PHOTO : Winter Lights Festival display at Springs Preserve (public domain source)

This is the initial entry in a series of articles outlining Christmas week (Dec 20 - 27 ) events and activities in Las Vegas. This community never runs short of options for things to do and see and the next few days surrounding the 2009 Christmas holiday celebration is certainly no exception. Aside from the main Vegas draw and appeal (and that'd be gambling), there is a massive list of Christmas holiday options for Vegas patrons to select from. This series of articles will provide listings and brief descriptions of some Vegas Christmas activities and events, light and decorations displays, big - name entertainers, Christmas holiday music concerts, Christmas parties, and other festive - themed options.

This initial article entry outlines some notable Christmas holiday decoration and themed display options for Vegas patrons. More info is available through the provided links.

Christmas decorations / displays :

 Nation's tallest Christmas tree at M Resort: At 109 feet tall, this is reportedly the tallest cut tree in the country. View it at M Resort through December 23. 

PHOTOS : Tallest cut tree at M Resort and Bellagio Conservatory tree (public domain sources)

 Winter Lights Festival at Springs Preserve : View a half million LED lights display, enjoy holiday music and crafts, train rides, Santa visits and photos, and holiday treats at the Springs Cafe by Wolfgang Puck. Costs are $8 adults and $4 for kids aged 5 to 17 from 5 - 9 pm through 12/24/09. Closed Christmas Day.

 Winter Wonderland Display at Palazzo : This display is intended to raise awareness for the polar bear's plight and features a 16 foot tall polar bear mother and her 6 foot tall cub made entirely of specially developed white poinsettias. The huge display includes falling snow on the hour inside the Palazzo casino..only in Vegas. The display is available through 1/01/2010.

PHOTOS : Winter Wonderland at Palazzo and Caesar's Palace exterior tree (public domain sources)   

 Annual Holiday Display at Four Seasons Hotel : This display features gingerbread..there's a Gingerbread Village that includes a big gingerbread teddy bear. View it in the lobby of this very fancy Vegas hotel just south of Mandalay Bay on the strip through Christmas Day.

Bellagio Conservatory Holiday Display : This famous free attraction is decked out for the holidays with a family of polar bears crafted from 36,000 white carnations. There's also a 15 - feet tall rocking horse (that actually rocks) along with a 42 - foot Christmas tree. The Bellagio has been listed as one of the 10 Best Decked Out Hotels in the country by Orbitz for it's holiday decorations and aura (see a recently published LVE article ) and the Conservatory decorations no doubt contributed heavily to their selection.

Mystic Falls Holiday Wonderland at Sam's Town : Now in it's fifteenth year, this annual display features animatronics with three new polar bear scenes, holiday music, sparkling lights, and a light show. It's very western..and good. View it at 6. 8. and 10 pm (free) through 1/02/2010.

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop : See model trains, participate in games and activities, and get photos with Santa. This event runs through 12/24/2009 and is located at 8200 Dean Martin Drive.

Magical Forest at Opportunity Village : See the Gift Cabin, Gift Box Cafe, Forest Express Train, a gingerbread house, and participate in a raffle. Base prices are $9.50 for adults/ $7.50 children ages 3 - 11. They're also offering a Passport pricing option that includes park entry, unlimited train rides, admission to the Storytime Theater, and other goodies. This event runs through 1/02/2010, with all proceeds to benefit the disabled at Opportunity Village.

Chocolate Wonderland at Ethel M Chocolate Factory : A half million lights decorate the Ethel M's Cactus garden pathways for visitors who can take a self-guided tour . Choirs will be performing festive holiday tunes in the garden. Santa will be around from 5 - 9 pm through Dec 20. The free gardens and holiday tours will run through New Year's Day, 2010.

Gift of Lights at Sunset Park : Drive through this festive park and marvel at the scenic decorations. The cost is $13 per car but patrons can receive $2 off per car when donating used items to Goodwill of Southern Nevada. Reserve horse and carriage rides through the park by phoning 702-467-3831. This alluring decorations display will be available through 1/03/2010.

Las Vegas Christmas Tree at Fremont Street Experience : View the official Las Vegas Christmas Tree downtown at the Fremont Street Experience through Dec 31. This 50 - foot tree stands below the famous Viva Vision overhead light / music display show in "Old Vegas" (downtown). Free music performances from Candy and The Canes occur nightly at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 pm showtimes through Dec 31.

PHOTO :  Official Las Vegas Christmas tree at Fremont Street Experience downtown (public domain) 

 Christmas Walk at The District at Green Valley Ranch : Take a photo with Santa and enjoy holiday music and Christmas tree light shows through 12/24/2009. 

Check out a twist on the Twelve Days of Christmas , Vegas style in the video below.

Cheers...

Charles Higgins

Twelve Days of Christmas, Vegas style video from youtube.com.