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Christmas in Vegas?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Earthman, Jun 23, 2016.

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  1. Earthman

    Earthman Tourist

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    It looks like the stars will align for us in just the right way this December - due to Christmas falling on a Saturday, both Earthgirl and I get an entire week off work before the holiday, as well as after. 16 days total! The extended family is gathering on Thanksgiving this year and doing Christmas individually, and Earthgirl and I don't have kids, so we have no obligations. Clearly, we need to plan a Vegas trip.

    The thing is, although I have taken 20+ trips to Vegas, they have almost all been in the spring or summer- I've never been there in the winter, much less during the holiday season. I would sincerely appreciate any information the community wishes to share. I do have a few specific questions:

    What is it usually like during the week before Christmas? I would expect emptier casinos and restaurants and more crowded shops, but that's just a guess. Do many shows go dark this week?

    How about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? I would expect dark shows and a lot of closed restaurants, but is there anything that traditionally stays open? Are there any nifty events we shouldn't miss? Any noteworthy restaurant specials?

    I would also expect to encounter some casino and restaurant people who aren't thrilled to have to work on the holiday- is this a big thing? Any stories?

    How about the weather? I'm from South Texas, so Vegas is usually slightly more comfortable than home in the summer, but I don't do so well with the cold.

    Is there any specific property which you like to stay at during the holidays, and if so, why? We're mostly CET people, but I do have a lot of MyVegas points sitting idle, so we have some options.

    Is there anything else which we should know about a Christmas Vegas vacation? (Damn, that sounds like a movie...) Any experiences to share?

    Thanks in advance,
    Earthman
     
  2. Marilynfan

    Marilynfan High-Roller

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    Usually we go in May or September but we ended up going just before Christmas last year (Dec 20-24). Had to be back to have Christmas dinner with my parents :) Wasn't sure if I would like a trip without pool weather but it ended up being one of my favourite trips we've ever done. I found the decorations really got me into the Christmas spirit. Some places were decorated more than others - with Bellagio being the one not to miss. Aria was also really nice and Crystals had a huge tree. It was less crowded than normal and the buffet prices were all jacked up. I didn't find the weather too bad but then again I am from Canada so the cold doesn't bother us as much. With a sweater on I was fine in the evenings.

    We had a blast playing the Christmas Story slot machines with our Santa hats on :) The best thing we did though was the Monday movie night at Cosmo. They turn their pool into an ice rink (hubby did the skating I just watched) and they show movies on the marquee in this area. We reserved a firepit and watched Christmas Vacation complete with hot beverages and smores! Most unique thing we have ever done in Vegas.

    Here are photos if you are interested https://www.flickr.com/photos/96163552@N00/albums/72157662690583452
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2016
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  3. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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  4. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    Yeah some casinos put up some decorations but there isn't a whole lot of it.
     
  5. BackInVegas

    BackInVegas VIP Whale

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    I spent my first Christmas in Las Vegas in December 2015.

    Quite a few gamblers wear Christmas themed costumes. Which made it fun. I wish I had brought Christmasy stuff. Goofy stuff like ugly Christmas Sweaters, Santa hats. the Palms cocktail waitresses wore Christmas Elf Outfits, those were cool. I posted a picture somewhere.

    Las Vegas as a whole was not Christmasy. Just the same old same old. Drinking and gambling. I was always wishing random people Merry Christmas but no one ever did it for me randomly.

    Weather wise. You can expect lows in the 30s and highs in the 50s. While I was here, a few days were lows in the 30s and highs in the 40s.

    Bring GLOVES if you plan on walking outside a lot, I also wear an earband. I live in the winter states so I had to be prepared for going home, so packing a ski jacket and gloves and turtlenecks was easy for me. BUT!!!! The weather could also be in the 70s as the high if a warm front moves through. That is rare, but it has happened. I have also been in Vegas during a December and January, just not Christmas and it was misting outside, that was miserable.

    All the employees I dealt with acted just the same as they normally do. No one was in a pissy mood having to work on Christmas.

    Shows could have been dark, but I think just about every restaurant was open at all the casino resorts.

    Luckily for me, LOTS of College Football Bowl Games are on. I had a blast betting football and sitting at the bars and talking football with other bettors.

    I was not targeting anything for special on Christmas time. I ate where I ate and drank where I drank. Since I was solo I did not need to entertain anyone. I could just watch as much football as I wanted. I could also watch basketball, and last year I learned that everyone in Las Vegas was nuts about Golden State. I do not bet basketball.
     
  6. BackInVegas

    BackInVegas VIP Whale

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  7. mdee

    mdee VIP Whale

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    My favorite time to go. Fewer Crowds, Cooler Weather and some Over the Top Decorations.
    Yeah some Shows go Dark but other than that it's Business as Usual for Las Vegas.
    If you get a chance you should drive up to Mt. Charleston. They have Snow in Them There Hills!
    We went Snow Tubing Dec 2015. If you decide to do that you should Schedule it in Advance.
     
  8. Niteshade

    Niteshade VIP Whale

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    I have gone every year for the past several the first week of December
    for the Great Gift Wrap at Caesar's and love that time of year. I also
    have gone a couple of times a second time during December on the 26th and
    stayed thru New Years.

    Before Christmas it tends to be slower, more mellow, less crowded, pretty decorations everywhere,
    and everyone seems so happy. I have never actually spent Christmas Day in Vegas due to family, but
    when I have gone after - 26-1st I have found it very crowded. Still fun- but very crowded. Seems a lot
    of people have the same time off from work - the week after Christmas.

    It is very cold at night and I have been twice when it actually snowed. Once we were delayed getting back
    because the airport shut down, but usually it is just cold. I think I have only seen it snow twice when I was there.

    I think you will enjoy it. I'm going again this year. I love that time of year there.

    Have fun!!!
     
  9. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    I went for Christmas a few years ago. I was shocked how long the line was at check in on the 23rd. I had no trouble getting a great meal on Christmas eve and Christmas day. During the day I would wear a light jacket and at night a sports jacket. Bellagio was nicely decorated as was Venetian and Wynn. I think my avatar picture was from that trip! It was a solo trip, just wanted to get away from the family BS. I'm thinking of doing it again this year.
     
  10. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    I find it funny that you say that the weather in Vegas is a little more comfortable in the summer than where you're from. In the winter it can get fairly cold, and it has on occasions snowed. Christmas decorations aren't done so much on the outside, but casinos are nicely decorated on the inside, the more posh casinos a bit more extravagantly. Most restaurants are usually open, and the nicer restaurants have the Christmas dinner special such as the turkey. I typically don't really care for the holiday specials. When I go to Vegas, I like the regular menu items at a nice restaurant. The employees would rather have a day off on Christmas, but many are thrilled to be in the Christmas spirit. And there are many who don't celebrate Christmas so they are willing to work on Christmas day. I don't know whether more shows are dark during that time, but I'm sure it is that way for headliners who are only there during specific times of the year.
     
  11. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    Another thing. I went to church on Christmas in Vegas. The one across from Luxor. It was really quite sweet, despite the out of tune guitar. That's the musician in me. My guess is that a lot of hotel workers were at the service. It was really special for me.
     
  12. Kobra2848

    Kobra2848 VIP Whale

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    We went before Christmas several years ago and I was concerned because my wife doesn't like cold weather. It was very pleasant during the day but did get chilly at night. The Venetian and Bellagio are the only casinos I remembered really be decorated for the holiday and they did have a huge tree in the Crystals Mall. I'm trying to talk my wife into another trip this December.

    Mark
     
  13. benbrownjr

    benbrownjr Low-Roller

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    Been there many times just before Christmas. Stayed at the 4 queens one night and requested a smoking room and I was the only person on the floor. Had to call the front desk to let them know there was no heat on the floor as I could see my breath in the hallway

    In addition to the cosmopolitan ice rink Ethel M chocolates does a Christmas display as well as an elaborate display at the speedway
     
  14. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I loved this when we visited several years ago. We just missed the factory because we got super lost, so no chocolate tasting. We really enjoyed wandering around in the gardens.
     
  15. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    This oughta be a sticky. Asked many times. (Sonya, HINT!) :)

    We often times do Las Vegas during the Christmas holiday since we are not of the persuasion which celebrates it as a high holy day. :)

    In years past, crowds were way down but not so much in recent years on the Strip. Rio, however, on last Christmas EVE was DEAD! Still, it's usually easy for moderate rollers to get comp days at that time. We got 5 nights at Sams Town this year just for phoning and asking. A few years back we got a back-to-back 6 night at Caesars in the {blow on fingernails, wipe on blouse} Augustus Tiower, which was actually a stroke of luck at check-in.

    Lines are usually shorter. Some (not all) shows are dark. Some (not all) shops are closed Christmas day but open bright and early on the 26th. for After-Christmas sales!

    In recent years almost all buffets gouge for a "Special Christmas Brunch", by adding low-end champagne and so-called prime rib,.

    For years, the music was non-stop endless-loop Jingle Bell Rock and such, then they backed off for a few years, and now it seems like you're Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree more and more again.

    One real advantage, which works out some years but not all, is if you fly back Christmas day, the fares may be lower and the flight not as crowded. YMMV on this.
     
  16. WDMJB

    WDMJB Low-Roller

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    We go every year at Christmas. Yes, it's cold for us, but we're from Hawaii. I love the decorations and have always found people to be in the Christmas spirit. Yes, most headliners are dark but restaurants are all open with regular menus as well as specials.
     
  17. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I know. Unfortunately, everything can't be a sticky. People already complain about having to scroll past the ones we have. ;)
     
  18. gamboolman

    gamboolman Tourist

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    We went this last Christmas and stayed for New Years - had a great time. It does get cold at night. I prefer the cold vs the 115 degree's in June when we go to the WSOP.
     
  19. Edserv

    Edserv Low-Roller

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    Used to do a 2 or 3 day layover in Vegas on our way to Hawaii. Remember it being pretty slow and cold (but not as cold as Indy where we were living at the time.)
    Now we normally go during Thanksgiving, and I'm always amazed how crowded it is. Have been wondering if it's gotten this busy during Christmas.

    Cheers!
     
  20. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Some areas seem to get a lot of business, particularly the Four Corners properties such as Caesars (lotsa people with dogs last time) and Flamingo. Other areas not so much. Rio was dead!
     
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