Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Shows

What Shows Are Playing at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas

Planet Hollywood balances scale better than most Strip resorts. You’ll find massive headline productions here, but also intimate shows in Las Vegas where you’re close enough to see the performers’ expressions — sometimes close enough to end up on stage.

Criss Angel: Mindfreak

This is Planet Hollywood’s most polarizing show, and that’s by design.

Mindfreak is dark, loud, and aggressive in tone, built around Criss Angel’s industrial-rock persona rather than classic magician mystique. The illusions are big and heavily produced, backed by surround sound, strobe lighting, and pyrotechnics that feel closer to a rock concert than a theater show.

First-timers are often surprised by just how intense it is. Volume levels are high, the lighting can be disorienting, and the mood stays deliberately edgy throughout.

Works best for: fans of modern illusion, spectacle-driven shows, and Angel’s brand
You may want to skip if: you prefer traditional magic shows, are sensitive to loud environments, or are traveling with younger kids

V — The Ultimate Variety Show

This is one of the most straightforward, reliable variety shows in Las Vegas.

Rather than telling a story, V moves quickly from act to act acrobatics, comedy, juggling, specialty performers — all stitched together by an energetic emcee. The pacing is fast, and the show rarely lingers long enough for attention to wander.

Because it plays in a small theater, the experience feels personal regardless of seat location.

Works best for: families, mixed-age groups, budget-conscious travelers
You may want to skip if: you’re looking for a single headline act or a high-budget Cirque-style production

The Mentalist (Gerry McCambridge)

This show succeeds by staying small.

Rather than relying on big illusions, The Mentalist is built around audience interaction, psychological tricks, and a surprising amount of humor. Much of the show depends on reading the room, which makes every performance slightly different.

If you sit toward the front, expect to be involved. That’s part of the appeal — but also something to be aware of.

Works best for: skeptics, couples, and fans of clever, intimate entertainment
You may want to skip if: audience participation makes you uncomfortable or you’re expecting flashy visuals

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater

This is one of the few shows on the Strip that feels unapologetically wholesome.

Featuring a cast of rescued animals — cats, dogs, birds — the show leans more toward classic circus-style performance than modern Vegas spectacle. It’s low-tech, charming, and very intentionally paced for younger audiences.

Adults without kids may find it overly sweet, but for families, it fills a rare niche.

Works best for: families with toddlers or elementary-age kids
You may want to skip if: you’re planning a late-night, adults-only outing

Other Notable Productions

Planet Hollywood also hosts several long-running crowd-pleasers, including:

• Vegas! The Show, a large-scale tribute to classic Vegas entertainment
• Chippendales, the iconic male revue (adults only)
• Piano Man, a high-energy tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John

These shows rotate popularity but maintain consistent formats, which is part of their appeal.

Show Overview

Typical Weekly Showing Times

Planet Hollywood’s schedule follows predictable patterns, which makes planning easier once you know them.

Criss Angel: Mindfreak typically runs Tuesday through Saturday in the evening, with dark nights on Sundays and Mondays. The V Theater shows operate almost daily, often at the same times week after week.

Locals know that the 2:30 PM matinees — especially for Popovich — skew heavily toward families. If you want a more adult crowd for the variety or mentalist shows, the 8:30 PM or later performances tend to feel livelier and less kid-centric.

Notable Venues Within Planet Hollywood

Planet Hollywood works because its theaters serve very specific purposes.

PH Live (formerly Bakkt Theater) is a 7,000-seat arena built for major residencies and touring acts. Shows here feel closer to stadium concerts than traditional Vegas theater.

The Criss Angel Theater is a custom-built 1,500-seat room designed specifically for Mindfreak’s sound and visual effects, which explains why the show doesn’t translate easily to other venues.

The V Theater and Saxe Theater, tucked inside the Miracle Mile Shops, are much smaller — around 400 seats — and intentionally intimate. Sightlines are strong, but the surrounding mall can feel crowded between showtimes.

Seats With the Best Views

At PH Live, the instinct is to sit as close as possible, but that isn’t always ideal. While the Gold Circle offers proximity, the center orchestra sections often provide better perspective for large projection screens.

In the V Theater, the best atmosphere is usually found in the center front rows, where audience participation is common. If you prefer to observe rather than engage, sitting a few rows back can be more comfortable.

One consistent recommendation: avoid extreme far-left or far-right balcony seats at PH Live, where sightlines to primary screens can be compromised.

Age Restrictions

Age policies vary by show.

Chippendales is strictly 18+. Criss Angel and The Mentalist are technically all-ages but generally recommended for guests 10 and up due to volume, lighting, and mature humor. Popovich Pet Theater is the only production truly designed for very young children.

Dress Code

Planet Hollywood is firmly casual by Vegas standards. You’ll see everything from jeans and sneakers to sundresses and button-downs.

One thing almost everyone agrees on: the theaters run cold. Even in summer, a light jacket or sweater is a smart move.

Getting to Planet Hollywood

The biggest factor here is the Miracle Mile Shops. If your show is in the V or Saxe Theater, parking in the Miracle Mile garage will save you time and steps. From the Strip, budget 10–15 minutes to walk through the mall — and a bit more during peak evening hours when foot traffic slows everything down.

Why Planet Hollywood Is Unique

Planet Hollywood sits at the intersection of spectacle and accessibility. It doesn’t chase luxury or exclusivity, and it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.

What it delivers, consistently, is energy. Whether you’re seeing a headline illusionist, a variety show, or a pet circus, the experience feels approachable and unpretentious — a version of Vegas that prioritizes fun over formality.

For many visitors, that balance is exactly the point.

Shows By Venue