Aria’s Cirque du Soleil production, “Zarkana,” on April 30 performedits final show, marking the beginning of the end of an era in the entertainment capital of the world.
While MGM executives insist Cirque shows remain an integral part of their properties’ live entertainment options, the resort giant’s recent actions indicate anything but.
Aria plans to replace the “Zarkana” theater with a convention center. And the advent of the 20,000-seat T-Mobile arena and the ongoing construction of the 5,000-seat Monte Carlo Theater concretize what we at LavishVegas.com have been saying for over a year—Cirque is out; divas are in.
MGM is not alone as many long-running Vegas acts have either shut down or reached their twilight.
Bally’s “Jubilee” closed in February 2016 after a 34-year tenure—Sin City’s longest. Several other burlesque shows have followed suit since. “Rock of Ages” was demoted from its stage at the Venetian to the Strip’s back alley, the Rio. And those surviving are doing so by being niche players—like Steve Wynn’s “ShowStoppers”—or have adapted for modern audiences—like Luxor’s “Fantasy.”
As popular tastes evolve, these traditional Las Vegas production shows are being pushed out and replaced by resident artists.
Since “Jubilee” left, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Reba, Brooks and Dunn, and even Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane joined the Vegas scene. Britney Spears revamped her act in February 2016. And several other popular artists—like Carlos Santana and Elton John—extended their contracts.
Unfortunately, the enduring popularity of such performers and the limited number of shows each year have pushed ticket prices through the roof (many shows now average over $150; some tickets have a face value of more than $300) and made discounts fewer and harder to find.
Check out any of the options below to find the best prices and discounts on tickets and make your Vegas experience not only memorable, but affordable.
Compare prices on LavishVegas.com
Click here to compare show prices from several websites at once—including headliners, magic acts, Cirque du Soleil, and adult shows.
Vegas.com
This Vegas vacation booking site regularly rotates offers. Right now, they are offering:
- Free High Roller Tickets (the ferris wheel at the Linq) with the purchase of show tickets: Click here
- Free show tickets with the purchase of any air+hotel packages: Click here
- Save 5% on any order over $250 using their SAVE5 code (some exclusions, see site for details): Click here
Tix4Tonight
Check out one of their ten booths along the Strip or visit their website. They often discount tickets by as much as 30 to 50 percent. Just be aware you will need to be flexible. They may not always have the show you’ve been looking most forward to and they may not have the seats you wanted. A service fee will be added.
Don’t Rely on the Venue
In the past, show venues themselves often offered deals, but this practice is becoming rarer and rarer—especially when people are willing to pay hundreds of dollars a ticket. And when they do offer deals, you often pay heavy convenience fees.
Instead of going to the venue, check out the homepage for the actual event. For example, Cirque du Soleil’s website lists their active shows on a single page, advertising different discounts depending on a show’s location.
Book a Package
Before selecting a hotel, decide which show you most want to see. Most hotels hosting headliners offer a room and a show package. For example, Paris offers a “Jersey Boys” package that includes two mezzanine tickets with one or more nights of accommodation.
Be sure to read the fine print on all packages. You may need to contact the box office immediately after booking to reserve your seats.
