City of Henderson’s Winterfest Events 2022

The Holidays are here in downtown Henderson! Celebrate “the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” all month long during  Winterfest 2022!

Photo: City of Henderson

The annual Winterfest tradition includes a variety of family-friendly activities, holiday entertainment, live music and the Water Street of Lights—a festive illumination of holiday décor along historic Water Street District.

Winterfest 2022 schedule of events:

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony- December 1 at 5pm.  FREE

Evening Lights Parade– December 2, at 7pm.  FREE

Paint and Pizza: Ugly Sweater Party– December 9 at 5:30pm-9pm. Come dressed in your best ugly sweater. Kids will enjoy an amazing night painting their favorite things about the holiday season and play fun games under the supervision of our staff. Dinner is included. Register at least one week in advance as space is limited.  Ages 5-12, $20, Black Mountain Rec Center

“The Polar Express” Movie Night– December 9 at 6pm. Come visit the North Pole and have a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a viewing of “The Polar Express.” Participants may wear festive pajamas and each child will receive a ticket to board the storybook train. There will be a special guest appearing “if you just believe.” All participants will receive a small trinket to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Movie is free, cost includes hot chocolate and holiday treats.  Ages 6-12, $10, Valley View Rec  Center.  Register at the link.

A Very ‘POP’era Christmas- December 10 at 7pm.  Timeless holiday hits performed with an operatic twist! This concert features classic holiday hits from the Rat Pack to today as well as classical music favorites in the post-modern cross-over style Vegas City Opera is known for. Every generation will find something to sing along to! Water Street Plaza Ampitheater- outdoor venue, dress accordingly.  FREE to all.

Pictures with Santa– December 10  from 9- 10:30am. All ages, $2.  A digital picture will be sent to your personal email. You may also bring your own camera. Register in advance. Black Mountain Rec Center

Puppy Pics with Santa– December 10 from 10:30-Noon.  $2.  A digital picture will be sent to your personal email. You may also bring your own camera. Register in advance. Black Mountain Rec Center

Merry Grinchmas at Heritage Bark Park– December 10 & 11. 10:30 am-noon Bring your furry friends to the Bark Park for a Grinchy good time. Participants can meet the Grinch and take photos with their pups. We will also have pop-up agility courses and treats for your pets to enjoy.   $4 per pup in advance, $5 day of (cash only) 

Jingle All the Way- December 14 from 4:30-6:30pm.  The 3rd annual drive-thru holiday social. Safely interact with our City leaders and staff while they spread holiday cheer and season’s greetings. Participants must provide own transportation. For ages 50+ and immediate household members. FREE. Heritage Park Senior Facility

Cosmic Swim Winter Wonderland– December 16 from 7pm-9pm. Your interstellar aquatic experience includes music, lights, and glow gear. Fun for the whole family!  All ages, $5, register at the link.  Henderson Multigenerational Pool

Candy Cane Festival– December 17 from. 3-6pm. Festivities include games, bounce house, treats, and our famous underwater candy cane hunt. Kids can also get ready for the holiday season by writing and mailing a letter to Santa. Bring a new or gently used coat to donate to a local nonprofit and admission is free. Parents must be in the water with children under the age of 8. All ages, $5.  Heritage Park Aquatic Complex

Whitney Wonderland– December 17 from 10am-Noon.  Join us for a light breakfast before our annual reindeer games, toy making in Santa’s workshop and holiday story telling with some amazing elves. Photo opportunities with Santa available, please bring your own camera. Register by Dec. 13.  All ages, $5, Whitney Ranch Rec Center.

Reindeer Dash 5K Run & 1-mile Walk– December 17 from 10am-Noon.  Make a dash from Cornerstone Park to Pittman Wash Trail this winter for a jolly good time. Participants are encouraged to don their most cheerful costumes or ugly holiday sweaters. Souvenir T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 300 participants. All fitness levels are welcome. All ages, $15 and $25.  Cornerstone Park.

Escape Room Series: Winter Wonderland– December 17-22 from 9:30am- 7:30pm. Looking for something fun to do with the family? Join us for a winter wonderland–themed escape room. Families will have one hour to escape the room. Each reservation time slot holds a maximum of 10 participants from the same household. Cost is per person. Registration ends December 12. Ages 5+, $15 each. Downtown Recreation Center

Winter Solstice at the Bird Viewing Preserve– December 18 from 10am- Noon.  The Bird Viewing Preserve is a wonderful place to celebrate the changing of the seasons and the beginning of winter. We welcome children and families to create warmth, spirit, and light during this event celebrating the darkest and shortest day of the year. Families will enjoy refreshments and a stroll around the ponds. We will talk about the significance of the solstice and make crafts, such as bird feeders, out of oranges, roll honeycomb beeswax candles, and decorate wintery lanterns perfect for the upcoming dark winter evenings. Ages 5+, $10 Downtown Rec Center.

City of Henderson Holiday Shows

For a limited time, in the spirit of Black Friday, the City of Henderson is offering two for $20 tickets for its series of holiday shows at the Water Street Plaza Amphitheater.

Starting Friday, November 25 through Monday, November 28, the special two tickets for $20 deal offers residents a mix and match of the following family-friendly, holiday performances.

To purchase tickets for the limited-time special, visit cityofhenderson.com and use coupon code WSPDEC during check out.  This discount is only available Black Friday Weekend on the dates listed above. 

Selected Shorts – Holiday Tales– December 3 from 7pm-9pm.  Join husband-and-wife team Gildart Jackson and Melora Hardin of The Office and The Bold Type, along with actress Carolina Ravassa, for an evening of holiday stories filled with love, laughter, and nostalgia. The program will consist of three actors reading three short stories.  $15 in advance, $20 day-of.  Water Street Plaza Ampitheater- outdoor venue, dress accordingly.

DjangoBells – A Gypsy Jazz Holiday Experience– December 9 from 6pm-8pm.  A one-of-a-kind, yuletide tribute to legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt! Catch renditions of your favorite holiday classics performed by acclaimed gypsy jazz musicians for an unforgettable showcase of live music. $15 in advance, $20 day-of.  Water Street Plaza Ampitheater- outdoor venue, dress accordingly.

A Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband Christmas– December 17 at 7pm. From the calypso influenced “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” to the beatnik version of “Drummer Boy,” you and your family will love these exciting and creative renditions of Christmas classics.  $15 in advance, $20 day-of.  Water Street Plaza Ampitheater- outdoor venue, dress accordingly.

The Klezmatics- Live in Concert-  December 18 from 3pm-5pm.  The Klezmatics are world-renowned and GRAMMY©-winning superstars of the klezmer world. Erupting out of New York City’s East Village during the mid-1980s, they revitalized the genre with music that is steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition and spirituality.  $15 in advance, $20 day-of.  Water Street Plaza Ampitheater- outdoor venue, dress accordingly.

Events and activities with links will require registration, sometimes in advance and some events will fill up.

Please check out a few of our other Holiday event posts currently being updated, like The Best Christmas Lights in Las Vegas, and Where to Get Your Christmas Tree in Las Vegas.   You can also find out where to get your Pictures with Santa in Las Vegas as well.

Christmas is just around the corner, but you can check out some other great holiday events on our calendar here and plan ahead. You can get free daily email updates of all the free and cheap events, plus deals and discounts on entertainment and dining, by subscribing to our daily newsletter.  For even more cheap fun, “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.