'Tis the season for family outings, and with no shortage of holiday-inspired events in the valley, let the merriment begin.
The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., is in its 16th season and will feature more than 2 acres of twinkling bulb-laden pathways, themed Christmas trees, an antique carousel, train rides, a 40-foot alpine slide and live entertainment.
"This is, by in large, our largest fundraiser of the year," resource development manager Holly Spoor said. "We do our best to ensure that families will have a great time and get into the spirit of the season. You can even expect to have a photo with Santa this year in our photo booth."
All of the proceeds from the Magical Forest will benefit programs for Opportunity Village, a nonprofit organization that assists the mentally disabled in job training, placement and activity.
According to Spoor, the forest has an enchanting quality that is only enhanced by the thousands of lights and holiday atmosphere.
"It takes more than 70 volunteers to ensure that the forest operates nightly," Spoor said. "It's a lot of work, but well worth it."
Officials project that the event will attract more than 150,000 people this year.
"We are looking forward to a packed house," Spoor said. "Whether you come to enjoy sipping hot chocolate and enjoy the beautiful displays or see one of our guest celebrity entertainers, like Hans Klock (Dec. 4), we can start your holiday season off right."
The attraction will be open from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 30. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for children and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance at any CVS Pharmacy. For information, call 225-9627.
The Gift of Lights celebration at Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset Road, began seven years ago when producers Chris and Brenda Meehan saw a need in the community for an event that would give families a chance to enjoy holiday lights in a central location.
"You can look in neighborhoods, but it's sometimes hard to hit the right spots," Brenda Meehan said. "We wanted to give something back to our community, and we have."
After seeing a similar attraction at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, the Meehans pitched the idea for a drive-through light exhibit to Clark County Parks and Recreation.
"The response was overwhelmingly positive, and they were on board," Brenda Meehan said. "That's how we got to where we are today."
Today, the exhibit features more than 8 million Christmas lights and 400 themed displays.
"This year, we have a new archway that you drive under to enter the park that features marching penguins," Brenda Meehan said. "It's adorable."
New attractions include an under the sea display sponsored by the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.
"You drive through an undersea tunnel complete with sharks, fish and aquatic life," Brenda Meehan said. "It's really something to behold."
Display themes include nursery rhymes, "The Wizard of Oz," dinosaurs and Christmas classics.
Families can enjoy holiday music by tuning to Ho Ho radio as they drive through the park.
"The station is only accessible in the park," Brenda Meehan said. "So when you arrive, you'll be told how to tune in."
Gift of Lights is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The exhibit runs through Jan. 1. Tickets are $13 per car with $2 off for a gently used item to be donated to Goodwill. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at www.giftoflights.com.
The Clark County Museum, 1830 S. Boulder Highway, transports visitors into a world of Christmas' past with Heritage Street Holidays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Jan. 10.
This holiday stroll down memory lane allows patrons to visit historic homes from the 1900s through 1970s, each decorated with period furnishings and Christmas ornamentation.
"Homes are furnished and restored to the era from which they came, restored to what it would have looked like during that decade in the Las Vegas Valley," cultural specialist Malcolm Vuksich said. "Each home is decorated as it would have been during that time."
Tickets are $1.50 for adults and $1 for seniors and children. For information, call 455-7955.
The Chocolate Wonderland at Ethel M's Botanical Cactus Garden, 2 Cactus Way, Henderson, will feature a moonlit wonderland where the desert landscape is illuminated by a half-million twinkling holiday lights.
Patrons will be invited to walk through the garden and enjoy a free chocolate sample from the adjacent chocolate factory.
"It's great fun," spokesman Phil Levine said. "It's a great attraction for kids who love the chocolate and are mesmerized by the lights."
The attraction will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. beginning Wednesday through Jan. 1. It will be free to the public.
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