THE REAL VEGAS HOLIDAY SWEET SPOT (AND WHY NOBODY TALKS ABOUT IT)
My favorite time to enjoy Vegas
I’m on the Strip, Thanksgiving week, finally getting back home for some rest…..nah!
Going to spend it seeing friends, going to some Vegas Golden Knights games, and pissing off family that we left early this year. And to be honest, I’m ok with it.
It’s been a challenging year, and I’m glad it’s almost over, but I did start Vegas Uncomped to share and help with all the fun things to do in Vegas without the “influenced paid posts you get everywhere else.”
So I hope you enjoy it.
Next week, I’ll be showing up on X daily with fun things happening around town, and any rare finds and fun trends. So make sure you’re following, I‘m sure I’ll tie some experiences in newsletters and videos when we return.
This is the Vegas nobody brags about on Instagram… yet.
The Secret Window: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving weekend is family-and-football chaos, but that week and especially the Monday after?
Hotels panic-dump rooms before the National Finals Rodeo hits town Dec 4–13, and again after until we get close to NYE.
Rates nosedive.
Lines vanish.
The whole city goes into “oh god please come stay with us” mode, which is my favorite mode, and actually, the NFRs aren't crazy expensive. If you haven’t been, you should go.
Real, actually live deals right now (Nov 19 — taxes/resort fees extra, Cyber Week in full swing):
Virgin Hotels – Up to 25–45% off + F&B credits
Fontainebleau – Select locals/member nights around $125 + fee-waive promos on qualifying dates
MGM Resorts – Black Friday: Up to 20% off + up to $150 F&B credit
Caesars – Their $300 promo + Cyber sale
Wynn/Encore – Up to 40% off Cyber Week
Luxor/Excalibur – Still tossing out $12–20 base rates because why not
Venetian - Up to 50% off and $50 Beverage Credit off Cyber Week
Downtown/Locals (Plaza, Downtown Grand, Orleans) – 30%+ off, rodeo-adjacent bundles
Book mid-week before Dec 4 and you basically get paid to be here.
As always, you should check your player's card rates, book direct, even if you don’t gamble a lot, and follow the $500 punchlist tips. Present your player’s card for meals, stays, and plays to rack up points for free shit.
Vegas Is In Full Holiday Mode
And I’m Booked to See All of It. Right after the F1 cars leave, Vegas is putting up the rest of their displays and working around the clock to Christmasfy (is that a word?) the entire city. Here’s a sneak peek at some highlights I’ll be hitting.
(NOT a paid promotion, I pay for my own experiences and share my own opinions, the links are what I used, and I have zero affiliation with them and receive nothing.)
Vegas Golden Knights
4 game homestand that starts the week of Thanksgiving (and what I’m looking most forward to.)
Bellagio Conservatory (Winter Show)
New train theme, 110k+ lights, zero crowds mid-week, and I highly suggest checking this out once in the daytime and again at night. It really changes.
Peppermint Express is back with holiday pastries and holiday beverages.
Still the GOAT. Still free. Still open 24/7.
Aria Lobby Décor
Aria quietly wins Christmas every year with those massive sculptures, blown-glass ornaments, and trees. This year’s Holiday theme is a cozy ski chalet (that's a house, right?). From December 1 through January 12, guests can step into an alpine dreamland adorned with glimmering snowflakes, rustic lodge décor, and a larger-than-life gondola that’s perfect for photo moments.
It’s classy Vegas Christmas, not “inflatable Santa at Bass Pro” Christmas.
MGM Grand Lobby Display
Beginning December 17 through January 6, guests can capture the magic of the season with a festive photo moment featuring MGM Grand’s iconic Leo the Lion in the hotel lobby. Surrounded by dazzling winter wonderland décor, Leo will welcome the joyful spirit of the holidays to MGM Grand.
The Venetian/ Palazzo Holiday Atmosphere
The Venetian goes full “luxury postcard” for the holidays, think towering trees, glowing garlands, and their Waterfall Atrium transformed into a full-blown winter showpiece. The resort leans elegant rather than chaotic: sparkling lights, photo-ready décor everywhere, and festive touches that actually feel intentional.
They also roll out specialty cocktails and seasonal treats across the property, plus an over-the-top holiday suite upgrade with a full tree, stockings, and décor if you want your room to look like a Hallmark movie set.
If you’re into classy holiday Vegas with a little Italian drama, this is it.
Wynn Master Classes (Connoisseur Series)
Wynn doesn’t just decorate for the holidays; they leans all the way into “luxury adult field trip” mode. Their Connoisseur Series is a rotating lineup of high-end master classes that give you backstage access to the best parts of the resort: world-class chefs, award-winning mixologists, chocolatiers, florists, and even the horticulture team.
Depending on the week, you can jump into a cocktail lab with Mariena Mercer-Boarini, temper chocolate with Wynn’s pastry team, tour the gardens with the head botanist, or sit down for a chef-led cooking demo that turns into a tasting. Reservations required.
Holiday Trees Everywhere
The Casinos go full Hallmark: giant ornament tunnels, LED trees taller than your self-esteem, themed lobbies, peppermint everything.
You can literally walk from Bellagio to Cosmo to Aria and hit four different photo ops without even trying. Nomad usually has a beautiful tree display right outside its lobby that many often miss.
’Tis the Season at The Chandelier floor 1.5 (Cosmo) – Nov 28 Launch
I’m going to the opening weekend.
Icy blue lighting, winter cocktails, DJs, that ridiculous holiday energy, Cosmo does better than anyone.
Reserve a spot, or lose your place to an influencer in a fur jacket.
Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar (On The Record) – Nov 28
Yes, I’m going.
Yes, it’s campy.
Yes, the drinks have her Black Irish liqueur in everything. (whatever that is)
Yes. It was my wife’s idea. ;)
Likely the musical equivalent of a glitter bomb, and I fully support it. I'll be wearing a sweater…… well, let’s say I’ll be in VGK gear because we are going before a game.
A Christmas Parlor (Flanker – Mandalay Bay) -Nov 26
Tableside s’mores + movie-themed cocktails (yes, “Die Hard” counts).
Benefits local holiday toy drive.
Miracle on Easy St. (Easy’s Lounge – Aria) -Dec 15
Limited-time cocktails, festive shows, and diva nights.
Small but stylish holiday takeover.
Lights That Make You Feel Like a Kid
(or Like a Drunk Kid - Same Thing) Rent a car, and a designated driver.
Enchant at Las Vegas Ballpark – Nov 21-Dec 28
The world’s largest light maze, skating trail, fire pits, Santa.
Weeknights are magical. Weekends are “why did I do this after drinking so much?”
Glittering Lights at the Speedway – Through Jan 4
6 million lights. 3 miles. $39 per car.
If you pick the right playlist, this becomes therapy. If you have a kid of driving age, this is the perfect cocoa-and-flask, or eggnog, in a Yeti experience.
Ethel M Cactus Garden
Desert plants covered in lights + hot chocolate + chocolate samples.
It’s been a locals staple for 30+ years for a reason.
Fremont Goes Full Christmas
Fremont Street Experience – Holiday Canopy Shows
The LED canopy goes full “Santa just hacked Times Square” with Christmas shows, animated snowstorms, lasers, and holiday remixes blasting overhead.
Cheap bars, great people-watching, and holiday chaos that feels aggressively on-brand. I just hope the dancing gorilla has a santa hat.
Off-Strip Holiday Wins
(Because the Strip is only half the story)
Sam’s Town Mystic Falls Park -Nov 27
Indoor snow, laser wolves, rustic mountain vibes. Free.
Childhood nostalgia with better drinks.
Silverton Bad Elf Pop-Up + Scuba Santa -Nov 20
Elves trashed the bar, and Santa dives with the stingrays.
It’s cheesy and I love it.
Red Rock Merry Crimson -Nov 26
Fire pits, glam holiday décor, cocktails in igloos.
A cozy winter lounge without the Strip-level chaos.
Miracle on Spring Mountain (Sand Dollar – Chinatown)
Kitschy, over-the-top holiday chaos.
Seasonal drinks + décor that would make the Griswolds cry.
Santa’s Saloon (Palms) -Dec 3
Cowboy Christmas meets snowbound lodge.
Burlesque, tap-dancing elves, and “Drunk Santa.”
Tin-cup cocktails with unhinged names.
NYE Teaser You Actually Care About
Mayfair Supper Club (Bellagio) is closing its current show mid-December… then relaunching on NYE with a brand-new spectacle by the Outside The Box team (the people behind the Usher residency). They are also redefining parts of the menu for a whole new experience.
If NYE is your religion, get on the waitlist now.
My Take
I’ve done drunk Vegas in 110° and I’ve done it during the rare Vegas snowstorm.
But late November → December?
This is the sweet spot:
Cheaper rooms
Better weather
Holiday décor everywhere
Lights that slap harder in cool air
Zero lines
Cocktail menus doing full festive unhinged mode
If you’ve got PTO burning a hole in your soul… come.
Book it.
Make the trip.
Be merry and irresponsible.
I’ll be at The Chandelier with a ridiculous drink, hitting VGK games like it’s my job, and probably singing Mariah off-key when no one is looking..
See you out here. Bring a jacket.
-Jason
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