On its way to becoming arguably the music capital of the world (sorry, Nashville), the Las Vegas Strip has seen a change in the types of entertainment that tourists will pay for. The rise of big-ticket residencies, which can cost more than $200 a ticket, has squeezed out other kinds of entertainment on the Strip.

Old-school entertainers such as Wayne Newton, Barry Manilow, and Donnie Osmond still seem to have their niche as an integral part of what makes Vegas, well, Vegas.

But production shows that once were nearly guaranteed long runs have struggled to build an audience, with many being canceled after just a few months.

Even big-name talent, including Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame, no longer guarantees ticket sales. His “Freestyle Love Supreme” was canceled at The Venetian after less than a three-month run.

“’FLS’ joins ‘Bat Out of Hell: The Musical’ at Paris Las Vegas, ‘Extravaganza’ at Horseshoe (formerly Bally’s), Xavier Mortimer’s magic show at The Strat Theater, and ‘Legends in Concert’ at Tropicana among Strip production shows to shut down,” the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

That trend has continued as another major production — one that required remodeling parts of Caesars Entertainment’s Linq — is closing.

DiscoShow was a $40 million Las Vegas Strip disaster

Every Las Vegas Strip show requires some level of expense, but the Linq’s DiscoShow involved a massive building project.

“The new venture will take over the former site of the Imperial Palace sportsbook, which has sat vacant on The LINQ property since 2014,” according to a press release from when the show was announced.

“…DiscoShow is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024 at the new space called the Spiegelworld Glitterloft. Demolition of the old sportsbook will take place over the next few weeks to clear space for construction.”

DiscoShow will perform its final show Jan. 3, production company Spiegelworld shared on its website. The adjacent Diner Ross Steakhouse and connected 99 Prince and Glitterloft bars will remain open.

Costs for the production, which include the steakhouse and bars, topped $40 million.

“Of course, ticket sales for ‘DiscoShow’ have been the key factor in the decision to close this show,” Spiegelworld founder and “Impresario Extraordinaire” Ross Mollison told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“We have never been afraid to take risks; to evolve with bold ideas; moreover, we must do this in Vegas. This was a fantastic project for Vegas, and far from discouraged, I now feel even more optimistic about producing new ideas.”

Caesars’ Linq is best known for its “High Roller” Ferris wheel.

Daniel Kline/TheStreet

Demand for traditional Las Vegas Strip shows has been down

Miranda was hopeful that his show could find its audience on the Strip.

“It’s an incredible heritage, and the fact that it’s a place where you and your fan base can really find each other is really special,” Miranda told Neon. “That’s what’s really exciting about the promise of Las Vegas. I’m hoping that ‘Freestyle’ can find that space in the same way, and word will spread just from the experience folks have at the show.”

That did not happen, and even the big-name star appearing in the production at times did not help it sell enough tickets to survive.

“Fewer than 60 tickets have been sold for the Jan. 29 finale,” per the venue’s Ticketmaster seating chart — a fact cited when the run was announced to end,” Neon reported.

Jonathan Jossel, CEO of Plaza Hotel and Casino, thinks that Las Vegas may have made some marketing mistakes.

Las Vegas may have forgotten some of the messaging, which is to say it’s not just an event town, and people can still come here and have a great time at a great price point and enjoy a weekend without going to see a crazy concert or without having to spend a fortune,” he told WBUR.

Las Vegas has seen fewer visitors

Some shows have also been hurt by Las Vegas’ overall slowdown in tourism. That can have a sort of ripple effect as consumers tend to buy tickets to see the biggest names first, and those who can’t get those tickets may pay to see something else.

A drop in tourists may not impact Bruno Mars, Garth Brooks, and the biggest names on the Las Vegas Strip, but it has clearly hurt smaller shows.

Las Vegas’ annual report shared some reasons why tourists are staying away.

“Rising costs of business, coupled with unflattering reports in national media and social media have contributed to a negative stigma that have developed over time. Resort fees, expensive parking, food and beverage prices, higher room rates, and changes to resort business models are cited as to the perception that Las Vegas is now an expensive luxury destination and not a bargain vacation,” the city shared.

Las Vegas also mildly blamed the administration of President Donald Trump.

“National policy is a contributing factor to visitation and economic declines. Since the 2024 election, erratic economic and tariff policy, increasing inflation, and immigration fears have had a more pronounced impact on Las Vegas. The effect has been higher costsof business and operations, job positions that have gone unfilled, and fear and concerns from workers and employees in specifically targeted demographic groups,” the report declared.

In many cases, however, tourists are simply staying away because Las Vegas has become expensive.

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“A significant contributor to the recent decline in tourism to Las Vegas appears to be the rising cost of visiting the destination.

“Travelers are voicing irritation over steep price increases for even modest purchases, media accounts describe $18 water bottles and $35 hamburgers, and some patrons report feeling outright ‘gouged.’ Heightened resort fees and a proliferation of ancillary charges have produced further dissatisfaction. Repeat visitors who once relied on Las Vegas for budget-friendly value and vibrant energy now question whether the new expenditures justify the trip,” Travel and Tour World reported.

A look at recent notable Las Vegas Show closures

• Bat Out of Hell: The Musical: Closed on January 1, 2023, according to Neon.
• The Beatles LOVE (by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage): Final performance on July 7, 2024, The Street reported.
• Terry Fator: One Man, a Hundred Voices, a Thousand Laughs! (at The Strat): Final show on September 23, 2025, according to The Street.
• iLuminate (at The Strat): Closed on May 31, 2025, Las Vegas Insides reported.
• TIMELESS (by Jabbawockeez at MGM Grand): Final “Timeless” show on September 18, 2025 (to be replaced by a new production), Neon shared.
• Legends in Concert: As of late 2025, this long‑running tribute show no longer has a permanent Las Vegas Strip residency, according to The Street.

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