for a one-of-a-kind place to enjoy the holiday season. No other place in the world can put on a show like Vegas, and that is certainly true during the holidays.
Many of the hotels and resorts in Vegas showcase incredible Christmas displays. The Bellagio has renowned holiday decorations that transform the resort into a winter wonderland. The Cosmopolitan Ice Rink is an artificial ice-skating rink that provides some winter fun in the desert while overlooking the strip. Christmas light displays are throughout the city, including at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the new Enchant Christmas event.
Fallon
Fallon is a small city home to less than 10,000. While it may not have the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas, it is a beautiful city that is an ideal place to spend a relaxing holiday with family and friends. A wintry setting with cold weather and small snowfalls, it is a scenic and quaint place to celebrate the season.
Fallon’s biggest holiday tradition is the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting. This event features the lighting of a massive, intricately decorated tree as the town celebrates with Christmas carols, cookies, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa. Also decked out in lights and Christmas decor, Fallon’s downtown is an excellent place to do your holiday shopping.
Henderson
Henderson is a large Las Vegas suburb that is home to more than 320,000, famed for its nearby natural sites and busy shopping areas. Spending the holidays in Henderson makes for an exciting way to enjoy the season, as they pull out all the stops to create a vibrant festive atmosphere.
Henderson’s proudest holiday tradition is Winterfest, a massive celebration that runs throughout December. Winterfest includes family-friendly events like a Christmas tree lighting, an evening parade, live holiday concerts, and delicious seasonal food and drinks. There are also holiday arts and crafts and other children’s activities. For a light show to remember, visit the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden, an incredible combination of the desert environment and holiday atmosphere.
Sparks
Sparks is a big city in Nevada, a short drive from Reno with a mountainous backdrop and many gorgeous natural areas nearby. Sparks’s beautiful setting makes it the ideal place to celebrate the most joyous time of year, and the city has plenty of events to enjoy.
The Sparks Hometowne Christmas celebration, celebrating its 35th year, is a big component of how the city celebrates. This annual event features exciting spectacles like a parade and the lighting of a 60-foot Christmas tree. There is also food, entertainment, and a crafter’s village, along with other wholesome family-friendly celebrations, such as the Light Up the Night event at Horizon Church.
