December 2018

Well, Happy Holidays! 

I’m happy to be home in Las Vegas.  I have a lot of catching up to do.  There are so many shows that I have to see, so many friends I want to spend time with, and so many chores I want to do around the house.

‘He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.’

I hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving really is one of my favorite holidays.  It is about friends, family, and food.  That’s it.  The holiday makes us just take a moment, stop, and simply be thankful for all that we have. 

It is so interesting how time and age changes our perspective on the holidays.  The holidays always bring joys and challenges to all of us.  I am looking forward to a simple homebound holiday without the pressure of doing anything…  I want to see friends.  I want to spend time with family.  I’m going to give money to the Salvation Army, and donate clothes to Goodwill.  I’ll drive around and look at Christmas lights, and I’ll go see holiday attractions, shows, and events.  I’ll do a little decorating, and I’ll buy a couple of things for a couple of people.  Mostly, I’m going to appreciate being home.

It’s different when you have little ones around…their excitement fuels your excitement.  Seeing their wonder fills your heart with joy; so there is a far greater enthusiasm to get out and find just the right presents for them.  Then the little ones grow up, and we find joy in so many other ways.

Chanukah begins Sunday night, Dec. 2, 2018 and continues through Monday, December 10, 2018.

Kwanzaa 2017 in United States of America will begin on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 and ends on Monday, January 1, 2019.

Christmas is December 25, 2018.

December is a unique time for the city. The first couple of weeks in the month stay fairly busy, the week just before Christmas is the slowest time of the year, and the week, after Christmas and before New Year’s, the town gets neurotic. During that week prior to Christmas, a lot of the shows take a holiday break and close down.  Visitors need to be sure to check the show listings to see the status of their favorite production.

There are several events that make the first part of the month very busy: The Great Santa Run, the NFR, and at the end of the month of course, New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve is huge…so huge, in fact that I’ll deal with New Year’s Eve separately at the end of the column.

The holidays in Las Vegas are just like the holidays everywhere else.  The focus is on family and friends. We do all of the same type of holiday/Christmas things that everyone else in the country does. I mention this because so many people have misconceptions about Las Vegas.  The week prior to Christmas, Las Vegas is fairly empty of tourists. The shows and events that are still up and running usually give locals deep discounts, and it is great to get out, see a show, and not have to fight crowds.

There are many Christmas attractions, celebrations, and entertainment; and most of these things are geared to the locals and not to the tourists. People forget that the Strip is not the city. The Strip is a fantasyland where people work, but do not live. The city is truly everything else, but the Strip. Yes, Virginia, we do have neighborhoods, schools, grocery stores, and parks just like every other city in the country.

There are a few conventions during the first couple of weeks of the month, but then there are no more conventions booked for the rest of the year…at all. In a city of conventions, it is amazing to have an empty convention calendar for two weeks. Things get going again in January when the International Consumer Electronics Show brings with it a couple of hundred thousand people, and the Adult Entertainment Expo is at the same time.

One of my favorite winter attractions is Opportunity Village’s, "The Magical Forest," running through December. The Enchanted Carousel, the Forest Express Trains, live music, sweet treats, lavishly decorated trees, whimsical displays, millions of lights and visits with Santa Claus provide people of all ages with a winter wonderland each night during the holiday season. You will also have the opportunity to take in Boris the Elf’s 3-D Experience, ride the rails on the Forest Express train, take photos with Santa in his workshop or go for a spin on Cheyenne’s Enchanted Carousel. Other can’t-miss attractions at the Magical Forest include a gingerbread house display, Rod’s Mini-Golf course and Rudolph’s Raceway.  Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities by providing them with vocational training, employment and social recreation services that make their lives more productive and interesting. Once thought by society to be unemployable and unimportant in the community, people with severe disabilities are engaged, active residents who contribute to our society. Through Opportunity Village’s programs and services, hundreds of people with disabilities are learning vocational skills and being placed in jobs throughout the community.

Another good holiday attraction is “The Gift of Lights,” at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, running through January 6, 2019. This will be the sixth year that it is being hosted there. “The Gift of Lights” is a holiday drive-thru spectacular featuring millions of twinkling and animated displays, and part of the proceeds go to charities. And you can also receive a discount on the admission if you bring a bag of stuff for Goodwill. Being at the Speedway is a bit of a drive to get to it, but it will be worth it.

Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall will light up its celebrated winter display at Mystic Falls Park through Jan. 1. The holiday attraction featuring a Winter Wonderland theme and holiday-inspired laser light show will be available for visitors to enjoy through Jan. 1.  Each year, the Mystic Falls Park Light and Water Show transforms just before Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season. The time-honored tradition goes back to 1994, with decorations beginning in Sam’s Town’s porte-cochere and decorative snowflakes leading guests through the property to Mystic Falls Park. Garland streams, wreath-adorned lampposts and snow-covered trees fill the atrium, and decor offers guests a glimpse inside Santa’s workshop, from elves making toys to loading up Santa’s sleigh with goodies for children.  A nine-minute laser light show is the centerpiece of the display featuring a variety of classic holiday songs, like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Let It Snow,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “Frosty the Snowman.” Performances run every hour, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.  Cowboy Santa will visit Sam’s Town through Friday, Dec. 23.


Other holiday events include the Chocolate Wonderland at the Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden, which is free; the annual Holiday display at the Four Seasons, which is free.

The biggest event during the first part of December is the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) that runs December 6 to 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center. This is one of the largest rodeo competitions in the world. It is filled with excitement, and in order to give all of the rodeo enthusiast’s options for entertainment, the city does its best to book all of the top Country and Western singers and entertainers.

Santas will take over Downtown Las Vegas for the 14th annual, iconic Las Vegas Great Santa Run benefitting Opportunity Village on Saturday, December 1.  The Great Santa Run raises funds and awareness for Opportunity Village’s myriad programs, which provide unparalleled opportunities, enrichment and support to more than 3,000 individuals with intellectual and related disabilities throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Each year the Las Vegas Great Santa Run attracts thousands of runners and walkers from all over including families, businesses, individuals and global tourists to downtown Las Vegas.  Your registration includes a five-piece Santa suit, a medal and the opportunity to be a part of the largest gathering of Santas in the world! For the first time in its 14-year history, the Las Vegas Great Santa Run will feature an official after-party with live entertainment, food vendors, adult beverages, special activities and more! Don't miss a high-octane set by emerging Las Vegas alt-rockers SILVERSAGE and other special performances by Aussie HeatLegends In Concert and DJ Ultra in the Zappos' Llama Lot (152 N. 9th St. Las Vegas, NV 89101). Admission is free with your Santa Run registration!

It’s time to deck the halls of the Kingdoms with the return of “Tournament of Kings: ‘Twas the Knight” to Excalibur Hotel & Casino for a limited holiday engagement, through December 27. The 900-seat arena will turn into a holiday wonderland. There will be the mythical Merlin and even falling snow! But the battle for honor must go on. The fate of King Arthur hangs in the balance. Knights will ride, charge and joust their way to victory, while you cheer on your country’s hero and indulge in a celebratory three-course feast! It’s the perfect way to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season.

Celebrated singer, songwriter and performer John Prine will return to Las Vegas for a special performance at the historic Westgate International Theater inside Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 at 8 p.m.

Get ready to bust your belt buckles laughing the night away with comedian and actor Rodney Carrington. He will return to the David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino December 6 – 15 during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The comedian has been entertaining guests during this festive week for decades and knows how to make guests laugh their cowboy boots off.

Tropicana Las Vegas will saddle up for another year with the return of Gary Leffew’s Bucking Ball® December 6-15, 2018. The ten-day event will feature a special closed circuit complimentary viewing party of the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) in Trinidad Pavilion, as well as its signature after-party hosted by former World Champion Bull Rider and rodeo guru Gary Leffew, every night, for all rodeo fans to enjoy.

Country music star Gary Allan returns to Las Vegas for an impressive fourth year of weekend shows at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8 at 9:30 p.m. The performances coincide with the annual National Finals Rodeo (NFR) week and Hard Rock Hotel has once again been selected as an NFR host property. With the allure of a modern day outlaw, Allan has won over fans, peers and critics with his signature blend of smoldering vocals, rebellious lyrics and raucous live performances. While becoming a force on the country music scene, he has remained true to his artistic voice each step of the way.

Grab your cowboy hats and boots y’all because the Miss Rodeo America Pageant is coming to Tropicana Las Vegas this December 2-9, 2018. The seven-day contest will return to Las Vegas and will feature over 30 contestants all competing for the coveted title of 64th Miss Rodeo America.  Set to take place at inside Tropicana Theater, Miss Rodeo America will be held in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Reigning State Rodeo Queens will enter to win the sought-after crown by competing in the areas of appearance, horsemanship and personality. Offering young women the opportunity to garner one of the richest experiences of their lives, Miss Rodeo America allows contestants to make lifelong friendships and be a part of a great legacy. 

The self-proclaimed “Greatest Band in the World,” Tenacious D, will help ring in 2019 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with a special New Year’s Eve performance on Monday, Dec. 31 at 11 p.m. Tenacious D is made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, who started playing together in Gass’ apartment in 1994 in Los Angeles and created their first hit with “Tribute,” a song dedicated to the greatest song in the world. Since then they have hosted a variety series on HBO, released a feature film Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny and released three albums. Tenacious D’s debut, self-titled album has been certified platinum. Their latest album, Rize of the Fenix, was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Comedy Album. In 2014, Tenacious D won a GRAMMY Award for Best Metal Performance for their cover of Ronnie James Dio’s “The Last Line.” 

Country musician Kane Brown will perform at Park Theater in Las Vegas Saturday, Dec. 15. The “What Ifs” singer is scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m. This performance replaces his show originally scheduled in July 2018.

Three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning multi-platinum band Maroon 5 announce their annual New Year’s Eve shows at Mandalay Bay Events Center Sunday, Dec. 30 and Monday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.   

Break the barrier of entertainment at Golden Nugget Las Vegas during this year’s National Finals Rodeo with country music icons Dec. 6-14. Guests will be able to boot scoot the night away with a wide-variety of outstanding country artists such as Jo Dee Messina (Dec. 6), Tanya Tucker (Dec. 7), John Michael Montgomery (Dec. 8), Charlie Daniels Band (Dec. 9), Tracy Lawrence (Dec. 10), Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan (Dec. 11), Lonestar (Dec. 12), Colt Ford (Dec. 13), and Jamey Johnson (Dec. 14), set to take the stage at The Showroom inside the Golden Nugget Las Vegas.

Rock legend Stevie Van Zandt brings Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to the House of Blues Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Van Zandt, best known as a founding member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, is recognized internationally as one of the world’s foremost authorities on both contemporary and traditional rock ‘n roll.

Murray & Peter proudly present a must see holiday spectacular featuring fan favorites from RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1), Latrice Royale, Naomi Smalls, Aja, Thorgy Thor, Miss Vanjie and Farrah Moan – hosted by Miz Cracker and Monét X Change. A Drag Queen Christmas: The Naughty Tour struts into the House of Blues Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

Sin City’s hottest spot during the National Final Rodeo can be found at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. The Bullfighters Only Las Vegas Championship returns to Tropicana Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6 through Saturday, Dec. 15.  The BFO is the premier league for freestyle bullfighting, with talented athletes testing their skills, and abilities against equally athletic bulls that have been bred for their aggression. The Bullfighters Only Las Vegas is the “Super Bowl” of the sport.

Iconic Iranian pop singer and actress Googoosh will perform at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Saturday, Dec. 22 at 8:30 p.m.  Googoosh’s career in the performing arts has spanned five decades. Born May 5, 1950 in Tehran to parents Saber and Nasrin, Googoosh’s life was to take a defining path when her parents divorced in 1952 and her father was awarded full custody of the two-year-old child. Saber, an actor and acrobat, took Googoosh to his many performing engagements but before long recognized his young daughter’s natural gift for singing and dancing as it became apparent that her talents eclipsed his own and drew an enthusiastic crowd wherever they went.

Multi-GRAMMY Award-winning superstar Bruno Mars will ring in 2019 with two performances at T-Mobile Arena Sunday, Dec. 30 and Monday, Dec. 31. Both shows are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.  Bruno Mars is an 11x GRAMMY Award-winner and 27-time GRAMMY Award-nominee Bruno Mars is a celebrated singer, songwriter, producer, and musician who has sold more than 180 million singles worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.

South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa will toast to the New Year in style with a nonstop lineup of Las Vegas’ favorite performers all day long, including headliner, Tower of Power. This year’s lineup of celebrations, include: The Alley Cats, Wes Winters, The SPAZMATICS, Gregg Austin and Frankie Moreno.

Country music and rodeo fans alike should get to put on their best western attire and two-step down to The Mirage Hotel & Casino Thursday, Dec. 6 – Saturday, Dec. 15 to experience the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo activities scheduled at the resort. During the 10-day event, The Mirage will celebrate the competition with drink specials, complimentary NFR live viewing and live entertainment nightly at the Race & Sports Book and Parlor Lounge, appearances by the cowboys and cowgirls who make up Team Mirage and more.  Each night some of country’s brightest stars will headline “Rodeo Vegas” at The Mirage Race & Sports Book where the party never ends. Live music begins at 9 p.m. nightly and admission is complimentary. The lineup is as follows:

 Thursday, Dec. 6:  Casey Donahew

Friday, Dec. 7:  Tyler Farr

Saturday, Dec. 8:  Casey Donahew

Sunday, Dec. 9:  LOCASH

Monday, Dec. 10:  LOCASH

Tuesday, Dec. 11:  Brandon Lay

Wednesday, Dec. 12:  Keepin’ it Country Celebration feat. Andy Griggs

Thursday, Dec. 13:  Glen Templeton (with opener David Adam Byrnes)

Friday, Dec. 14:  Joe Diffie (with opener David Adam Byrnes)

Saturday, Dec. 15:  Easton Corbin (with opener David Adam Byrnes)

 

To celebrate the seven-year anniversary of Oscar’s Steakhouse at the Plaza Hotel & Casino and the 85th anniversary of Repeal Day, which marks the end of Prohibition, the Oscar Dinner Series will be held inside the restaurant’s iconic glass dome on a special night and time, Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The Oscar Dinner Series brings historic Vegas to life through the tales of former city of Las Vegas Mayor and mob attorney, Oscar B. Goodman. In this anniversary edition held on Repeal Day, one of Goodman’s favorite holidays, Goodman will recount his journey from mob lawyer to mayor, the unique individuals he encountered and the historic happenings that occurred along the way.

‘Tis the season for a rockin’ Christmas! Get into the holiday spirit, Vegas-style, with the one-night-only holiday extravaganza Linda Suzanne’s Rockin’ Vegas Christmas Show at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Held Friday, Dec. 21, 2018 at 8 p.m. inside the renowned Westgate International Theater, Linda Suzanne’s Rockin’ Vegas Christmas Show will include renditions of holiday classics with a rock n’ roll edge, gorgeous dancers, a live five-piece band and, of course, Santa Claus!

To help community members get in the festive spirit, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts will present a variety of shows this holiday season that span a broad range of genres to entertain all audiences. These include: DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular, A Well-Strung Christmas, Broadway legend Kelli O’Hara with Seth Rudetsky, Nevada Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker,” the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s “A Classic Holiday,” Clint Holmes’ “Holmes for the Holidays,” Graham Dechter & Friends, and Frankie Moreno’s “With Plenty of Mistletoe.” Tickets for all of these shows are now on sale at www.TheSmithCenter.com.

Santa Claus steers his sleigh from the North Pole to Las Vegas to find out who’s been naughty and nice during the annual Santa in the Shipwreck at Shark Reef Aquarium inside Mandalay Bay. With each paid admission, guests 12 and under receive a treat and complimentary photo with Santa. Santa also will put on SCUBA gear and plunge into the Shipwreck exhibit to wave farewell alongside his underwater friends before going back to his elves and reindeer for the week.

Over the past two years, good friends Dave Chappelle & John Mayer, one an Emmy Award-winning comedian, the other a GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, have played several intimate joint pop-up shows across the United States. Now, these two world-class performers will be bringing their unique music and comedy hybrid to Las Vegas for the first time, as they present Controlled Danger at MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. The first half of the performance features a solo musical set by John Mayer, and a solo comedy set by Dave Chappelle. The real magic happens during the second half of the evening when both performers join together on stage for songs, stories, improvised dancing, and more. That is to say—hilarity ensues. Las Vegas may be known for its world-class shows, but it hasn’t seen anything like this before. 

Fremont Street Experience invites partygoers to forget all inhibitions and celebrate the coming of 2019 during America’s Party Downtown, the highly-anticipated New Year’s Eve extravaganza featuring non-stop live entertainment, a jaw-dropping display of onstage pyrotechnics, a celebratory midnight toast by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and more. On Monday, Dec. 31 beginning at 6 p.m., guests can ring in the new year and experience the mind-blowing energy of downtown Las Vegas with non-stop live entertainment from 12 bands on four stages, including a dedicated EDM stage, and watch the iconic ball drop in Times Square on the world’s largest single video screen, Viva Vision. Throughout the night, guests will also be treated to stunning onstage pyrotechnics, dazzling visuals, alluring dancers and aerialists, theatrical, roaming entertainment and an unforgettable Viva Vision year-in-review montage, making America’s Party Downtown the ultimate spot to ring in the new year.

Global Winter Wonderland, a spectacular lantern festival and multicultural theme park, will make its Las Vegas debut this holiday season, Dec. 14, 2018 – Jan. 20, 2019 in the north lot of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. At Global Winter Wonderland, guests will be able to travel around the world in one night while viewing the larger-than-life lantern designs of landmarks from all seven continents. Spanning more than 15 acres, Global Winter Wonderland features giant illuminated lanterns depicting scenes that include a Christmas holiday village and landscapes from around the world.

Green Valley Ranch Resort is pleased to partner with St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, a local non-profit that provides hope and healing for children and young people that are victims of abuse and neglect, for the second year in a row at its Winter’s Village experience. Children with St. Jude’s Ranch for Children will get into the holiday spirit at the property’s winter wonderland experience on Sunday, Dec. 16.  Green Valley Ranch Resort hopes to warm the hearts of boys and girls as they enjoy a selection of holiday excitement and merriment with an afternoon of ice skating at the outdoor rink, and experience an assortment of festive activities and decorations, as well as an assembly of delicious desserts and freshly made hot cocoa – allowing brothers and sisters to create lasting holiday memories.

The schedule of Headliners this month is fairly impressive:

December 2018

12/1

Paul Shaffer & The Shaf-Shifters

12/1 - 12/2

Andrew Dice Clay

12/1 - 12/2

Rod Stewart

12/5 - 12/15

Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together In Vegas

12/6

Jo Dee Messina

12/7

Chad Prather

12/7

Tanya Tucker

12/7 - 12/14

Final Fight Championship

12/6 - 12/15

Rodney Carrington

12/7 - 12/15

Ron White

12/8

John Michael Montgomery

12/8 - 12/24

The Nutcracker

12/9

Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan

12/10

Tracy Lawrence

12/12

Lonestar

12/13

Colt Ford

12/14

Jamey Johnson

12/14 - 12/15

Gary Allen

12/21

The Grass Roots

12/21 - 12/22

Ray Romano and David Spade

12/27 - 12/31

Gwen Stefani

12/28

Vince Neil

12/28 - 12/30

Andrew Dice Clay

12/28 - 12/31

Celine Dion

12/29

Jay Leno

12/30 - 12/31

Tenacious D

12/31

2019 Hard Rock Cafe - New Year's Eve Party

12/31

2019 Stratosphere Tower - New Year's Eve Party

12/31

Margaritaville New Year's Eve Party 2019

12/31

New Year’s Eve Bridge Party 2019

12/31

NEW YEAR'S EVE

For dates and time, be sure to log onto the Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide: LVOL.com.

Igoshows.com is, of course, the place to read the reviews of all of the shows that are in town so that you can be better informed as to what you should expect from a certain production.  The reviews are updated as needed to give you the knowledge you need to spend your entertainment dollars better.

NEW YEARS EVE!!

The “Entertainment Capital of the World” puts on a bigger and brighter show than just about anyone else on the globe. Las Vegas is only second to New York City in being a favorite destination for New Year’s Eve in the United States and our little “Glitter Gulch” continues bring in more and more people every year. Well over a quarter of a million tourists will pack the streets and the city on that night, and the city is always ready for them. The biggest problem for the tourist is trying to decide exactly what they want to do on this night, because just about every option is going to be open to them—big or little, loud or quiet. Choices for the evening can be overwhelming, but there are many ways in which you can quickly narrow down your options.

The first thing to understand is that every hotel, casino, bar and lounge is going to have a New Year’s celebration, in addition to all of the fireworks shows that will be going on all over the city. So the questions that you’ll have to ask yourself about your own celebrating will have to do with size, location, cost, and environment.

Do you want to be indoors or outdoors? A fairly simple way to start, but will certainly define the other parameters. If you choose to be indoors, then the next question that will immediately follow is…how much do you want to spend? Oddly enough, because of the number of celebrations out there, one really gets what they pay for when it comes to the parties. They are actually quite competitive. What amenities do you want or need? The more you spend, the more stuff will be made available to you. It will really all depend on your need for either extravagance or simplicity, and the size of your pocketbook. One note on this, though, many of the nightclubs will have celebrity hosts…usually these are the biggest rip offs of all.

If you choose to be outdoors you also have a lot of options, but the bigger questions for the outdoorsy folks will be, where? There are fireworks all over the city, and if you are outside, you will see fireworks. So, again, what do you want? If you want to be with a lot of people, in the heart of the action, then go down to the Strip. That’s where you and a couple hundred thousand people can all get together to watch one of the best fireworks displays in the world. Not only that, it’s free. Then again, some folks don’t want to be jostled amongst the crowd and would prefer quieter surroundings. Then drive up to the foothills that enclose our valley and find a spot that looks over the city. From there, you will see fireworks displays from all over the city. It is both quiet and can be very romantic, too.

All of the best entertainment will be playing that night as well and will be having midnight shows. If you want to celebrate while watching your favorite band, performer, or show, then make your reservations early.

New Year’s Eve is a great time in Las Vegas, and you can make it whatever you want it to be. You have more choices and options than anywhere else in the world, and that’s one of the reasons that Las Vegas is so great.

Have fun and be safe!!

 For the most up-to-date information, go to:  http://www.lvol.com/events/newyear.html

You can find the rest of the show information on the Las Vegas Show Guide Page.
Check out Last Years Events.