Las Vegas does not offer many attractions where families can watch live entertainment without buying a ticket. The Circus Circus Midway remains one of the exceptions.
Located upstairs inside Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, the Midway combines free circus performances with classic carnival games, modern arcade machines and a large prize-redemption area.
It is loud, colorful, crowded and proudly old-school. While many Las Vegas resorts have replaced their original themes with luxury stores and expensive restaurants, Circus Circus still feels like a carnival dropped into the middle of a casino.
You can walk through the Midway and watch the circus acts without paying admission. The games cost extra, but visitors can spend as much or as little as they choose.
What Is the Circus Circus Midway?
The Midway is an indoor carnival and arcade located above the main casino floor at Circus Circus.
The center of the attraction contains a live performance area, with games and arcade machines arranged around it. Depending on the performance, visitors may see aerialists, acrobats, trapeze artists, clowns and specialty performers demonstrating feats of balance, strength and coordination.
Surrounding the circus stage are traditional carnival games and newer electronic arcade games. Circus Circus describes the current Midway as a mixture of vintage midway challenges and modern interactive games, with prizes ranging from small souvenirs to larger premium rewards.
Unlike the nearby Adventuredome amusement park, there is no general admission charge to enter the Midway.
Watch Free Circus Acts
The free performances are the main reason to visit the Circus Circus Midway.
The stage is positioned in the middle of the attraction, allowing visitors to watch from seating around the performance area or from nearby viewing spots. The exact performers can change, so you may see a different type of act depending on the day and time of your visit.
Current shows may include:
- Aerial and trapeze performances
- Acrobatics
- Clown acts
- Juggling
- Balance routines
- Strength demonstrations
- Other specialty circus acts
The shows are relatively short, making them easy to add to a larger family outing. You do not need to reserve a seat or purchase a ticket.
The best viewing spaces can fill quickly on weekends and during school breaks. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled performance gives you a better chance of finding a clear view.
Current Circus Show Schedule
The official Circus Circus website currently describes the performances as hourly and publishes the following schedule:
Friday: 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Monday: 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
At the time of this update, the resort does not list Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday performances on its official show schedule. Hours and performance days can change, so check the current schedule before making a special trip.
Play Classic Carnival Games
The Midway includes many of the games you would expect to find at a county fair or traditional traveling carnival.
The exact selection changes, but visitors may encounter games involving throwing, rolling, aiming, timing or competing against other players. Some are based mostly on skill, while others require a combination of skill and luck.
The attraction retains much of the old carnival atmosphere, including brightly lit game counters, rows of stuffed prizes and attendants calling attention to the different challenges.
These games are particularly popular with younger children because many award an immediate prize or provide a chance to trade up to something larger.
Parents should set a spending limit before turning children loose in the Midway. A few quick games can turn into a surprisingly expensive afternoon when everyone starts chasing the largest stuffed animal hanging above the counter.
Arcade Games and Prize Tickets
In addition to carnival booths, the Midway contains modern video games, racing games, skill games, crane machines, ticket games and other arcade attractions.
Players generally purchase credits on a reloadable Midway game card. The card is scanned at participating machines, and electronic tickets earned from eligible games can be redeemed at the prize counter. Recent visitors report using self-service kiosks to purchase and reload the cards.
The number of credits required varies by game. Circus Circus does not currently publish a complete game-by-game price list, so it is better to decide on a total budget rather than trying to estimate the cost of every machine in advance.
Make sure children understand that arcade tickets are not the same as cash. It can take a significant amount of play to earn enough tickets for one of the larger prizes.
Is the Circus Circus Midway Really Free?
It is free to enter the Midway and watch the scheduled circus performances.
You will need to pay for:
- Carnival games
- Arcade games
- Food and drinks
- Merchandise
- Adventuredome rides
- Other separately ticketed attractions
A family can technically visit, watch a circus act and leave without spending anything. Realistically, walking past rows of arcade machines and giant stuffed prizes without children asking to play may require a circus trick of its own.
The Midway Is Not the Adventuredome
Visitors sometimes confuse the Circus Circus Midway with the Adventuredome.
They are separate attractions located within the same resort.
The Midway is the upstairs carnival area with free circus performances, arcade machines and prize games. You do not need an admission ticket to walk through it.
The Adventuredome is a five-acre indoor amusement park beneath the large pink dome behind the resort. It contains roller coasters, thrill rides, children’s rides, laser attractions, miniature golf, virtual-reality experiences and additional games. Admission or individual attraction tickets are required.
Families can easily combine both attractions, but plan for a much longer and more expensive visit when adding the Adventuredome.
Is the Midway Good for Young Children?
The Midway is one of the more kid-friendly places on the Las Vegas Strip.
Children can watch the live performers, play age-appropriate games and choose prizes without entering the adult gaming sections of the casino. The atmosphere is designed around families, although the route into the attraction may take you through or near casino areas.
Younger children will probably enjoy the lights, prizes and circus acts even if they are too small for some Adventuredome rides.
The Midway can become extremely loud. Between the arcade machines, carnival bells, music and crowds, children who are sensitive to noise may find it overwhelming. Hearing protection may help younger visitors who struggle in loud environments.
Is It Fun for Adults?
Adults who enjoy arcades, carnival games or old Las Vegas attractions can have a good time at the Midway even without children.
This is not a polished luxury attraction. Some areas feel dated, and the entire experience carries the unmistakable look and sound of Circus Circus. That is also part of its appeal.
Few places on the Strip still offer this combination of carnival booths, neon lights, stuffed prizes and performers flying above the crowd. It feels like a surviving piece of an earlier Las Vegas.
The free performances also make it a good stop for adults who want something inexpensive to do between casinos, restaurants or nearby attractions.
How Long Should You Spend at the Midway?
Allow approximately 30 to 45 minutes when you only want to watch one circus performance and look around.
A family playing games will probably spend one to two hours. The visit can last considerably longer when children become focused on collecting tickets or winning a particular prize.
Adding the Adventuredome can turn the trip into a half-day or full-day outing.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday afternoons generally offer the easiest experience when performances are scheduled.
Friday nights, Saturdays and holiday periods can become crowded. Seats and viewing positions near the circus stage may fill before each performance, and game areas can become difficult to navigate with strollers.
Arriving shortly before the first scheduled performance can help you avoid some of the later crowds.
Because the attraction is indoors, it is also a useful escape during the hottest part of a Las Vegas summer afternoon.
Food Near the Midway
Circus Circus offers several quick-service restaurants and snack counters around the resort and near its major attractions.
Options can change, but visitors will generally find familiar fast-food meals, pizza, pretzels, desserts, drinks and other inexpensive snacks. There are also sit-down restaurants elsewhere inside the property.
Eating before entering the game area may prevent children from trying to spend the entire food budget on arcade credits.
Parking at Circus Circus
Circus Circus currently advertises free parking, making the Midway easier to visit than many attractions at Strip resorts that charge for self-parking.
The property is large, so remember where you parked and follow the signs toward the casino and Midway. Once inside, look for signs directing visitors upstairs to the carnival games and circus performance area.
Parking policies can change, so verify the current policy before visiting.
Is the Circus Circus Midway Worth Visiting?
The Midway is worth visiting when you are looking for inexpensive family entertainment, classic arcade games or something that still feels connected to old Las Vegas.
The free circus show alone is a good value, especially compared with the price of most entertainment on the Strip. The games are where the cost can quickly increase, but families control how much they load onto their cards.
The Midway is best for:
- Families visiting Las Vegas with children
- Arcade and carnival-game fans
- Visitors looking for free Las Vegas entertainment
- People interested in older Strip attractions
- Families already visiting the Adventuredome
- Anyone who wants a break from traditional casinos
It may not appeal to travelers looking for a quiet, upscale or modern Las Vegas experience. Circus Circus is chaotic, brightly lit and often crowded. That is exactly what many visitors expect from it.
Circus Circus Midway Visitor Information
Location:
Circus Circus Hotel and Casino
2880 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Main resort phone:
702-734-0410
Admission:
Free to enter the Midway and watch scheduled circus performances.
Games:
Paid separately using Midway game credits.
Parking:
Circus Circus currently advertises free parking.
Circus schedule:
The currently published schedule lists performances Friday through Monday. Check the official schedule before visiting because days and times can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Circus Circus performances free?
Yes. The live circus performances in the Midway are free to watch, and no show ticket is required.
Do the circus acts perform every day?
The resort’s current published schedule lists performances Friday through Monday. It does not currently show Tuesday through Thursday performance times. Check before visiting because schedules can change.
How often are the circus shows?
Circus Circus currently describes the performances as taking place every hour during the posted show windows.
Does it cost money to enter the Midway?
No admission fee is required to walk through the Midway or watch the free performances. Arcade and carnival games cost extra.
How do you pay for Midway games?
The games generally operate with a reloadable play card. Visitors purchase credits from a kiosk and scan the card at participating games.
Can you win prizes?
Yes. Carnival games may award prizes directly, while participating arcade games award electronic tickets that can be exchanged at the redemption counter. Circus Circus advertises prizes ranging from small keepsakes to premium rewards.
Is the Midway inside the Adventuredome?
No. The Midway and Adventuredome are separate attractions inside Circus Circus. The Midway contains the free circus shows and carnival games. The Adventuredome is a paid indoor amusement park with rides and roller coasters.
Is Circus Circus Midway good for toddlers?
Toddlers may enjoy watching the performers, seeing the lights and playing simple games with help from an adult. Keep in mind that the area can be loud and crowded.
Is parking free?
Circus Circus currently promotes free parking for visitors and hotel guests. Parking policies are subject to change.
