From world-class casinos to unmatched nightlife, incredible restaurants and dazzling entertainment, Las Vegas offers a veritable feast for the senses. If you’ve ever played online bingo, online slots or online poker, you will have had a small taste of the thrill. But what makes Vegas what it is? It’s the people, the places and most importantly, the shows!
For those who wonder “what’s the longest-running show in Vegas” or who just want to take in some of the best shows that have stood the test of time, we take a look at some of the oldest shows in the City of Light which have made it the magnificent experience it is.
Les Folies Bergère
Venue: Tropicana
Run: 49 years
Las Vegas is famous for many things, from its incredible casinos and world-class casino table games to wild parties and more than 50 wedding chapels. But the entertainment capital of the world would be incomplete without a long and rich history of showgirls and Les Folies Bergère has certainly made its mark on the Strip.
The glamorous revue was a hotspot in Vegas for nearly half a century, having opened its doors in 1959 at the Tropicana hotel and casino. It stands as the longest-running show in Las Vegas history and many high-end celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, have seen it. There have been 29,000 performances during Les Folies Bergère’s 49-year run and at the final show in 2009, long-term choreographer and director, Jerry Jackson, gave thanks to “the thousands of performers who have entertained millions of people.” It is the longest-running show on our list and has played more than a decade longer than some of the other shows in town. If it were still running, it would definitely be on our list of top ten shows in Vegas.
Legends in Concert
Venues: Imperial Palace/Flamingo/Tropicana
Run: 39 years
Legends in Concert is known as the “pioneer of live tribute shows” and opened on the Strip in 1983. The show brings some of the most iconic artists to the stage – from country singers Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash, to musical legends Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, and pop stars such as Lady Gaga and Adele.
But this isn’t just your average tribute show. Legends in Concerts is as professional and close to the real thing as you could possibly get and has won a number of awards over the years. The performers are made to look like the star they’re paying tribute to and are backed by talented singers, dancers and a live orchestra with elaborate theatrical sets, a full range of special effects and spectacular costumes.
The show has seen its fair share of the Strip, having first opened its doors at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino – for what was only meant to be a six-week run – and moving to the Flamingo 30 years later, debuting an all-new residency at Tropicana in 2019. Over the past 39 years, more than 35 million people have enjoyed the shows, including some of the legends themselves, who have come to watch their own tribute show!
However, the change in ownership of the Tropicana meant the show came to an end in 2022. With no signs that it may find another home any time soon, the curtain remains closed on this beloved Vegas legend. At least for now.
Jubilee!
Venues: MGM Grand/Bally’s
Run: 34 years
Another staple on the Strip was Jubilee!, the quintessential Vegas showgirl extravaganza, which will go down in history as the last showgirl production in the city – for now, at least. For decades, Jubilee! entertained thousands of visitors with its incredible dancers dressed in rhinestones (up to 22lbs’ worth in a costume) and giant feathered headpieces (up to 2ft tall) at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino – later Bally’s Las Vegas.
Originally produced by Donn Arden for $10 million, the over-the-top show demanded the best of everything – performers, costumes and set. The Jubilee! showgirls became an icon of Las Vegas, with the classic singing, dancing and glitz that could only come out of this famous fun-loving city.
While Jubilee! may not be running anymore, you can entertain your palette with great celebrity chefs at Wolfgang Puck and Joël Robuchon at the Grand before you enjoy many of the other great shows that they have on offer.
Tournament of Kings
Venue: Excalibur
Run: 33 years and counting
For those who enjoy watching shows in Vegas, MGM Resorts presents Tournament of Kings at Excalibur Hotel and Casino in a 900-seat theater-in-the-round arena. This is a luxurious interactive dinner show that spares no expense. The audience gets to travel back to medieval times in an adaptation of the story of King Arthur and enjoy a tasty feast fit for a king and unlimited drinks throughout the event.
Since 1990, the popular live-action dinner show has offered viewers the opportunity to be immersed in a rowdy and royal affair, with epic jousting matches (we’re not kidding,) raucous crowds and pure, unadulterated fun. There’s certainly no other show quite like Tournament of Kings, that’s for sure!
Mystère by Cirque du Soleil
Venue: Treasure Island
Run: 30 years and counting
Having debuted at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in 1993, Mystère is one of six resident Cirque du Soleil shows exclusive to Las Vegas and is the company’s longest-running show. It’s one of Vegas’ most popular events, featuring incredible acrobatics, theatrical performances, music and dance, opera and elaborate costumes and sets. Viewers will be kept on the edge of their seats with the thrilling trapeze act and much, much more in this award-winning spectacular.
O by Cirque du Soleil
Venue: The Bellagio
Run: 25 years and counting
The second entry from Cirque du Soleil on our list, O (which is pronounced the same way as the French word for water) is a fantastical water-themed spectacle that first began in October of 1998 at The Bellagio Hotel. This show, which aims to embrace the “infinity and the elegance of water’s pure form,” has wowed audiences with its incredible variety of acts that take place in the air, on the ground and in the specially designed 1.5 million-gallon pool. The cast of 85 highly trained artists performs using aerial hoops, fire, trapeze and many more items to entertain you from start to finish.
Cirque du Soleil has received numerous awards for this heart-stopping show, including:
- Entertainment Design Award, best production show
- Las Vegas Review-Journal, best production show
- THEA award, live show
While we would love this to be one of the incredible Vegas day shows, those interested in catching this visual feast will need to do so at night.
Penn and Teller
Venue: Rio
Run: 22 years and counting
No duo is more intimately associated with Las Vegas than Penn and Teller in their hilarious performance which has been described as an “outrageous blending of magic and comedy.” The duo has been performing together since 1975 and first appeared in Vegas in 1993 before headlining at the Rio in 2001. And they’ve been there ever since, which makes theirs the longest-running show at the Rio. Affectionately known as the “Bad Boys of Magic,” Penn and Teller combine their intelligence and humor in an entertaining show in which they actually reveal the secret to their tricks! Each ticket includes a meet-and-greet after the show and fans are highly involved, making each show absolutely unique and guaranteeing the audience always has a good time.
Donny and Marie Osmand
Venue: Flamingo
Run: 11 years
If you thought singers such as Britney Spears, Elton John, Celine Dion or even Liberace had the longest residencies in the City of Lights, you’d be mistaken. Las Vegas residency history shows brother-sister duo Donny and Marie Osmond performed at the Flamingo in Las Vegas for 11 years, clocking 2,557 days (which beats Elton’s 1,864.) The country singers rose to international fame and kept the showroom packed throughout their residency, which ended in 2019. It’s a shame they didn’t quite make the cut for our list of famous Las Vegas personalities.
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