Destinations

What to Do in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving Weekend

By Mike Hickey Nov 14, 2018 10:48am

This year, travelers can enliven their Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas with new brand-new stage shows, concerts from famous musical acts, and active experiences like rooftop ice skating.

The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

For the seventh consecutive year, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas welcomes the return of The Ice Rink as Boulevard Pool transforms into a winter destination high above the Las Vegas strip open to the public Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

Overlooking the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard, visitors will enjoy rooftop ice skating on more than 4,200 square feet of real ice, roasting s’mores by the fire, light snow showers, adult renditions of seasonal culinary classics, and views of the city.

Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Travelers can begin their holiday season with a stroll through this drive-thru light show that displays millions of glittering lights that illuminate the track of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Glittering Lights show opens every night at dusk. Anytime tickets are Monday through Thursday $20 per vehicle; Friday-Sunday, holidays and December 18-25, $30 per vehicle.

“A Mob Story” at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

Travelers can check out the recently debuted show, “A Mob Story,” an original production that tells the “tale of how the mob made Las Vegas, and how Vegas took down the Mob.” The limited engagement show features 180-degree visual effects and professional choreography set to today’s popular music, influenced by gangsters and mistresses to the mob.

Created and directed by producer, Emmy and Golden Globe award winner, Jeff Kutash, “A Mob Story” is billed as a realistic portrayal of the mob, as told by former Colombo family capo, Michael Franzese. Franzese provides a journey into the secret world of the mafia as the show’s host. Former city of Las Vegas mayor and mob attorney, Oscar B. Goodman serves as an ambassador to the show with special appearances.

Rod Stewart: The Hits

Singer and songwriter Rod Stewart added new show dates in November for his Las Vegas residency “Rod Stewart: The Hits” at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The shows are scheduled for November 21, 23-24, and 28, offering a chance to see the world-famous act this Thanksgiving weekend.

KA by Cirque du Soleil

This theater production at the MGM Grand tells the story of twins, a boy and girl, on a perilous journey to fulfill their shared destiny. The show tells this story through acrobatics, martial arts, pyrotechnics and aerial stunts.

To enrich their Cirque du Soleil adventure, guests can opt for the KA Imperial Experience, which offers an elevated theater experience. The adventure starts as soon as guests arrive with a private escort to the luxury box suite that is situated 30 feet above the audience and overlooking the entire theater, where guests will have a completely unobstructed view of the performance. In addition to the exclusive box seating, the experience includes access to the VIP lounge, complimentary cocktail and popcorn, private VIP host, and a cast meet & greet.

This Thanksgiving weekend, travelers can catch the show on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with two shows each night at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Metallica at the T-Mobile Arena

If travelers want to stick around in Las Vegas for another day after the weekend, they can see Metallica in concert. The world-famous heavy metal band will continue its WorldWired Tour and come to Las Vegas for one show at the T-Mobile Arena on November 26. The tour – which began in 2016 in support of its 10th studio album, “Hardwired... to Self-Destruct” – came back to North America in September 2018, beginning with a show in Madison, WI. On this leg of the tour, Metallica will visit more than 30 cities in the United States and Canada that they did not visit last year.

This fall/winter tour marks the debut of the Light It Up pre-show party hosted by comedian Jim Breuer. Breur, along with a DJ to get the night going with some music, hits the stage before the band with comedy, fan interaction, giveaways and more.

According to drummer Lars Ulrich, the WorldWired Tour may last until 2020.