6 Best Cirque du Soleil Shows in Las Vegas (May 2024)

Theatre lovers can rejoice in all the wonderful Cirque du Soleil concerts in Las Vegas. Sin City has a surprisingly large repertoire when it comes to the Circus of the Sun acts, which can be found in the major casino resorts. When planning your trip to Las Vegas, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for what is being shown and where. These are not the shows where you can pop up at the last minute and expect a ticket. Prepare in advance, buy your ticket, and then prepare to have your mind blown.

But what is Cirque du Soleil? It is a Canadian contemporary circus that creates fantastic performances guaranteed to thrill. Whether it is in bursts of confetti, acrobats descending from the ceiling, soaring aerialists, striking colours or bombastic music, you will not be disappointed with the Cirque du Soleil scene in Las Vegas.

1. Treasure Island Hotel and Casino – Mystere

For a deep foray into the world of Cirque du Soleil, Mystere is the perfect show for newcomers who don't know what to expect. It is magical, intense, vivid and has very evocative imagery. The show is about the mysteries and meaning of life, exploring science and technology as well as things that are beyond our comprehension. The characters and scenes in Mystere are just as legendary as its epic soundtrack, which was written by Rene Dupere.

Mystere is shown at Treasure Island, a casino resort that sits by the Vegas Strip. The casino is right in the middle of the Strip, opposite the Venetian, and you cannot miss it if you are passing through the Strip. This casino resort has a pirate theme and houses a large casino. Treasure Island has a large casino, providing guests with a large variety of top quality games. Across the 95,000 square foot casino, there are over 2,500 gaming machines, with denominations from $0.01 up to $15,000. It also has 185 table games and a venue for sports bettors. The Golden Circle Sportsbook has over 20 displays and a kitchen that provides some hearty meals for viewers. There are also numerous self service betting kiosks in the Sportsbook, where you can make your predictions.

2. MGM Grand Resort – KA

KA is an epic story, complete with power struggle, coming of age and romance. Everything in this show is captivating, from the legendary battles to the sweet love scenes. The costumes are fantastic, and the show has some extremely developed technology to suck you into its world. There are aerial performers, balancing acts, and even a 360 degree stage where the war is acted out. It is not particularly dark, so children can also watch it. It is practically Shakespearean in its plot, and the score, also by Rene Dupere, captures the essence of this story.

You can watch KA at MGM Grand, which is one of the most popular casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. MGM Grand has tonnes of facilities to keep you entertained while you are in Vegas. Nightclubs, comedy acts, fine dining restaurants and shopping outlets are only the tip of the iceberg. It is home to one of the biggest casinos on the Strip, with over 170,000 square feet of floor space. There are over 2,500 slots to be explored at MGM Grand, as well as 130 table games with poker, Blackjack, Roulette and more. You can also check into the BetMGM Sportsbook, and for a more intimate betting experience, rent out one of the luxurious sky boxes.

3. Bellagio Hotel and Casino – O

This stage production connects the audience with the elements. It is a water-themed act that has been playing at the Bellagio in Las Vegas since 1998. There is something special about O, as the performers plunge into the water and dance above the waves. The visuals are stunning, with smoke, lights, fire and all sorts of stunning artistry that is designed to ensnare you in its wondrous beauty. The score of O was composed by Benoit Jutras and includes many exotic instruments.

The Bellagio is up there with the most iconic casino hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. It lies between the Cosmopolitan and Caesars Palace, in front of the massive Fountains of Bellagio. The main attraction of Bellagio is its magnificent casino. In true royal style, this casino has a marvellous interior, complete with Hellenistic ornaments and decor. You'd feel almost as if you were walking through an Ancient Roman temple, were it not for the flashing and chirping of the slots. The casino is 156,000 square feet in size and has over 2,300 gaming machines. There is also an exclusive lounge, called Club Prive, which has an outstanding collection of whisky and cigars. You can also play all sorts of table games, or check into the BetMGM Sportsbook. This sportsbook is ideal for horse race lovers, as it has 99 individual racing monitors.

4. Mandalay Bay Resort – Michael Jackson: ONE

If you are ready to get your groove on with the King of Pop, then Michael Jackson: ONE is the show to see in Las Vegas. This is the second Michael Jackson production by Cirque du Soleil and has been playing continuously at Mandalay Bay since 2013. You will hear all the classics at the show, including Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller, Don't Stop Till You Get Enough and Smooth Criminal. The list goes on, but it is certainly a hot one to catch for MJ fans and those new to his music. The musical production is brought to life with amazing light shows and choreography that Michael himself would be proud of. The storyline follows the turbulent and difficult life of Michael Jackson, and it can easily be a tearjerker for hardcore fans.

Mandalay Bay may sit a little further South down the Las Vegas Strip, but it is instantly recognisable. Once you see the massive Y-shaped gold complex, you have arrived. This resort has a tropical theme and is a must when you go to Vegas. In addition to the Cirque du Soleil production, there is a House of Blues and Convention Centre, where you can watch similarly brilliant shows. The casino at Mandalay Bay is one of the hottest places in Vegas for gamers. It is 160,000 square feet in size and has 1,200 slots and video poker machines. These machines frequently pay out massive sums, especially the progressive jackpots that have 7-figure top prizes. Sports buffs can try out the world-famous BetMGM Sportsbook at Mandalay Bay. With VIP Luxury Boxes and a wide range of betting options, it is perfect for an afternoon of watching rivetting sports events.

5. The Mirage Resort – The Beatles LOVE

Fans of the Fab Four can go on a rollercoaster (or helter skelter) through The Beatles LOVE. This Cirque du Soleil production is all about the Beatles, starting in the 40s with the Blitz, and going through their amazing musical journey. There are loads of characters from Beatles songs in the performance. You will see Sgt. Pepper, Eleanor Rigby, Lucy (in the Sky with Diamonds), Lady Madonna, Nowhere Man, and Julia (Lennon's mother). The music needs no introduction, as it is filled with the repertoire of one of the most influential bands in rock music. With blasts of confetti, amazing acrobatics, booming music and singing, this is the ultimate show for fans with Beatlemania.

This show is at the Mirage, which is near Caesars Palace and Linq Hotel. The Mirage is full of wonder, including many natural features such as the Volcano and Garden and Dolphin Habitat. It has a remarkable casino too, which is 90,000 square feet in size and has the best tableside service. You can take a seat at any of the 115 tables and play some Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, or Poker. The casino also houses 2,300 slots, which you can play for as little as 1 cent or go up to $1,000 per spin. The latter are located in the high limit areas, where high stakes gaming is played 24/7.

6. New York-New York Hotel and Casino – Mad Apple

Mad Apple brings the wild side of New York to the heart of Las Vegas, specifically in the New York-New York resort. The production is groundbreaking in its style, combining the best acrobatics and choreography of Cirque du Soleil with stand-up comedy. Buildings of New York are erected, New York's most famous faces make appearances and there is sports too, in addition to the New York music hits. This production is intended for mature audiences, unlike the others, so it only welcomes guests who are over 18 years old.

New York-New York is opposite MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. It is quite an interesting work, architecturally speaking, as it combines a number of New York buildings and monuments into one giant complex. Some may call it refreshing, others may call it kitsch, but it certainly attracts attention. Within the complex, you can easily pick out the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and New Yorker Hotel, amongst others. Within the complex, there are all sorts of excellent facilities such as the Big Apple Coaster, Hershey's Chocolate World and Gallagher's Steak House. The casino inside New York-New York is 51,000 square feet large and has 900 slot machines. It has 50 gaming tables where you can play Blackjack, Craps, Let it Ride and Roulette, amongst other games. There is also a sportsbook, powered by BetMGM, where you can watch big games.

Conclusion

There are Cirque du Soleil shows for everyone in Las Vegas. Mystere and KA are perhaps the best to go to if you are unfamiliar with Cirque du Soleil. They will immerse you in fascinating worlds of music, visual arts and passionate performances. They are all located within top casino resorts in Las Vegas, so if you have time to kill before or after a show, feel free to check them out and see what the hype is about.