Las Vegas is renowned for its resorts, casinos, restaurants, and varied entertainment options. While much of the entertainment comes with a price tag, Las Vegas has also always offered an array of free shows and attractions to lure in visitors. Here is an overview of the evolution of free entertainment in Las Vegas.
The Early Days
When the first resorts opened on the Las Vegas Strip in the 1940s, owners knew they needed entertainment to attract guests in between gambling. The El Rancho Vegas opened in 1941 and featured orchestras and dancing girls. The Hotel Last Frontier had cowboy stunt shows and a circus. These early shows were used as marketing hooks and didn’t require additional payment.
As casinos competed for customers in the 1950s, more elaborate stage shows were developed to bring in audiences. Production shows with costumed dancers, set designs, and choreographed numbers became a staple. Stars like the Rat Pack and Elvis Presley performed for free as an incentive for visitors to stay at their venues.
Outdoor Attractions
In 1959, the Bellagio resort unveiled an 8.5 acre lake in front with dancing fountains timed to music. The free fountain shows became an iconic draw, later enhanced in the 1990s. Caesars Palace debuted its Roman-themed “Festival Fountain” show in 1966, which ran for years at no cost.
Other free outdoor spectacles premiered along the Strip, like the flaming pirate ship battle at Treasure Island in 1993 and the Volcano eruption display at The Mirage in 1997. These lavish, choreographed shows attracted crowds without needing theater tickets.
While the Bellagio Fountains and Mirage Volcano live on, most free outdoor attractions had limited runs before being replaced by new efforts to continually lure tourists. The sinking pirate ship went away in 2003 while the Festival Fountain closed in 1998.
Free Concerts & Events
Outdoor concerts became another popular way for resorts to draw guests at no cost beyond parking fees. In 1967, Caesars Palace presented a free Beatles concert from a flatbed truck. Throughout the ’70s, big name acts like Three Dog Night and The Beach Boys played free sets, typically next to hotel pool areas.
As Las Vegas expanded, free concerts shifted to larger purpose-built venues. In 1983, the Gold Coast opened a 1,600 seat showroom designed for free concerts by headliners. In 1990, The Stratosphere built an outdoor amphitheater that has hosted free events like music festivals and fireworks shows.
Most Las Vegas resorts today offer some type of free recurring special event or concert series, especially in the summer months. Downtown’s Fremont Street Experience holds nightly free concerts on multiple stages. Pool parties featuring live DJs have also become a popular way for Vegas venues to draw young crowds.
Production Shows
While the costs of large production shows forced many theaters to implement ticket fees as early as the 1970s, a few free shows managed to survive as strong crowd pleasers. Sam’s Town opened in 1979 with a free Hollywood-style revue called Dreammakers. The show ran for an astounding 26 years until its final curtain call in 2006.
In 1989, Circus Circus debuted the world’s largest permanent circus. The hotel’s Midway stage hosts acrobats, trapeze artists, jugglers and other circus acts six times daily with no admission charge. Spectators can view the high-flying stunts from stadium seating. This seminal circus show continues to run today.
In 1993, the family-friendly Excalibur casino premiered Tournament of Kings, transporting audiences to a 10th century medieval feast and jousting match. The King Arthur-style dinner theater production ran free until 2013 when ticket fees were added. However, discounted tickets are available with any same-day Excalibur purchase.
Today’s Free Entertainment Offerings
While fewer shows offer unlimited free access compared to classic Vegas, visitors today can still find an array of entertainment at no cost beyond parking fees. Here are some of the top free options currently available.
Fountains of Bellagio
The beloved dancing fountains continue to wow audiences every 15-30 minutes in the Bellagio’s lake. This elegant water ballet is synchronized to an array of music from classical to Broadway tunes. Prime viewing is from the patio terrace near the hotel lobby.
Mirage Volcano
A crowd-pleasing recreation of a South Pacific tropical volcano, this iconic free show features fountains, fire effects, lights and music. “Eruptions” occur every hour from 7pm-11pm, each lasting around 5 minutes. Get up close views from the Mirage pool deck.
Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas is a pedestrian mall with an overhead video canopy that provides immersive multimedia shows every night on the hour. Free live music is also performed on multiple stages down the street.
Golden Nugget Atrium Show
A new free show called Hand of Faith plays in the Golden Nugget’s atrium. Acrobats, contortionists and high divers perform circus-style stunts above the lobby’s shark tank. There are two performances nightly except Sundays.
Bellagio Conservatory
The Bellagio’s stunning Conservatory transforms for each season with elaborate floral arrangements and scenes. Chinese New Year, spring, summer, fall and winter displays are assembled by a team of 120 horticulturists. Open 24/7 at no cost.
Circus Acts at Circus Circus
Trapeze flyers, jugglers, acrobats, high wire walkers and other circus performers amaze audiences daily at Circus Circus. Six free show times are offered with bench seating available on the Midway stage.
MGM Lion Habitat
MGM Grand provides a free educational opportunity to see lions in a naturalistic habitat. Public viewings are available daily when the lions are rotated into the glass-enclosed outdoor enclosure.
Aria Art Collection
Aria resort features a free artistic walking tour that highlights an expansive collection of sculptures, paintings, photography and installations throughout the property. Maps are available at hotel desk.
Wynn Conservatory
The Wynn hosts five seasonal floral displays each year conceived by their horticulture and floral design teams. Elaborate arrangements adorn ponds, trees and sculptures around the hotel entrance with no admission fee.
Aquarium at Silverton
Silverton casino offers a free 117,000 gallon aquarium featuring stingrays, sharks and over 4,000 tropical fish. Stroll through to see the marine life or take a guided tour offered daily.
Carnaval Court at Harrah’s
Harrah’s outdoor Carnaval Court hosts live music most nights including rock, blues, jazz and pop bands. Bench seating makes it easy to enjoy these free band performances.
While fewer spectacles in Vegas are completely free these days, visitors can still find an impressive array of entertainment at no cost beyond parking or resort fees. From dancing fountains to circus acts, free options abound for those looking to be amazed and entertained on any budget.
