Durango Resort Opens: Station Casinos' Latest Venture into Upscale Hospitality

In this issue of SummerSouth Insider

📆 Featured Events in the Summerlin South, Las Vegas Area

📆 This Weekend’s and Upcoming Events in Summerlin South & Nearby

🌞 Summerlin South Weather

🎓 UNLV Offers Flexible Alternatives for Finals, Commits to Winter Graduation Ceremonies

🚉 High-Speed Rail Vision: Vegas to LA Route Secures $3 Billion Federal Grant

🌏 Las Vegas Sphere Reveals How Much Money It Has Made Since Opening

🎰 Durango Resort Opens: Station Casinos' Latest Venture into Upscale Hospitality

👮‍♂️ Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

✅ We Want To Spotlight Your Business!

Featured Events in the Summerlin South, Las Vegas Area

Santa Claus Parade in Downtown Summerlin

The annual Holiday Parade is a highlight of the festive season in Summerlin, part of a series of holiday events that kick off in November. The parade, beloved for its lively and festive atmosphere, started on November 17 and runs every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. through December 16, 2023. It's a free event, lasting approximately 50 minutes, offering an engaging experience for the whole family. Alongside the parade, other holiday activations include the arrival of Santa Claus and the opening of the Rock Rink outdoor skating rink, adding to the celebratory ambiance of the season​​​​​​​​.

This year's parade at Downtown Summerlin offers a blend of traditional holiday cheer and modern entertainment, set in the vibrant and community-centric atmosphere of Summerlin. The parade is a great opportunity for locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.

Enchant Christmas at Las Vegas Ballpark 

Featuring the “World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze”

Enchant Christmas at the Las Vegas Ballpark is a festive event featuring the "World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze." The event includes live entertainment, a magical Christmas Village, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. This holiday attraction is open from November 24th to December 30th, with tickets starting at $34 for adults and $25.50 for children ages 3 to 17. Children 2 years old and younger can enter for free. Enchant Christmas offers a unique and immersive holiday experience for visitors of all ages.

This Weekend’s and Upcoming Events in Summerlin South & Nearby

December 9th

Brew Festivus Beer Fest - December 9th, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - The Lawn at Downtown Summerlin: Celebrate the season with a variety of craft beers at the Brew Festivus Beer Fest! Enjoy live music, delicious food, and a wide selection of local and regional brews. It's the perfect event for beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.

Holiday Parade - December 9th @ 6:00 PM to 6:50 PM - Downtown Summerlin: Don't miss the annual Holiday Parade featuring festive floats, holiday characters, and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself! It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy a fun evening with family and friends.

December 10th

Craft Festival at Tivoli! - December 10th, 10:00AM to 4:00 PM - Tivoli Village: Shop for the holidays, eat from the best food trucks in town, and enjoy a nice day out at Tivoli Village with cool weather. Join 8 delicious food trucks and 80+ artists with the most unique selection of crafts and gifts. LV Craft Shows® will be at Tivoli Village at 400 S Rampart Blvd. Outdoor event 🐶 Dogs welcome 🍲 Delicious food & dessert trucks!! 80+ artists with original crafts, handcrafted & handmade items, cottage foods, vintage, art, cottage foods, and other unique gifts. 🖼️ Free admission & covered parking. Let us know you’re coming.

Hanukkah Celebration - December 10th, 4:00 PM - Downtown Summerlin: Join the community in celebrating the Festival of Lights at the Hanukkah Celebration. Enjoy live entertainment, traditional food, and the lighting of the menorah. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn about and experience the rich traditions of Hanukkah.

December 11th

Winterfest Holiday Celebration - December 11th, 12:00 PM - Henderson: Just a short drive from Summerlin, the Winterfest Holiday Celebration in Henderson offers a day of family-friendly fun. Activities include ice skating, a tree lighting ceremony, holiday crafts, and even a visit from Santa Claus. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of the season!

December 12th

Las Vegas Ice Theatre presents 'The Nutcracker' - December 12th, 6:00 PM - The Rock Rink at The Lawn: Experience the magic of The Nutcracker as performed by the talented skaters of the Las Vegas Ice Theatre. This enchanting holiday classic is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Happy Hour for Single Seniors - December 12th, 5:00 Pm - 7:00 PM - Via Brasil Steakhouse offers the finest Rodizio Dining experience, Saturday and Sunday Brunch, as well as, a Happy Hour nightly. This group is designed for Older Men and Women that would like to meet new friends. RSVP online.

December 13th

Happy Hanukkah! - December 13th, 4:00 PM - Downtown Summerlin. Join @JewishNevada and the Las Vegas community for a special Hanukkah celebration. Mark your calendars for to be a part of this festive event. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in traditional Hanukkah festivities and connect with the local community during this joyous season!

December 15th

Holiday Parade - December 15th @ 6:00 PM to 6:50 PM - Downtown Summerlin: Don't miss the annual Holiday Parade featuring festive floats, holiday characters, and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself! It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy a fun evening with family and friends.

80’s Night - December 15th @ 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM - Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort: If you're an 80's music lover, you don't want to miss this event.
Visit the Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort. 1011 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135. Doors open at 8pm, Show 9pm-11pm.
No Cover, Must be 21+ to attend

December 16th

Holiday Parade - December 16th @ 6:00 PM to 6:50 PM - Downtown Summerlin: Don't miss the annual Holiday Parade featuring festive floats, holiday characters, and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself! It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy a fun evening with family and friends.

UNLV Offers Flexible Alternatives for Finals, Commits to Winter Graduation Ceremonies

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has decided to cancel traditional in-person final exams for the current semester. Instead, students will be graded based on the work they completed before December 6. Faculty may offer optional online final exams or take-home projects before December 18, allowing students a chance to improve their grades. For those who don't opt for these alternatives, their grades will remain as earned up to December 6, without penalty.

After final grades are posted, students will have the option to switch to S/U grading between December 22 and January 5, with undergraduate grades of C or better converting to 'S' and grades C- or below to 'U'. Professional schools like the Boyd School of Law and others will determine their own final exam plans.

UNLV has also decided to proceed with its planned Winter Commencement ceremonies on December 19 and 20. Students who choose not to attend this winter will have the option to participate in the May 2024 ceremonies. This decision aims to provide flexibility for both students and faculty and is seen as the best path forward for the university community

High-Speed Rail Vision: Vegas to LA Route Secures $3 Billion Federal Grant

The U.S. Transportation Department is set to award significant funding to high-speed rail projects in California and Nevada. A $3 billion grant will support the Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail project, part of a larger $12 billion endeavor. This project, named "Brightline West," aims to enable travel between Las Vegas and Los Angeles at speeds of at least 186 miles per hour, cutting the trip time to approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. The goal is to complete this project before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics​​.

Additionally, $3.07 billion will be allocated to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles. This ambitious project, which is estimated to cost between $88 billion and $128 billion, aims to facilitate travel at speeds above 200 miles per hour, potentially reducing the journey to under three hours. The initial service is expected to commence as early as 2030​​​​.

These grants are part of a broader federal commitment to enhance the country's rail infrastructure. In total, $8.2 billion in rail awards are expected to be announced, as part of a massive investment following the approval of a $1 trillion infrastructure law in 2021. This law earmarked $66 billion for rail infrastructure, with Amtrak receiving $22 billion and $36 billion set aside for competitive grants​​​​.

Senator Jacky Rosen highlighted the potential impact of the Las Vegas project on Nevada's tourism economy and transportation. Wes Edens, the founder of Brightline, described the award as a pivotal moment that could lay the groundwork for a new industry in the United States​

Las Vegas Sphere Hits $75 Million Mark in Just Two Months with U2 and Aronofsky

The Madison Square Garden-owned Las Vegas Sphere has witnessed a significant financial success within just two months of its operation. This achievement is largely attributed to its first two headline shows: U2's "UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere" residency and Darren Aronofsky's unique film, "Postcards From Earth."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, these shows have generated a combined revenue of $75 million as of November 30. U2's 17 performances brought in $30.7 million, averaging $1.8 million per concert. On the other hand, "Postcards From Earth" earned $44.5 million from 111 screenings, approximately $400,000 per showing.

This financial upturn has led to expectations of the Sphere turning a profit in the current fiscal quarter ending December 31. Additionally, the venue's "exosphere" LED display has attracted brand advertising from major companies like Formula 1, NFL Sunday Ticket, PlayStation, Meta, Xbox, and Coca-Cola.

Despite this success, the Sphere had reported a $98.4 million operating loss in the previous quarter and experienced internal turbulence with the sudden departure of its CFO. Furthermore, the Sphere, costing $2.3 billion to build, still has a way to go before being deemed profitable, especially considering its operating costs.

Looking ahead, the venue is set to host a series of Phish shows in April 2024 and is eyeing future performances by stars like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi, and Paul McCartney, signaling continued momentum.

Durango Resort Opens: Station Casinos' Latest Venture into Upscale Hospitality

Station Casinos has opened the doors to Durango Casino & Resort, marking a new phase in luxury. The $780 million resort, distinct for its bright and modern design, contrasts sharply with the traditionally darker ambiance of older casinos. With an emphasis on natural light, an open space concept, and light color schemes, Durango Resort stands out for its contemporary feel.

The resort features 180 guest rooms, each spanning 480 square feet, equipped with 65-inch TVs, and offering scenic views of either the Las Vegas Strip or the surrounding mountains. Additionally, 29 suites at the resort will offer exclusive round-the-clock butler service.

Durango Casino & Resort, also boasts a substantial 83,000 square feet of casino space, featuring 2,300 slots, 60 table games, and a special high-limit gaming area. The sportsbook area of the resort is particularly noteworthy, covering 10,000 square feet with modern technology and over 4,200 square feet of LED screen space. The George, a sports lounge, extends this offering with full-service dining, hand-crafted cocktails, and live entertainment, aiming to be a local hotspot.

Dave Horn, the vice president and general manager of the property, notes that the resort represents the culmination of a vision decades in the making. Station Casinos have evolved over the years, from Palace Station to the luxury Green Valley Ranch Resort, and now Durango Casino & Resort,, each step reflecting a leap towards more luxurious and modern offerings. The company's commitment to creating an inviting, bright, and open atmosphere is evident in every aspect of Durango Casino & Resort,, making it a versatile destination for various occasions, from romantic dates to group gatherings​

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