What's the Strip like around Christmas?

Just got an offer from Bellagio and while I only planned to go twice this year (already scheduled) might have to try it out around then.

 

We've gone the last two years around the 19-22 of Dec. It's not hugely different. I was a little surprised at how little Christmas decorations there were. There were some of course, notably the Bellagio Conservatory, but not every property was decked out. The crowds were lighter, which I loved, but it was not dead by any means. We were able to get in places to eat or on tables a bit more easily. The weather was cool during the day and cold-ish at night.

I like going that time of year and wouldn't hesitate to again.

 

cold and empty

 

Maybe if you live in Vegas!

If you live in a normal place in the northern US, Vegas around Christmas time is cool and still pretty darned lively! Plus, there's never a wait for a cab.

 

Not very X-Masey at all. i actually went into every property on the strip looking for xmas stuff and recorded everything i found on my site. Some great stuff, some nothing. MGM seemed to have the most spirit.

https://sites.google.com/site/lvgrid/journal-blog/s-cowboys-christmas-celebrities-cash-loss

 

It's pretty cool, alot of giant Christmas trees and ice skating.

 

Many shows and some restaurants close their doors for two weeks around Christmas. Vegas is chilly, but wherever most of us came from is a lot worse. Snow is rare and usually doesn't stick around. Hotels often have great rates and somewhat easier comps, but you knew that.

 

Thank you very for the quick replies. Paperposter, I'm not that concerned about the cold as it will be warmer than Maryland. I certainly don't want it to be empty because half the fun for me in Vegas is the people watching so I'd like there to be some people to be there.

After I made this post got another email for a similar offer from Wynn (must be marketing day). Both end at end of December so might combine he two for longer stay.

 

easiest time for comps, yes shows and some clubs are dark , its cold for vegas standards not fargo north dakota so il give you that.

 

Actually vegas is pretty dead on Christmas and the couple of days leading up to xmas. Many want to be home for the holidays with the family. Very easy to get into the various eateries but also note that many shows close down for the holidays. If you are into people watching you may not enjoy vegas as much since there will be less of a crowd than usual.

Vegas starts picking up right after Christmas and is totally hopping for New Years.

 

I loved it last year around christmas. I was there from 15th to 19th if i remember right. It was definatley not dead. Not at all. At some nights the casinos were more packed as summer 12 or spring 13. dont be afraid its gonna be lame because it wont! Yes, some shows are dark around december but that happens all the time year around as well. If you wanna see a show just check before if it runs and you will be fine. Also the christmas trees and ice skating is fun to see in Vegas.

 

Shows really aren't a concern for me. Going to see the ones we want to in the two upcoming trips.

 

I've been there 18th-21st back in 2011....it was good, there will still plenty of people there. Main Christmas attractions as mentioned before - Bellagio conservatory and V/P ice rink and giant christmas tree in palazzo lobby. Aria had a few decorations too at the time. Loved the weather, then again I'm in West Texas where it is often hotter than Vegas in the summer time.

 

Not really that much different than normal times, ok, maybe a little slower, but not really noticeable. We stay downtown so it is always funny to us that on the morning of the 26th, they are disassembling the big Christmas on Fremont, to get ready for NYE.

 

Since we are not of the persuasion celebrating Christmas as a high holy day, we almost always go to Las Vegas during the week leading up to Christmas. We can often, but not always lately, get a better airfare flying back on the 25th.

Until recently it was slower and quieter, but last year it seemed like it was just as crowded and zooey as ever. We stayed at Caesars and it was packed, lotsa people there with dogs on leashes for some reason. ??? ??? ??? Yes, some of the shows are dark. Prices are usually good just before Christmas.

One thing that used to annoy me was the non-stop endless-loop Jingle Bell Rock and such on the casino sound systems but many places have backed off on that lately. We played a bit at Sams Town with a couple from Phoenix and there they kind of alternated between a holiday mix and a pop/rock mix.

It's usually sweater weather, but not overcoat weather then. However, I've seen it snow in Las Vegas three times now!

It will be interesting to see how the loss of the Rodeo Finals affects the prices in December. Historically it seems like prices dip right after the rodeo and then spike just before New Years.

 

(Dupe, sorry, how do you totally delete a post you made?)

 

I have been twice the week after Christmas. The first time I was surprised at how cold it was (relative to all of my other trips that were between April and Oct.) and I don't like to gamble during the day so I usually spend some time at the pool. That is not an option in December so I try to avoid the winter months. But not a bad time to go.

 

We've been there a few times at that time of year... a few thoughts would be:

- It gets dark early. To some this means nothing but we were always going during the summer or mid September and the first time we went around Christmas time it was kind of weird seeing it dark so early and it just felt different.

- It is cold and can get extra cold and windy at night... however I find that it can feel hot and stuffy in the casinos at night so while you want to wear warm clothes and bundle up if going outside during the day or at night, when spending lots of time in the casino at night I wanted t-shirt and light clothing, having nothing but heavy clothes I was just hot and bleh feeling the whole time, wound up having to go to Fashion Show Mall and buying light clothes

- it is "slower" with less people and less going on, but this seems to really depend where you go. If you are hanging out at any of the big spots on The Strip you likely won't notice any real reduction in people, places like Caesars, Mirage, Harrahs, Bellagio, etc - there will always be lots of people in those places. But if you go to places like Mandalay Bay, Palazzo, Ti, Riviera, Encore and other places that are normally a little slower they will seem totally empty that time of year with nobody around and just a small handful of people in the casino.

- Don't expect much in the way of anything for Christmas decorations. Most places will have some small thing in their lobby, maybe a couple of trees or some red bows or something, but for the most part that is going to be it at most places. Bellagio does have their conservatory display and does a bit for the lobby and Venetian/Palazzo seem to do a little extra, but a lot of people expect loads of decorations and stuff everywhere, but that doesn't really happen

- Buffets, especially the good ones, can be pretty busy on December 24th and 25th

 

Vegas did not lose the NFR. It is on this year, December 5 through the 14 th. There was some threats by the NFR earlier in the year to move it to another city, somewhere in Florida, but an "11 th. hour" decision kept it in Vegas for years to come. It was mostly an ploy to extract more purse money out of the LVVCA, which worked.
Anyway, the OP may want to consider a trip in early December to be in town during the "Rodeo Vegas ". Fun time with lots of cowboy hats and boots. Airfare is still low. MGM hotels are major sponsors of the event so most have rodeo specials and CW music, dancing and fun during the two week period. Cowboy Christmas at the LV Convention center too. Check out" NFR" on the web.

 

The closest to Christmas I've been to Vegas is the first week of December. There were still plenty of people everywhere, but less than normal. It was easy to get the best outdoor table at Olives and very easy to get the best table out on the Lake of Dreams (two nights).

It certainly doesn't look Christmas-y. The only place I remember decorations were at V/P, Wynn, and Bellagio. Anywhere else it was either small or non-existent (or I was too drunk to remember).

Coming from Minnesota, the temp was fine. However, the casinos keep the heat on full blast so it is fucking hot. We were roasting indoors, so getting to the outdoor temp felt fine.