Holidays - Las Vegas

Sure, New York City is home to the Macy´s Thanks-giving Day Parade, the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza, the Rockettes and, well, snow, but that doesn´t mean it has a monopoly on holiday magic. In fact, with a little planning, a trip to Las Vegas during Christmastime can be every bit as enchanting as a cross-country trek to Manhattan.

For those on a tight budget after all that holiday shopping, Las Vegas offers plenty of free or low-cost holiday attractions the whole fanuky can enjoy. One of the city´s most popular free attractions is the annual holiday display at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (www.bellagio.com). On exhibit from Dec. 5 through Jan. 3, this year´s breathtaking display features, among other things, a 42-foot-tall tree from Mount Shasta as its centerpiece, and a family of polar bears with coats made of thousands of white carnations. While you´re there, be sure to stop by the Fountains of Bellagio, which will be dancing to the tune of eight seasonal songs through New Year´s Eve.

The Venetian and the Palazzo are getting into the holiday spirit this year with their 49-day "Winter in Venice" event (www.venetian.com). The biggest holiday celebration of its kind on the strip, the festivities include ice skating on the outdoor portion of the Venetian´s Grand Canal and an hourly tree-lighting ceremony. Carolers will be strolling around singing holiday classics, and Venetian gondoliers will trade in their traditional wardrobe for scarves and pea coats.

On display through Dec. 25, the Four Seasons´ 13th Annual Holiday Village features 20 gingerbread buildings and a life-size working carousel.

Created by Four Seasons´ Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Luc Daul and his talented pastry team, the attraction was designed to resemble a quaint village in Daul´s native Alsace, France, at Christmastime. It took more than 90 pounds of chocolate, 350 pounds of sugar and 180 pounds of flour to complete.

If you think tasty gingerbread houses might be too tempting for the little ones, swim on by Shark Reef Aquarium inside Mandalay Bay instead (www.sharkreef.com). With each paid admission Dec. 21 through 24, kids can share their last-minute wishes with Santa at the aquarium´s shipwreck exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., then take pictures with St. Nick´s toothy holiday helper, Santa Jaws.

For those willing to venture off-Strip, Springs Preserve´s annual Holiday Spectacular (www.springspreserve.org) takes place Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11 and 17 through 23 from 5 to 9 p.m. Guests can take in the spectaculary well-lit (and family-friendly) winter wonderland while decorating cookies, getting their photo taken with Santa, taking a ride on a "reindeer" (read: pony) and enjoying live entertainment.

For even more twinkling décor, head on over to Ethel M Chocolates´ Annual Holiday Cactus Garden (www.ethelm.com), which features more than 500,000 sparkly lights. Open 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1 (excluding Christmas Day), the illuminated three-acre botanical cactus garden is the perfect place to take in the sights, smells and sounds of the holady season, complete with local school choirs performing holiday favorites every Friday and Saturday night through Dec. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Santa will even make a special appearance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 23.

If you´re headed downtown, there will be a Christmas tree-lighting caremony on Fremont Street Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. under the Viva Vision canopy and, in honor of hanukkah, a Menorah-light-holiday-themed show "Candy & The Canes," performing select nights through Dec. 27 (www.vegasexperience.com).

As for New Year´s Eve, several Strip resorts will once again put on lavish fireworks displays, including MGM Grand, Aria and the Stratosphere. For the best vantage point, be sure to reserve your spot at one of the Stratosphere´s many New Year´s Eve parties (www.stratospherenewyears.com), all of which offer a 360-degree view of the Las Vegas Valley.

Another happening New Year´s spot can be found downtown, Where the Fremont Street Experience will be hosting its 4th Annual TributePalooza from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. (www.vegasexperience.com). Featuring lives music, a 2011 year-in review retro-spective on the Viva Vision screen and an epic fireworks display synchronized with virtual fireworks on Viva Vision, the popular street party is part of the citywide celebration titled "America´s Party: Las Vegas New Year 2012."