The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, gather together, and create memories with family. Between the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, and holiday parties, nothing feels better than a cozy night spent enjoying holiday traditions. One of the best ways to bring the family together is by pairing an evening at Glittering Lights with a festive holiday movie night at home.
Start the Night with Glittering Lights
Before pressing play on your favorite holiday film, set the mood by taking the family on a drive through Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Opening on November 7, this beloved holiday tradition features millions of twinkling lights, themed tunnels, and dazzling animated displays that instantly put you in the spirit of the season.
For 25 years, families have bundled up in pajamas, grabbed blankets and cocoa, and driven through this magical light show together. It’s more than just an event—it’s the perfect kickoff to a night of holiday fun. The sparkling tunnels and glowing displays provide the kind of inspiration that makes everyone want to go home and keep the magic alive with more holiday activities.
Create a Cozy Movie-Watching Space
Once you’ve soaked in the lights and made it back home, it’s time to get cozy for your family movie night. Transform your living room into a festive space with a few easy touches. Lay out blankets and pillows so everyone has a comfortable spot, and string up fairy lights to bring a touch of the glow from Glittering Lights back into your home. If you have a fireplace, light it up for extra warmth. Encourage the kids to stay in their holiday PJs from the car ride—it makes the evening feel like a true holiday sleepover.
Holiday Snacks and Treats
No movie night is complete without snacks, and holiday treats make it even more fun. Popcorn is a must-have, but you can make it festive by adding white chocolate drizzle, holiday sprinkles, or crushed candy canes. Pair it with cookies, candy canes, or a simple hot cocoa bar stocked with marshmallows and whipped cream. For something savory, try holiday-themed cheese and crackers or a charcuterie board shaped like a Christmas tree. These little touches make the night feel like a special event.
Interactive Movie Fun
Make the experience more interactive by adding games or challenges tied to the movies. Print out holiday movie bingo cards where kids can check off items like “snowman,” “Santa,” or “holiday party” as they appear on screen. You could also play a guessing game where family members try to predict what will happen next in the movie. These activities add energy and laughter to the night while keeping kids engaged.
Matching Pajamas and Photos
To make the tradition even more memorable, wear matching holiday pajamas for both your Glittering Lights visit and your movie night at home. Families love snapping photos in front of the glowing tunnels during the drive and then capturing cozy moments during movie night. Over time, these photos become a collection of holiday memories you’ll treasure year after year.
Pick the Perfect Movies
Of course, the highlight of the night is the movie itself. Whether your family loves timeless classics, laugh-out-loud comedies, or heartwarming new releases, there’s no shortage of holiday films to choose from. To make planning easy, we’ve put together a list of family-friendly holiday movies to watch this season. You’ll find the full list included below so you can pick the perfect lineup for your own family movie night.
End the Night with Holiday Cheer
A family holiday movie night is about more than just watching films—it’s about spending intentional time together and creating traditions. By starting the evening with Glittering Lights, you set the tone with sparkle and joy, then carry that magic into your home for a night filled with laughter, snacks, and family connection.
So this season, grab your tickets to Glittering Lights, pile the family in the car, and let the glow of millions of lights inspire the coziest movie night of the year. End the evening with your favorite film from our list, and you’ll have created a tradition your family will want to repeat every holiday season.
