Looking for the best things to do in Las Vegas in December 2026? This might be the most magical month of the year to be in the city. Las Vegas goes all out for the holidays with Christmas lights, family activities, sporting events, rodeo action and plenty of ways to celebrate all month long.
Here are some of our favorites.
See 6 Million Christmas Lights at Glittering Lights
Open nightly through January 3, 2027
If Christmas lights are on your December bucket list, start with Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The three-mile drive-through Christmas light experience features more than 6 million sparkling lights and has become a holiday tradition for Las Vegas families. Turn on Ho Ho Radio, stay cozy in your car and experience the lights together at your own pace.
For 2026, guests can also experience new patriotic elements celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Glittering Lights opens nightly at 5 p.m. and is open rain or shine, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
December is one of the most popular times to visit, so purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.
Tickets are available at GlitteringLights.Vegas.
Experience NFR in Las Vegas
December 3–12, 2026
December in Las Vegas means one thing for rodeo fans: NFR is back.
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo returns to the Thomas & Mack Center December 3-12th for 10 nights of championship rodeo competition.
Even if you aren’t heading to the rodeo itself, NFR takes over Las Vegas with Western-themed events, concerts, shopping and activities throughout the city.
For families visiting Las Vegas during NFR, it’s easy to make an entire day out of it. Enjoy the Western festivities during the day and head to Glittering Lights after dark for a completely different kind of Las Vegas December experience.
Shop Cowboy Christmas
December 3–12, 2026
Looking for some Christmas shopping while you’re in town for NFR? Cowboy Christmas returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center December 3 through 12.
The official gift show of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo features more than 500,000 square feet of shopping and hundreds of exhibitors offering Western wear, jewelry, boots, artwork, handmade goods and more.
There are also family-friendly experiences throughout the event, including the YETI Junior National Finals Rodeo and a Cowboy Christmas Village featuring Christmas trees, photo opportunities, a place for kids to write letters to Santa and daily Santa appearances.
Best of all, admission to Cowboy Christmas is free.
Ride Through Glittering Lights on Bicycle Night
December 5, 2026
There’s driving through millions of Christmas lights, and then there’s riding your bicycle through them.
Bicycle Night returns to Glittering Lights on December 5, giving guests a special opportunity to experience the light park on two wheels.
It’s one of the most unique ways to see Glittering Lights and a fun addition to your list of December activities in Las Vegas.
Take the Santa Tram Through Glittering Lights
December 4–5, 11–12 and 17–23, 2026
Want to experience Glittering Lights without driving your own car?
Climb aboard the Santa Tram for a festive open-air ride through the light park. In addition to riding through the lights, the Santa Tram experience includes free photos with Santa, games for the kids, plenty of holiday photo opportunities.
Santa Tram dates for December 2026 include December 4–5, 11–12 and 17–23.
It’s an especially fun option for families, friends and groups who want to experience Glittering Lights together.
Cheer on the Vegas Golden Knights
December 3, 5, 16, 18, 21 and 31, 2026
Hockey fans have plenty of chances to see the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena this December.
The Golden Knights have six home games currently scheduled for the month, facing the Utah Mammoth on December 3, Winnipeg Jets on December 5, San Jose Sharks on December 16, New York Islanders on December 18, Carolina Hurricanes on December 21 and St. Louis Blues on December 31.
The New Year’s Eve game has an especially family-friendly start time of noon, making it easy to catch some hockey and still have the entire evening ahead of you.
Celebrate National Hot Cocoa Day
December 13, 2026
Christmas lights and hot cocoa were pretty much made for each other.
Celebrate National Hot Cocoa Day at Glittering Lights on December 13, presented by Chick-fil-A.
Bundle up the family, grab some cocoa and enjoy a night surrounded by millions of Christmas lights. If you’ve been searching for family Christmas activities in Las Vegas, this is about as festive as December gets.
Catch a Raiders Home Game
December 13, 20 and 27, 2026
Football fans have three chances to see the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in December.
The Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, the Denver Broncos on December 20 and the Tennessee Titans on December 27.
The December 20 matchup is also the Raiders’ Happy Holidays game, making it a particularly fun addition to a Christmas weekend in Las Vegas.
With afternoon kickoff times currently scheduled for all three games, you can even make Glittering Lights your post-game activity.
Celebrate The Richard Harris Law Firm Promo Night
December 19, 2026
Mark December 19 on your calendar for a special night at Glittering Lights presented by The Richard Harris Law Firm.
The first 200 cars through Glittering Lights will receive a free holiday cookie cutter while supplies last.
Come early, grab your holiday keepsake and then enjoy your drive through the lights.
Plan a Christmas Group Outing in Las Vegas
Trying to plan a company Christmas party, family gathering, school outing or holiday celebration for a larger group? Glittering Lights offers special group rates and private Santa Tram experiences throughout the season.
Groups of 20 to 99 guests can purchase Santa Tram tickets for $15 per person, a savings of $10 per guest.
For $20 per person, groups can upgrade to a Santa Tram + Treat Ticket, which includes hot cocoa and a kettle corn snack bag and saves $12.50 per guest.
Each tram holds up to 50 guests, the ride itself is approximately 30 minutes and the ideal total event length is around two hours. Free parking and restrooms are available on site, and the experience is ADA compliant.
For even larger groups of 100 to 500 guests, partial and full private buyouts are available starting at $2,500.
It’s an easy way to turn a traditional holiday outing into an experience everyone gets to enjoy together.
Spend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at Glittering Lights
December 24–25, 2026
Wondering what to do in Las Vegas on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Glittering Lights is open both nights.
Pack everyone into the car, turn on the Christmas music and take a drive through millions of lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It’s an easy Christmas activity that kids, parents and grandparents can all experience together.
There’s no need to worry about the weather either. Glittering Lights operates rain or shine and opens nightly at 5 p.m.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas
December 31, 2026
Las Vegas is known around the world for New Year’s Eve, but celebrating with kids can look a little different than spending the night on the Strip.
For families looking for things to do in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve, make one last holiday drive through Glittering Lights part of your celebration with free fireworks at 9pm included in your ticket to see the lights!
Glittering Lights is open on New Year’s Eve, giving families a festive way to close out 2026 together.
You can even start the day with the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena at noon before ending it surrounded by Christmas lights.
Make December in Las Vegas One to Remember
Some of the best December memories are also the simplest ones: loading everyone into the car, turning on the Christmas music and spending a night together.
Glittering Lights is open nightly at 5 p.m. through January 3, 2027 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We’re open rain or shine and on every holiday, so there are plenty of opportunities to make Glittering Lights part of your Christmas tradition.
Plan your visit, purchase tickets or learn more about group experiences at GlitteringLights.Vegas.
