Cirque du Soleil has been a staple on the Las Vegas strip since 1992. Their larger-than-life shows, impressive acrobatics, and unique storytelling lure thousands of spectators every night. There are currently 6 Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, all with their own unique charm and appeal.
Each show is completely different from the others. Therefore it is important to make a decision based on which show would suit you best – especially because they are not cheap! As self-proclaimed Cirque du Soleil fanatics, we have seen every cirque show in Las Vegas and have reviewed each show extremely critically. This post takes a deep dive into every show. It discusses what to expect, who it’s best suited to, and our personal experience seeing each show This allows you to make an educated and informed decision regarding the best Cirque du Soleil show to see in Las Vegas for you.
Mystère
Where: Treasure Island
Price: from $69
Mystère is the longest-running Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas – and quite frankly, it’s easy to see why. This spectacle is jam-packed with all the circus classics, from crazy clowns to high-flying acrobatics.
It is arguably the most circusy circus of all the Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas – if that makes sense. What we really mean is that this show is the type of circus you may find performed under a big top…. but on steroids.
Mystère is bright and beautiful. It features bold costumes and dramatic whimsical props and set pieces.
However, without a doubt, the acrobats are the backbone of the show. They are high flying and feature some of the most popular circus acts of modern times. This includes the trapeze, Chinese poles, trampoline tumbling, and much more. Watching Mystère will make you want to hit the gym hard!
Surprisingly, another highlight of Mystère was the clowns, particularly the fully grown man dressed up as a baby. Arguably, he stole the show with spot-on mannerisms and hilarious interactions with the crowd. Although we realise clowns are not everyones cup of tea, we would put money on everyone enjoying this guy’s performance. He was first class!
Much like the majority of Cirque du Soleil shows, there is a live band and singers adding to the theatrical experience.
Mystère is also one of the smaller Cirque du Soleil theatres in Las Vegas which creates a more intimate feel.
Who should see Mystère?
Mystère is perfect for anyone looking for a traditional circus experience – but amped up to the max. If you have never seen a Cirque du Soleil show, this is the perfect introduction as it really does have something for everyone. Best yet, it is one of the cheaper Cirque du Soleil shows on the Las Vegas strip.
We would consider Mystère to be the most suitable production of Cirque du Soleil to bring young children to.
Our personal opinion of Mystère
Mystère has a special place in our hearts as it is the first Cirque du Soleil show we saw in Las Vegas. As we come from a background in gymnastics and trampolining, this show speaks to us the most. It really exemplifies to us what is so great about seeing a Cirque du Soleil show – the outstanding acrobatics.
We have seen Mystère twice and have thoroughly enjoyed it both times. Despite being the longest-running Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas, it feels fresh and new. Although has an undeniable rooting in classic circus skills. For us, it is perfect.
The only TINY complaint we have is that the ending felt slightly abrupt. However, this may have just been because we weren’t ready for it to be over!
KÀ
Where: MGM Grand
Price: from $69
KÀ is a fight-to-the-finish type of show, with epic storytelling, told through masterful acrobatics and dramatic performances.
KÀ has a distinct Asian influence throughout the performance. This is particularly emphasised through the stunning fight scenes which are precise and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It truly is a one-of-a-kind show that you won’t find anywhere out with Las Vegas. This is primarily due to the incredible staging of this performance and the technical elements of putting on a show of such magnitude.
The set of KÀ is truly magnificent, and reason enough to see the show. The stage is actually made up of … separate stages that move freely of each other. Undeniably the most impressive stage is the “sand stage” which is 25″ x 50″ and can be rotated and positioned vertically, providing a completely unique plane for the acrobats to negotiate. Furthermore giving the audience a completely unique perspective.
Who should see KÀ?
Surprisingly, KÀ is one of the cheapest Cirque du Soleil shows to see in Las Vegas, and for that reason should appeal to the masses.
KÀ is for anyone who loves epic storytelling combined with unbelievable acrobatics. It will also appeal to people who appreciate the technical engineering and design of the show.
It is grand, it is moving, and it will certainly leave a lasting impression on you.
Our personal opinion of KÀ
Originally we were not too keen on seeing KÀ as we feel somewhat indifferent towards martial arts, and have never really been that intrigued by its Asian influence.
However, we were well and truly blown away by this show. It has some of the most spectacular acrobatics and features our all-time favourite circus discipline – the wheel of death. We loved KÀ so much that we have now seen it twice.
The first time we sat in the front row. It was amazing to see the show up close and really feel like you are within touching distance of the action.
The second time we sat further back and got to see even more of the action.
Both seats offered a unique perspective and were great. We truly believe there are no bad seats in the KÀ theatre.
“O”
Where: Bellagio
Price: from $79 (however, we have never seen a ticket this cheap, typically you will pay well over $100 for a cheap seat with a limited view at the box office)
“O” is arguably the flagship Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. Its unique staging and incredible incorporation of water throughout the show is what makes this show such a spectacle. Not to mention the dozens of talented performers bringing it to life every night!
This show is the most whimsical and supposedly follows the story of a young boy taken on a mesmerizing journey through a mysterious aquatic world. It really is so abstract that the plot is completely lost on the average viewers (including us!).
The best thing about “O” is the huge set pieces and unique circus disciplines. It honestly dwarfs the Cirque du Soliel shows in Las Vegas.
Who should see “O”
“O” is a spectacular show, however, its price point could put many people off. We found this show to be the most abstract and therefore feel it would appeal to a more mature audience. Yes, there are still clowns, but overall, not a show we would recommend bringing children to.
This show is well suited to seasoned Cirque du Soleil show goers and high rollers.
Our personal experience seeing “O”
We had always wanted to see “O” however, we were deterred by the price the first few times we visited Las Vegas. Eventually, we bit the bullet and purchased 2 seats on the balcony in early 2023.
The show was incredible, with some of the most unique circus acts we have ever seen. The stage is massive and there are more cast members than we think we’ve ever seen in one production. Upon seeing the show, we realised just why the tickets were so expensive.
And although the show is drop-dead gorgeous, breathtaking, and action-packed, we do have one complaint.
There are clowns that perform intermittently throughout the show and often meander into the audience. At this point, if you are on the balcony you can’t see a thing. This would have been fine if it happened once, or just briefly throughout the show, however, there are approximately 10 minutes of the show that we completely missed due to where we were sat.
We realise that we purchased some of the cheaper tickets, but we wish we had been warned about this prior to purchasing, as it would have impacted our seat selection.
Mad Apple
Where: New York New York
Price: from $69
Mad Apple is the newest addition to the Cirque du Soleils Las Vegas lineup. This show is completely unlike any other cirque show and has a distinctly unique feel. Mad Apple is a modern take on a New York variety show. It takes inspiration from Broadway, intimate comedy clubs and of course, traditional circus acts, and much more.
One really fun thing about this show is that prior to the show starting, you can buy a drink from a bar on the stage and even get a photo centre stage.
Despite being the newest Cirque du Soleil show on the Las Vegas strip, it is extremely competitively priced. We found it to have some of the cheapest tickets.
Who should see Mad Apple?
Mad Apple is the perfect cirque show for anyone who is a little sceptical about seeing a circus. This is due to it being a little less circus skills heavy and doesn’t follow a whimsical storyline which can be a little much at times!
This show is also perfect for anyone who only plans to see one Vegas show, or are on a tight time frame as it really has something for everything, so you won’t feel like you are missing out! Furthermore, it would be perfect for a group of friends with differing tastes.
This show can be a bit crass as it hails from the NY comedy scene. Therefore is not suitable for younger viewers, or people who are particularly sensitive.
This show has a fair amount of speaking and crowd interaction so would be best suited to English speakers.
Our personal experience seeing Mad Apple
Overall we found Mad Apple to be an enjoyable show. However, when it comes to ranking this show we found it difficult to place – this isn’t to say it isn’t worth seeing. In fact, we both agreed that this show would be the show that we would bring our friends to (if we could ever drag them to Vegas).
This show was a completely new take on a classic, and we found the introduction of comedy and magic to a cirque show to be extremely refreshing. It is a laugh a minute and can’t wait to return in the future.
Micheal Jackson ONE
Where: Mandalay Bay
Price: from $69
Micheal Jackson ONE is a celebration of the life and legacy of the king of pop himself. Built on a foundation of his music, this show takes you on a journey through time. Surprisingly, this is one of the smaller-scaled Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, but despite this, it is really engaging, with several acrobats being suspended over the audience!
Michael Jackson ONE follows the story of four “misfits” who set out on a journey into Michael Jackson’s world and music. By the end of the journey, they personify Jackson’s agility, courage, playfulness and love.
One of the best things about Michael Jackson ONE, is their incorporation of many disciplines that are not traditionally found in a circus, but are just as impressive, particularly the inclusion of the slackline discipline.
Who should see Michael Jackson ONE?
This show is undoubtedly best suited to people who are a fan of Michael Jackson. However, we don’t think you have to be a fan of Michael Jackson to enjoy the show.
One thing to note about this show is that it has a LOT of dancing, so if you are looking for more danger and high-flying acrobatics, Michael Jackson ONE may not appeal to you.
This show has one of the easiest storylines to follow, so perhaps children may enjoy it more than the more abstract shows such as “O”
Our personal experience seeing Michael Jackson ONE
We found Michael Jackson ONE to be extremely enjoyable overall. The set was cool, the dancing was great and we felt like it truly captured the essence of Micheal Jackson. It was fun and uplifting.
Despite enjoying the show, over time we have found that it really didn’t imprint onto us the same way many other Cirque shows have. I hate to say that it was almost a little forgettable. This is probably due to us not appreciating the dancing. Not to say that. it wasn’t good, there was just a little too much of it for our taste.
Although the whole point of this show is Michael Jacksons discography, we did feel like it lacked the heart of live musicians.
However, we wouldn’t hesitate to see this show again as one thing we do remember about this show is that we loved it!
The Beatles LOVE
Where: The Mirage
Price: from $69 (however typically over $90 for the cheapest seats if you book at the box office)
The Beatles LOVE show is centered around the Beatles and the legacy they have left behind. Its source material really dictates the narrative of this show and remains a key driving force throughout. The show’s story is loosely based on the story of the Beatles themselves, from the creation of the band to their eventual break-up.
The theatre used for this production has a central stage with seated surrounding it from every side, offering a completely unique viewing experience from each side. This theatre also boasts a state-of-the-art audio setup with a total of 6,351 speakers including 3 speakers fitting into every seat. Ideal for music lovers.
This show is particularly dance-heavy with significantly less dazzling acrobatics than the other shows. However, this show does have one stand-out moment – the roller skaters that fly high over ramps and really do uplift this show.
Who should see The Beatle LOVE?
This show is the perfect cirque do Soleil show in Las Vegas for Beatles fanatics. We believe it is best suited to an older generation who truly experienced the Beatles and their impact first-hand as the Beatles Love show may evoke some nostalgia.
If you are not a fan of the Beatles we do not recommend the show as quite frankly there are numerous better cirque shows.
We firmly believe this is the worst Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas and personally wouldn’t recommend it to anyone
Our personal experience seeing The Beatles LOVE
Although we have never seen a cirque show that we have disliked, we found the Beatles LOVE to be extremely disappointing. As the second most expensive Cirque do Soleil show in Las Vegas (after “O”) we were expecting great things. Alas, we left feeling a little short-changed.
Although there were a couple of standout acts – the roller skating in particular, the show lacked pace and was cluttered with mediocre dancers. We personally feel it lacked the wow factor that all the other shows possess. There was a solid period of time where the audience is covered by a huge parachute, we assumed a major set change was taking place, only to be disappointed with an empty stage when uncovered.
It is for that reason that we wouldn’t consider seeing this show again – even if we got the tickets for free.
Conclusion
Although, it is not the worst problem to have, picking the right show for you can be difficult. However, we hope after reading this post you’ll feel a little more enlightened! However, If you are still unsure which is the best Cirque du Soleil show to see in Las Vegas for you we have made a handy list to help you see what show you are most compatible with!
- Best value for money – Mystere
- For action and adventure lovers – Ka
- The biggest spectacle – “O”
- Best traditional circus – Mystere
- The funniest – Mad Apple / Mystere
- Best for families – Mystere
- The most unique show – “O”
- The Best storytelling – Ka
- For Music Lovers – Micheal Jackson ONE
- Best show to see if you have never seen a Cirque du Soleil show before – Mad Apple / Mystere
- The best staging – “O” / Ka
If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas and are looking for some more inspiration, why not check out a few of our other posts linked below.
Or best yet, to see all of our Las Vegas posts, click here
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