There are a number of free shows that go on around Las Vegas. A number of them you are likely to have heard of Including the Bellagio fountains and the volcano at the Mirage. Others are more hidden away such as the Lake of Dreams at the Wynn resort. Also, those venturing off strip can check out the famous Fremont Street Experience downtown and the less well known Sunset Stampede at Sam’s Town.
Free shows on the Strip:
Bellagio Fountains: The most iconic free show on the strip. It is easy to get a good view for free from the strip, for evening shows in particular people arrive early, but as the shows are every 15 minutes in the evening it is easy enough to stay for two shows and shuffle forward for the second when people leave.
Show times:
Monday – Friday 3pm – 7pm every half an hour. 7pm – Midnight every 15 minutes.
Saturday and Sunday 12pm – 7pm every half an hour. 7pm – Midnight every 15 minutes.
You can see the Bellagio fountains from Fountain facing rooms at the Bellagio. Also from some rooms at Cosmopolitan, Paris, Planet Hollywood, The Cromwell, and to a lesser extent Caesar’s Palace and Flamingo. There are also a number of restaurants at Bellagio that have fountain views (see my restaurant section) and Mon Ami Gabi and Sugar Factory Brasserie at Paris are also good spots.
Mirage Volcano: The Mirage volcano is another iconic Las Vegas site. You can see the volcano erupt from the strip and also from outside the Mirage front doors near the valet parking point.
The Mirage Volcano starts at 7pm and then erupts every hour on the hour until the last show at 11pm.
Lake of Dreams: The Lake of Dreams is a much lesser known free show, that is actually fantastic. It is at the Wynn, inside the casino near to the Parasol bar.
It is more difficult to get a glimpse of the lake of dreams. You can see it for free at a couple of viewing points inside the Wynn that are clearly marked either side of the Parasol Bar. The best way to see the show is to get a seat at the outside terrace of the Parasol bar and stay for a drink. There are also two restaurants that have terraces with views of the show, these are Lakeside and SW steakhouse.
The show begins at dusk and plays every half an hour until 12:30am, each show is different, so try and stay for more than one.
Fall of Atlantis at Caesar’s Palace: A roman themed pyrotechnic/moving statues/water show that is based in the maze that is Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops. The show takes place every hour on the hour.
Miracle Mile shows: The Miracle Mile shopping mall next to Planet Hollywood has some small shows that add to your shopping enjoyment. There is a huge fountain that explodes with colour changing fog every hour on the hour from 12pm – 11pm and in part of the mall it rains (sectioned off so you don’t get wet) Monday – Thursday every hour on the hour 1am – 11pm and also Friday, Saturday and Sunday every half past each hour as well.
Big Elvis (Elvis tribute act): A slightly different type of free show, but my favourite, so wanted to give it a flag up. Big Elvis has been on the strip for many years, he used to play at Bill’s Gamblin hall before it became The Cromwell, but is now at Harrah’s in the Piano bar. You can find The Piano bar at the front of the casino near to the exit to carnival court. This is always an excellent show and he sings many of the great hits and has an excellent voice, it is a great way to feel the old school Vegas vibe.
All you have to do is buy a drink at the piano bar and the show is free (please don’t be one of the annoying people that tries to stand by the door to watch the show without buying a drink, the bar staff will come over and move you on and it is extremely annoying and distracting for the people who are trying to enjoy the show properly – rant over)!..
Showtimes are 2pm, 3pm and 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Downtown:
Fremont Street Experience: The Fremont Street Experience is on Fremont street downtown. It is an electronic video canopy and sound system extending down the entire street and plays various shows during the evening.
The current shows are – 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and Midnight with an extra 1am show most Friday and Saturdays. Each show is based on a different band, such as Queen. For more details on each show visit their website –
Off/Near Strip:
Circus Circus: Starting from 11am daily at Carnival Midway in Circus Circus there are various Circus performances. These include Trapeze Artists, Acrobats, Slack wire, Juggling, Roller skaters, BMX riders, and clowns.
Sunset Stampede at Sam’s Town: Sam’s Town has a huge conservatory in the middle where a lot of their restaurants are situated and also the registration desk. At various times of the day the animatronic residents of the conservatory which is themed on a forest come to life. In the evening there is also a laser show to accompany this. More designed for children it is fun all the same. Some of Sam’s Town guests rooms also overlook the show.
Shows at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm and 10pm.
Aquarium and Mermaids at Silverton: Silverton Casino south of the strip has a couple of family friendly shows. It has a 117,000 gallon reef aquarium that has interactive feeding shows by a marine biologist at 1:30pm and 4:30pm daily.
In addition the ‘Silverton Mermaids’ synchronized swimmers swim in the tank Thursdays 2:15pm – 8:45pm and Friday and Saturday 2:15pm – 9:45pm. Sunday 11:30am – 6:45pm.