NOVEMBER

16-18

Planet Hollywood Resort: The Planet's newest resort opens in a gala weekend with Barbra Streisand, "The Daily Show" and Academy Awards host Jon Stewart, Bruce Willis and his band, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sugar Ray and Earth, Wind & Fire. Opening rates from $99. www.planethollywoodresort.com. More than 100 A-list celebrities are expected to attend. www.planethollywood.com.

DECEMBER

15

Bjork: Icelandic singer and songwriter Bjork performs at 8 p.m. at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort, with special guests Ratatat.

Tickets: $78, $103 and $128, 702-474-4000, www.ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 7 p.m. www.palms.com.

28, 30

Van Halen: The band's concert tour of the U.S. and Canada with its original lead singer David Lee Roth stops in Las Vegas for two nights with Ky-mani Marley. Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen will perform with Eddie's son Wolfgang as the band's bass player. 8 p.m. MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets: $183, $131, and $68 at www.livenation.com, MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, and Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations. 702-474-4000, www.iloveallaccess.com, www.van-halen.com, www.davidleeroth.com.

FEBRUARY

2

Country superstar George Strait adds excitement to the Super Bowl weekend. Strait has sold more than 71 million records and recently entered the Country Music Hall of Fame. His 53rd No. 1 hit is "Give It Away." 8 p.m., MGM Grand Garden Arena. $52-$100. www.mgmgrand.com.

ONGOING

Dead Poet's Bookstore: Yes, we know bookstores aren't everyone's priority on a Vegas trip, but they're handy if the cash flow runs out ... The dead poet in question was the man from whose estate the owners bought their startup stock. He had such good taste in books that they wanted to name the store in his memory, but they never did get his name. So they just called him "the dead poet." His legacy continues at this book-lover's haven. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 3874 W. Sahara Ave, near Raley's Supermarket. 702-227-4070

Fashion Outlets Las Vegas: Bargain hunters: Just 40 minutes along I-15 this outlet complex is right on the border of California and Nevada. There's also a shuttle from the MGM Grand or the mall at Planet Hollywood. Roundtrip fare is $15 and includes a discounts book for the outlets (check www.fashionoutletlasvegas.com for a shuttle discount coupon). Outlets include Kenneth Cole, Coach, Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, even a Williams-Sonoma. Why so far out of town? These retailers have full-price boutiques in hotels, and they don't want you ignoring those in favor of discounted items. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. 32100 Las Vegas Blvd. 888-424-6898, www.fashionoutletlasvegas.com.

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort: At Mount Charleston, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort is 45 minutes from the city with a stunning drive on the way up from the desert valley floor to the Alpine forested mountainside.

What's there: 40 acres of terrain (20 percent beginner, 60 percent intermediate and 20 percent advanced) including 10 trails, half pipe and terrain park for snowboarding, three double chair lifts, snowmaking equipment, snack bar and bar.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily from Thanksgiving until Easter, weather permitting. Cost: All-day adult tickets are $49; afternoon (1-4 p.m.) adult tickets are $33; all-day child (12 and under) tickets are $29; afternoon child tickets are $19; all-day senior (60 and older) tickets are $33; and afternoon senior tickets are $19. Take U.S. Highway 95 north about 30 miles to Highway 156. Follow Highway 156 to the resort. www.lasvegas.com/attractions/outside_lasvegas/skiandsnowboard.html