From exciting entertainment to decadent dining, there’s plenty to choose from in Las Vegas to keep you thankful all season long.

If the thought of another copy and paste Thanksgiving makes your eye start to twitch, we get it. No one has ever said, “You know what would be awesome? Spending a day or more with family (some of whom I’ve never met) being pelted with questions on my relationship status, job and political stance, eating dry turkey, and trying not to cry.” Enter Las Vegas. Throw out the ordinary. Here, you’re free to create your own elevated, untraditional tradition.

 

Drama-free Dining

Face it, Thanksgiving is all about the food and Las Vegas has the most complete collection of world-class restaurants, making it one of the best cities in the world to dine out. And since you’re breaking out of the (gelatin) mold, the options are endless. Italian sounds delicious? Try the Cappellacci and curated cocktails at Ambra Italian Kitchen + Bar Opens in MGM Grand Hotel and Casino or go for authentic and seasonal pastas at Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano at The Venetian Resort.

 

 

How about Asian cuisine? You can be sure the Peking Duck at MR CHOW inside Caesars Palace will be succulent (figure out the turkey timing, Aunt Karen!). Or go for the drunken noodles at Wazuzu at Wynn Las Vegas for a tasty treat.

Keep in mind that every buffet, and just about every restaurant in a casino, are open on Thanksgiving Day, so they’ll probably serves something for the holiday, including prix fixe holiday menus with those nostalgic favorites – you know you can’t say no to mashed potatoes. Bonus points: not having to clean up the annual feast mess.

 

No-Judgment Shopping

Start that holiday shopping early, even if it’s all for you. Unlike many cities around the country, most stores on the Strip are open on Thanksgiving Day. Another only-in-Vegas experience, shopaholics will find longtime favorites and avant-garde shops to iconic anchor stores and luxurious boutiques, all in one stretch of road.

Hit up the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets for discounted shopping from more than 175 designer and name-brand retailers, such as Lululemon, Tory Burch, John Varvatos and Jimmy Choo.

 

 

The Fashion Show Las Vegas shopping center, located right on the Las Vegas Strip, is a shopper’s dream with eight anchors stores, 250 stores and 250 restaurants. Located in the heart of the Strip, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino features retail favorites such as H&M, Sephora, GUESS, Drybar, MAC Cosmetics and more.

For super upscale retail therapy, hit Via Bellagio at Bellagio Las Vegas; The Shops at Crystals; and Wynn Plaza at Wynn Las Vegas – fun fact: It has the only permanent Louis Vuitton Men’s store in the country.

 

Sizzling Shows

You’ve decided to leave the awkwardness of the T-day fun fest at home, and now it’s your time to enjoy a show you want to see. Some of the hottest shows in town include:

• Pop legend Paula Abdul’s residency at Flamingo Las Vegas
• Unbelievable acrobatics of The Beatles LOVE, Michael Jackson ONE,  “O” and the first live-action thriller, R.U.N, by Cirque du Soleil
• Champagne dreams of Blanc de Blanc at SAHARA Las Vegas
• Thrilling showcase of Absinthe at Caesars Palace
• Wacky world of Opium at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
• And zaniest bunch of outlaws in Atomic Saloon at The Venetian Resort

 

 

Need a little magic in your life? David Copperfield, Hans Klok and Criss Ange are here for you. Even though it’s a holiday, there are still many options for Las Vegas-quality entertainment to suit your taste.

 

Now that you have a cornucopia of reasons why Las Vegas changes Thanksgiving, what’s your excuse not to come? Go on, book that flight – it’s all waiting for you. For more information, please visit visitlasvegas.com.

 

 

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