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

11 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 their mark on history, see audiovisual installations, circus shows, illusionist tricks by the legendary David Copperfield, and more. You'll also discover some performances 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 more than 20 years has been providing 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. In the meantime, you will watch on stage a display of dancers and showgirls, who will make you vibrate with the help of music and 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, established on the Las Vegas scene.
  • Elvis Presley, who performed the famous song "Viva Las Vegas" and starred in the film of the same name.
  • Contemporary artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, among others.

This show is a real 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, with friends or your family. You'll have fun and learn how this city has evolved over the years.

Practical information

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

Book tickets for Vegas! The Show

2. Illusion show with David Copperfield

Entrance to the David Copperfield show| ©David Brevard
Entrance to the David Copperfield show| ©David Brevard

The legendary David Copperfield has amazed the world for years with his illusion shows in which he has flown across the Grand Canyon, walked through 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 on stage, among many other tricks that make up his daily repertoire. In fact, if you're lucky, you might even be selected by Copperfield himself to be part of his illusion routine and be teleported.

This is a great option for magic lovers like you who want to catch a thrilling show after returning from one of Las Vegas' food tours, shopping in the city or any other activity during the day.

Practical information

  • Where: Hollywood Theatre, Las Vegas Blvd S (MGM Grand Hotel)
  • When: Every day from 7.30pm to 10pm. Special performance on Saturdays at 4.30pm.
  • 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. The show aims to keep alive the artistic legacy of the King of Pop, who captivated thousands of people around the world with his charismatic personality.

When you arrive at the Mandalay Bay Hotel theatre, you will be seated in front of a large stage and will see a huge LED wall approximately 12 metres high. You will also see a total of 11 monitors strategically placed in the room, on which the acrobats' staging will be amplified. So you won't miss a single moment of the impressive movements of the circus artists during the show.

For about an hour and a half you will enjoy the artist's greatest hits, 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'll want to get out of your seat and dance when "Thriller" starts to play and the acrobats appear recreating the famous steps of this legendary song from 1995.
  • You'll 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 make a note of this activity on your list of 10 things to do in Las Vegas in January or any other month of the year, as this is a permanent performance in the city.

Practical information

  • Where: Mandalay Bay Hotel Theatre.
  • When: Thursday to Monday a first performance at 7pm and a second performance at 9pm.
  • Price: From 139 euros per person.

Buy tickets for the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert

4. "The Beatles LOVE": Relive the iconic 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 visiting Las Vegas have a must-see at the theatre of the famous Mirage Hotel. Since 2006, a musical show "The Beatles LOVE" has been presented there that tells the story of the legendary British rock band.

It is a stage show in which more than 60 acrobats from Cirque du Soleil recreate the iconic moments of Liverpool's big four:

  • The period when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr met.
  • The band's break-up 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 info

  • Where: Mirage Hotel Theatre. Las Vegas Boulevard South.
  • When: Two performances from Tuesday to Sunday. The first performance starts at 7pm and the second at 9.30pm.
  • Price: From 144 euros per person.

5. Le Rêve: See 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 in water. A unique experience that you can incorporate into your top 10 things to do in Las Vegas with kids, in case you're travelling with your children.

As you enter the theatre you'll be amazed by the lights and the impressive stage overflowing with water. Afterwards, you'll begin to hear the immersive music that kicks off a magical stage show:

  • You'll see performers descend from the theatre's domes as they perform their customary acrobatic moves in the air.
  • On the stage you will see a system of moving platforms, across 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 your choice of seating, as the front rows are usually more prone to splashes from the stage. In this regard, it is best to buy tickets in the highest rows.

Practical information

  • Where: Wynn Hotel - Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard South.
  • When: Two performances from Friday to Tuesday (7pm and 9.30pm).
  • 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. From 18:00 hours you will find an audiovisual exhibition with the most important moments in the history of the city. You'll also enjoy powerful sound, lighting and live performances

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

Over the years, the attraction grew, attracting a large number of tourists on a daily basis. Therefore, they incorporated a stage where free concerts of Rock, Country, Alternative, 80's Glam Metal, DJs with dancers and much more are performed.

Practical information

  • Where: Fremont Street northeast of the Strip.
  • When: Every day from 6pm until 2am.
  • 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 a focal point for hundreds of tourists in the city of Las Vegas for over 30 years.

There, you can stop any day of the week from 8pm until midnight to watch the volcano structure erupt at the top of the hour, i.e. 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 11pm.

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

After admiring this installation, which has been renovated over the years with newer visual and sound effects, you can continue your tour of the city in search of the best casinos in Las Vegas or other night-time 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 8pm until midnight.
  • Price: Free admission.

8. Bellagio Fountains: Watch 1200 jets of water while listening to a musical backdrop of 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 or 15:00 hours 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 tunes are classics such as "Time to Say Goodbye" 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 to Friday every 30 minutes from 15:00 hours and every 15 minutes after 20:00 hours until 00:00 hours. 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 you're looking for a girls' night out in "Sin City" style during your trip, you'll want to 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 on 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 audience, moving up to the centre of the tables to continue the performance.

Also, at a specific point in the evening, the kids will select one person from the audience and bring them up 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 9pm), two shows each day (Thursday at 9pm and 11pm), three shows each day (Friday and Saturday at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm), one show each day (Sunday at 9pm and 11pm).
  • Price: From 74 euros per person

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

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 an energetic show in which the acrobats make the impossible possible by performing breathtaking acrobatics. All to the rhythm of the breathtaking soundtrack "Mystère" composed by René Dupéré in 1993.

In this show you will see the acrobats move through the air in front of you, giving the sensation that they are actually flying, as they perform 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, somersaults and jumps.

Practical information

  • Where: Treasure Island Hotel Theatre.
  • When: From Saturday to Wednesday the first performance starts at 7pm and the second after 9.30pm.
  • 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 any inconvenience. Therefore, it is necessary that you take into consideration certain recommendations. For example:

  • Check the tickets before going to the show. Bear in mind that if it is a general admission ticket, you should arrive earlier than scheduled in order to get a good seat. Otherwise, with pre-assigned seating.
  • If you are attending an event where the stage is covered with water, such as "Rêve" (Cirque du Soleil), you should avoid sitting in the front rows to avoid being splashed.
  • Check whether you are allowed to take photographs with your mobile phone or record with a video camera during the show.
  • If you are a smoker, you should check the rules of the theatre where the show is taking place, as smoking is not allowed in some of these venues. Therefore, if you wish to smoke, you must go outside to the designated area of the casino or hotel.

How to dress for shows in Las Vegas?

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

At the Las Vega shows held in the hotel-casinos, people usually wear casual clothes, i.e. a cocktail dress with high shoes, jeans with a cotton shirt and a coat. Meanwhile, at the permanent street shows, tourists attend in shorts and tank tops, skirts or beach dresses.

There is certainly no set dress code for those attending shows at Las Vegas hotel-casinos. In fact, it is the tourists who prefer to dress well during these types of evening activities. In any case, the last word is up to you, so you should dress as you feel comfortable attending the show.