The holiday season is the perfect time to create memories that last a lifetime. For families, building holiday traditions brings everyone closer together and gives kids something to look forward to year after year. Whether it’s enjoying sparkling lights, baking cookies, or visiting festive attractions, there are so many ways to make the season feel magical. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some family holiday tradition ideas to start this year, including some of the best holiday experiences right here in Las Vegas.
Visit Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
For 25 years, Glittering Lights has been one of Las Vegas’s most beloved holiday traditions. Families pile into the car, bundle up in pajamas, sip hot cocoa, and drive through a glowing wonderland filled with millions of lights. From animated tunnels to themed displays, every twist and turn feels like a new adventure. It’s a tradition that brings families together without stress—no long walks, no crowded lines, just the cozy comfort of enjoying the show from your own vehicle.
Many families make Glittering Lights their official kickoff to the holiday season, visiting on opening weekend to mark the start of the festivities. Others return multiple times throughout the season with a Season Pass, creating a tradition of making new memories with every visit. This year is the perfect time to start your own Glittering Lights tradition and join the thousands of families who call it their holiday favorite.
Bake Holiday Cookies Together
Baking is a timeless holiday tradition that kids love just as much as adults. Set aside a day in December to bake cookies together as a family. Let kids cut out fun shapes like trees, stars, or reindeer, and then decorate them with frosting and sprinkles. Not only do you end up with sweet treats, but you also create moments of laughter and creativity in the kitchen. Pair your cookie night with holiday music or a family movie, and you’ll have an activity everyone looks forward to each year.
See a Holiday Show: Marriage Can Be Murder
Las Vegas is famous for its shows, and during the holidays you’ll find festive twists on local favorites. One unique option for families with kids age 8+ is Marriage Can Be Murder’s holiday show. This interactive dinner theater combines comedy, mystery, and a holiday theme for a night full of laughter and surprises. Guests enjoy a festive meal while helping solve a “who-done-it” mystery, with plenty of holiday cheer sprinkled in. Adding a live show to your holiday traditions gives your family a night out that’s both entertaining and memorable, and it’s a great way to celebrate the season together.
Have a Family Movie Night
Set aside one night each December for a holiday movie marathon. Snuggle up in blankets, wear festive pajamas, and watch classics like “Home Alone,” “The Grinch,” or “Elf.” You can make it even more interactive with holiday bingo cards or trivia. Add in festive snacks like popcorn mixed with holiday candy, hot cocoa, or even the cookies you baked together. This tradition brings cozy fun into your home and guarantees plenty of laughter.
Go Ice Skating at The Cosmopolitan’s Rooftop Rink
For a holiday activity that feels straight out of a winter wonderland, head to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas where the rooftop transforms into a seasonal ice skating rink. With views of the Strip, twinkling lights overhead, and festive music playing, it’s a holiday experience that feels both magical and memorable. Ice skating together is a fun way to get active, laugh off some spills, and create family memories that will last long past the season.
Start a Holiday Giving Tradition
The holidays are also a season of giving, and creating a tradition of giving back can be one of the most meaningful family experiences. Whether you donate toys, volunteer at a local organization, or support charities like Speedway Children’s Charities through your Glittering Lights visit, you teach kids the importance of kindness and community. A tradition of giving is something that grows with your family and makes the holidays even more special.
Final Thoughts
Traditions don’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful. What matters most is spending time together and creating moments that bring joy to your family. Whether it’s a drive through Glittering Lights, a night of mystery and laughter at Marriage Can Be Murder, a cozy holiday movie night, or skating under the stars, the traditions you start this year could become the memories your family treasures forever.
