Thing to do
High Roller Observation Wheel
550-foot observation wheel at The LINQ on the Center Strip, with 28 cabins that complete a full rotation in about 30 minutes.
“O” by Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil's original water show, resident at Bellagio since the resort opened in 1998, performed in and around a 1.5 million gallon pool.
At a glance
- Type
- Aquatic acrobatic show
- Area
- The Strip (Bellagio), Las Vegas, United States
- Official site
- cirquedusoleil.com
Good to know
- 90 minutes
- No intermission
- Minimum age 5
Why we recommend it
"O" is Cirque du Soleil's original water show and one of the longest-running productions in Las Vegas. It opened on 15 October 1998, the same day as the Bellagio resort, and it has played in its purpose-built theatre at Bellagio ever since. Said aloud, the name sounds like the French word for water, "eau", and the whole production is built around water.
The pool is 25 feet deep, holds 17 feet of water and contains around 1.5 million gallons. Cirque du Soleil says 75 artists and 130 technicians are needed to stage each performance, including eight Olympians, seven of them artistic swimmers and one a diver, while 14 scuba divers work out of sight beneath the surface. The scale of the operation is part of what makes the show memorable.
The show runs for 90 minutes with no interval. The minimum age is five, and Cirque du Soleil notes that loud sounds and periods of darkness may frighten some children, so it suits older children, couples and adults most. Check the official schedule for performance days and times, and book well ahead, particularly for weekends and holidays.
The theatre seats around 1,800 people, so even seats further back give a good sense of the scale of the stage. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to find your seats and allow for crowds in the resort. Many people make a full evening of it, with dinner at Bellagio before the show.
Bellagio itself is worth exploring before the show. The resort's Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, next to the lobby, are free to visit and change through five seasonal themes during the year, and the lobby ceiling is covered by Dale Chihuly's glass sculpture Fiori di Como, made from more than 2,000 pieces of coloured glass. Both are free and take only a few minutes to see, so they make an easy addition to an evening at the theatre. If you are seeing the show on a hot summer evening, the resort's air-conditioned spaces make a comfortable place to wait before the doors open.
The theatre is inside Bellagio on the central Strip, so it is easy to combine a performance with the Fountains of Bellagio outside, the free Conservatory and Botanical Gardens next to the lobby, or dinner at one of the resort's restaurants. Tickets can be booked through Cirque du Soleil's website or the box office, which lists a dedicated phone number.
“O” by Cirque du Soleil FAQs
How long is "O"?
90 minutes with no intermission.
What is the minimum age?
Five years old; loud sounds and darkness may frighten some children.
Where is the show?
In its own theatre inside Bellagio on the central Strip.
When did "O" open?
On 15 October 1998, the same day as Bellagio.
How big is the pool?
It is 25 feet deep and holds around 1.5 million gallons of water.
Do I need to book?
Yes, booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends and holidays.
How many performers are involved?
Cirque du Soleil says 75 artists and 130 technicians are needed, with 14 scuba divers working behind the scenes.
How do I contact the box office?
Cirque du Soleil lists the box office phone number as +1 702-693-7075.