Coming Up! Winter in Venice™ At The Venetian & The Palazzo! A Winter Wonderland In Vegas!

The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas are home to Winter in Venice™, the third-annual celebration of the winter holiday season on the Las Vegas Strip, called “A Gift of The Venetian.”  With 49 days of seasonal experiences throughout both resorts, Winter in Venice is the ultimate destination for a holiday

getaway, running Nov. 18, 2013 through Jan. 5, 2014. 

In 2013, a schedule of Italian-inspired experiences will include a new nightly entertainment spectacle, whimsical character performances, a stunning 3D light projection show, and an elaborate Winter In Venice fantasy scene in The Palazzo Waterfall Gardens. 

New this year – several weekend events will feature world-class experiences for “foodies,” including the new La Cucina Italiana Food & Wine Festival, Dec. 5-8. In addition, a guest favorite – the romantic skating rink above The Venetian’s iconic outdoor Grand Canal – will return.   The rink was featured in Travel + Leisure magazine, and was called one of the “world’s coolest skating rinks” by the prestigious publication. 

The best way to experience Winter in Venice is by staying overnight at The Venetian or The Palazzo, taking advantage of additional experiences available to resort guests.  Packages, which combine elements of Winter in Venice, begin at $149 per night.

Overnight guests also receive Passaporto di Winter in Venice, a festive bundle of value for the Winter

in Venice experience, including free items and experiences worth more than $125 per stay. Additional

retail, dining and entertainment offers are valued at more than $1,000.

For those who book an upgraded suite, a Premiere Passaporto di Winter in Venice is a special holiday

“upgrade” to a deluxe Winter in Venice experience, including free items and experiences worth more than $300 per stay. Additional retail, dining and entertainment offers are valued at more than $1,500.

A Holiday Storyline

“Winter in Venice finds its inspiration in the folklore and tales that generations of Italians have grown to know and love,” said Caparella. “Those stories have filled the imaginations of generations of Venetians with the experiences of festive holiday seasons coupled with the long-treasured spirit of giving and sharing. Within these tales are the characters that exemplify the good will, the fun and the excitement of the season.” 

Throughout the 49-day celebration, guests will encounter these new characters -- including the stunning Winter in Venice Queen -- in entertaining ways, including the nightly entertainment spectacular, character performances, and the “Light of Venice” 3D light projection show.

Doge’s Palace and Outdoor Skating Rink

The Venetian’s front exterior will be adorned in winter schemes reminiscent of the fabled city of Venice. Thousands of festooned lights will hang over the majestic ice skating rink as larger-than-life snowflakes

surround the façade of The Venetian.  The impressive skating surface is made of environmentally-friendly material playfully called “fen-ice,” which doesn’t require electricity or refrigeration.  The surface is actually not made of ice at all, but a state-of-the-art recycled polymer, part of the resort’s industry-leading green initiatives.  On the canal, romance is in the air, as skaters are invited to make figure-eights or glide hand-in-hand with loved ones.  Nearby, an awe-inspiring 65-foot LED Christmas tree presides over Doge’s Palace, and guests are entertained by strolling entertainers. 

Guests can enjoy the outdoor skating rink daily, with sessions at 3:15pm, 4:15pm, 5:15pm, 6:15pm, 7:15pm, 8:15pm, 9:15pm, and 10:15pm.  Guests visiting with a Winter in Venice overnight package will receive a complimentary skating session in their Passaporto.  Skating tickets are $14.95 for general admission, and $9.95 for Las Vegas locals with an ID and Grazie™ cardholders.  Children ages 7-12 are complimentary (up to three free children with one paid, local or Grazie admission).  Children must be 7 or older to skate.

Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas - The Symphony Tour

As a marquee addition, Winter in Venice will kick off with Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas - The Symphony Tour, at 8pm on Nov. 22-23 and Nov. 27-28.  At this show presented in the Venetian Theatre, guests can celebrate this holiday season with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman. The 90-minute performance features music from the all-female music ensemble’s second Christmas album, Home For Christmas, including holiday favorites “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Silent Night.”   

Tickets are available by calling The Venetian or Palazzo Box

Office at (866) 641-7469 or (702) 414-9000, or online at Venetian.com. 

Nightly Holiday Spectacular and Light Show

Every evening, whimsical and elaborate designs will help to set the stage for the evening’s Winter in Venice Holiday Spectacular, which unfolds throughout the Doge’s Palace plaza, offering the perfect photo opportunity for a post to Facebook or Twitter.  The show will conclude with a rousing finale that will illuminate the iconic plaza, including the 65-foot Christmas tree. In addition, seasonal story lines will be projected in another way – in glorious 3D – in the technical marvel “Light of Venice.”  This spectacular 3D projection show transforms the architecture of the iconic clock tower using state-of-the-art digital technology.  After the show – presented three times an evening – guests can enjoy strolling, characters,

musicians and special entertainment performances scheduled throughout the celebration.

Specialty Food Weekends

What’s an Italian festival without food?  As part of Winter in Venice, guests can participate in two Specialty Weekends: 

La Cucina Italiana Food & Wine Festival (Dec 5-8):  Join us for a weekend celebrating Italian gastronomy, held in conjunction with Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada and La Cucina Italiana magazine. Enjoy four days of colorful events and sumptuous culinary experiences, featuring a landmark collaboration between some of the best Italian chefs and culinary celebrities, including:Chef Mario BataliDario Cecchini - the legendary Chianti “Butcher of Panzano,”Chef Wolfgang PuckBuddy “Cake Boss” ValastroRoberto Caporuscio Anthony  Giglio Robin Leach


More details and ticket prices: www.venetian.com/winterinvenice  

Culinary Clash Weekend, with Chef Emeril Lagasse (Dec 13-14):  

Guests can witness the rise of a culinary legend, as one resort chef is crowned the winner of the second Culinary Clash Master Chef Competition.  The competition, which unfolds over the weekend, is open to all chefs at the  food and beverage venues located inside The Venetian and The Palazzo.  These chefs will vie for the prestige of THE VENETIAN CULINARY CLASH AWARD -  and a trip to Venice! 

Chefs will be challenged to create recipes using ingredients provided in a “mystery basket,” to be prepared in mobile “food truck” kitchens.  Expect plenty of surprises, including a scheduled guest appearances by Chef Emeril Lagasse, who will be one the celebrity judges. In addition,  THE VENETIAN MASTERS OF MIXOLOGY cocktail competition will feature scheduled appearances by Tony Abou Ganim, Francesco Lafranconi and Dale de Groff, each recognized as being among the greatest Mixologists in the country.

More details:  www.venetian.com/winterinvenice

Carnival of Cuisine, with Chef Emeril Lagasse (Dec 14):  The sixth annual Carnival of Cuisine food festival will be held poolside at The Palazzo pool deck and will include a special  welcome by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. Guests will enjoy tastings from more than 20 restaurants including  Aquaknox, BB Ristorante, Bouchon, Café Presse, Carnevino, CUT, Delmonico Steakhouse, Grand Lux Café, It’Sugar, Lagasse's Stadium, LAVO, Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro, OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria, Pinot Brasserie, Public House, Postrio Bar & Grill, SUSHISAMBA, Table 10, TAO, and ZINE Noodles Dim Sum.

More details and ticket prices:  www.venetian.com/winterinvenice  

“A Winter in Venice Fantasy” at The Waterfall Gardens. The Waterfall Gardens at The Palazzo will be transformed into an elaborate show-stopping fantasy display, a creation of The Palazzo’s award-winning horticulture team.  

“Our goal is for our guests to simply say one word when they enter this atrium – wow!” said Caparella.  “This isn’t a traditional holiday display.  We couldn’t find a better way to describe it than a ‘Fantasy.’” Ice branches and 20-foot frosted birch, pine and glittering trees will complement the picturesque scene, including the waterfall and crystal “ice” ponds.  Majestic hand-crafted white and pearl peacock statues will overlook guests.  The winter gardens will also feature red beaded ornaments, pinecones and fresh poinsettias.

A seasonal Winter in Venice cocktail menu, including holiday-inspired spiced cocktails such as Gondolier Blanco, will be available throughout the resort lounges, including The Bourbon Room, Zebra Lounge, Bellini Bar, Fusion Mixology Bar and Laguna Champagne Bar. 

Holiday-themed menus and specials will be offered by select world-class restaurants throughout the holiday including  Aquaknox,  Buddy V’s Ristorante, , BB, Bouchon, Canaletto, Canyon Ranch Café, Delmonico, Grand Lux Cafe, Pinot Brasserie, Postrio, Table 10, and LAVO Italian Restaurant.

For more information on Winter in Venice or these exclusive: suite packages, please visit www.venetian.com/winterinvenice

Photo Credit - Erik Kabik - www.erikkabik.com