Best Christmas Lights in Las Vegas 2026: Top Displays to See

Explore the best Christmas lights in Las Vegas for 2026, featuring dazzling light displays, illuminated resorts, neighborhood displays, and Christmas tree lightings.

Christmas lights in Las Vegas include dazzling resort displays, illuminated gardens, synchronized light shows, neighborhood displays, and iconic Christmas tree lightings. This guide showcases the city's brightest holiday displays at luxury resorts, local attractions, botanical gardens, and community destinations throughout the Las Vegas area.

The Best Christmas Light Displays in Las Vegas This Season

From the Las Vegas Strip and the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens to neighborhood displays and community attractions, these Las Vegas Christmas lights showcase some of the city's brightest holiday traditions.

1. Annual Holiday Cactus Garden Lights — Henderson

Ethel M Chocolates illuminates its three acre botanical garden with over one million seasonal lights for its 33rd annual winter showcase. Paved walking paths lead visitors through illuminated desert flora, light sculptures, and holiday installations surrounding the production factory. The grounds feature an onsite chocolate shop offering hot cocoa sales alongside Santa Claus meet and greet sessions scheduled through December 23rd. The outdoor garden operates nightly with free entry and no advance reservation requirement.

Dates: November 5th, 2026 through January 3rd, 2027
Admission: Free
Street Address: 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson, NV 89014
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Pet-Friendly: No (Service dogs only)
Parking: Onsite free surface parking lot adjacent to the Ethel M Chocolates factory
Website: https://www.ethelm.com/en-us/locations/henderson-flagship/cactus-garden/holiday-cactus-garden

Insider Tip: Head toward the rear glass windows inside the chocolate store to view the automated candy assembly lines operating during evening garden hours.

2. Glittering Lights — Las Vegas

Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts Glittering Lights, an expansive drive through light course spanning 2.5 miles across the racing complex grounds. The roadway features over five million LED bulbs, custom light tunnels, and themed illuminated arrays positioned along the track lanes. Passengers view the entire installation from inside their vehicles while tuning their radios to a custom holiday broadcast channel. Each admission ticket covers all occupants traveling within a single personal vehicle.

Dates: November 12th, 2026 through January 10th, 2027
Admission: Ticketed (Per carload)
Street Address: 7000 Las Vegas Boulevard N., Las Vegas, NV 89191
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Pet-Friendly: Yes (From inside your vehicle)
Parking: Drive through attraction; no stationary parking required
Website: https://tickets.glitteringlightslasvegas.com/events/019df906-b70e-6cb2-7bfb-1ed88a3720f8

Insider Tip: Turn your headlights off when driving through the course and buy a bag of fresh kettle corn and hot cocoa from the Boy Scout booth right along the entry drive.

Tips for Visiting Christmas Lights in Las Vegas

Go on a weeknight: Tuesday through Thursday evenings are far less crowded than weekend nights, especially for drive-through and ticketed light experiences.
Time your visit at dusk: Most light displays are most magical in the first hour after sunset, when the lights pop against a deepening sky.
Bundle up for the desert chill: Las Vegas nights get cold fast after sunset in December. Bring a warm layer for outdoor displays and walking trails.
Book ticketed experiences in advance: Popular walk through and drive through experiences sell out on December weekends. Check the schedule and reserve early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here's what to know before you go to any of the listed Las Vegas lights this season.

When do Christmas lights turn on in Las Vegas?

Most major Christmas light displays in Las Vegas turn on between mid and late November and run through early January. Tree lighting ceremonies typically take place the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Where can I see free Christmas lights in Las Vegas?

Many of Las Vegas's most iconic light displays are free to view, including tree lightings, neighborhood displays, and resort and public installations. Some ticketed experiences offer drive-through or walk-through light trails for a more immersive experience.

Are Las Vegas Christmas lights kid friendly?

Yes. Most Christmas light displays in Las Vegas are family-friendly, with activities, food, and entertainment suitable for all ages. Check individual listings for stroller accessibility and kid-specific activities.

When is the best time to see Christmas lights in Las Vegas?

Weeknights are typically less crowded than weekends, especially Tuesday through Thursday. Most displays look best from dusk through 9 PM. Avoid the weekend right before Christmas if you want a calmer experience.

Can I add my event to this guide?

We'd love to feature your Christmas event! Simply share your event through our quick submission form and we will get it added to the list!

Christmas Lights Worth the Drive from Las Vegas

Las Vegas isn't the only place worth visiting for Christmas lights this season. Within a couple of hours' drive, you'll find several other cities with their own magical holiday displays worth the trip.

Flagstaff, Arizona — 3 Hours 50 Minutes from Las Vegas

Swap the bright lights of Las Vegas for the towering pines of Little America Flagstaff, where more than one million Christmas lights illuminate the hotel's forested grounds each holiday season. The walk through display creates one of northern Arizona's most photographed Christmas light experiences, making Flagstaff an easy mountain getaway for anyone looking to enjoy a different side of the season.

San Diego, California — 5 Hours from Las Vegas

Head north to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the Coastal Christmas Holiday Lights Spectacular, where a walk through trail fills the grounds with illuminated displays and holiday scenery along the coast. Then continue to Coronado for Hotel del Coronado's Lightshow Spectacular, where the resort's towering Norfolk Island pines are illuminated to music in a free nightly display.