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Watch the Las Vegas 51s on their home ground.

Chinese New Year festivities center around Chinatown Plaza. Highlights include the traditional Chinese lion dance, firecrackers, foods, and feng shui as it pertains to the New Year.

The Mexican national holiday commemorating the victory of the Mexicans over the French in 1862 is celebrated by the entire Las Vegas Hispanic community, including people from Central America and Cuba. Bands play everything from ranchero to rock. Piñatas , mariachis , carnival rides, and games, as well as food vendors selling tamales , tacos, and flan add to the festivities.

Events during this festival pertaining to all things from the Basque culture of northern Spain include a Catholic mass; feats of strength such as chopping huge logs in half and carrying heavy weights; and traditional dancing. Basque food is in abundance, and the picon punch is potent.

Opportunity Village, an organization that helps the mentally challenged, raises funds by creating a Magical Forest with 50 decorated Christmas trees. The centerpiece is Santa’s Castle, fashioned by the toy wizards FAO Schwarz.

A group of professional magicians create haunted houses in parking lots, community centers, and parks. The “Texas Screamer” haunted house comes complete with mad doctor’s laboratory and a surprise visit from the Texas chainsaw lunatic.

Boats in various classes compete for prizes.

Famous for being Tiger Woods’ first PGA championship.

The Winston West motorcar race.

During the National Finals Rodeo, all of Las Vegas seems to go country – wearing jeans and boots. Casinos bring in country music bands, and line-dancing is enacted. The venues change from year to year, including that of the barbecue cook-off. The free entertainment magazines are the best sources of information about what’s going on where.