Cirque du Soleil Shows in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has four permanent Cirque du Soleil shows: "O" at Bellagio, Mystère at Treasure Island, KÀ at MGM Grand and Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay. From aquatic wonders to martial arts epics, these shows represent decades of artistic innovation along the Strip. The lineup runs from Mystère, open since 1993, to Michael Jackson ONE, which opened in 2013. All four admit children, though minimum ages vary by show.
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"O" at Bellagio
Cirque's flagship Vegas show plays inside Bellagio's purpose-built theater. "O" transforms a 1.5-million-gallon pool into an aquatic stage where synchronized swimmers, high divers, and acrobats create dreamlike sequences in and above the water. Opened in 1998, this production has welcomed more than 20 million spectators and features 75 artists supported by 130 technicians and 14 scuba divers working behind the scenes.
The stagecraft is the main draw. Eight Olympic athletes currently perform in the cast, bringing elite athletic backgrounds to each gravity-defying sequence. Water depth varies throughout performances as hydraulic platforms rise and descend, creating seamless transitions between aquatic and aerial acts.
Which Cirque show features water acrobatics in Vegas? "O" at Bellagio showcases synchronized swimmers, divers, and acrobats performing in a 1.5-million-gallon pool with a depth reaching 25 feet during certain sequences.
How long has "O" by Cirque du Soleil been running? "O" premiered October 15, 1998, alongside Bellagio's grand opening, making it one of the longest-running productions on the Las Vegas Strip.
How old do kids have to be to see "O"? Children must be at least 5 years old to attend "O" performances, though the production includes loud sounds and darkness that may startle some younger audience members.
Bellagio also houses The Vault, one of the best speakeasies in Las Vegas.
Mystère at Treasure Island
The original Cirque du Soleil Vegas residency continues entertaining audiences after more than three decades at Treasure Island. Mystère debuted December 25, 1993, and set the template for the permanent shows that followed on the Strip. The show features 67 performers delivering high-energy acrobatics, taiko drumming, and fantastical character work exploring themes of mystery and wonder.
Mystère has won the Las Vegas Review-Journal's "Best Production Show" award eight times. Expect Chinese poles, aerial cubes and bungee acts, all in bright, outlandish costumes. Unlike newer Cirque productions with narrative arcs, Mystère invites personal interpretation of its mythological journey through visual poetry.
Is Mystère appropriate for young children? Mystère welcomes all ages, though strobe lighting and loud theatrical effects may affect sensitive viewers; children under 1 attend free on a guardian's lap.
What makes Mystère different from other Cirque Vegas shows? Mystère focuses on pure acrobatic spectacle and visual wonder rather than structured storytelling, creating an interpretive experience through mythical characters and gravity-defying feats.
Where does Mystère perform in Las Vegas? Mystère performs at its own theater at Treasure Island, built for the show when it opened in 1993.
KÀ at MGM Grand
KÀ is Cirque's most ambitious Vegas show, built around a 360-degree rotating stage that cost $165 million to develop. Premiering February 2005 at MGM Grand, KÀ tells the epic story of separated twins navigating love, conflict, and destiny through martial arts choreography and aerial combat sequences. Director Robert Lepage created Cirque's first narrative-driven production, breaking from abstract visual poetry into structured storytelling.
The KÀ Theatre lacks conventional stage flooring, instead featuring massive platforms that float, tilt, and rotate through a seemingly bottomless performance space. Speakers embedded in every seat deliver spatial audio that tracks character movement across the dynamic stage. Approximately 80 performers deliver martial arts, acrobatics, and pyrotechnics in one of the most technically sophisticated live shows ever produced. MGM Grand also houses Restaurant Joël Robuchon, one of the top luxury Las Vegas restaurants.
What story does KÀ by Cirque du Soleil tell? KÀ follows imperial twins separated during wartime who must navigate dangerous journeys while encountering love, conflict, and destiny before reuniting to fulfill their shared purpose.
How does KÀ's stage technology work? The KÀ Theatre features platforms that rotate 360 degrees, tilt to vertical positions, and move through space without traditional flooring, creating battlefield and cliff-face sequences impossible elsewhere.
How old do kids have to be to see KÀ? Children must be at least 3 years old to attend KÀ, though martial arts combat sequences and pyrotechnic effects may be intense for younger viewers.
Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay
Cirque's most dance-driven show, a tribute to the King of Pop, premiered in June 2013 at Mandalay Bay. Michael Jackson ONE features 63 performers recreating iconic moves while aerial acrobats and visual storytelling explore themes of unity, creativity, and transformation. The show has surpassed 5 million attendees, earning critical praise from Rolling Stone as "a virtual parade of 'wow' moments."
Nine LED panels and speakers built into every seat put the audience inside the show. The narrative follows four misfit characters guided by Jackson's spirit toward discovering their unique potential. The show has since added diabolo artists performing to "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and drones that carry the action out over the audience.
What Michael Jackson songs appear in the ONE show? Michael Jackson ONE features over 30 songs including "Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Smooth Criminal," "Beat It," and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with specially reimagined arrangements.
How does Michael Jackson ONE use sound technology? Every seat has built-in speakers, so the music surrounds you instead of coming only from the stage.
How old do kids have to be to see Michael Jackson ONE? Children under 5 cannot attend Michael Jackson ONE, and guests under 16 must be accompanied by adults during all performances.
What acrobatic shows are in Las Vegas? Las Vegas has four permanent Cirque du Soleil acrobatic shows: "O" at Bellagio, Mystère at Treasure Island, KÀ at MGM Grand and Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay.
Mad Apple at New York-New York (Closed Sept. 2026)
Mad Apple, Cirque's adults-only mix of comedy, acrobatics, live music, and nightlife energy at New York-New York, played its final show Sept. 5, 2026, after more than four years and over 1.2 million guests. It debuted in May 2022 in the former Zumanity theater, with a bar built into the stage where guests mingled with the cast before showtime. The four productions above are the Cirque shows still running on the Strip.
Before a show, grab a sweet treat at one of the best bakeries in Las Vegas.
Plan Your Cirque du Soleil Experience with Miimu
Four permanent Cirque du Soleil productions offer something for every Vegas visitor, from all-ages Mystère to the martial arts epic of KÀ. Whether it's your first trip or you're back for the shows you missed, it helps to keep tickets, showtimes and dinner reservations in one place. Sign up for Miimu to save this guide into a living Vegas entertainment bundle, add show schedules alongside restaurant bookings, and keep everything accessible for upcoming Strip adventures without endless browser tabs.
For the rest of the trip, see our guide to Las Vegas.
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