VisitLasVegas
Blog

Sit back, relax and prepare to be mesmerized by world-renowned magicians and illusionists in the entertainment capital of the world.

Two of the most well-known magicians of their time, Penn & Teller, draw large crowds with a unique mix of comedy and magic involving knives, guns, fire, a showgirl and so much more at the Rio Hotel.  Known as the "Bad Boys of Magic" for supposedly revealing secrets to their tricks, these magicians still manage to leave you guessing.

Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops theaters play host to a plethora of comedians and entertainers. One eccentric magician whose strange sense of humor and unusual stage antics have earned him recognition by the International Magic Awards for "Best Comedy Magician," The Amazing Johnathan tantalizes audiences with his adult-themed show at the Harmon Theater.  New to Vegas, illusionist Michael Turco, who had a recent stint on NBC's America's Got Talent, is set to bring his new show to the Saxe Theater on February 16; he'll team up with Dancing with the Stars dancer Lacey Schwimmer, who choreographs the show!  Finally, back after a 10-year hiatus, the first female magician to have her own headlining magic show on the Strip during the 1990s, Melinda - First Lady of Magic, launches her comeback as an act in V - The Ultimate Variety Show.

Nathan Burton is sure to turn a few heads in his production at the Flamingo that offers an action-packed magic show that's great for the entire family. Criss Angel's BELIEVE by Cirque du Soleil at Luxor takes you deep inside the creative and mythical world of imagination in this fairy tale performance. Mind reader and prankster Mike Hammer will leave you on the edge of your seat with his double-edged razor-blade swallowing trick at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino, while Mac King will have you laughing out loud at his quirky sense of humor and visual gags at Harrah's.

Don't miss Magic of Paris at the Paris Hotel and Casino to see (or not see) illusionist Stephane Vanel. Also, the new Vegas Magic Theatre at Gold Coast features magician Ben Stone and a variety of entertainers ranging from illusionists, comedy magicians and variety acts - every week is a different show! Finally, catch a glimpse of Dirk Arthur's show, Wild Magic, at O'Shea's Casino for the rare opportunity to see him interact with 400- to 600-pound Siberian tigers!

Get ready to be amazed and ask yourself "How'd they do that?!" Book your trip today and see the world's greatest magicians day and night, only in Vegas.

Have you ever wondered how Cirque du Soleil artists are chosen and train for a particular show, or how state-of-the-art technology is used to enhance a performance? These questions and many more were answered for hundreds of Cirque fans during behind-the-scenes special events held Dec. 1-10 as part of Cirque Week in Las Vegas.

Those who purchased an event package were invited to enjoy behind-the-scenes Q&As, meet and greet opportunities with performers, technology demonstrations, exclusive dress rehearsal viewings and more. For those interested in learning more about the Cirque du Soleil lifestyle, the company hosted a "business side of Cirque" seminar, to teach fans how performers are recruited and train for various shows.

The week started off with an "O" workshop at Bellagio Hotel, where participants learned how to mime and clown their way across the stage by an "O" performer. Did you know that the onstage pool at "O" holds 1.5 million gallons, takes eight hours to drain and is set at 88 degrees? That's one big hot tub! Cirque fans were also invited to sit in on a live rehearsal for Zumanity at New York New York Hotel, and had the opportunity to meet Criss Angel after his performance at the Luxor Hotel.

For fans interested in the acrobatic side of Cirque du Soleil, many had the opportunity to learn how artists perform upside down in the VIVA Elvis show at ARIA Resort, and how artists are constantly changing up the famous battle scene in MGM Grand's resident Cirque du Soleil show "KA."  Did you know that the "sand" in KA's beach scene is made of granulated cork?

Next, attendees were treated with an up-close demonstration of the most technically advanced Cirque du Soleil stage in Las Vegas, the Beatles LOVE stage at the Mirage Resort. The 130 Beatles songs in the LOVE soundtrack are played through hundreds of speakers embedded in theater seats and walls. Plus, attendees could watch a bungee demo and see the one-of-a-kind costumes up close and personal during the Mystére Q&A at Treasure Island.

The week of events wrapped up with a tribute to the late King of Pop with the Las Vegas debut of Michael Jackson - The Immortal World Tour at Mandalay Bay Resort.  This new tribute production plays through Tuesday, December 27.

      Spend New Year's Eve in Las Vegas and you'll have endless opportunities for excitement and revelry - no place throws a party like Vegas, after all.

     But before the fun begins, it's time to make a New Year's resolution. Not one of those lofty, unrealistic resolutions that you forget about, either. Here's one you should keep.

     Go to LasVegas.com/knowthecode and take the oath before your New Year's celebrations. It's your commitment to Protect the Moment when you are in Las Vegas and will ensure you and others won't irresponsibly overshare this New Year's Eve and beyond.

     Nearly 30,000 have joined the movement to Know the Code, so become a part of this elite fraternity. Then, book your trip to Vegas this year New Year's and catch Guns N' Roses at the Hard Rock, John Legend at the Palms or Stevie Wonder at the Cosmopolitan.  Headliners including magicians David Copperfield at MGM Grand, Criss Angel at Luxor, or Dirk Arthur at O'Sheas will leave you speechless into the new year.

     You can also see Bruno Mars perform at The Bank at the Bellagio, Fergie host at the opening of 1OAK Nightclub at The Mirage, LMFAO at Haze inside ARIA Resort, and many other special New Year's Eve nightlife events.

     Know the code and have the time of your life this New Year's Eve in Las Vegas!

In this week's Vegas Minute, who you can see below or on our official YouTube channel, you'll have to see it to Believe as Criss Angel talks about the two-year anniversary of his Cirque du Soleil show at the Luxor. Also, don't miss the Black Keys at the Cosmopolitan. Vegas Minute produced by http://www.vegas.com.