Each year we celebrate the holidays by providing a list of the homes around the Las Vegas Valley that participate in holiday light displays. If you know of a house or Event that should be included be sure to hit the comments section and let us know!

Neighborhoods:

Take a tour of holiday lights and decorations around the Las Vegas Valley. The area is divided into quadrants by using Sahara Avenue to divide north from south and Interstate 15 to divide east from west.

DOWNTOWN:

Twisted Vegas at 1941 Houston Drive

NORTHEAST:

Address: 3164 Mclennan Ave., North Las Vegas, 89081
Resident: Kellee Enneman
Description: 5 - 11 p.m. Perfectly straight house lights and multiple yard decorations. Decorations are accompanied by music.

Address: 1343 Villa Park Court, Las Vegas, 89110

Resident: Chris Colasuono

Description: 4 - 10:30 p.m. Sun-Thurs; 4 - 11 p.m. Fri-Sat. 10,000 lights that are synchromized to music. Music can be heard on station 106.1 FM. Currently 14 various song/light shows are programmed.


NORTHWEST:

Address: 8117 Chestnut Hollow Ave., Las Vegas, 89131
Resident: Frank Endellicate
Description: Entire house decorated from top to bottom. Various lawn ornaments, blow ups, reindeer and santas! Lights galore!

Address: 6759 Rowena Circle, Las Vegas, 89131
Resident: Missi K. Winter
Description: Anytime after 5:30 pm. Themed as the Peanuts visiting the North Pole!

Address: 6601 Brandywine Way, Las Vegas
Submitted by Bonnie Sandusky
Description: 7 - 10 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday; Monday-Tuesday, all day. My parents' home, always decorated every space you can imagine ... from the roof to the whole front yard! My Dad does this himself everyt year. He is 80 years old! Climbs up that roof, etc. Then goes to my sister's house & helps her! Every year! Needs to be recognized.

Address: 6313 Bristol Way, Las Vegas, 89107
Submitted by Bonnie Sandusky
Description: My sister's house says: Happy Birthday Jesus. Everyone seems to forget what Christmas really means & her display says it all ... a must see! 

New addition submitted by one of our readers:

NorthWest area, Residential home has an animated musical Christmas Lights display and a video of Santa in a window. A joke telling elf is hosting the Broadcast on 101.1 Fm  

3646 Carol Lark Court Las Vegas 89129.

SOUTHWEST:

A new addition submitted by one of our readers:

Address: 4255 El Cid Way Las Vegas NV 89121

Description: Huge two story house all decorated, TONS OF LIGHTS, garage has a viewing of a HUGE mini Christmas village built up on Styrofoam which includes three full trains running throughout the mini village, house will NOT disappoint! Truly a masterpiece!!!

Address: 2757 Grande Valley, Las Vegas, 89135

Resident: Rupert Chamberlain
Description: 5-10 p.m. My favorite TV show of all time is "Star Trek." The recent "Star Trek" movie was OK, but I much prefer the original cast. As a tribute to the show I have decorated my front yard to represent some of my favorite episodes with a holiday twist. Kirk and Spock in hand-to-hand combat armed with candy canes and dressed as elves, red, white and green animatronic tribbles and much much more. A true Trekkies holiday delight! Come one and all and join for a Romulan ale as we boldly go where no man has gone before!

Address: 10878 Milbank Ave, Las Vegas, 89135
Resident: Jerrold E. Creed
Description: 4 to 10 p.m. daily. Tune your car radio to 103.9 FM. Thousands of LED lights set to music. THX opening, Carol of the Bells, Linus and Lucy, Jingle Bells, TSO Wizards of Winter. Picture on this web page is this house. Featuring 16 mini trees out front. Merry Christmas. 

Address: 346 Maddalena, Las Vegas, 89183
Resident: Ryan S. Knepp
Description: 6 - 8 p.m. My 14-year-old stepson Ryan Knepp loves Christmas decorations. With every dime he gets he buys blow-up decorations to place in the yard. Over the last month he has spent countless hours setting up his display.

He has about 40 blow ups plus countless lights and other displays. Last year he had blow ups stolen. He now attaches each one to plywood and puts a cable around all of them to prevent them from being stolen. He is very meticulous and makes sure every wire and string is just right. This 14-year-old does this all by himself and with his own money. Truly an inspiring story about Christmas and youth.

Address: 3308 Surfline Dr., Las Vegas 89117
Resident: Walt Patalina
Description: 5-11 p.m.

HENDERSON:

Address: 3018 Scenic Valley Way, Henderson 89052
Resident: Robert Thomas
Description: 4:30 - 11:30 p.m. Lots of lights, inflatable airplane on roof, nativity scene, snow globe and lighted animals, angels and more. Live Santa appearing on Sundays.

New addition: 1700 block of Quiver Point Avenue

NORTH LAS VEGAS:

A new addition:

3016 Judson Avenue

EVENTS:

A Christmas Carol at UNLV’s Judy Bayley Theatre 

Bah, humbug! UNLV’s Nevada Conservatory Theatre again reminds audiences of the meaning of Christmas, as Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas novel comes to life on the Judy Bayley Theatre stage.December 11 & 12, 8 p.m., $27.50-$33.

Bellagio Conservatory 

The perennial garden’s holiday display is likely the most anticipated of the year, as the Strip resort seems to pull out its big botanical guns to really make the season come to life. This year’s installment took 34,000 flowers to create, and includes a 42-foot White Fir tree (with 7,000 lights and 2,500 ornaments), a 12-foot jack-in-the-box, polar bears made of white carnations, penguins peeking out of igloos, and two 12-foot snow globes. Let the photo ops begin. Through January 3, 24/7, free.

Container Park 

Santa Claus parks it Downtown every weekend to take photos with the little ones. And did we mention Oak & Ivy has a new seasonal cocktail menu? December 11, 18, 24, 5-8 p.m.; December 12-13, 19-20, noon-5 p.m.; free.

December to Remember at the Neon Museum 

The Downtown institution invites families to the Neon Boneyard for some ornament-making, hot chocolate and carols sung by the Las Vegas Academy choir. Bonus: Take a photo with Santa in the museum.December 12, 2-6 p.m., free.

The Dock of Lights at Lake Mead’s Calville Bay 

The National Recreation Area puts on a nautical Noel, as boat owners at Calville Bay decorate their rigs with Christmas lights and displays. The little ones can also say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus and warm up with some hot chocolate at this unique yuletide happening. December 12, 7 p.m., thelakemeadyachtclub.com.

Downtown Summerlin 

Catch the nightly holiday parade (7 p.m.) before photos with St. Nick. Have a furry friend? Paws and Claus pet-photo night happens Thursdays 6:30 to 9 p.m. December 11, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; December 12, 14-18, 20-23, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; December 13, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; December 19, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; December 24, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; $22-$48.

Fashion Show Mall 

The Strip-side shopping mall’s interactive, Shrek-themed “Adventure to Santa” program includes opportunities to explore Santa’s home and more. December 12, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; December 13-20, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; December 21-23, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; December 24, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., $40-$74.

Festivus Gathering at the Grand Bazaar Shops 

Fan of Seinfeld? Take pictures with the Festivus pole and participate in the parody holiday's "feats of strength" tradition by lifting a 100-pound dumbbell above your head. Those who complete the brawny challenge score a complimentary photo, Starbucks drink samples and Grand Bazaar Shops coupon books. Just don't forget to air your grievances (and politely ignore the fact that this holiday, meant as an alternative to commercialized Christmas, is being celebrated at an outdoor shopping mall). December 23, noon-4 p.m.

Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway 

The annual event bills itself as “Nevada’s largest holiday drive-thru light show”—and while we don’t know of another mobile, Christmas light-viewing experience in the Silver State, Glittering Lights’ 2.5-mile course of yuletide illumination is worth your consideration. Through January 3; Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday & holidays, 5:30-9 p.m.; $20.

Holiday Cactus Garden at Ethel M 

Desert landscapes aren’t the ideal canvas for a winter wonderland, but the local chocolate company accomplishes it every year. The gorgeous garden gets even more festive on weekends, with visits from Santa Claus (Friday to Sunday until Christmas, 5-9 p.m.) and entertainment from local school choirs (Friday to Sunday, 6-8 p.m.). Through January 1, 5-10 p.m., free.

The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan 

Ice skating under showers of “snow” with breathtaking views of the iconic Las Vegas Strip—what more do you need? Well, we suppose the fire pits (and s’mores!) and hot toddies are the cherry on top of this quintessentially Vegas holiday experience. Taking to the ice? Save yourself some time before you go and fill out the required waiver online. December 11, 14-18, 3 p.m.-midnight; December 12 & 13, December 19-January 3, noon-midnight; free admission, $10-$15 skating access, $5 skate rentals.

Jingle Bell Run at Pecos Legacy Park

Get a head start on your New Year’s resolution or battle the holiday weight gain at this 3.1-mile race along Henderson’s Pittman Wash Trail. The run culminates with holiday music, a visit from Santa and—speaking of that holiday weight gain—hot chocolate, coffee and cookies for purchase. Get fit and festive!December 19, 9 a.m., $25-$30, cityofhenderson.com.

Mystic Falls at Sam’s Town 

The Boulder Highway hotel adds some holiday flair to its year-round faux nature display, where kids can take photos with Santa and take in the Sunset Stampede laser light show (at 2, 4, 8 and 10 p.m.). Santa photos: December 11, 17-18, 4-8:30 p.m.; December 12 & 13, 19-20, noon-8:30 p.m.; December 21-23, noon-8:30 p.m.; $14.95-$19.95.

The Nutcracker at the Smith Center

Nevada Ballet Theatre brings the beloved Christmas tale to the Smith Center stage with a life-size Victorian dollhouse, a 100-foot Christmas tree, more than 100 cast and crew members and Tchaikovsky’s suite performed live by a full orchestra of Las Vegas Philharmonic musicians. December 12, 18, 19, 7:30 p.m.; December 13, 20, 1 & 5:30 p.m.; December 19, 2 p.m.; $29-$179.

Rock Rink at Downtown Summerlin 

Make a day out of your holiday shopping outings with some wintery fun. You can now practice that triple axel (or just staying on your feet) in the suburbs, as Summerlin’s retail epicenter also put up an ice-skating rink this year.Through January 18 (closed December 25); Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., $15 includes skate rental.

Silverton 

The man in the bright red suit flies a sleigh led by magical reindeer—did you really think he’s not a total outdoorsy badass? Instead of taking to the skies, Old St. Nick takes the plunge at Silverton, scuba diving in the resort’s aquarium to take photos and spread some under-the-sea holiday cheer. Saturday & Sunday through December, noon-1:15 p.m., 2:15-3:30 p.m., free.

Tivoli Village 

The kids can take photos with Santa in between train rides through the suburban open-air mall. Family members with paws are invited on December 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. for Tivoli’s pet-photo night. December 11 & 18, noon-4 p.m.; December 12, 21-24, 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; December 13 & 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; $10-$20.

Town Square 

The kids might not appreciate Santa’s Norman Rockwell-inspired digs as much as their parents, but photos with the jolly old soul and the Snow in the Square holiday dance shows (through December 23, Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 7 and 8 p.m.) might be right up their alley. Your dog or cat will likely also be unimpressed by the Rockwell house (especially those cats, let’s be honest), but they’re invited for photos every Wednesday until Christmas. Through December 11-19; Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30-5 p.m., 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11-2 p.m., 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; December 20-23, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; December 24, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; reservations required through December 23, walk-ups only on December 24.

WinterFest at Henderson Events Plaza 

The City of Henderson’s annual holiday bash includes a Friday-night tree lighting ceremony (6 p.m.) and a Saturday light parade (5 p.m.), in addition to arts, crafts and food vendors, kids activities and live entertainment.December 11, 6-9 p.m.; December 12, noon-8 p.m., free.

Special thanks to the Las Vegas Weekly.

WE HAVE UPDATED OUR LISTINGS!!!!

Read more at ClassicLasVegasBlog.com

Our new site is mobile and tablet friendly, so take us with you anywhere!

WE HAVE UPDATED OUR LISTINGS!!!!!

Our annual July 4th fireworks listings for Las Vegas and the surrounding Valley is one of the most popular non-history features we highlight and with long holiday weekend only a month away, we thought it was time to start gathering the information.

Remember, we will be updating this page between now and July 4th, so be sure to book mark us and check back often.

If you make Las Vegas your home, we have plenty of information for fun, family events to attend.  Or if you are planning a visit to the Bright Light City over the holiday, plan early as the town will be crowded with tourists! Check out our sidebar for great deals for hotels and shows!

Remember, the heat in Las Vegas (and especially down in Laughlin and Boulder City) can be deceiving. Wear plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated with water (not alcohol). If you do drink, do so responsibly.

Have FUN!!!!

July 3rd Celebrations:

JUST ADDED:

Independence Day Jubilee: 

3-9:30 p.m. at Craig Ranch Regional Park

628 W. Craig Road

North Las Vegas.

Event also includes a performance by Michael Grimm, carnival and vendors

$8; $5 in advance; 702-633-2650;

__________________________________________________________________

Annual Night of Fire at the Bullring

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Features:  Fireworks, SMRA Supermodifieds 

 The Bullring, Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR-sanctioned 3/8-mile asphalt oval, will kick off the Independence Day holiday weekend on Tuesday, July 3rd, with its annual Night of Fire. The night of family fun features fireworks and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series stock car racing, a jet car and SMRA Supermodifieds.

Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. Fireworks are tentatively scheduled for 9:30 p.m. 
Stock car racing classes include: SMRA Supermodifieds (50 laps), MetroPCS Super Late Models (76 laps), Chargers, Outlaw Enduro Bombers (76 laps), twin Legends Cars features, Bandoleros.

Advanced Spectator admission: 
Adults: $15. 
Senior citizens and military personnel with ID: $15. 
Children (6-12): $8. 

Day of Spectator admission: 
Adults: $20
Senior citizens and military personnel with ID: $15. 
Children (6-12): $8. 

The Bullring's concession stand offers a family-friendly dollar menu, including $1 hot dogs, $1 soda and $1 beer. For more information, please call the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or visit Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Read more at ClassicLasVegasBlog.com

Our annual July 4th fireworks listings for Las Vegas and the surrounding Valley is one of the most popular non-history features we highlight and with long holiday weekend only a month away, we thought it was time to start gathering the information.

Remember, we will be updating this page between now and July 4th, so be sure to book mark us and check back often.

If you make Las Vegas your home, we have plenty of information for fun, family events to attend.  Or if you are planning a visit to the Bright Light City over the holiday, plan early as the town will be crowded with tourists! Check out our sidebar for great deals for hotels and shows!

Remember, the heat in Las Vegas (and especially down in Laughlin and Boulder City) can be deceiving. Wear plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated with water (not alcohol). If you do drink, do so responsibly.

Have FUN!!!!

July 3rd Celebrations:

Annual Night of Fire at the Bullring

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Features:  Fireworks, SMRA Supermodifieds 

 The Bullring, Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR-sanctioned 3/8-mile asphalt oval, will kick off the Independence Day holiday weekend on Tuesday, July 3rd, with its annual Night of Fire. The night of family fun features fireworks and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series stock car racing, a jet car and SMRA Supermodifieds.

Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. Fireworks are tentatively scheduled for 9:30 p.m. 
Stock car racing classes include: SMRA Supermodifieds (50 laps), MetroPCS Super Late Models (76 laps), Chargers, Outlaw Enduro Bombers (76 laps), twin Legends Cars features, Bandoleros.

Advanced Spectator admission: 
Adults: $15. 
Senior citizens and military personnel with ID: $15. 
Children (6-12): $8. 

Day of Spectator admission: 
Adults: $20
Senior citizens and military personnel with ID: $15. 
Children (6-12): $8. 

The Bullring's concession stand offers a family-friendly dollar menu, including $1 hot dogs, $1 soda and $1 beer. For more information, please call the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or visit Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Read more at ClassicLasVegasBlog.com

He was a family friend and it is with heavy heart that we send Kenny Guinn on to his next journey.  Here's hoping that he and my dad are having a drink together tonight at Heaven's Bar.

From the Associated Press:

Former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, a two-term moderate Republican whose tenure marked a prosperous era in a state now facing severe budget problems, died Thursday after falling from the roof of his Las Vegas home while making repairs. He was 73.

The predecessor to current Gov. Jim Gibbons was pronounced dead at University Medical Center, where he was taken after the fall, Coroner Mike Murphy said. Authorities were investigating whether the death was from natural causes or an accident.

Billy Vassiliadis, a friend and spokesman for the Guinn family at the hospital, said Guinn had been on the roof making repairs. He said Guinn's wife, Dema Guinn, found him and called 911 . Police received the call just after 10:30 a.m.

"She lost her best friend this morning," Vassiliadis said.

Gibbons ordered flags at state buildings to be lowered to half-staff and issued a statement saying, "On behalf of all Nevadans, I extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends."

The state Senate minority leader, Bill Raggio, R-Nev., called Guinn "undoubtedly one of the best public servants who has ever served and one of the best governors we've ever had."

"He was an example of someone who was committed to working with other across the party lines," Raggio said, choking on his emotions during a telephone interview. "He still had so much to offer."

Guinn, a former Clark County school superintendent and millionaire bank chairman, was a Democrat-turned-moderate Republican who served two terms as governor from 1998 to 2007. His tenure marked a prosperous era in a state now facing huge tax deficits, the highest unemployment rate, at 14.2 percent, and the most foreclosures per capita in the nation.

"He was the right guy for the times, and he had the guts to stand up and do what was best for the citizens of Nevada," said Greg Bortolin, a former spokesman for Guinn.

Guinn was elected in his first bid for statewide office, defeating Democrat Jan Jones with 52 percent of the vote while drawing criticism that he was the hand-picked candidate of powerful special interests. He departed ranked by Time magazine as one of the nation's best governors.

During his tenure in Carson City, he overhauled government agency operations, revamped budgeting and tax collections, pushed for a major student scholarship program, fought federal plans to bury nuclear waste in the desert outside Las Vegas and sought to diversify Nevada's casino-dependent economy.

Guinn also spearheaded the biggest tax increase in state history, then returned to residents $300 million in excess revenues.

In 1999, during his first term as governor, he pushed the Legislature to approve his Millennium Scholarship program that uses tobacco company settlement funds to help Nevada students pay for their college costs at state schools.

With the state past an economic slump that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he pushed for a broader tax base and sought more funding for social services and education in the 2003 legislative session.

He was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2002, defeating longtime Democratic state Sen. Joe Neal.

"He was a dynamic force in Nevada politics and our state's business circles for as many decades as I can remember, and he had an extraordinary influence on me," said Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Las Vegas.

Berkley said she helped recruit Guinn as interim president of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a position he accepted for $1 salary.

Guinn was born in Garland, Ark., raised in Exeter, Calif., as the son of migrant fruit pickers. He once lived in a tin shack and attended almost 30 schools as his parents followed the crops.

He won a college football scholarship and received bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from California's Fresno State University. He received a doctorate in education from Utah State University in 1970. He taught in Fresno and San Jose while doing graduate work at Stanford University.

He moved to Las Vegas in 1964, starting as a planning specialist for the Clark County School District. In 1969, he was named superintendent of schools. He left the district in 1978 to join Nevada Savings and Loan. He later became bank chairman, president and chairman of Southwest Gas, and interim president at UNLV.

Guinn and his wife, Dema, have two sons.

As the holiday weekend nears an end (and hopefully my cold as well), here's some thoughts about the beautiful Mt. Charleston area.  I'll be back tomorrow and will return to the regular blogging about Las Vegas history.

From the R-J: