Here is our annual list of fun ways to celebrate the holidays in the Las Vegas Valley.
Nov 14-Jan 1 19th Annual Holiday Cactus Garden: 2 Cactus Garden Dr., Henderson. The winter wonderland will illuminate nightly from Ethel M Chocolates, one again featuring more than 600,000 sparkling lights decoratively displayed throughout a sprawling 3 acre Botanical Cactus Garden. Making a comeback, visitors can look forward to a display of “meteor lights” that when seen through 3D glasses look like falling snow flakes. 5pm-10pm. www.ethelm.com/default.aspx 1-800-471-0352
Nov 16-Jan 6 Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N. This season Glittering Lights is expanding with more displays that include a NASCAR scene and Avenue of Trees. The largest regional holiday light show is all LED, a more energy efficient way to entertain Las Vegas. Avenue of trees is sponsored by Las Vegas Motor Speedway and will showcase over 55 charities with custom dedication signs and fully lit trees decorated by each charity. Mon-Thurs from 5:30-9pm, Fir-Sun from 5:30-10pm. www.glitteringlightslasvegas.com 702-644-4444
Nov 21-Jan 8 Winter in Venice: 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 702-414-1000 Sure, there are plenty of things to do on the Las 
Vegas Strip. But an outdoor winter wonderland-complete with an ice skating rink, festive entertaining and displays is a whole different story. Each evening, a new nightly parade will wind through The Venetian and The Palazzo, featuring character from the “Winter in Venice” celebration. The whimsical and elaborate designs will the set the stage for the evening’s entertainment and offer perfect photo opportunities. Daily, 11am-11pm. www.vegas.com/attraction/on_the_strip/ice_venetian.html
Nov 21-Jan 6 2012 Magical Forest Season: 6300 W. Oakey Blvd. Get Your Elf On! You’ll always be home for the holidays at the Magical Forest! Photos with Santa in his workshop, wondrous gingerbread house display, millions of brilliant holiday lights and much more! Sun-Thurs 5:30pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm www.opportunityvillage.org/magical forest 702-259-3741
Dec 1 The Las Vegas Great Santa Run: 6605 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Last year, nearly 8,200 participants flooded the streets of Town Square in support of Opportunity Village and individuals with disabilities in our community. This race has become a ‘must’ for visitors, a community involvement activity for local businesses and a holiday tradition for families. 8am-registration opens and entertainment begins. 10am-5K run begins with 1 mile walk immediately following. www.opportunityvillage.org/great-santa-run 702-269-5000
Dec 2 Holiday Invitational Festival Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church: 204 Spring Gate Lane. The Las Vegas Master Singers will be joined by guest High School groups to perform festive holiday music! Starts at 3:30 pm. www.graceinthedesert.org 702-838-7444
Dec 2 Rock & Roll Marathon: Experience Vegas like never before. Run the Strip at night! Marathon-3pm, Half Marathon 4:30 pm. There is NO Race Day Registration, you must go online to register and get details on the race. runrocknroll.competitor.com/las-vegas/register
Dec 8 Las Vegas Philharmonic presents “A Very Vegas Christmas: The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave. A 
perfect outing for the entire family, this holiday program conducted by Robert Bernhardt is filled with musical joys of the season. Special guests Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and former Mayor Oscar B. Goodman will narrate ‘A Night Before Christmas’ and percussionists from the Foothill High School drumline will add festive flair. Saturday, 2pm www.thesmithcenter.com 702-749-2012
Dec 8-9/15-23 Holiday Spectacular at the Springs Preserve: 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Experience a family-friendly winter wonderland filled with fun, colorful excitement and much more! Bathed in the glow of thousands of colorful, eco-friendly LED lights, the family-friendly celebration will feature tasty treats, holiday arts and crafts, reindeer (pony) rides for the little ones, photos with Santa and much more. 5pm-9pm. www.springspreserve.org 702-822-7700
Dec 12 Menorah Lighting in the District: 2240 Village Walk Dr. Fun for the whole family. Join in song and refreshments. 5:30pm. www.thedistrictgvr.com 702-564-8595
Dec 13-15 Winterfest: 200 S. Water St. The City of Henderson will host its annual WinterFest celebration. This year’s them will be An Old-Fashioned Christmas Delight as the event will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including an official tree lighting ceremony with Santa Claus, gingerbread house displays, roaming performances and an evening light parade! Admission for all activities is complimentary. check website for times and events. www.hendersonlive.com/special-events/winterfest 702-267-2171
Dec 31 New Years Eve in Las Vegas: Besides the Vegas Strip, another great place to ring in 2013 in Las Vegas would be the Fremont Street Experience. This y ear the best of the best will be performing for 14 combined hours of live concerts on 3 stages. www.lasvegas-how-to.com/new-year-in-las-vegas.php