LAS VEGAS — The parades and events that take place throughout the city during Christmas time reflect how the Strip’s entertainment ethos extends into the community.
Las Vegas is home to a number of festive parades, like the Downtown Summerlin Holiday Parade, and drive-through light shows like the Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. These holiday events are a reflection of earlier community parades that took place when the city still felt like a small town.
In 1994, Fremont Street was closed to traffic and converted into a Christmas wonderland with an LED canopy. The street became the stage for the exciting Santa arrival and reshaped those earlier community parades into high-production events with casino sponsorship. Today, the city’s parades continue to evolve by pairing spectacle with philanthropy.
The Great Santa Run, held every December, draws thousands of locals and visitors downtown. The event raises funds for Opportunity Village, a non-profit that supports people with disabilities. The Great Santa Run and Fremont Street experience are examples of parades and events that have grown in scale as Las Vegas becomes a global entertainment capital.
