Whether you have friends and family visiting for Thanksgiving Weekend, or you’re just looking for something to do to get out of the house, we have got the list for you! We’ve gathered LOTS of fun things to do Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas that don’t involve eating turkey and shopping (though if that’s what you’re looking for, we’ve also added it here).
Check out our featured events, and enjoy a list of all the events we have on the calendar from Wednesday, November 23, through Sunday, November 27, 2022.
As always, we have included a few experiences that aren’t free, but are great fun for family and friends alike.
Las Vegas Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving
Turkey is the name of the game on Thanksgiving. But, if you’re not much of a chef, you can treat your family and friends to some fine restaurant dining or even a carry-out meal and avoid those dirty dishes. Thanksgiving is a popular holiday for dining out, so be sure to check out this list of Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving and make your reservations early! You’ll also want to order ahead for your carry-out all Thanksgiving weekend.
Friendsgiving at Bottiglia Cucina & Enoteca- Say Grazie! Wednesday, November 23rd bring your friends and family and enjoy $20 bottomless House Wine, Draft Beers and Sangria. You can also enjoy their Happy Hour Monday- Friday from 5pm-7pm featuring $7 Food & Drinks.
Holiday events Thanksgiving Weekend
Looking for more Holiday cheer and delicious cocktails? Check out the Miracle on Spring Mountain. Back this year, this Christmas-themed Pop-Up Cocktail Bar will serve holiday cocktails in a very festive setting. With kitschy holiday décor, professionally-developed holiday cocktails and nostalgia that’ll put the Griswald’s to shame, Miracle is sure to get even the grouchiest grinch in the holiday spirit. The Miracle Pop-Up will be located at the Sand Dollar Lounge (3355 Spring Mountain Rd.) and will be open starting Thanksgiving Week from November 21st- December 31st.
Ethel M Chocolates– The 29th annual Holiday Cactus Garden features over 1 million holiday lights. This spectacular FREE attraction is lit up nightly starting Saturday, November 5th– Sunday, January 1st at sundown until 10pm. This year, a $1 entrance fee per person is required and will be donated to Help of Southern Nevada and Three Square Food Bank. The entrance fee can be paid with either cash or credit card. Santa will also be on location for your photos daily! Professional photos for purchase or take your own.
Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway– Drive your way through millions of Holiday Lights at the Speedway. Thursday, November 10th- Sunday, January 8th. The park opens at dusk. This year, you will see many custom light displays and never-before-seen lights (as well as some of our old favorites). Named as one of the 7 Over-The-Top Holiday Light Displays You Gotta See by Huffington Post. Single car admission for an Anyday ticket is $39 and Weekday Value tickets are $29. They also offer a Fast Pass ticket and a Season Pass option. See all options at the link, and check out these great Groupon options or a discount ride on the Santa Tram as well.
Downtown Summerlin Holiday Parade – Kick off the holiday season in a BIG way on Friday November 18th at 5:30 PM as Downtown Summerlin light ups the streets with the return of the annual holiday parade. Featuring magical floats inspired by your favorite classic holiday movies, festive dancers, joyful characters and even a little snow! This annual parade is FREE and open to the public. Parades continue every Friday and Saturday nights from November 18- December 17 at 6pm.
Rock Rink at Downtown Summerlin– The signature ice skating rink located near the Pavilion at The Lawn. Skate under the stars set to the backdrop of joyful holiday music and an impressive 40-foot holiday tree overlooking the rink. Stay warm with Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s mobile coffee truck offering a variety of signature holiday beverages sure to please. November 11th, 2022– January 16th, 2023, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Skate Rental is $16, all ages are welcome. Check the link for hours and more info.
Don’t forget to ride the festive Downtown Summerlin holiday train that runs through January 17 circling the ice-skating rink and holiday tree. Rides are $4.00 per adult and child.
Photo courtesy of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan– The Boulevard Pool transforms into a real ice rink, high above the Las Vegas Strip. It features a light snowfall every 30 minutes and runs from November 2oth– January 5th. The Ice Rink was named one of USA Today‘s 10 Best Ice Skating Rinks in North America. There is no cost to enter Boulevard Pool and enjoy the Ice Rink area. They do offer a skate rental discount for hotel guests and locals. Click the link for prices, hours and more information.
Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at the District at GVR- Come to the District Saturday, November 26th from 6pm-8pm for this holiday spectacular. With a Laser Light Show featuring Live Entertainment, Holiday Stilt walkers, selfie station with Rudolph & Frosty and more! Plus, we will be handing out free hot cocoa and crafts for the kids while supplies last. See the link for hours and picture pricing.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops– Santa’s Wonderland is returning to Bass Pro Shops and Santa arrives November 5th! Photos with Santa are free, and the set and Santa are authentic and festive! Santa will be available for free photos through December 24 ; hours will vary based on day. You must make a reservation and they book up quickly. During your visit, families can mail their letter to Santa and bring home free holiday craft activity kits while supplies last. We go every year and love it!
Pictures with Santa in Las Vegas
Want to get a great photo with Santa, family and friends while they are all in town together? Check out all of the different places to get your Santa Pictures in Las Vegas! Many of them take reservations so you can avoid waiting in the long lines, but plan ahead, Santa will be busy Thanksgiving weekend.
More Thanksgiving weekend fun in the Las Vegas Valley
Is your weekend focus on holiday gift list shopping? Don’t miss the Black Friday deals all week long at Target, or you can support local businesses for Small Business Saturday on Water Street for their Shop Small Saturday with a fun-filled day with kid’s activities, a bounce house, free treats and free pictures with Santa himself!
Not quite ready for all the Holiday themed hustle and bustle? Check out our post on the 10 Best Cheap Date Nights in Las Vegas. Las Vegas can be a pretty fun city to wine and dine in, but if you’re not careful, you’ll break the bank. And with the holidays approaching, you’ll want to keep some of that dough in your wallet.
Looking to get out of the holiday hustle and bustle for a few hours? Why not head outdoors this Thanksgiving weekend? Check out all the Things to do at Red Rock Canyon. You get beautiful city and mountain views, lots of fresh air and even some exercise if you’d like to work off that Thanksgiving meal.
If hiking isn’t your thing, and you just want a scenic, peaceful environment, you can head out to Lake Mead and relax for the day. Too cold for swimming and probably boating, but the lake is serene and far from the crowd of the city.
This list of the BEST Museums in Las Vegas can give you history, dinosaurs, games, cars and even wax celebrities. Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or just something unique to see that’s not your typical Vegas, there is something for everyone. Many of these Las Vegas museums are FREE or offer discounts on admission as well, now who doesn’t love that? Best Museums
Vegas Golden Knights Hockey– If the ladies (0r gents) happen to be out Black Friday shopping, grab the boys (or the girls) and head to T-Mobile Arena to see our amazing Vegas Golden Knights, who play three home games Thanksgiving Weekend.
Wed. Nov. 23 vs. Ottawa 7 p.m.
Fri. Nov. 25 vs. Seattle 5 p.m.
Sat. Nov. 26 vs. Vancouver 7 p.m.
Tickets start at $69, but expect to pay $100- $150 on average. Get your tickets here.
City of Henderson Holiday Shows Discount
The City of Henderson is offering two for $20 Holiday Show tickets if purchased during Black Friday Weekend. Save $10 when purchasing two tickets during the limited-time special using promo code WSPDEC at checkout.
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.
See all the City of Henderson has to offer during their month long Winterfest events here.
I hope this gives you lots of fun ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend, stay tuned for more Holiday posts coming up. Don’t forget, 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.
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