December is full of activities and events for Las Vegas residents, including craft nights and even two weeks of Winter Break camp for kids!

See what else the month has to offer around the Las Vegas valley at the December 2008 events calendar.

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It's that time of year again! The fourth annual Las Vegas Marathon kicks off this Sunday, December 7. The marathon and half marathon are scheduled to begin at approximately 6:07 a.m. and end when the last runner crosses the finish line.

Registration has been extended and will end tomorrow, December 3, and you can download and fill out the registration form online. Fees for the marathon are $105, and $95 for the half marathon.

The course starts and finishes at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino at the south end of the Strip, and the first 5.5 miles continue on the Strip before heading directly through the Fremont Street Experience. 24 water stations and 13 Gatorade fluid stations will be available for participants. Check out the full list of FAQs at the Las Vegas Marathon website.

All participants need to make sure they pick up their timing chip, bib, T-shirt, and goodie bag at the Nissan Quality of Life Expo at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on Friday, December 5th from from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Expo is free and is located at 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard. Make sure you bring your confirmation card and photo ID with you.

Spectators are encouraged along the marathon route but make sure you dress warmly as weather at 6:00 a.m. is around 50 degrees this time of year!

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The Springs Preserve is presenting its second annual Winter Lights Festival, a holiday-inspired, half-a-million-light show open to everyone.

Guests are invited to enjoy the sights, carriage rides, a visit with Santa, and roaming performance groups, as well as "Dickens Done Over," an original puppet show by Theater Las Vegas. Snacks and gifts will also be available.

The Lights Festival begins November 28 to December 30 and is open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday from November 28 to December 21, and then daily December 22 - 24 and December 26 to the 30th.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 5 to 17 and is free for Annual Pass members and children four and under. Entry also includes admission to all museums and galleries. Carriage rides are $5 per person and train rides are $2 per person. Both are open to guest two years of age and older; Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult rider.

The Springs Preserve is located at 333 S. Valley View Blvd., between US 95 and Alta Drive.

We had the most amazing sunset the other night!

© Heather Rawlinson