Diane Taylor

Bellagio Conservatory Holiday Display

The west bed of the Bellagio Garden’s display features a 42-foot tall tree trimmed with red and white peppermint swirls. Next to the tree is a 30-foot tall Nutcracker soldier.
Photo by Diane Taylor

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Las Vegas is a favorite place to visit during the holidays. The displays are magical, large. creative and are open 24 hours a day.

Last Thursday, a friend and I visited the Gardens around 12:30 p.m. and we found the whole world had chosen that time, mid-day between Christmas and New Years, to visit. Making our way down the center aisle was extremely difficult. Our advice: visit during off hours.

Near the big tree is an elegant ballerina performing an elegant pirouette representing the poise and precision of “The Nutcracker” ballet.
Photo by Diane Taylor

However, the trip was worth it. The decorations were very different from previous displays I’ve seen. According to an MGM press release, This year’s theme replicates iconic scenes from The Nutcracker. From the release: “Following protagonist Clara’s journey through her holiday dreamland, the exhibit tells the story of her adventures with the courageous Nutcracker Prince as they embark on a magical adventure in the Land of Sweets.”

The Nutcracker display was created by designer Ed Libby and brought to life by Bellagio’s 80-member horticulture team. As usual, all of the plants on display are living. One never sees fading leaves. Here’s an MGM list of just what visitors see when visiting the 2023 Bellagio Gardens display (before January 7th when the display ends):

Family groups don’t normally come to the Bellagio to gamble, but they do come to look at and photograph the Bellagio Garden’s holiday display.
Photo by Diane Taylor

*110,000: Energy-efficient lightbulbs on all trees
*20,000: Poinsettias throughout the display
*10,000: Preserved roses in the Mouse King’s cape
*8,700: Ornaments on the holiday tree
*500: Ostrich Plumes on the ballerina’s tutu
*41: Fresh-cut white fir trees in the display
*24: Beautifully wrapped gift boxes
*9: Crystal chandeliers throughout the display
*6: Days to complete the changeout of the display
*4: Toy soldiers in the North Bed
*1: Swarovski Crystal star topping the holiday tree

I have pointed this out before but it seemed so true again this year. No one needs to advertise the Bellagio Gardens holiday display. Visitors with cellphones can’t help but take pictures–Lots of them that promote the display. My own pictures are below:

Note: Bellagio Las Vegas parking is free for locals up to three hours. The lots were full, but we happened to find a just-empty spot very near the entrance to the elevators. Whoopee!

Some 10,000 roses are in the Mouse King’s train
Photo by Diane Taylor
This family photo will be remembered years from 2023
Photo by Diane Taylorr
This is Clara, the Nutcracker’s young heroine clutching her new nutcracker doll. Clara falls into a deep sleep and enters an ethereal dreamworld that forms the story to “The Nutcracker”
Photo by Diane Taylor
The display features a number of beautiful satin roses
Photo by Diane Taylor
A familiar snow-covered scene is the background for a number of photos
Photo by Diane Taylor
A holiday train weaves among the West Bed display with a camera showing its way
Photo by Diane Taylor
Lots of strange angles from photographers are required to also capture the huge Bellagio Gardens backgrounds
Photo by Diane Taylor
This is the jovial Mother Ginger, standing 20 feet tall and holding a toy Mouse King. Emerging from her 20-foot-wide hoop skirt is a Polichinelle, a playful clown-like character
Photo by Diane Taylor
MGM tells us this oversized crystal cupcake along with the red poinsettias is a symbol of love, hope and prosperity
Photo by Diane Taylor

Comments

2 responses on “Bellagio Conservatory Holiday Display”

  1. Thank you, Diane, for the lovely mini-tour. Will just have to do my travels via your articles. Should I include this in my bucket list?Again, as usual, great writing from you.

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