Bellagio Conservatory celebrates the season

A stately 42-foot Shasta fir ablaze in more than 7,000 winking lights and decorated with more than 1,800 red, gold and silver ornaments is the centerpiece of this year's holiday display at Bellagio Conservatory, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

The exhibit, complete with musical sounds and colors of the season, will be on display at the hotel through Jan. 2. It's free to the public and open 24 hours a day.

The tree is flanked by four 15-foot-tall toy soldiers.

In the north garden, a family of 28 animated penguins come to life. In the south garden, three light-draped manzanita trees stand over a "reflective pond" as three massive icicle stars hover angelically overhead.

In the east garden, five large gold holiday ornaments welcome guests amid dancing water and a bed of colorful seasonal flora.