From the beginning, parking on the Las Vegas Strip has been free (excluding valets). In fact, "acres of free parking" was one of the selling points.

But now, eighty-five years of tradition is coming to an end. 

MGM Resorts has announced that with opening of the T-Mobile Arena (behind New York, New York), they will begin charging for parking. Sometime in early Spring (between April and June), the policy will go into effect. MGM Restorts will build a $54 million, 3,000 space parking garage next to the new arena that seats 20,000 people and includes retail and restaurant spaces and a 5,000 seat theater at the Monte Carlo.

The parking fee is part of MGM Resorts plan to enhance and expand their infrastructure. They own nine Strip properties.

• Mandalay Bay
• Delano
• Luxor
• Excalibur
• Monte Carlo
• New York-New York
• Vdara
• Aria
• Bellagio
• The Mirage
• MGM Grand

Parking at Crystals, Mandalay Bay Place and Circus Circus will remain free.

Parking will be $10.00 a day (even for guests staying at the hotels)  with a grace period for locals to adjust and eveyone can join the M life (the MGM loyalty program) which would waive the parking fees.

The big question, of course, is will other resorts follow suit and charge for parking?

Will tourists balk at paying for parking while a guest of the hotel? Will they balk at the increased cost of the valet?

Will locals find yet another reason not to visit the Strip?

Stay tuned as it looks like this new policy could be the first signal that the days of  acres and acres of free parking on the Strip are coming to an end.

Wishing all of you a wonderful and prosperous 2016!

Stick around as we have some great things to look forward to here at Classic Las Vegas!

Happy New Year!

America's Party: Las Vegas New Year's Eve 2016
This year's spectacular fireworks show theme will be "On Top of The World" and will feature a special tribute in the finale to Frank Sinatra. The show will clock in at 8 minutes and 18 seconds. Fireworks, done by Grucci, will be shot off seven hotel rooftops along the Las Vegas Strip. They are (north to south):

• Stratosphere
• Venetian
• Treasure Island
• Caesars Palace
• Planet Hollywood
• Aria
• MGM Grand

The best fireworks viewing locations are near the hotels who are launching them. You'll get even better views if you can get up higher at rooftop bars, clubs and restaurants. For example Drai's pool deck has a great view of Caesars's fireworks, while the Cosmopolitan's roof top ice rink lets you see the fireworks of Planet Hollywood. The Stratosphere Tower parties give you a prime spot for seeing the fireworks across the Strip. Even just going up a few stories will improve your view.

Downtown Countdown
Toast the New Year during the Downtown Countdown Dec. 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. at the Fremont Street Experience. The street party is themed TributePalooza and features 13 of the world’s greatest tribute bands including: Rio (Duran Duran), Generation Idol (Billy Idol), Fan Halen (Van Halen), No Duh (No Doubt), Red Not Chili Peppers (Red Hot Chili Peppers), The Rising (Bruce Springsteen), Police Experience (The Police), Rockin the Paradice (Styx), Wanted (Bon Jovi), The Who Generation (The Who) Pyromania (Def Leppard), Double Vision (Foreigner) and Don’t Look Back (Boston).

4:00 p.m.– The Fremont Street Experience, the pedestrian mall will be closed to the public
5:00 p.m.– The Fremont Street Experience gates open for ticketed guests with valid event wristbands.
Concert Time: 5:30pm - 3:30am

Tickets: $30 through Dec. 25, 2015. After Dec. 25th tickets are $40. Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at any of the Fremont Street Experience member hotel-casinos, or at the event gates on Dec. 31.

Admission to Downtown Countdown on New Year’s Eve is $30 per person when purchased online by Dec. 25. Beginning Dec. 26 tickets will be $40 per person and can be purchased online, in-person at any of the Fremont Street Experience member hotel-casinos, or at the event gates on Dec. 31.

Things to consider:

It's going to be freezing! Temps are supposed to be in the low 30s that night. So bundle up.

It also helps to have a plan 3 or 4 hours before midnight. If you plan to celebrate indoors, remember once it hits 11:00pm all the hotels stop letting people in. They re-open their doors around 12:30am.  Actually it's their way of keeping the crowds inside the casino within occupancy limits set by the Clark County Fire Department. You don't want to find yourself stuck outside and have to use the bathroom.

If you are going to the Strip, get there early, around 5 or 6 p.m. Earlier if possible because they will close the strip down around 6 p.m.

Just because you are in Las Vegas doesn't mean there are no laws. Take a minute to read the Las Vegas New Years Eve Ordinances to understand what you can and cannot get away with. The cops here do not play and the famous, "I'am a tourist" excuse does not work for them.

Beware of the city's general curfew and the Fremont Street area curfew. Anyone under 18 years old must now be accompanied by an adult.

The Las Vegas Monorail will be the only public transportation operating on the strip. Trains will be running until 3 a.m. Jan. 1.

Bus Routes 201 (Tropicana Avenue), 202 (Flamingo Road), and 203 (Spring Mtn. Road / Desert Inn Road / Lamb Blvd) will provide the closest possible access to the Strip but will not stop on the Strip.

If you are planing to get to a particular hotel on the Strip after the strip closure, here are buses and New Years Eve bus stops close to the Vegas strip.

All other streets, roads and alleys leading Westbound onto Las Vegas Blvd (Strip) between Sahara Avenue and Mandalay Bay Road from Koval Lane will be closed at 5:45 p.m..

 All streets, roads and alleys leading onto Las Vegas Blvd (Strip) between Sahara Ave. and Mandalay Bay Road will be closed with all barricades in place at 6:00 p.m.

 Las Vegas Blvd. (Strip) along with all inbound roads leading onto Las Vegas Blvd. will be fully closed to vehicle traffic at 6:30 p.m.

 Moving walkways, escalators and elevators on the Vegas Strip are set to be turned off at 6:30 p.m.

 Las Vegas Boulevard fully opens to pedestrian traffic at 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy, drink responsibly, have fun and Happy New Year!!!!

May Santa bring you everything on your wish list

And may it all fit under your tree!

FYI- the New Year's Eve Fireworks schedule will be published on Sunday!

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.