December in Vegas

December has been busy with holiday things. We started out on Saturday 1 December joining in for the annual Great Santa Run, which supports Opportunity Village. There were over 10,000 Santas (part of the registration fee includes an outfit, complete with beard)


On Thursday 12 December we went and wandered around the Venetian. They were fully decorated for Christmas. Out front was a big tree.


They had performers dancing and posing with the crowds.


Down on the front canals an ice skating rink was set up. It was cold (about 42f – 5c) and more people were skating than riding in the gondolas.


Walking around the canal shops inside I rather liked this store display


Being 12/12/12 there were a lot of weddings in Las Vegas – as opposed to the normal 200 or so there were over 7,000 marriage licenses issued for that day. I like to take photographs of brides I find walking around the Strip and the casinos, I usually come across one or two each time we go wander the Strip, but that night I saw ten in the Venetian alone! This one was posing for her photographer on the canal.


Besides the casino wedding chapel the white gondola on the inside canal (up on the second floor, above the casino) is a popular wedding spot. I guess it is rather romantic.


The Palazzo connects to the Venetian, their lobby had some decorations.


Walking from the casino to the lobby we came across these cowboys – December is the Nationals Final Rodeo held here in town, and we get thousands of cowboys in town to watch and compete.


The passage that connects the Venetian to the Palazzo has a big fountain and pool area, which is usually decorated for each season.


Next to the waterfall we saw another bride posing for pictures.


It was an enjoyable walk that day.