Las Vegas Provides Seasonal Festivities For Holiday Visitors

Las Vegas is embracing winter and the spirit of the holidays, in its oversize way, this season. The destination will be decking halls, spreading holiday cheer and transforming into a winter wonderland for visitors looking to celebrate. As the ultimate destination to spend the holiday season, there is a plethora of holiday lights, outdoor festivities, activities and more for celebrators this year. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), in concert with the hotel properties on the Strip and beyond, has a full list of activities that will be sure to get you even more excited about the holiday season.

MERRY AND BRIGHT

The Christmas tree at the LINQ Promenade at 3545 S. Las Vegas Blvd. in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. CREDIT: Bill Hughes/Las Vegas News Bureau

The LINQ Promenade debuted Winter PARQ with the lighting of a 35-foot holiday tree adorned with lights and ornaments on the Fountain Stage. Winter PARQ will feature a brand new holiday show, Lights at The LINQ, and live entertainment nightly to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. More than 2,000 lights syncopated to music will dazzle visitors with countless combinations of changing colors and varying intensities to create a uniquely dynamic visual experience. In addition to the festive fun, Winter PARQ will also have snow fall nightly. Visitors can enjoy the festivities nightly through Dec. 30.

The Ice Rink At The Park, Monday, November 21, 2016. CREDIT: Glenn Pinkerton/Las Vegas News Bureau

Overlooking the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard, The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas welcomes visitors to skate on over 4,200 square feet of real ice. Visitors are encouraged to warm up or roast s’mores by the fire, delight in light snow showers, enjoy seasonal treats and beverages with breathtaking views. On Mondays, skaters can catch two classic holiday movies on the resort’s digital marquee.

The world-famous Bellagio Conservatory will change the garden display the week of Nov. 27, highlighting a beautiful floral arrangement featuring the polar bear family and a 42-foot holiday tree embellished with twinkling lights and ornaments while a family of elves playfully decorate. New this year is a Bellagio-themed train station with two 10-foot trains adorned with 1,200 red and white roses while four animated toy soldiers stand guard. The resort will also decorate for the season with displays throughout the lobby and other public areas.

The horticulture team at Wynn Las Vegas will also transform the resort into a winter wonderland spectacle with five distinct fantasy villages, with 33 beautifully embellished holiday trees, thousands of poinsettias in shades of ivory and gold and seasonal lighting displayed throughout the resort.

Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas will be getting in the spirit with students from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Choir performing classic favorites in the Sky Lobby from Dec. 19-22. Patrons can indulge in an assortment of holiday sweets and tea at the Nutcracker Tea at The Tea Lounge from Dec. 1 – Jan. 4. Visitors can also partake in Sips with a Master Sommelier – Year End Bubbles, More Than Just Champagne for a chance to blind taste sparkling wines for a unique holiday celebration.

Glittering Lights, Nevada’s largest holiday drive-thru light show: “Glittering Lights,” Nevada’s largest holiday drive-thru light show, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

It will be a December to Remember at the equally world-famous Neon Museum, where a vast collection of restored neon signs resides. The Museum will host a holiday celebration with ornament-making, photo opps with Santa, hot chocolate and caroling by the Las Vegas Academy choir in the colorfully illuminated Neon Museum Boneyard. Part of the City of Las Vegas Cultural Corridor‘s holiday festivities, December to Remember will take place Saturday, Dec. 17.

Glittering Lights, Nevada’s largest holiday drive-thru light show: “Glittering Lights,” Nevada’s largest holiday drive-thru light show, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is Las Vegas’ largest holiday drive-thru light show. Featuring more than 3 million lights throughout a 2.5 mile course that intertwines with the speedway, Glittering Lights has been a beloved holiday tradition for 16 years. Glittering Lights is open nightly through Jan. 7.

Spread Chocolate Cheer This Holiday Season with a Gift from Ethel M® Chocolates

This holiday season; give everyone on your list an affordable luxury experience: Ethel M® Chocolates from www.EthelM.com. These exceptional gourmet confections — made without preservatives — hold true to the recipes that Ethel Mars once made in her own kitchen in the early 1900’s. Comprised of the finest ingredients and made in small batches -– some made by hand, Ethel M® Chocolates embody the ideal holiday gift for everyone on your list, from friends and family to party hosts and business associates.

For girlfriends and party hosts: Say cheers to the holiday season with the new Holiday Cocktail Collection ($28). The 16 pieces include Champagne Cocktail and Mucha Margarita drenched in milk chocolate, and Lemon Drop and Chocopolitan wrapped in dark chocolate. Each piece is filled with holiday spirits combined in a crème center. Colorful retro designs atop each piece add festive fun to this gift. (Local state laws prohibit the shipment of alcoholic products directly to consumers in many states. See online ordering information for details.)

For business clients or hard-to-buy-for friends: Personalize a gift by including their favorite flavors inside a Design Your Own box ($37-$97). It’s simple: choose a box style, select the chocolates and place the order. From the caramel lover to the truffle fan to the Satin Cremes® connoisseur, you’ve got the holidays covered.

Treat yourself: Open the Holiday Deluxe Collection ($24) and start a tradition with a delicious variety of the best of Ethel M® Chocolates. Each 34-piece box includes new limited edition holiday flavors, each enrobed in rich chocolate: Peppermint Silk, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie and Egg Nog. The collection also features creamy caramels, Almond Crunch and Satin Cremes®.

For that special guy on the list: The sweet and savory Classic and Chocolate-covered Pecan Brittle ($35) offers a softer crunch, thanks to a secret recipe and hand-picked pecans. Ethel M® signature brittle has a delicious buttery taste, is created with just a few ingredients and is handcrafted in small batches.

For moms and mother-in-laws: They will appreciate this recipe handed down for generations, as the 16-piece Satin Cremes® Collection ($28) is made with real cream and stirred by hand. The buttery fillings are flavored with fresh raspberries, vanilla, chocolate and lemon, and then drenched in premium chocolate.

For friends celebrating Hanukkah: The new 16-piece Kosher Hanukkah Classic Collection ($28) features buttery caramels, milk and dark Satin Cremes® and an assortment of crunchy nut pieces. Or choose the Hanukkah Collection Bundle ($45), which includes the Classic Collection adorned with a Hanukkah bow, one Hanukkah Bar Set of three delectable chocolate bars, and one bag of 22 Chocolate Gelt Coins.

“Ethel M” was the matriarch of the Mars family; her husband and son –- Frank C. Mars and Forrest Mars, Sr. -– founded world-renowned Mars, Incorporated, manufacturer of iconic brands like M&M’S® Brand Candies, SNICKERS® Bar and DOVE® Chocolate. In 1981 Forrest Mars, Sr., created Ethel M® Chocolates as a tribute to his mother, who taught him the art of making chocolate.

Cyber Monday shoppers seeking the perfect gift can unwrap a special deal at www.EthelM.com. Enter the code CYBERMONDAY13 to receive a 20 percent discount, with no minimum order, plus a $5 flat rate standard shipping fee for orders of $50 or more. This code is valid during the 24 hours of Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. Ethel M.® Chocolates are sold online at www.EthelM.com , by phone at (800) 438-4356 and in five locations throughout Las Vegas.