At a glance
Looking for holiday lights for your kids? There are 6 programs on PlayPivot across the Las Vegas valley.
Updated October 2026
The big Christmas light shows in Las Vegas open in early to mid November and run into the first days of January. With little kids, the drive-throughs are the easy pick: Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and World of Illumination in Henderson. For a walk, the Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden in Henderson costs a few dollars a person, and the Magical Forest and Enchant add Santa and rides.
Before you sign up: These details come from each program's own website and public listings, last updated October 2026. Prices, schedules and staff change, so check with the program directly before you enroll.
Programs across the Las Vegas valley
Glittering Lights
Las Vegas
World of Illumination
Henderson
Christmas Lights Lane
North Las Vegas
Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden
Henderson
Free
Magical Forest and HallOVeen at Opportunity Village
Las Vegas
Up to age 18. $$
Lake Mead Parade Of Lights Boat Parade
Boulder City
Las Vegas - Enchant Christmas
Temporarily closed
Summerlin
Up to age 18. $$
Drive-through lights: heat on, snacks in the back seat
Glittering Lights is the long-running drive-through at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, north of the city off Las Vegas Boulevard North. It has run for more than two decades, the route is about three miles, and it opens at 5 p.m. every night of the season, from early November into early January. You pay per carload, and paying cash at the gate costs less than paying by card. On select nights a Santa Tram runs for an extra charge per person, so price it out before you promise it to the kids.
World of Illumination sets up its drive-through show at Cowabunga Bay on Galleria Drive in Henderson, from mid November into early January, in the evenings. The theme changes every season. Tickets are sold online only, one per car, so buy before you leave the house.
Walk-through lights: for kids who want to get out of the car
The Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden in Henderson is the low-cost walk. The cactus garden lights up every night from early November into early January for a small entry fee per person, and kids under 2 get in free. You don't need a reservation. It closes early on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and it's closed on Christmas Day. The entry fees support Help of Southern Nevada and Three Square Food Bank.
The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on West Oakey Boulevard is a holiday light park with extras kids remember: the Forest Express train, a carousel, a snow-covered slide and photos with Santa. It opens at the end of November and runs through New Year's Day, with a few nights off. Kids 3 and under get in free, and tickets are for a set night.
Enchant Christmas comes to the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin from late November to just after Christmas, with a walk-through light maze, visits with Santa and ice skating as an add-on. Tickets have an arrival window, and the price changes with the date and entry time, so compare a few dates before you buy.
Free and almost free
The Bellagio Conservatory puts up a holiday display every year from mid November into early January, and walking through is free. It closes for about a week in early November while the display goes in. A stroller is easier on a weekday morning than on a December night on the Strip.
The Lake Mead Parade of Lights is one evening in early December, when decorated boats cruise past Boulder Beach near Boulder City. Families watch from Boulder Beach, the public viewing spot.
Good to know before you go
- December is the one month when Las Vegas evenings get cold, and almost every light show is outside after dark. Bring real jackets and gloves, even for the drive-throughs if the kids will want the windows down.
- Several shows sell tickets for a set night or an arrival window. Buy ahead for a Friday or Saturday in December.
- Dates, prices and hours change every season. Check each show's official site before you go, and see our Christmas events roundup for this year's dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Christmas lights start in Las Vegas?
The first shows open in early November. Glittering Lights and the Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden start then, World of Illumination follows in mid November, and the Magical Forest and Enchant open in late November. Most run into the first days of January.
Which Christmas lights in Las Vegas are drive-through?
Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and World of Illumination at Cowabunga Bay in Henderson are the two drive-through shows. Glittering Lights sells tickets per carload at the gate, and World of Illumination sells them online only, one per car.
What are the free or cheapest Christmas lights in Las Vegas?
The Bellagio Conservatory's holiday display is free to walk through, and the Lake Mead Parade of Lights is watched from Boulder Beach. The Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden charges a small entry fee per person, and kids under 2 get in free.
Which light shows work for toddlers?
The drive-throughs let toddlers stay warm in their car seats and let you leave whenever you need to. For a walk with little ones, the Magical Forest has a train, a carousel and Santa, and kids 3 and under get in free.
Where can kids see Santa at the light shows?
The Magical Forest has photos with Santa through Christmas Eve, Enchant Christmas has visits with Santa, and Glittering Lights runs a Santa Tram on select nights for an extra charge.
How many holiday lights programs are there in Las Vegas?
PlayPivot currently lists 6 holiday lights programs across the Las Vegas valley, 2 of them completely free. Most serve kids ages up to 18.
Are there special-needs-friendly holiday lights programs in Las Vegas?
Yes. 3 of the 6 holiday lights programs across the Las Vegas valley identify as special-needs friendly. PlayPivot's search has a dedicated special-needs filter to find them.
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