Bellagio casino fountain show

Las Vegas is ever-changing. From new resorts and casinos to refreshed dining experiences, it’s very possible to visit one year and return the next to entirely new selections of food, entertainment, and lodging.

Since 1998, there’s been a constant that has largely remained the same, and they’ve been a staple of Sin City’s personality for more than 20 years – The Fountains of Bellagio. 

Even those that have never visited Vegas know about Bellagio’s signature fountains.

They’ve helped create memorable scenes in cinema and appeared in the background of music videos. For Vegas travelers and locals, the fountains are something quite special.

The blend of booming music and the dancing waters of the city’s own Lake Como is a spectacle that captures the extravagance of The Strip.

Fountains of Bellagio History and General Info

The Fountains of Bellagio ran their first show on October 15, 1998, coinciding with the grand opening of their namesake resort. Both sit on the site of the former Dunes Hotel & Casino, which mogul Steve Wynn purchased for $75 million five years earlier.

With themes being popular amongst Las Vegas hotels, Wynn and Mirage Resorts’ Atlandia Design sought to capture the allure of the Northern Italian resort area of Lake Como. For the finished product, WET, a water feature design firm, was brought in. 

To enhance the exterior appeal of the lavished resort, which was poised to be the most expensive on the Strip, the fountains were added.

On opening day, sitting in front of the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, was an 8.5-acre, 22 million-gallon man-made lake named for the Italian town. But it wasn’t the size of the lake and the beauty of a water feature that was meant to attract visitors’ eyes. It was the dancing streams, created by an intricate system of oarsmen capable of shooting water 77 feet into the air, and the accompanying water shooters with a dramatic range of 100 feet, 240 feet, and 460 feet. 

In total, there are 4,792 lights and 1,214 active water nozzles that bring the show to life. The music is choreographed by WET, following the music that emits from 183 speakers hidden in lampposts surrounding the lake. Another 30 speakers are only to simulate the ringing of a bell tower.

Songs like “One Singular Sensation,” “Hey, Big Spender!,” and “Singin’ In the Rain” were amongst the first songs to bring the Fountains of Bellagio to life on opening day.

Through the years, Lake Como and the Fountains of Bellagio have played host to several special performances and events. In 2001, Britney Spears graced the lake for the 2001 Billboard Music Awards, with Drake and Panic! at the Disco following six and seven years later. In 2010, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson drove a jet ski across to a floating platform to conduct the fountains as part of a promotional event. 

Even the NFL has eyed the fountains as a backdrop for the 2020 and 2022 NFL Draft, with the NHL following suit for the 2022 All-Star Skills Competition.

Fountains of Bellagio Schedule

The Fountains of Bellagio run on a revolving schedule, interrupted only by high winds and inclement weather conditions.

Weekday Schedule

They typically run every 30 minutes, Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm and every 15 minutes from 7:00 pm to midnight.

Weekend Schedule

On the weekends and holidays, they perform every 30 minutes from noon to 6:30 pm and every 15 minutes from 7:00 pm to midnight. 

There are no scheduled dark days for the free Fountains of Bellagio show, but unexpected maintenance can result in cancellations. An announcement often precedes any unscheduled cancellation. 

What are the Bellagio Fountain Songs?

The Fountains show performs several different genres of songs from artists ranging from Tiesto to Lady Gaga to many Opera and Broadway hits.

Songs will also vary depending on the season, with several Christmas songs during the holiday season.

Here is a recent show schedule:

Songs during Fountains of Bellagio performance (Past and Present)

• Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. Composer: RedOne, Lady Gaga.
• One, Singular Sensation – Original Broadway Cast. Composer: Marvin Hamlisch.
• Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra w/ Count Basie Bart Howard. Composer: Bart Howard.
• Simple Gifts – London Symphony Orchestra. Composer: Aaron Copland.
• Singin’ in the Rain – Gene Kelly. Composer: Alex North.
• Rondine al Nido – Luciano Pavarotti. Composer: Vicenzo de Crescenzo.
• Overture/All That Jazz – Catherine Zeta-Jones. Composer: Fred Ebb & John Kander.
• God Bless The USA – Lee Greenwood. Composer: Lee Greenwood.
• Star Spangled Banner – Whitney Houston. Composer: Francis Scott Key.
• The Ecstasy of Gold – Ennio Morricone.
• Pink Panther – Henry Mancini. Composer: Henry Mancini.
• UpTown Funk – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars. Composer: Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars.
• Luck Be A Lady – Frank Sinatra. Composer: Frank Losser.
• Hey, Big Spender – Gwen Verdon & Original Broadway Cast. Composer: Cy Coleman.
• Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye) – Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman. Composer: F.Sartori, L.Quarantotto.
• Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini – Mikhail Rudy. Composer: Sergei Rachmaninov.
• Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley. Composer: George E. Stoll.
• Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds – The Beatles. Composer: John Lennon & Paul McCartney.
• In the Mood – Ralph Carmichael. Composer: Glenn Miller.
• My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion. Composer: James Horner. Lyrics by Will Jennings.
• Believe – Cher.

Best dining options to see Fountains of Bellagio

Many Vegas travelers strive for a view of the Fountains of Bellagio, but not in the conventional way of standing at Lake Como’s edge.

Dining with the stunning show erupting in the background is like a scene from a movie and makes for a wonderful photo opportunity. Of course, designers understood this opportunity and ensured that several establishments on the Strip have that impeccable view.

Looking to dine with a view of the Fountains of Bellagio? Consider reservations at: 

LAGO – Bellagio Hotel & Casino 

LAGO has one of the best views of the Fountains of Bellagio, and nothing tops dining on contemporary Italian dishes crafted by Chef Julian Serrano while admiring the spectacular Bellagio fountains. 

Spago – Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Wolfgang Puck’s carefully crafted menu of New American plates is a brilliant accompaniment to catching the magic of the Fountains of Bellagio. And at Spago, diners have a first-rate view.

Jasmine – Bellagio Hotel & Casino

A refined menu of Cantonese, Hunan, and Szechwan dishes delights your palate, while the fountains, which can be viewed through Jasmine’s large windows, give your eyes something to enjoy.

Prime – Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Bellagio’s premier steakhouse, Prime, features a menu by Jean-Georges Vongerichten that offers rich flavors and expertly cooked steaks. The high-end establishment is accentuated by the beauty of the fountains, which erupt right before patrons’ eyes.

The Mayfair Supper Club – Bellagio Hotel & Casino

This contemporary take on a classic concept, the Mayfair Supper Club perfects seafood and steak. You’ll have to pull yourself away from a delectable dish long enough to catch the Fountains of Bellagio dancing away nearby.

Scarpetta – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Old-school Italian meets the opulence of Sin City in this sophisticated restaurant. The vibe is perfect for admiring Vegas’ shining feature rising high into the air in the distance.

Mon Ami Gabi – Paris Las Vegas

A rotating menu of seasonal French favorites is perfect on its own, but Mon Ami Gabi offers a unique experience by pairing them with views of the Fountains of Bellagio across the street. Just ask for outdoor seating to catch the show.

The Eiffel Tower Restaurant – Paris Las Vegas

Classic French cuisine fills out this menu, which you’ll enjoy high above the Strip in Vegas’ reproduction of the Eiffel Tower. The structure’s placement offers many diners a birds-eye view of the city’s shining star.

Related:Where to find cheap breakfast on the Strip

Best hotel rooms for views of the Fountains of Bellagio

Few things are better than pulling open your curtains to a first-rate view of the Fountains of Bellagio. It really drives home what it’s like to stay in Vegas; and at these hotels, you can enjoy this experience nightly.

Bellagio Hotel & Casino 

Of course, the home of the fountains would ensure guests have the opportunity to enjoy the nightly show. You’ll need to pay attention to room listings to make sure they state they have a fountain view, as some rooms face west toward Red Rock Canyon.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Many of The Cosmopolitan’s rooms have a first-rate view of the fountains and those that do typically have a balcony to hang out and watch them on. Some balcony rooms even offer a view from a spa bathtub, which is about as Vegas as you get. 

Related:Where to stay, Cosmopolitan vs. ARIA?

Related:Stay at Bellagio or ARIA?

Paris Las Vegas

When booking a room at the Paris, you’ll want an “Eiffel Tower View.” This is one of the best views you’ll ever get in a Vegas resort, with the tower in the foreground and the fountains dancing whimsically behind it. 

Caesars Palace

Located just north of the Bellagio, this expanse of hotel rooms will surely provide a fountain view. You’ll need to book an “Augustus Tower Fountain View” room, as other rooms face either north, east, or west. 

Planet Hollywood

Located across the street from Bellagio, it’s no wonder this resort offers several rooms with a fountain view. There isn’t much, so pay close attention when making your reservation.

Vdara

Vdara is an oft-forgotten gem of Sin City, located behind the Cosmopolitan and Aria. Its suites typically offer a view of the Fountains of Bellagio, which you can enjoy while whipping up breakfast in the included kitchenette.

Bellagio Fountains FAQs  

How long does it last?

The Fountains of Bellagio show runs approximately three to five minutes. The length is dictated by the song used, and some special performances may last longer.

Best Times to see the shows?

While the Fountains of Bellagio run during the day, the best time to view them is after the sun has set. The lights illuminating the lake are beautiful and add another layer to the show’s visuals. 

If you want to avoid the massive crowd that tends to form around Lake Como, during the week and closer to midnight may be better.

Tom Hamiliton - Author/Editor Vegas Q&A

Hey there! I'm Tom, and Las Vegas holds a special place in my heart. Whether I'm lounging by the pool, getting lost in captivating shows, or taking a chance at craps, I'm all about embracing the thrilling vibes of Sin City.

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