17 of the Best Shows on the Strip in Las Vegas

You can’t claim the title of “The Entertainment Capital of the World” without a world-class lineup of shows and, notably, the ability to appeal to all audiences. Las Vegas has continued to evolve its entertainment lineup far beyond the Rat Pack era, introducing new headlining acts, technologies and concepts to appeal to returning and first-time visitors. 

As a result, the city’s entertainment offerings now range from the traditional – family-friendly comedy and acrobatic shows – to the A-list – award-winning headliners with their own residencies – to the adult – off-color comics, spicy productions and late-night dance revues starring the toned, tanned and muscular.

Audience | Shutterstock

The entertainment lineup is like a buffet, so here’s a guide to help you decide between all of the shows on the Strip.

Bring the Family

Traveling with kids or grandparents and looking for a family-friendly show? Las Vegas has something to appeal to tastes of all ages.

1. Nathan Burton Magic Show at Planet Hollywood

Known to audiences outside of Las Vegas for appearing on America’s Got Talent, comedy illusionist Nathan Burton performs daily at 4 p.m. inside Saxe Theater at the Planet Hollywood resort and casino. The Oakland-born Vegas transplant is one of the city’s longest-tenured magic acts, having arrived in 2006 at the Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood).

In addition to America’s Got Talent, the star has been featured on TLC’s Miami Ink, VH1’s Surreal Life: Fame Games, The Food Network’s Last Cake Standing, truTV’s Storage Hunters, NBC’s Miss USA Pageant, Lifetime’s Coming Home, China’s Got Talent, Masters of Illusion, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

Planet Hollywood Las Vegas (from USD $45 )

Planet Hollywood is an eclectic hotel on the Strip that combines the classic vibes of old-school Las Vegas with modern touches and celebrity culture.

Planet Hollywood Las Vegas

Address: 3667 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
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2. Tournament of Kings at Excalibur

Tournament of Kings | image courtesy of Erik Kabik

Staged in 900-seat theater-in-the-round at Excalibur on the Strip, Tournament of Kings is one of Las Vegas’ most famous dinner shows. While you and the family enjoy a banquet of roasted seasoned Cornish game hen and “mead,” you are transported to the era of King Arthur as armored knights ride horses throughout the arena and battle the evil fire wizard Mordred. Tournament of Kings features dazzling visual effects, pyrotechnics, and costumes—an experience that beats a movie or video game any night of the week.

Excalibur Las Vegas (from USD $35 )

Excalibur opened in 1990, and this expansive resort covering over 70 acres contains delightful rooms, restaurants, shops and high-quality entertainment for all ages.

3. The Beatles: LOVE at The Mirage

Beatles LOVE advertisement at The Mirage

Las Vegas’ Cirque du Soleil shows have largely been family friendly, but The Beatles: LOVE stands out for its colorful costumes, awe-inspiring acrobatics, and the timeless lyrics of The Beatles. Longtime Beatles producer George Martin was among the first visionaries to sign onto the show for its 2006 debut at The Mirage Hotel and Casino, and the soundtrack went on to reach Platinum status in one dozen countries.

The LOVE soundtrack has also won two Grammy awards for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and Best Surround Sound Album – the latter a testament to the show’s outstanding theater-in-the-round presentation.

The Mirage Las Vegas (from USD $59 )

The Mirage can house your entire group with its two-and three-bedroom suites, and will certainly dazzle your party with balcony views, spa services and beyond.

4. Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay

It’s not crazy to think that Michael Jackson would have had a Las Vegas Strip residency had he not passed away in 2009, but Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE is the closest thing we’ll get to seeing the King of Pop perform his greatest hits on stage. Combining Jackson’s music catalog, legendary dance moves, and iconic costumes with Cirque’s acclaimed acrobatics and high-end production values, ONE is much more than a tribute show, it’s a must-see audio and visual experience.

Mandalay Bay Las Vegas (from USD $79 )

When desert sands aren't enough, escape to Mandalay Bay for all of the hallmarks of a tropical getaway, right on the Las Vegas Strip.

5. Mat Franco Magic Reinvented Nightly at The LINQ

Mat Franco, another star whose big break came on America’s Got Talent, had no trouble transitioning from the reality competition stage to his own showroom at The LINQ hotel on the Strip. Franco’s “Magic Reinvented Nightly” is just that – a more evolved take on a traditional magic show and more crowd interaction. Franco’s personality was made for Las Vegas, and the performer enjoys cracking jokes and poking fun at his own experiences learning the magic craft.

He also pledges to never put on the same show twice, so if you’ve already seen him, have you really seen him?

The LINQ Las Vegas (from USD $32 )

The LINQ, originally built as the Imperial Palace in 1959, has been reborn into a great, cost-effective hotel at the center of the Las Vegas Strip.

6. Jabbawockeez at MGM Grand

Awarded “Best Family Show” and “Best All Ages Show,” the high energy Jabbawockeez remains one of the star attractions at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. If you’re looking for a truly unique show in Las Vegas, you can’t do better than these masked dancers with seemingly inhuman moves. The world-famous dance crew’s Timeless show is their fourth stage production and was launched in 2010 to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary in Las Vegas. They previously staged MUS.I.C. and JREAMZ at MGM Grand and PRISM at Luxor. 

MGM Grand Las Vegas (from USD $47 )

If you wish to stay at one of the most massive and most classic Las Vegas resorts, choose the MGM Grand for your next trip.

Must-See Headliners

Las Vegas has been a destination for singers in their prime ever since Celine Dion broke the mold in the early 2000s. She’s delayed her return to the Strip at Resorts World, but there are plenty of must-see headliners that you can cross off your bucket list the next time you’re in town.

7. Usher: The Las Vegas Residency at Caesars Palace

One of the best-selling recording artists of all time, Usher made his residency debut on a custom-designed stage at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in summer 2021, and he quickly became one of the hottest tickets in town.

Singer and Songwriter Usher | Shutterstock

Like all residency acts, you need to research in advance to ensure they’ll be performing when you come to town, but Usher has already extended his residency, with the coveted Christmas week and New Year’s Eve dates among his upcoming 2021 performances. The show itself is a greatest hits collection from Usher’s catalog — “U Remind Me,” “Burn,” “You Make Me Wanna…,” “Don’t Waste My Time,” “Yeah!” and so many more.

Caesars Palace Las Vegas (from USD $94.00 )

Head towards the smooth marble pillars on the Strip to experience the timeless features of Caesars Palace in the modern age.

8. Bruno Mars at Park MGM

Bruno Mars | Shutterstock

Bruno Mars launched his first Vegas residency in his 20s at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas but has since moved to Dolby Live at Park MGM. The 11-time Grammy winner is one of the hottest tickets in town thanks to his effortless energy and catalog of stuck-in-your-head hits. Mars is also one of the city’s must-see New Year’s Eve attractions, as he’s spent many December 31sts on the Strip and will do it again in 2021.  

Park MGM Las Vegas (from USD $75 )

Dive into entertainment, art and Las Vegas fun at Park MGM, a divine hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

9. Shania Twain “Let’s Go!” The Las Vegas Residency at Planet Hollywood

Shania Twain | Shutterstock

Another artist that delivers nothing but the hits from her stories career, Shania Twain is among the most popular Las Vegas resident headliners. The singer first arrived on the Strip in 2012 with her “Still the One” residency at Caesars Palace and returned for a new show at Zappos Theater in 2019. The show is action packed with costume changes, choreography, and a stage that celebrates both Las Vegas and Twain’s legacy as one of the world’s most celebrated country and crossover artists.

10. Lionel Richie: Back to Las Vegas at Encore

Lionel Richie | Shutterstock

The legendary Lionel Richie returned to the Strip for a new residency at Wynn Las Vegas’ Encore Theater in 2019 after several years at Zappos Theater. His Back to Las Vegas is an all night long party, a trip through the hitmaker’s decades-long career, and Richie makes sure to cover them all. Whether you want to hear his Commodores classics or solo hits, he’ll have you dancing on the ceiling.

Encore Las Vegas (from USD $79 )

This quality can't be repeated. Encore's legendary party spots and world-class rooms are just a couple of its award-winning offerings.

11. Sammy Hagar and Friends at The STRAT

Sammy Hagar | Shutterstock

One of Las Vegas’ newest resident headliners, longtime Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar made his debut in 2021 at the Strat – formerly the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. There’s only one way to rock when it comes to Sammy, and that’s to do it in good company. The singer made his Strat debut with his supergroup, The Circle, which consists of iconic Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, drummer Jason Bonham, and former BusBoys guitarist Vic Johnson.

You can grab a seat for the show or get a ticket into the “Party Pit” if you want to feel like you’re really at a rock concert.

The STRAT Las Vegas (from USD $79 )

The STRAT Hotel Casino & SkyPod is one of the most iconic structures in all of Las Vegas, located at the tip of the Strip.

The STRAT Las Vegas

Address: 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89104
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12. The Resorts World Lineup

Carrie Underwood at Resorts World | Source: https://www.rwlasvegas.com/entertainment/

The newest hotel resort in Las Vegas needed to make a big statement ahead of its summer 2021 grand opening. While just one headlining superstar would have done the trick in the past, Resorts World Las Vegas booked four huge names for its inaugural year: Celine Dion, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. While Dion had to postpone her early November debut, the trio of Perry, Underwood and Bryan are still more than enough to make waves in a city that loves big stars on big stages.

Look for Resorts World to continue adding new residencies to its Resorts World Theatre in the future, just as it continues to welcome the biggest names in electronic dance music (Tiesto, Zedd and DJ Snake, among others) to its Zouk Nightclub.

Hilton Las Vegas at Resorts World (from USD $65.88 )

Part of the mega-complex of hotels at Resorts World, Hilton Las Vegas is a wonderful new choice for travelers to the Strip.

Good Times for Grown Ups

The Strip has something for everyone, but of course it can be more fun to leave the kids at home. If you’re in search of a good time with grown up entertainment that puts the sin in Sin City, you can’t go wrong with these selections.

13. Absinthe at Caesars Palace

One of the most celebrated shows in Las Vegas history, the Spiegelworld-produced Absinthe has had a remarkable run at Caesars Palace. Part variety act, part comedy show, Absinthe is a celebration of carnival-style spectacle and off-color humor. It’s not for the kids, but the parents are going to love it. Just a heads up, if you’re sitting close to the stage, you can absolutely expect to draw the attention of acclaimed ringmaster The Gazillionaire. You might also see a celebrity sitting nearby, as Absinthe is a popular spot for Vegas headliners and stars swinging through town.

14. Thunder from Down Under at Excalibur

Who ordered the beefcake? The Thunder from Down Under have been bringing the Aussie heat for years in the Thunderland Showroom at Excalibur Hotel and Casino. Thunder is one of the city’s most popular bachelorette party destinations, as throngs of hardcore fans can be seen in the front row nightly, eager to get their fill of these hunky studs. They dance, they sweat, they crack a few jokes, and they always it off. Who’s going to say no to that?

15. FANTASY at Luxor

If chiseled Aussie abs aren’t your thing, might we interest you in the toned bodies of Luxor’s FANTASY burlesque review. The multiple award-winner has been entertaining audiences for 20 years in Las Vegas with its fabulous dance sequences and titillating, barely-there costumes. Las Vegas has a long history of Strip showgirl revues, but FANTASY is no throwback. These performers are at the top of their game, bringing the dance moves to match the high energy music.

Luxor Las Vegas (from USD $79 )

While many of the properties along the Strip follow traditional architecture, Luxor is located inside its legendary black glass pyramid.

16. Piff the Magic Dragon at Flamingo

Another entertainer who got a big career boost from America’s Got Talent, the surly, cynical and effortlessly funny Piff the Magic Dragon can be seen at the Flamingo, where he takes the stage alongside “the world’s only magic performing chihuahua,” Mr. Piffles. Piff proudly does not perform at children’s parties, and you’ll want to keep the kids at home too, because this act is adults only.

Flamingo Las Vegas (from USD $35 )

The Flamingo Hotel is a property that has a long history. The name alone has become synonymous with the Las Vegas Strip.

Flamingo Las Vegas

Address: 3555 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
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$35
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17. Laugh Factory at Tropicana

Laugh Factory at Tropicana | Source: https://www.troplv.com/entertainment/laugh-factory

Sometimes you just want a good old-fashioned comedy show, and for that, nothing beats The Laugh Factory at Tropicana Las Vegas. On any given night, you might see an established comic working out fresh material or an up-and-coming artist with big time potential. Among the stand up comedy residencies on the club’s 2021-22 calendar: Jon Lovitz, Paul Rodriguez, Pauly Shore, Jon Stringer and Jackson Perdue.  

Tropicana Las Vegas (from USD $109 )

Tropicana is a cool staple hotel on the Strip that boasts beachy facilities, tons of gaming options and a laid-back vibe fit for travelers and families alike.

More Than Shows on the Strip

If a show isn’t your speed, there are plenty of activities on the Strip to choose from. Visit the famed gondola rides at The Venetian, or take a ride on the extreme side with a canyon helicopter tour.


Frequently Asked Questions About Shows on the Strip

Are Vegas show tickets on the Strip cheap?

There are ways to find discount tickets on the Strip, as part of some of the cheap Las Vegas activities.

What shows are open in Las Vegas on the Strip?

With Las Vegas reopening slowly, almost all shows, events and dining are all open in Las Vegas.

Are shows on the Strip kid-friendly?

Many shows on the Las Vegas Strip are kid-friendly, such as Beatles: LOVE at The Mirage.

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