Spending the holidays in all-out Vegas glitters and sparkles

Las Vegas goes big, and the holidays are no exception. The city’s signature events vary wildly, but are heavy with wonder. Where else can you find a massive gingerbread village or a Christmas cactus wonderland? Desert ice skating or a drive-thru light show at a famed racetrack?

Just 10 minutes from downtown, Las Vegas Motor Speedway becomes the Glittering Lights drive-thru extravaganza. Its 3 million LEDs and more than 500 animated, sparkling displays turn the racetrack into an enthralling, otherworldly escape. Open nightly through Jan. 7, displays for its 17th incarnation include an automated talking tree, and a grand “Oh Christmas Tree” entrance made of lights. With pricing set per vehicle, it’s also a glitteringly good deal for families and couples alike. A very different -- and very desert -- light show is the three-acre cactus garden in Henderson which, for 23 years, Ethel M Chocolates has decorated with more and more lights. There will be over 1 million bulbs adorning spectacular succulents and a new ice skating rink. The lights are free to view from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1, while the rink is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and costs $10 per hour during daytime, or $15 in the evenings.

In early December, Bellagio Resort & Casino’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens unveils its most anticipated display of the year: The holiday installation. The sights of the season will take over the Gardens as thousands of fresh flowers (including poinsettias) are wrapped with countless twinkling lights. At The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the property’s Boulevard Pool is transformed into an ice rink and winter wonderland high above the Strip. Open until Jan. 10, The ice rink offers skating with periodic snow flurries and s’mores roasting over fire pits. Skate rental runs $10 for 60 minutes or $20 daily ($10 for locals and Cosmopolitan guests).

Celebrated pastry chef Jean-Luc Daul will unveil his 19th annual gingerbread village at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas this winter. It recalls the quaint Christmas villages found across Europe. Created with an incredible 200 pounds of sugar, plus more than 60 pounds of fondant icing and 25 pounds of chocolate, his creation is the perfect holiday photo-op.

The Fremont Street Experience celebrates Hanukkah with the lighting of the Grand Menorah on Dec. 12. Led by a local rabbi, the ceremony will welcome the Festival of Lights and remain on display throughout the Hanukkah season.

-Paul Rogers, Custom Publishing Writer