There are 24 must-see shows in Sin City.

The time has come for you to get ready Las Vegas, Nevada, is a wild, pulsating metropolis in the middle of the desert.

Miles of sand give way to skyscrapers, pyramids, blobs of green golf courses, impossibly blue swimming pools, and a spiderweb of roads as you approach your destination from above, setting the stage for what you can expect to see and do once you arrive.

Fun, excitement, and lifelong memories await you in Las Vegas, and it's not just the casinos. You could spend a month in Las Vegas and still not see everything.

The incredible shopping at Las Vegas's malls, outlet stores, and even the replicas of Italian villages sprinkled throughout the vast interiors of some of the city's most famous hotels are just the beginning.

Perspective of the Paris Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip from atop the Bellagio Fountains

New Year's Eve in Las Vegas: Check out my latest post for tips on making the most of the holiday!

But this article is about the top Las Vegas shows, so you can narrow down your options.

Las Vegas, Nevada, is the 26th most populous city in the United States, with a population of over 600,000. People have been drawn to the area not only because of its cheap housing options, but also because it is home to some of the most entertaining shows in the country. Period

You've come to the right place if you've never been to Las Vegas or if, when you do go, you spend most of your time at the tables and you want to learn more about all that this incredible city has to offer.

After visiting the world's entertainment capital, we've compiled this list of the top shows to see while you're there.

Cirque du Soleil's Mad Apple features flips and tricks. Cirque du Soleil's official photo release

Look no further than Cirque du Soleil for a mind-blowing display of human acrobatic skill and incredible costumes and stage design. The bizarre antics of the performers on these shows are a big part of their international appeal.

Special effects with lights, music, and visual stimulus, as well as the incredible stunts performed by the performers (some of whom are former Olympic gymnasts), are all employed to divert your attention in any direction the producers see fit.

I have seen five of the six Cirque du Soleil shows that are permanently installed in Las Vegas. (It's obvious that I need to make a return visit right away. )

Mystère

Specifically, on Treasure Island

They say the Cirque du Soleil show you see for the first time will remain your favorite forever. This seems to be the case for me. After the first minute of Mystére, I knew I had to see it again.

Conundrum on Treasure Island Illustration courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

It is the first Cirque du Soleil production to be permanently housed in Las Vegas, and as such, you can anticipate a spectacular live show full of colorful costumes and elaborate set designs, with talented Cirque performers transporting you to a whimsical, fantastical world. colorful, energetic, and musically-charged adventure

A lot: the Beatles

Specifically, at The Mirage

This performance fuses the elegance of Cirque with the timeless music of The Beatles.

Assuming their Sergeant If you thought the Sgt. Pepper era was weird, you haven't seen anything yet from Cirque du Soleil.

Two of my favorite songs from LOVE are "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Yellow Submarine." But I know you won't be able to take your gaze off the performers for the duration of the show.  

The sun is about to rise. Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

However, unlike me, you probably won't need to sneak out of the performance to use the restroom. When I returned to the theater, the entire audience was hidden by a sheet. (I'll let you find out on your own what I'm talking about there.)

KÀ

The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

K takes the watcher through a series of fights that keep them on the edge of their seats the whole time. There is a lot of noise and movement on stage, and the performers are somehow able to keep from falling off as the stage tilts and spins.

Acrobatic performers from KA on a revolving stage The Cirque du Soleil-provided photo was taken by Eric Jamison.

The costumes and makeup are what make the show what it is. But the acrobatic performances are what people will remember long after they've left.  

In honor of Michael Jackson, ONE

The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas

This tribute to the King of Pop is sure to be a hit with Jackson fans.

Amazing acrobatics and elaborate set designs from Cirque du Soleil help bring Michael Jackson's music to life.

Beat it The image is courtesy of Cirque du Soleil.

An extremely impressive hologram of Michael Jackson makes a cameo appearance. You should not visit Las Vegas without seeing ONE at least once.  

Visit this page for information about purchasing tickets to see Michael Jackson in ONE.

Bad Illustration courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Location: The Bellagio Resort and Casino

There are many breathtaking scenes in this Cirque show with an aquatic theme. Featuring one of the most fascinating sets in which the stage disappears underwater, this show is another high-energy offering from the Cirque athletes.

There is almost no part of the show that does not involve the use of water by the performers. Consider purchasing tickets in the pricier Golden Circle if you want to sit in the best location in the venue.

Circus acts performing on and in the water at the letter "O" Images courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

When I came here with some reporters, we were given a rare opportunity for a private tour behind the scenes. To wait for their next stunt, performers breathe on breathing apparatus held by divers.

Mad Apple

Exactly where: the New York, New York Hotel & Casino

The newest Cirque du Soleil production in Las Vegas, Mad Apple, does not fail to amaze. Enjoy the incredible cover of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys's classic hit "Empire State of Mind," as well as death-defying acrobatic stunts, music, dance, and even comedy.  

Obviously, the magnificent New York-New York Hotel and Casino serves as the backdrop for this show based on the Big Apple. The hotel also features nightly performances on the Brooklyn Bridge (the Las Vegas equivalent of the original bridge).

A basketball shot that defies the laws of gravity Cirque du Soleil provided the image.

Time Spent With Silk Sonic

Specifically, Las Vegas's Dolby Live at Park MGM

You absolutely cannot miss Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak at Silk Sonic's Evening of Music. They perform oldies but goodies from the R&B, soul, and pop genres. Nonetheless, the live performance is enhanced by the nostalgic costumes and set design.

Their Las Vegas residency began in February 2022, and they have scheduled shows all the way through August.  

Silk Sonic Image provided.

WOW

Location: The Rio Hotel

WOW is one of the shows that lives up to Las Vegas's reputation for thrilling entertainment.

WOW has won a slew of accolades, including "best family friendly show," "best value show," "best production show," and "best new show" in Las Vegas. In fact, among all the shows in Las Vegas, it was voted the best.

The variety of elements WOW uses to create its show makes it an exciting and unpredictable one throughout. You won't be able to take your eyes off the stage as the performers engage in everything from acrobatics to plate spinning to roller skating to full-on musical dance routines.  

Saloon Show With a Side of Atomic Energy

Venue: The Venetian Hotel and Casino

If you're planning a trip to Las Vegas, don't miss Spiegelworld's raunchy and insanely fun show. There are gymnasts, dancers, and even a cute dog performing in the Atomic Saloon Show. There are great cocktails available at the saloon, so you can relax with one before the show.

Atomic Saloon Show is a fast-paced comedy and sex show intended for an adult audience.

A Wild Celebration in Honor of the King

The Alexis Park Resort

There is no other live show in Las Vegas that is dedicated solely to the music of Elvis Presley, so don't miss this incredible performance! A few of Presley's greatest hits, including "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock," will be performed for the audience.  

Although the King of Rock and Roll officiates weddings at the Graceland Wedding Chapel, other Elvis impersonators can be found all over Sin City. Believe it or not, I crashed an Elvis wedding and had a blast doing so!

All Shook Up by Elvis Presley Authorized use of attached photo.

The Luxor Hotel and Casino

The Blue Man Group is another internationally renowned band. The Blue Man Group, instantly recognizable by their signature blue body paint and the fact that none of the members have ears, uses a combination of music, lighting, and paint to keep audiences enthralled throughout the show.

Blue Man Group combines percussion and comedy. Reference image provided

By fusing music and comedy, they first make you laugh, and then, in an instant, they lift your mood and fill you with positive energy.

Everyone in your party is sure to have a good time at a Blue Man Group show. And because they are so forward-thinking, they also host sensory-friendly shows so that people with autism can experience the magic of a Blue Man Group show alongside their non-autistic friends and family.

If you want to feel like you're a part of the action, you should sit in the front row.

Blue Man Group is one of the 19 amazing things to do in Las Vegas with children that I list here.

Documenting at a Blue Man Group show

It will take place at Resorts World Las Vegas.

For over sixteen years, Celine Dion has been a main attraction in Las Vegas. Currently, she is on hiatus. I went to see her perform a few years ago with my brother, and her set was designed by Cirque du Soleil.

If you're a fan of the Grammy-winning singer and the song "My Heart Will Go On," this show will be a high point of your Las Vegas vacation.

Celine Dion has had to postpone starting her residency due to health reasons. In order to stay apprised of when live shows will resume at Resorts World, please visit the event page.  

Mindfreak Cris Angel

At Planet Hollywood's Las Vegas Casino

For over a decade, Criss Angel has been wowing audiences with his incredible magic tricks on the Las Vegas Strip. His magic tricks are well-planned and executed, and his eclectic, slightly "evil" personality keeps the audience laughing throughout.  

His command of magic is fascinating, and he has an uncanny ability to draw your attention into the strange. The mind-bending illusions he performed for his A&E special of the same name will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the world.

Criss Angel's Mindfreak received Vanish Magazine's Greatest of All Time award, adding to his list of accomplishments. Assuming the most widely read magic magazine in the world agrees that Criss Angel is the best magician alive today, O A T In the case of levitation and optical illusion, firsthand experience is indispensable.

The Luxor Hotel and the Las Vegas Airport Crazy

The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Copperfield's name is practically synonymous with illusionism. He has been on stage for over 40 years, so you know he has a firm grasp on the techniques necessary to hold the attention of his viewers.

Copperfield will take you on an hour and a half long journey through illusion and storytelling. If you go, you can say with confidence that you witnessed one of the world's finest.

David Copperfield's live magic show is among the best in the world. For over fifty years, this master illusionist has been honing his craft. He first gained widespread attention in the 1980s, when his most famous trick was the disappearance of the Statue of Liberty.

Even now, his Las Vegas residency at MGM Grand is one of the most talked about shows in the city.   

David Copperfield ticket prices can be seen here.

David Copperfield, a living legend Associated image provided.

Music by Katy Perry: Press Play

Location: Las Vegas's Resorts World

While my Katy Perry costume for a recent 'K' party made me look more like I'd eaten KP than the pop star herself, I still want to go to one of her concerts. She's a fantastically gifted artist who personifies all things zany and over-the-top.

In her new two-hour show, Play, she performs 19 of her most popular songs while surrounded by oversized toys and enormous household objects.

Firework will be stuck in your head like an ear worm after the show, but it will be well worth it.  

In February of 2023, performances will resume.

Katy Perry, resident of Sin City Getty Images/John Shearer

The Dolby Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas

This year marks the return of Lady Gaga's Las Vegas residency, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Dressed to the nines in her signature extravagant outfits, Gaga performs some of her biggest hits like "Born This Way" and classic jazz numbers.

Lady Gaga shows up to the Park MGM opening of HAUS OF GAGA. Denise Truscello, in a photo

A Performance by Penn & Teller

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada's Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino

Penn and Teller is another long-running show in Sin City. These two magicians have been performing together for 44 years, and they've been performing their routine in Las Vegas since 2001.

When it comes to symbiotic performances and collaborations, these dudes are the real deal.  

The scale of the illusions in their shows is always changing, which keeps audiences interested. You will be on the edge of your seat wondering "how did they do that?" as Penn and Teller perform everything from close-up sleight-of-hand tricks to grand stage illusions. ”

The best part, though, is that they show you exactly how their tricks are performed. However, you will still be baffled and amazed by the end of it.

Performers Penn and Teller Illustration Provided.

Time and Place: Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

Anyone who grew up in the '70s and had a thing for Barry Manilow can feel comfortable admitting it here. Barry Manilow still has it after 50 years of singing pop hits like "Copacabana" and "Mandy."  

Fans of his work should not miss his 90-minute live performance at The Westgate's International Theater.  

To paraphrase Donny Osmond

To be precise, Harrah's Las Vegas.

Another for the '70s kiddies and Donny and Marie fans! As of 2019, Donny and Marie Osmond's 11-year Las Vegas residency had come to an end. No need to worry, though; Donny has returned as a solo artist.

There's a serious time crunch if you want to sing along with Puppy Love at a Donny Osmond concert. To further your swoon, purchase a VIP ticket to meet him before the show for a private Q&A.

Finally, Donny Osmond has returned. Caesars provided the accompanying photograph.

Location: The Sahara Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

You should not miss Channing Tatum's Magic Mike Live if you are going on a bachelorette party or a girls' trip with your girlfriends.

Fans of the 2012 film had been hoping for a live performance of the same name. A long-awaited premiere in Sin City, it quickly became established as one of the Strip's most popular shows.

A warning: this show is intended for an older audience. Accordingly, if you want to buy tickets, you need to be at least 18 years old.

Fator Terry: "Who's The Dummy Now?"

When: December 6, 2018 Where: New York, New York Hotel & Casino

Terry Fator's Las Vegas show is one of the most original variety shows on the Strip.

Terry, one of the world's greatest ventriloquists, has been entertaining crowds with his puppets for decades. In fact, he has been the Mirage Hotel's headliner for longer than anyone else, with a run of more than ten years.

Using a wide array of puppets, he sings and mimics the voices of more than two hundred famous people. All the way through Terry Fator's special brand of comedy, you'll be rolling with laughter at references to pop stars ranging from Justin Timberlake to Willy Nelson.

If you're taking kids on vacation, you should definitely check out his show.  

Ventriloquist Terry Fator and his trusty dummy Example image provided

Duel of the Kings

Casino Hotel Excalibur

Indulge in a historical feast and a visit to the Tournament of Kings.

As of July of 2022, the return of the Tournament of the Kings is imminent. The first and foremost benefit is the opportunity to witness incredible close-quarters combat. Fans of Game of Thrones and those interested in medieval history will enjoy this show because of the authenticity it brings to the medieval tournament setting created by the performers' elaborate costumes.  

Second, you don't just get to see the Tournament of Kings, you get to eat it, too!

We'll be serving a delicious meal with each ticket, and you can eat it with your hands just like people did in the Middle Ages.

Erik Kabik's Photograph of the Tournament of the Kings

Presenting: Piff the Magic Dragon!

Casino Hotel Flamingo

Go see Piff the Magic Dragon if you want to be both entertained and start to question your sanity.

Las Vegas's Magical Dragon Farts

When Piff first appeared on America's Got Talent in 2015, he immediately became a worldwide sensation. A new and bizarre routine was waiting for him every time he took the stage.

Piff has the first magic Chihuahua in the world, and this is just one of the many great things about his show. Mr One of the cutest puppies you'll see in Vegas, Piffles adds a whole new level of cuteness to the show that stars Piff the Magic Dragon.

Jabbawockeez

Place: The MGM Grand

The Jabbawockeez are one of the most famous bands in the world, and they regularly perform in Las Vegas. Their performance on America's Got Talent in 2006 catapulted them to instant fame.

They have amazing dance skills. Almost mechanically, they time their routine to the beat of the music, which gives them a boost as they try to replicate the tempo and mood of each song.  

Their captivating aesthetic has inspired imitators from all over the world. Without saying a word, they manage to hold your interest and relay information.

Even more mysterious is the fact that you can't tell who's who among the dancers because they all wear masks, focusing your attention instead on the collective motion of the ensemble.  

Here come the Jabbawockeez! Picture provided.

Caesar's Palace to host world-renowned musicians

In case you still needed convincing that Las Vegas is the place to go for your next vacation, consider this: Sting, Morrissey, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, and Adele will all be performing at The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in the coming months.

To learn more about when and where you can see some of the most famous musicians in the world perform, click here.

Vegas shows without the cost

Enjoy Freemont Street's Live Music Every Night!

Location: on Freemont Street

Downtown Las Vegas is not given the credit it deserves. The Mob Museum, a slot machine zip line, and nightly live music on one of Freemont Street's three outdoor stages will keep you entertained for hours.

Not like some of the others on this list, entry is completely free. It is recommended, however, that you get there early in order to secure a prime viewing location.  

Take in the free Fremont Street light show by gazing upwards.

The Bellagio Hotel puts on a mesmerizing water and light show every day from 3 to midnight, and no visitor to Las Vegas should miss it.

You can check the most up-to-date schedule here, but if the weather's nice, they usually begin at 3 p.m. and continue every 30 minutes until 8 p.m., and then every 15 minutes until midnight, with loud music playing the whole time.

A great place to stay to view the Bellagio fountains is, of course, the Bellagio Hotel (as long as you request a room facing the Strip that includes a view of the fountains, even if only in part). If you want a view of the fountains at Bellagio, book a room at Paris Las Vegas across the street and request an "Eiffel View."

These are Bellagio's world-famous fountains.

It's not hard to find a high-quality show in Sin City. Getting your hands on tickets is the most difficult part.

It's imperative that you schedule your trip and buy tickets in advance.  

The Best Places to Stay in Las Vegas

We recently stayed at Paris, which is conveniently located in the middle of the Strip and close to both ends of the Strip, making it convenient for us to ride the High Roller, go shopping, and check out other hotels.

Mandalay Bay is the best hotel for families because of its beautiful wave pool, lazy river, and beach. There's also the Pinball Museum next door, which offers some low-cost fun. There's a huge aquarium with sharks and a komodo dragon (which I actually got to walk with in Indonesia) and the home of Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson ONE.

Bellagio is the best hotel for a romantic getaway because of its impressive architecture, beautiful fountains (request a room overlooking the fountains), stunning gardens, and Ocean's Eleven–inspired atmosphere. And you can walk just about anywhere in the area.

The Excalibur is the most reasonably priced and convenient hotel in the area. Once, my brother and I stayed here, and we had a great time watching the jousting and chatting with the beautiful women who frequented the establishment. During certain times of the year, you can get a room for as little as $35 per night. It is close to the New York-New York and the MGM Grand, and the monorail connects to Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

The three-bedroom villa at the Nobu Hotel within Caesar's Palace is the most expensive room on the Strip, so if money is no object or you just won the lottery, you should definitely book it. The nightly rate begins at $35,000, and all inquiries must be made via direct email. As of right now, there are no online reservation systems available at this tier.

Aria and Park MGM are the closest hotels to T Mobile Arena. They are so far in the back that it is difficult to see them.

The Wynn Las Vegas is the best resort on the Strip if you're looking to hit the links, thanks to its stunning 18-hole course that winds past three lakes and 8,000 trees.

I developed some promotional materials. If you want a memento of your time in Sin City, pick up a shirt that reads "Las Vegas - What Goes On Tour."

Further reading...

In my latest post, I share tips for making the most of New Year's Eve in Sin City.

Check out my next post for a list of 24 unique Las Vegas experiences you might enjoy if you're looking for more Vegas-related content.

Plus, if you're a shopaholic (and let's be honest, who among us isn't? This article discusses the best places to shop in Las Vegas, Nevada, including outlet centers.

The best place to find Elvis if you're planning to crash a wedding, have your own wedding, or renew your wedding vows is revealed in my latest post.

If you're planning a trip to Sin City with kids, you won't want to miss my list of 19 must-do attractions and activities in Las Vegas for families.