Best Shows in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a city with many permanent shows to enjoy. You'll get circus performances, musicals, audio-visual displays on the main streets of the city, performances for adults and much more.

Carmen Navarro

Carmen Navarro

12 min read

Best Shows in Las Vegas

Las Vegas | ©Manuel Ressel

Visiting the so-called "Sin City" is not only about going to luxurious casinos, taking limousine tours, flying over the skies in a helicopter tour to enjoy the best views of the city, there are many other things to see and do in Las Vegas.

You can enjoy musicals inspired by artists who have left a mark in history, see audiovisual installations, circus shows, illusionist tricks by the legendary David Copperfield, among others. You will also discover some presentations aimed especially at adults, such as Thunder from Down Under.

1. "VEGAS! The Show": A show in which you will learn about the history of the city

VEGAS! The Show| ©Sienna Entertainment
VEGAS! The Show| ©Sienna Entertainment

"VEGAS! The Show" is a show that for over 20 years has provided audiences with an entertaining evening where they can learn about the most important moments in the history of the city of Las Vegas. All this, through a great musical.

You will sit in a comfortable seat for about an hour and a half. Meanwhile, you will observe on stage a display of dancers and showgirls, who will make you vibrate with the help of music and an amazing lighting.

In addition, during the show the actors on stage will recreate artists who became icons of Las Vegas. You will see:

  • The Rat Pack, an American musical group from the 1960s, consolidated in the Las Vegas scene.
  • Elvis Presley, who performed the famous song "Viva Las Vegas" and starred in the movie of the same name.
  • Contemporary artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, among others.

This show is a true adventure full of glamour and glitz, which you should write down in your itinerary along with the 10 things to do in Las Vegas at night, in the company of friends or your family. You will have fun and learn how this city has evolved over the years.

Practical Information

  • Where: Saxe Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Las Vegas Blvd.
  • When: Monday to Saturday from 7 p.m. onwards.
  • Price: From 140 euros per person.

Book tickets for Vegas! The Show

2. Illusionism show with David Copperfield

David Copperfield show ticket| ©David Brevard
David Copperfield show ticket| ©David Brevard

The legendary David Copperfield has amazed the world for years with his illusion shows in which he has flown through the Grand Canyon, crossed the Great Wall of China and even made the iconic Statue of Liberty disappear. In addition, during his professional career as a magician he has performed many other tricks, which you can enjoy on a daily basis if you are in Las Vegas.

During the show you will see the magician from levitating to vanishing a car that is on stage, among many other tricks that make up his daily repertoire. In fact, if you are lucky you might be selected by Copperfield himself to be part of his illusion routine and thus be teleported.

This is a good option for all magic lovers, who like you, want to witness an exciting show after returning from one of the gastronomic tours of Las Vegas, having toured the city shopping or any other activity during the day.

Practical Information

  • Where: Hollywood Theatre, Las Vegas Blvd S (MGM Grand Hotel)
  • When: Every day from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Special performance on Saturdays at 4:30 pm.
  • Price: From 75 euros per person.

3. "Michael Jackson ONE": Celebrate the artistic legacy of the King of Pop in the unique style of Cirque du Soleil

Start of Michael Jackson ONE| ©sprusak
Start of Michael Jackson ONE| ©sprusak

"Michael Jackson ONE" is an ambitious Cirque du Soleil production dedicated to the American singer, songwriter and dancer Michael Jackson. This show aims to keep alive the artistic legacy of the King of Pop, who managed to captivate thousands of people around the world with his charismatic personality.

Upon arriving at the Mandalay Bay Hotel theater you will sit in front of a large stage and observe a huge LED wall with a height of approximately 12 meters. You will also see a total of 11 monitors strategically located in the room, which will amplify the staging of the acrobats. Thus, you will not miss even for an instant the impressive movements of the circus artists during the show.

For about an hour and a half you will enjoy the greatest hits of the artist, performed by the acrobats:

  • You will see the set design of "Smooth Criminal". An iconic single from 1988, from Michael Jackson's seventh album.
  • You will want to get up from your seat and dance when "Thriller" starts playing and the acrobats appear recreating the famous steps of this legendary song from 1995.
  • You will be amazed by the pyrotechnics display.

Without a doubt, this is a show that you will never forget and that you will surely want to repeat. Therefore, you should take note of this activity in your list of the 10 things to do in Las Vegas in January or in any of the other months of the year, since this is a permanent presentation in the city.

Practical Information

  • Where: Mandalay Bay Hotel Theater.
  • When: Thursday through Monday a first performance at 7 p.m. and the second performance at 9 p.m.
  • Price: From 139 euros per person.

Buy tickets for the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert

4. "The Beatles LOVE": Relive the emblematic moments of the Liverpool four in a Cirque du Soleil show

Announcement of the Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas| ©PenF Fan
Announcement of the Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas| ©PenF Fan

Fans of The Beatles who visit Las Vegas have a must-see date at the theater of the famous Mirage Hotel. There, since 2006, a musical show "The Beatles LOVE" has been presented, which tells the story of the legendary British rock band.

It is a staging where more than 60 acrobats from Cirque du Soleil recreate the emblematic moments of the four greats from Liverpool:

  • The period when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr met.
  • The band's breakup in 1970.
  • Paul McCartney's solo release.
  • Occasional reunions between Harrison, McCartney and Starr.
  • Lennon's murder in 1980.
  • Harrison's death in 2001.

In addition, throughout the show you will hear The Beatles' greatest hits as the acrobats perform each song, turning the notes and words into amazing movements that you will see on stage.

Practical Information

  • Where: Mirage Hotel Theater. Las Vegas Boulevard South.
  • When: Two performances Tuesday through Sunday. The first one from 7:00 p.m. and the second one at 9:30 p.m.
  • Price: From 144 euros per person.

5. Le Rêve: Behold an amazing circus show on water

Le Rêve| ©drosan dem
Le Rêve| ©drosan dem

Le Rêve is a famous Cirque du Soleil show, which differs from other performances because the acrobats perform on a stage completely covered with water. A unique experience that you can incorporate among the 10 things to do in Las Vegas with Kids, in case you have traveled with your children.

Upon entering the theater you will be amazed by the lights and the impressive stage overflowing with water. Then, you will begin to hear an enveloping music that starts a magical staging:

  • You'll see performers descend from the theater's domes as they perform their customary acrobatic moves in the air.
  • You will observe on stage a system of moving platforms, through which the acrobats jump and dance, conveying with their movements a story in which evil fights against good for love.

It is important to be careful with the selection of the chairs, since the first rows are usually more prone to splashes coming from the stage. In this sense, the ideal is to buy tickets that are in the highest rows.

Practical information

  • Where: Wynn Hotel - Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard South.
  • When: Two performances from Friday to Tuesday (7:00 pm and 9:30 pm).
  • Price: From 105 euros per person.

6. Fremont Street Experience: A sound and light show on the second most famous street in Las Vegas

Fremont Street| ©Joaquin
Fremont Street| ©Joaquin

Visiting Fremont Street is a good option if you don't know what to see and do in Las Vegas in 3 days. Starting at 6:00 p.m. you will find an audiovisual exhibition with the most important moments in the history of the city. You will also enjoy a powerful sound, lighting and live performances

During your visit to the second most famous street in Las Vegas, you will be caught in a light show and then your attention will be captured by a screen of more than 12 million bulbs that is located in a vault. Finally, there is the full surround sound, emitted by more than 200 loudspeakers strategically installed in that area.

The initiative for this show came about in the mid-1990s. Some of the owners of the hotels and casinos located on Fremont Street wanted to revive tourism and initiated the exhibitions.

Over the years this attraction grew, attracting a large number of tourists on a daily basis. Therefore, they incorporated a stage where free concerts of Rock, Country music, alternative, Glam metal of the 80's, Djs with dancers and much more.

Practical information

  • Where: Fremont Street northeast of the Strip.
  • When: Every day from 6:00 pm until 2:00 am.
  • Price: Free admission.

7. Mirage Volcano: A show that combines visuals and real audio

Mirage Volcano| ©Reinhard Link
Mirage Volcano| ©Reinhard Link

Located on the main façade of the Mirage Hotel on the popular Strip, the Mirage Volcano has been the focal point for hundreds of tourists in the city of Las Vegas for more than 30 years.

There, you can stop any day of the week from 8:00 p.m. until midnight to watch the volcano structure erupt at the beginning of each hour, that is, at 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

You will see a series of fireballs rise to a maximum height of 4 meters. Meanwhile, you will hear the amplified sounds of this natural phenomenon, which have been recorded during an eruption. All this, with the purpose of providing a more realistic experience.

After admiring this installation that, over the years, has been renovated with newer visual and sound effects, you can continue the tour of the city in search of the best casinos in Las Vegas or other nightlife activities.

Practical Information

  • Where: Main facade of the Mirage Hotel at 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
  • When: Every day at the beginning of every hour from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
  • Price: Free admission.

8. Bellagio Fountains: Watch 1200 jets of water while listening to a musical background with classical rhythms

Bellagio and fountains| ©böhme photography
Bellagio and fountains| ©böhme photography

On the Las Vegas Strip you will find the Bellagio hotel and casino, whose front area features a beautiful lake with approximately 1,200 water jets, known as the Bellagio Fountains. This system is activated daily from 12:00 noon or 3:00 p.m. until midnight, providing tourists and locals with an incredible visual spectacle.

The water jets are complemented by a musical repertoire of at least 30 songs with a maximum duration of six minutes each. Among these melodies are classic songs such as "Time to Say Goodbye" or in Spanish "Hora de decir adiós" by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Boceli. Also, if you visit the fountain after the sun goes down, you will enjoy the illumination.

This show inaugurated in the late 90' s has become very popular, so both day and night you will find a large number of people watching these fountains, listening to the songs and taking pictures.

Definitely a good option for those who do not know what to see and do in Las Vegas in 2 days, as they can enjoy this exhibition and continue their tour in this busy street.

Practical information

  • Where: Bellagio Hotel in the lake area. Las Vegas Blvd. 3600 S.
  • When: Monday through Friday every 30 minutes from 3:00 p.m. and every 15 minutes after 8:00 p.m. until midnight. Meanwhile, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays the show starts at noon.
  • Price: Free admission.

9. Thunder from Down Under in Las Vegas: Enjoy a girl's night out

Dance part of the show| ©Thunder Valley
Dance part of the show| ©Thunder Valley

If during your trip you want to spend a girls' night out in good "Sin City" style, you should buy a ticket to Thunder from Down Under. This is a show for adults where you can enjoy the seductive routines of a group of Australian dancers.

When you arrive at the Excalibur Hotel's event room on the Strip, you'll find several tables where you can sit down to enjoy the show and sip some cocktails. Meanwhile, on the stage you will watch as the members of the dance troupe appear one by one, moving to the rhythm of the music.

Eventually the dancers will come down from the stage and make their way through the spectators, so they can move up to the center of the tables and continue with the performance.

Also, at a specific moment in the evening, the guys will select a person from the audience and take them with them to the main stage to dance together.

Practical information

  • Where: - Excalibur Hotel and Casino. Las Vegas Blvd. 3850 S
  • When: One show each day (Monday and Wednesday at 9 p.m.), two shows daily (Thursday at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.), three shows daily (Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.), one show each day (Sunday at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.).
  • Price: From 74 euros per person

10. Mystère: Vibrate with one of the classic shows of Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil - Mystère| ©Nina Marie's Photography
Cirque du Soleil - Mystère| ©Nina Marie's Photography

Mystère is a classic Cirque du Soleil show describing the creation of the universe. It is a show full of energy, in which acrobats will make the impossible possible, performing impressive acrobatics. All this, following the rhythm of the impressive soundtrack "Mystère" composed by René Dupéré in 1993.

In this show you will see how the acrobats move through the air in front of you, giving the sensation that they are really flying, while performing an aerial dance routine under the light of the spotlights. You'll also see the performers' beautiful costumes, inspired by nature and the universe.

Mystère is the seventh production in Cirque du Soleil's repertoire and the first to have a permanent home in Las Vegas since the 1990s at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.

This approximately two-hour show will thrill you from the beginning to the end of its sixth scene. You'll get caught up in the story and feel the stage power of each of the performers through their moves, flips and jumps.

Practical information

  • Where: Treasure Island Hotel Theater.
  • When: From Saturday to Wednesday the first performance is from 7:00 pm and the second after 9:30 pm.
  • Price: From 125 euros per person.

Recommendations when attending a Las Vegas show

By car in Las Vegas| ©Mathieu Lebreton
By car in Las Vegas| ©Mathieu Lebreton

When attending a show in Las Vegas there are some important aspects that you should know and respect, so that you can enjoy the show without inconveniences. Therefore, it is necessary that you take into consideration certain recommendations. For example:

  • Check the tickets before going to the show. Keep in mind that if it is a general admission ticket you should arrive earlier than scheduled to get a good seat. Otherwise, you will have to check with the previously assigned seats.
  • If you are attending an event where the stage is covered with water as in "Rêve" (Cirque du Soleil), you should avoid sitting in the front rows to avoid being splashed.
  • Check if you are allowed to take pictures with your cell phone or record with a video camera during the show.
  • If you are a smoker, you should check the rules of the theater where the show is taking place, as some of these places do not allow smoking. Therefore, if you wish to smoke, you will have to go out to the assigned area of the casino or hotel.

How to dress at Las Vegas shows?

Cirque du Soleil Love| ©Johane Deslandes
Cirque du Soleil Love| ©Johane Deslandes

In Las Vega shows held in hotels - casinos, people usually wear casual clothes, i.e. a cocktail dress with high shoes, jeans with a cotton shirt and a coat. Meanwhile, in the permanent shows offered on the street, tourists attend as shorts and sleeveless shirts, skirts or beach dresses.

Certainly, there is no established dress code for those who attend shows in Las Vegas hotels - casinos. In fact, it is the tourists who prefer to dress well during these types of activities held at night. In any case, the last word is up to you, so you should dress as you feel comfortable to attend the show.