Short answer: WOW - The Vegas Spectacular at Rio is one of the strongest fall picks in Las Vegas right now, and the field just got narrower. Two major Strip productions, Mad Apple and Awakening, are both closing this fall, while WOW keeps its regular schedule with tickets on sale through the end of 2026.

Fall is normally a season of steady options on the Strip. This year is different. Two big-budget shows are taking their final bows within weeks of each other, which changes the calculation for anyone planning a Vegas trip this September, October, or beyond.

Two major Las Vegas shows are closing this fall

Mad Apple, Cirque du Soleil's comedy and acrobatics show at New York-New York, closes permanently on September 5, 2026, after a four-year run. Cirque du Soleil confirmed the closure in mid-August, ending one of its five Las Vegas resident productions.

Awakening, the large-scale visual spectacle at Wynn narrated by Anthony Hopkins, closes permanently on October 10, 2026, after nearly four years. Wynn has said a new production will take over the theater sometime in 2027, but nothing will be running there this fall.

Both closures mean fewer major production shows on the Strip this season, and anyone who had Mad Apple or Awakening on their must-see list needs a new plan.

Why WOW is a strong fall pick

WOW keeps running its full schedule through fall and into 2026 year-end, with no closure on the calendar. That alone makes it a safer choice to build a trip around right now.

• Price: Tickets start at $45, well below what Mad Apple and Awakening charged.
• Age policy: Open to all ages, recommended for guests 3 and up, so it works for a wider range of travel groups than Awakening's stricter age minimum did.
• Runtime: About 90 minutes, an easy length to build a fall evening around.
• Schedule: Tuesday through Sunday, 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 6pm on Friday and Saturday.
• Format: Acrobatics, water effects, comedy, dance, 3D projections and holograms at Rio Hotel & Casino.

If you had tickets to Mad Apple or Awakening

If your fall Vegas trip was built around one of these shows, you are not the only one adjusting plans. Both closures were announced with weeks of remaining performances, so some travelers will still catch a final show before the curtain comes down. For dates after each show closes, WOW is a reasonable substitute: similar spectacle format, lower price, and a schedule that runs every week through the rest of the year.

Planning your fall Vegas trip

Because WOW's schedule holds steady through fall, booking ahead is mostly about choosing seats and a showtime rather than worrying whether the show will still be running. Tickets are on sale for dates through the end of 2026. Check the seating guide before you book, since lower-priced seats tend to sell out first on popular nights.

FAQ

When does Mad Apple close? Mad Apple closes permanently on September 5, 2026, at New York-New York.

When does Awakening close? Awakening closes permanently on October 10, 2026, at Wynn.

What show should I see instead this fall? WOW - The Vegas Spectacular is a strong alternative: a similar large-scale production format, tickets from $45, and no closure on the schedule.

Is WOW running all fall? Yes. WOW keeps its regular Tuesday through Sunday schedule with tickets on sale through the end of 2026.

Where do I buy WOW tickets? Check current WOW tickets and showtimes on Vegas.com.

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