What this solves
Most show pickers list prices and call it analysis. That misses the actual decision: who is going, how much sitting-on-a-thin-cushion they can handle, and whether dinner is part of the plan. A $99 Michael Jackson ONE ticket means nothing if you have a 5-year-old who won't last 90 minutes in a dark theater. This picker walks through budget, group type, physical demand tolerance, and dinner inclusion, then returns ranked picks with reasoning.
Use it before you lock in the night. Each show is rated 1–5 in physical demand — a real number, not marketing copy — based on performance intensity, audience engagement, and length of act.
The decision tree
How to read the result
- Ranked picks are the top 3 shows matching your filters, with reasoning for each. The score is a rough match score (0–100) based on how many criteria align.
- Physical demand is rated 1–5 based on stage intensity, audience interaction, and length of high-impact acts. KÀ scores 5 (martial arts + vertical stage); Absinthe scores 2 (cabaret variety, mostly seated).
- Audience fit calls out age-appropriateness. Absinthe is 18+ and explicit; Tournament of Kings is family-friendly but kids under 4 sit too long.
- Dinner inclusion is rare on the Strip. Only Tournament of Kings includes a full meal (family-style, eaten with hands). Mad Apple includes pre-show appetizers and a slice of pizza but not dinner.
- Pricing disclaimer: 2026 baseline. Weekend, holiday, and premium-seat prices are 30–60% higher. Compare the second tier's price against the cost of a regular dinner + show ticket at another venue before booking.
Limitations
- Show closures and rotations: as of 2026, LOVE is winding down its Mirage residency (transitioning to a new venue), R.U.N. is closed, and several long-running Cirque shows have rotated acts. Always verify the show is currently running before committing.
- Physical demand is a rough heuristic, not a guarantee. "Low" demand means you won't be startled or physically engaged; it doesn't mean you'll like the show. Aesthetics, music taste, and cultural fit matter more than the rating suggests.
- Group type is binary in this calculator. A "couple with two teenage daughters" sits between family-teen and couple; pick whichever is closer and re-read the per-pick rationale.
- Pricing assumes center-orchestra midweek. Friday/Saturday premiums push KÀ and O above $250 easily. If you're booking weekend, multiply base prices by 1.4–1.6.
- This tool does not model new 2026 residencies (Foo Fighters at The Venetian, etc.) — those are concert residencies, not theater shows, and have separate pricing dynamics.
FAQ
Are Cirque shows worth the price?
O and KÀ are consistently rated worth it — the production values match the ticket cost. Mystère is the best value of the resident Cirque shows (under $100 for 90 minutes of acrobatics). ONE, LOVE, and Mad Apple are mid-tier — good shows, but not Cirque-tier value. Tournament of Kings is the budget pick — dinner + show under $80, but it isn't Cirque.
Is Absinthe family-friendly?
No. Absinthe is 18+, explicit, raunchy, and uses adult humor throughout. It's a fantastic cabaret show but inappropriate for any minors. Don't bring kids.
Which show is best for a 5-year-old?
Mystère is the right call: bright colors, comedic moments, ~90 minutes, and the audience is mixed family. Tournament of Kings is longer (2+ hours) but includes dinner — the kids get roped into cheering and the knights ride by. Both are good. Skip O and KÀ for under-10s — they're too dark, too long, and too intense.
What's the cheapest legit show on the Strip?
Tournament of Kings at Excalibur runs about $69–$79 with dinner included. That's the floor. Below $60, you're in the lounge-act category — magician, comedian, or tribute show — which is fine for casual entertainment but a different product than these.
Sources
- Las Vegas show ticket data, individual venue box offices, January 2026 sampling
- Cirque du Soleil official show listings and residency disclosures, 2026
- Las Vegas Review-Journal show review archives, 2024–2026
- TripAdvisor and Vegas Forum visitor demographic surveys, 2025–2026