Vegas Shows In December 2026
December last minute shows in Las Vegas are achievable due to rising holiday travel but a steady show calendar
Top Headliners and Residency Shows
| Performer | Venue & Dates |
|---|---|
| Backstreet Boys | Sphere · Dec 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 30, 31 |
| Bruno Mars | Dolby Live at Park MGM · Dec 18, 19, 23, 27, 30, 31 |
| Kelly Clarkson | The Colosseum · Dec 4, 5, 11, 12 |
| Jerry Seinfeld | The Colosseum · Dec 26, 27 |
| Mariah Carey | Dolby Live · Dec 9, 11, 12, 16 |
| Garth Brooks | The Colosseum · Dec 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 |
| Barry Manilow | Westgate · Dec 3–5, 10–12 |
| Romeo Santos | T-Mobile Arena · Dec 22 |
The month opens in full cowboy mode as Garth Brooks headlines the rodeo crowd, transforming shows at Caesars Palace into a sea of denim and applause. By midmonth, Mariah Carey takes over the Strip’s airwaves with her Christmastime residency, while the Backstreet Boys turn the Sphere into a digital snow globe, LED snowflakes swirling across the dome’s 16K display. Holiday harmonies blend with nostalgia as Bruno Mars and Kelly Clarkson close out their runs, leading into Jerry Seinfeld’s post-Christmas return and the explosive New Year’s Eve finale.
Best Shows by Category
Even as crowds shift from cowboys to concertgoers, December proves that Vegas runs best on spectacle—whether it’s pyrotechnics, precision, or pop classics.
Cirque du Soleil Shows
Winter belongs to the indoor stages. “O” at Bellagio remains the definitive Vegas experience, a humid underwater dream that feels especially inviting once the desert temperature drops into the 40s at night. Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay is trending upward again; fan reviews cite the “Beat It” sequence as the best choreography on the Strip this season. For those who’ve seen the Cirque staples, Awakening at Wynn pushes boundaries with holographic characters and mythic storytelling. Even Tournament of Kings at Excalibur embraces the season, reimagined as ‘Twas the Knight, complete with snow, carols, and medieval cheer.
Comedy Shows
December’s comedy scene plays to every audience: rodeo-goers, family travelers, and New Year’s Eve party crews. Jerry Seinfeld headlines The Colosseum just after Christmas, offering a classic contrast to the city’s sensory overload. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM Grand and Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club at LINQ fill their lineups with touring headliners and holiday-themed sets, while the L.A. Comedy Club at The STRAT riffs nightly on cowboy crowds and NYE chaos. By year’s end, laughter competes with fireworks as locals and visitors squeeze one more punchline into 2026.
Magic Shows
Vegas magic shows glow warmer in December’s chill. Shin Lim at The Venetian earns his strongest reviews of the year, his new “Snowfall” finale turns cardwork into cinematic art and floods social media with white confetti. David Copperfield at MGM Grand weaves nostalgia and illusion with a few seasonal flourishes, his storytelling syncing naturally with the holiday mood. For those craving a smaller stage and sharper edge, Banachek’s Mind Games at The STRAT proves that the quietest trick can outshine any firework. Each performance feels intimate in the cold season—the kind of magic best watched from close range, hands warmed around a cocktail.
Adult & Burlesque Shows
December after dark brings equal parts warmth and mischief. Absinthe at Caesars Palace thrives inside its heated tent, its blend of high-wire acts and unfiltered comedy now joined by playful holiday riffs. Magic Mike Live swaps summer swagger for sparkle in its Holiday Remix, turning the Sahara theater into a choreographed celebration built for group nights out. At The STRAT, Rouge adds festive touches—crimson lighting, jazz vocals, and a few carols turned sultry. It’s Vegas dressed in velvet: familiar, funny, and never predictable.
Family-Friendly Shows
The season’s family lineup sparkles from afternoon to midnight. Inside The Sphere, The Wizard of Oz reaches full stride; its immersive “poppy field” sequence, scented and synchronized to winter wind effects, leaves audiences awestruck. Over at The Smith Center, The Nutcracker from Nevada Ballet Theatre anchors local tradition, while Tournament of Kings delivers its ‘Twas the Knight dinner spectacular for kids and adults alike. For rhythm and color, Blue Man Group and Jabbawockeez offer late afternoon escapes from the chill—both running holiday-edition finales that mix humor, music, and surprise snowfall.
December Show Dates With Most and Least Options
December follows a familiar alternating rhythm. Some nights run lighter and favor easier decisions and value, while others land in a stronger “standard peak” range that supports flexibility and late planning. One date stands apart due to expanded holiday programming.
Across the month, December averages about 46–47 shows per night, with most dates falling into either a lighter band (low-40s) or a fuller band (high-40s).
Slower days
If you’re a traveler looking to enjoy a show on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday, these dates are a natural fit if you don’t need the broadest possible selection.
- 📅 December 1 (Tuesday)
- 📅 December 3 (Thursday)
- 📅 December 6 (Sunday)
- 📅 December 8 (Tuesday)
- 📅 December 10 (Thursday
- 📅 December 13 (Sunday
- 📅 December 15 (Tuesday)
- 📅 December 17 (Thursday
- 📅 December 20 (Sunday)
- 📅 December 22 (Tuesday)
- 📅 December 24 (Thursday)
- 📅 December 27 (Sunday)
- 📅 December 29 (Tuesday)
Dates with the most options
The good news is that most December nights fall into a moderate or fuller tier, typically landing around 48–50 shows to choose from. Fridays and Saturdays reliably land in this band, making them dependable choices for visitors who want variety without needing a special event night.
- 📅 December 2
- 📅 December 4–5
- 📅 December 7
- 📅 December
- 📅 December 11–12
- 📅 December 14
- 📅 December 16
- 📅 December 18–19
- 📅 December 21
- 📅 December 23
- 📅 December 25–26
- 📅 December 28
- 📅 December 30
December Dark Weeks
December’s citywide calendar remains broad, but targeted maintenance windows and one-off dark dates can affect specific productions — especially mid-month and early December.
Cirque du Soleil — December 2026
“O” (Bellagio)
- Weekly Dark Days: Monday & Tuesday
- December Dark Dates: December 6–8
Mystère (Treasure Island)
- Weekly Dark Days: Wednesday & Thursday
- December Dark Date: December 22
KÀ (MGM Grand)
- Weekly Dark Days: Thursday & Friday
- December Status: Running as normal
MJ ONE (Mandalay Bay)
- Weekly Dark Days: Tuesday & Wednesday
- December Status: Running as normal
Mad Apple (New York-New York)
- Weekly Dark Days: Sunday & Monday
- December Status: Running as normal
Production & Variety Shows
Blue Man Group (Luxor)
- December Dark Date: December 2
Awakening (Wynn Las Vegas)
- Weekly Dark Days: Wednesday & Thursday
- December Status: Running as normal
Jabbawockeez (MGM Grand)
- Weekly Dark Days: Tuesday & Wednesday
- December Status: Running as normal
Tournament of Kings (Excalibur)
- Weekly Dark Day: Tuesday
- December Status: Running as normal
Magic & Variety Specials
David Copperfield (MGM Grand)
- December Status: No December dark period listed.
Penn & Teller (Rio)
- Weekly Dark Days: Tuesday & Wednesday
- December Status: No December break listed.
Where To See Shows In December
December’s demand footprint shifts as different travel drivers take over.
- Week 1 leans toward the Convention Center corridor, influenced by MJBizCon.
- Weeks 2 and 3 see demand spread more evenly across the Strip, with evening entertainment becoming the main focus.
- Week 4 maintains Strip-wide activity as New Year’s approaches, without collapsing into a single congestion zone.
For show planning, early December carries more convention-adjacent pressure, while mid-to-late December distributes demand more evenly across major resort areas.ormances earlier and keep one or two flexible options in your back pocket, especially if you’re aiming for the same corridor that’s experiencing the highest demand.