With a week to go until Christmas, the casinos are pulling out the stops. New skating rinks have been opened at Caesars Palace and downtown’s Gold Spike, bringing the total of ice rinks in the desert to four (along with the Venetian and Cosmopolitan). Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens winter display features a 45-foot Christmas tree, a life-size snow globe and a family of topiary polar bears (sculpted shrubs adorned in white flowers). And not to be outdone by the "Underwater Santa" at Silverton, the newly upgraded Atlantis attraction in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace now features "Scuba Elves."

Other places to find good holiday displays and events are the Fremont Street Experience, the Fashion Show Mall and the Town Square and Tivoli Village shopping districts. And taking holiday spirit(s) literally, all drinks are $2 casino-wide at South Point, or just $1 if you pay with players club points.

» Nog: Speaking of holiday spirits, Ellis Island’s holiday eggnog is now available. This is the 11th straight year that the nog has been mixed and sold from the bar at the casino (contains alcohol). The price is the same as last year: $6 per glass and $29.99 per bottle.

» Elvis: There’s a new Elvis Presley memorabilia exhibit at Binion’s called "King’s Ransom." It’s free to view, and afterward you can hit the nearby Benny’s Bullpen for its $3.49 10-inch pizza special.

» Elton: Sir Elton John has confirmed new dates for his "Million Dollar Piano" show in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, with his next performances confirmed for 16 sporadic dates from March 29 through April 26. Tickets are on sale now and begin at $69.50.

QUESTION: What’s the status of the giant Ferris wheel on the Strip?

ANSWER: It’s up. The last of 28 passenger cabins was put in place last week. The 550-foot observation wheel is on track to open in early 2014, though an exact date has still not been announced.

Things can change, but as of now the price to ride will be $25.

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