Las Vegas Shows Guide 2026: Cirque, Magic, Comedy and Sphere

Las Vegas has more resident shows than anywhere else, but the line-up changes every year. Residencies end, long-running productions close and new venues open. Many "best shows" lists still recommend The Beatles LOVE (closed in 2024 with The Mirage) or superstar residencies that finished long ago.

This guide covers shows that were running in September 2026, checked against each show's or venue's own site. Schedules and prices change, so confirm dates on the official page before you buy. For the full Cirque du Soleil comparison, see our Cirque du Soleil guide.

Shows at a Glance

Cirque du Soleil

As of September 2026, Cirque du Soleil runs four shows in Las Vegas. All are about 90 minutes with no intermission, and Cirque's Las Vegas ticket sales are final: no exchanges or refunds.

• "O" at Bellagio: performed in and above a 1.5-million-gallon pool. The most spectacular staging, and the most expensive.
• KÀ at MGM Grand: a wordless action story on a moving vertical stage, with the lowest starting price of the four.
• Mystère at Treasure Island: the original, open since 1993 and the only one with no minimum age. TI lists shows Friday to Tuesday at 6:30 and 9 p.m.
• Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay: acrobatics and dance to Jackson's recordings, the most concert-like.

Our Cirque guide compares prices, age rules and discounts in detail.

Magic Shows

Penn & Teller at the Rio

Penn & Teller perform in the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio, a renovated room seating nearly 1,500. Shows run Thursday to Sunday at 8 p.m., and the Rio lists the age limit as 5 and up. Their mix of comedy, skepticism and magic that explains itself, and then fools you anyway, makes it a good pick for people who don't usually like magic shows. The Rio is a short ride west of the Strip.

Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Excalibur

Mac King's show is now at Excalibur. His site describes it as "very funny without vulgarity" and suitable for every age group, which makes it one of the best family choices on the Strip. Check Excalibur's page for times and prices.

David Copperfield, Shin Lim and other magicians also play Las Vegas; check the venue listings for current dates. More in our magic shows guide.

Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group plays the Blue Man Theater at Luxor, most days of the year. Tickets started at $68.36 including taxes and fees on its site in September 2026, and it sells $35 day-of-show student rush tickets. It recommends the show for children 3 and up; younger children can sit on an adult's lap, and everyone 4 and older needs a ticket. It is loud, funny, wordless and one of the most reliable family shows in town.

Adult Shows

• Absinthe (Caesars Palace): Spiegelworld's acrobatic variety show with very adult comedy. Spiegelworld lists shows Sunday to Thursday at 7 and 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday at 7, 9 and 11 p.m.
• Atomic Saloon Show (The Venetian): Spiegelworld's variety show at the Venetian, Tuesday to Saturday.
• Magic Mike Live (Sahara): the male revue based on the films, 18 and over with valid photo ID.
• Thunder From Down Under (Excalibur): a nightly, highly interactive Australian male revue with adult themes.

Check each show's age policy before you buy; Spiegelworld doesn't list age limits on its homepage.

Sphere

Sphere, beside the Venetian, is the city's newest big venue, with a wraparound interior screen. Its line-up mixes immersive films, such as The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, with concert residencies. In September 2026 its site listed The Wizard of Oz at Sphere alongside events with Oprah Winfrey, Carin Leon, the Backstreet Boys, the Eagles and Metallica. Dates change often, so check Sphere's calendar for your trip. The Venetian sells hotel packages that include Wizard of Oz tickets.

Residencies and Concerts

Headline residencies rotate through the big theaters: the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, the theaters at Park MGM, Planet Hollywood and Resorts World, and arenas such as T-Mobile Arena and MGM Grand Garden Arena. Residencies are announced months ahead and often sell out early. Past headliners like Adele, Celine Dion and Elton John have finished their runs, so check the venue calendar rather than relying on an older list. Our concerts and festivals guide covers the bigger events.

Comedy

Comedy is one of the easiest nights to fit into a Vegas trip. Several resorts host comedy clubs with rotating line-ups, and touring comedians play the larger theaters. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood lists a comedy club among its shows, and Town Square, south of the Strip, has Wiseguys Comedy Club. See our comedy shows guide for current clubs and headliners.

Family-Friendly Shows

• Mystère (Treasure Island): the only Cirque show with no minimum age.
• Blue Man Group (Luxor): recommended for ages 3 and up.
• Mac King (Excalibur): clean comedy magic for every age.
• Penn & Teller (Rio): 5 and up.
• KÀ (MGM Grand): 3 and up, with a story older children follow easily.

See our Vegas with kids guide for more.

Buying Tickets and Saving Money

• Buy from the official source (the show's site, the resort or its box office) when you want a specific seat and date. Some resale sites charge far more than face value.
• Check refund rules. Cirque's Las Vegas sales are final, and many shows are the same. Confirm your dates first.
• Look for official discounts. Blue Man Group sells student rush tickets; Treasure Island publishes Mystère offers, including military and child discounts.
• Same-day discount booths on the Strip sell unsold seats for many shows. You choose from what's left, so it works best if you are flexible.
• Compare the total. Box office, ticketing and Live Entertainment Tax can add a lot to the headline price.
• Pick weeknights. Prices for many shows vary by date; midweek is often cheaper.

More tips in our guide to cheap show tickets.

Free Shows

You don't need a ticket for some of the city's best-known spectacles: the Bellagio fountains, Wynn's Lake of Dreams, and the Fremont Street Experience canopy shows, which run at the top of every hour from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. with free concerts on three stages. The Mirage volcano and Sirens of TI are gone. See our free things to do guide.

Shows That Have Closed

• The Beatles LOVE closed in July 2024 with The Mirage.
• Mad Apple at New York-New York has ended, according to Cirque's show page.
• Awakening at Wynn was advertising its final performances through October 10, 2026.
• Zumanity, Le Rêve and Sirens of TI are long gone.