Short answer: WOW - The Vegas Spectacular at Rio runs its full regular schedule straight through the holidays, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. If you are planning a Vegas trip around Thanksgiving, Christmas or the holiday season and want a show that is definitely running, WOW is a safe pick, and this guide covers the other family-friendly options still booking too.

A lot of "best holiday shows" lists skip the most practical question: is the show actually open on the day you are traveling? Some Strip productions go dark for part of the holiday season. This guide answers that first, then rounds up the best family-friendly options for a Las Vegas holiday trip.

Is WOW open on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's?

Yes, on all four dates, at the show's normal times: Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026) at 7pm, Christmas Day (Friday, December 25, 2026) at 6pm, New Year's Eve (Thursday, December 31, 2026) at 7pm, and New Year's Day (Friday, January 1, 2027) at 6pm. WOW performs Tuesday through Sunday year-round, and none of this year's major holidays fall on the show's Monday dark day, so there is no schedule gap to plan around.

Best Las Vegas shows for the holiday season 2026

WOW - The Vegas Spectacular (Rio). Water effects, acrobatics, comedy, dance, 3D projections and holograms in a 90-minute show. Open to all ages, recommended 3 and up. Tickets start at $45. Running on the full holiday calendar, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

Blue Man Group (Luxor). Percussion, comedy and audience interaction, recommended for ages 3 and up. A reliable family pick throughout the holiday season; confirm the specific holiday-week schedule before booking.

Tournament of Kings (Excalibur). A dinner show built around a live jousting arena, no minimum age. Popular with families looking for a Thanksgiving or Christmas night that includes dinner.

Mystere by Cirque du Soleil (Treasure Island). Classic Cirque acrobatics, recommended for ages 5 and up. A strong pick for holiday travelers who specifically want the Cirque name.

O by Cirque du Soleil (Bellagio). The aquatic Cirque flagship, recommended for ages 5 and up, at a higher price tier. A splurge option for a special holiday night.

Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas

Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year in Las Vegas, and popular shows sell through their lower-priced seats first. WOW performs Thanksgiving Day itself at 7pm, then continues its regular Friday and Saturday 6pm shows through the rest of the weekend. Booking ahead matters more this week than almost any other time of year.

Christmas and New Year's in Las Vegas

Christmas week and New Year's week both draw heavy crowds to the Strip, and many visitors specifically look for shows that are family-friendly and confirmed open on the holiday itself. WOW covers both Christmas Day and New Year's Eve and Day on its normal schedule, which makes it easier to lock in a show night without waiting to see whether a production adds or cancels performances.

Plan your holiday show night

WOW performs at Rio Hotel & Casino, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103, with free self-parking on site. Tickets start at $45 and the lowest-priced seats tend to sell out first on holiday dates. Check the seating guide before booking, and see the 2026 show planning guide if you are lining up your whole trip.

FAQ

Is WOW open on Thanksgiving Day? Yes, WOW performs on Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026) at its normal 7pm showtime.

Is WOW open on Christmas Day? Yes, WOW performs on Christmas Day (December 25, 2026) at its normal 6pm showtime.

Is WOW open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? Yes. WOW performs on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2026) at 7pm and New Year's Day (January 1, 2027) at 6pm.

What is the best family-friendly show in Las Vegas for the holidays? WOW is a strong pick because it runs the full holiday calendar with no dark days, is open to all ages, and starts at $45. Blue Man Group and Tournament of Kings are also solid family options for the season.

Where do I buy WOW tickets for the holidays? Check current WOW tickets and showtimes on Ticketmaster. Holiday dates sell out faster than an average week, so booking ahead is worth it.

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