Are you searching for a magical experience on your trip to Las Vegas? Look no further. The Bellagio Fountains are a quintessential attraction on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.
It’s a musical production at the Bellagio resort casino, choreographing lights and water with music for a captivating show. It’s a staple part of the Vegas nightlife.
The Fountains of Bellagio attract thousands of visitors daily and are one of the most photographed places in the United States. In addition, the Fountains of Bellagio have appeared in various films, including Ocean’s 11 (2001) and Jason Bourne (2016).
Famous performers, including Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Andrea Bocelli have all performed at the Bellagio Fountains on Las Vegas Boulevard.
History of the Bellagio Fountain
Steve Wynn conceived the idea for the water feature with dancing fountains. In 1995, the design firm WET began erecting the fountain show that opened with the Bellagio resort in October 1998.
It’s one of the world’s most expensive fountains, costing $40 million to construct. Nearly five miles of pipes (8000 meters) help operate the performance.
The musical fountain show dances across an 8.5-acre artificial lake in front of the Bellagio hotel and casino. The iconic attraction features 1,214 water nozzles and 4,792 lights.
Incredibly, the display spans more than 1000 feet and can shoot as high as 460 feet into the air (81 feet shorter than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Las Vegas). Sometimes stages are built on the lake for musical performances utilizing the fountains in their show.
Bellagio Fountain Schedule in 2022
The fountain show times are on a set schedule and run 365 days a year. Notably, Bellagio will cancel performances during high winds or extreme weather.
Monday – Friday
3 PM – 8 PM: Every 30 Minutes
8 PM – Midnight: Every 15 minutes
Saturday, Sundays & Holidays
Noon – 8 PM: Every 1/2 Hour
8 PM – Midnight: Every 15 Minutes
Special engagements, shows, and weddings sometimes interrupt the fountain schedule to accommodate the event. So it’s good to call ahead if time is of the essence.
Fountain Songs
The Bellagio Fountains song playlist is an eclectic mix of music that appeals to the diverse crowd of daily visitors. Artists from a multitude of musical genres dance across the fountains.
It wouldn’t be Vegas without Elvis, so he’s in daily rotation. Incredibly, the water and lights create unique demonstrations paired with the energy of individual song choices.
The Bellagio also adds holiday song selections to their repertoire for that extra magical spirit during the holiday season.
| Artist | Song |
| Lady Gaga | Bad Romance |
| Frank Sinatra | Luck Be a Lady |
| Frank Sinatra | Fly Me to the Moon |
| Faith Hill | This Kiss |
| London Symphony Orchestra | Simple Gifts |
| London Symphony Orchestra | Ayesha’s Dance |
| Elton John | Your Song |
| Gene Kelly | Singin’ in the Rain |
| The Beatles | Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds |
| Catherine-Zeta-Jones | All That Jazz |
| Michael Jackson | Billie Jean |
| Mikhail Rudy | Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini |
| Gwen Verdon | Hey, Big Spender |
| Bruno Mars | Uptown Funk |
| Celine Dion | My Heart Will Go On |
| Cher | Believe |
| Ralph Charmichael | In the Mood |
| Ennio Morricone | The Ecstacy of Gold |
| Lee Greenwood | God Bless the USA |
| Luciano Pavarotti | Rondine al Nido |
| Whitney Houston | The Star Spangled Banner |
| Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman | Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye) |
| Elvis Presley | Viva Las Vegas |
| A Chorus Line | One Singular Sensation |
| BTS | BTS Compilation (“Butter” & “Dynamite”) |
| David Foster | Winter Games |
| The Pink Panther | The Pink Panther Theme |
| Tiesto | Footprints |
| Aaron Copeland | Hoes Down |
| Holiday Artist | Holiday Song / Christmas Carol |
| Mormon Tabernacle Choir | Hallelujah Chorus |
| Madonna | Santa Baby |
| Johnny Mathis | Sleigh Ride |
| Johnny Mathis | It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year |
| Johnny Mathis | It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas |
| Placido Domingo | O Holy Night |
| Los Angeles Master Chorale | Carol of the Bells |
Where is the Best Place to Watch the Fountains of Bellagio?
As previously stated, the Bellagio Fountains span over 1000 ft, so there’s a considerable amount of standing room on the pedestrian walkway in front of the fountains on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Again, usually, daytime shows are not as crowded as evening performances. However, arriving ten minutes before the show should provide a better opportunity for front-row viewing during evening hours.
Or if you are lucky like me, you can be invited to watch the show from the engineer’s room!
Las Vegas Hotels With a Fountains View
If you’re planning a romantic getaway, the Bellagio hotel-casino resort designed the fountains to create a romantic atmosphere for couples.
The Bellagio Fountains have been the backdrop to countless romantic proposals and weddings for the last two decades.
There are different room availabilities for fountain views, including Queen or Tower King Deluxe. There are also one and two-bedroom suites with lakeside views.
You can also get married overlooking the fountains at Terrazza di Sogno, a private terrace available for rent through Bellagio’s wedding chapel.
However, other Vegas hotels provide guests with spectacular views of the fountains. The Planet Hollywood Resort, Caesars Palace, Paris, Vdara, and Cosmopolitan hotels offer rooms labeled with those views.
Las Vegas Restaurants With a Fountain View
Several eateries have fountain view dining. However, patio seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Here are the best restaurants with a view of the fountains.
- The Mayfair Supper Club
- Lago by Julian Serrano
- Scarpetta
- Jasmine
- Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge
- Picasso
- Le Cirque
- Beer Park
- PRIME Steakhouse
- Spago
- Eiffel Tower Restaurant
- Giada
- Hexx
- Mon Ami Gabi
Bellagio Fountain FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the attraction.
Is the Bellagio Fountain Show Free?
YES! It’s a free show for anyone to enjoy.
When is the Best Time to See the Fountains?
The attraction is best at nighttime, so you can enjoy the spectacular lights dancing in the water to the music. However, if you’re trying to beat the crowds, you’re better off visiting in the afternoon.
Is There Free Parking at the Bellagio Resort and Casino?
Nevada Residents get their first 3 hours of parking free, and certain level MGM Reward cardholders receive free parking privileges at the Bellagio.
In addition, registered Bellagio guests can pay a 24-hour resort fee and receive unlimited in-and-out benefits at the Bellagio and all other MGM Resorts.
Otherwise, the fees apply to everyone, and you pay an additional fee each time you enter or leave the parking garage.
The Paris Hotel parking garage is right across the street if you’re not staying at the Bellagio. It’s one of the best places to park if you don’t want to walk far.
How Much is Self-Parking at the Bellagio?
| Time | Cost |
| 1 Hour | Free |
| 1-4 Hours | $15 |
| 4-24 Hours | $18 |
| 24+ Hours | $18 Daily |
How Much is Valet Parking at the Bellagio?
| Time | Monday – Thursday | Friday – Sunday |
| 0-2 Hours | $21 | $25 |
| 2-4 Hours | $25 | $30 |
| 4-24 Hours | $30 | $35 |
| 24+ Hours | $30 Daily | $35 Daily |
How Much Does it Cost Every Time the Bellagio Fountain Goes Off?
Rumor is that the fountains cost between $10,000 to $15,000 daily. So between $300,000 and $400,000 per month.
How Deep is the Bellagio Pond?
Sometimes called Lake Bellagio or Lake Como because it’s based loosely on northern Italy‘s Lake Como, the water reaches 8 feet (2.5 meters) deep and drops to about 13 feet (4 meters) near the centerpiece water sprays.
The lake holds 22 million gallons of water and is replenished annually with another 12 million. Also, the lake uses around 500 pounds of chlorine per day.
Where Does the Bellagio Get its Water?
A private well beneath the property supplies the Fountains of Bellagio, so it doesn’t strain the Colorado River. The river is the primary source of water for the Las Vegas Valley.
Can You Swim in the Bellagio Fountain?
Absolutely not! It’s one of the only places in Vegas where you’re not permitted to take a swim. However, that doesn’t stop people from jumping in the lake. There have been reports of scuba divers in the lake.
Nonetheless, it’s not allowed and is an arrestable offense. Additionally, a transient man drowned in the fountains in 2020.
The Bellagio Fountain engineers are scuba-certified and the only ones permitted to be in the water while they work to repair and replace the water jets.
Can You Throw Coins in the Fountains?
While not a designated wishing well, people throw coins into the fountains. A staff of 30 who maintain the fountains, collect the money, and give them to local charities. Approxdaily two tons of coins are recovered each year!
How Do the Fountains of Bellagio Work?
Computer programming controls the fountains. An engineer responsible for pushing the button sits in a control room in a tower that overlooks the lake.
Ten compressors shoot water up using compressed air at a rate of up to 500 pounds per square inch. The lake has four water shooters: oarsmen, mini-shooters, super-shooters, and extreme-shooters.
A maintenance staff of 30 people resides in a hidden cavern called “The Batcave.” The Batcave has four equipment rooms. They operate with one-of-a-kind vehicles and are scuba-diving trained and certified.
A barge resembling an ice resurfacer cleans the lake’s bottom. It retrieves foreign objects, including military coins, watches, keys, lingerie, cellphones, wedding rings, and other items people have accidentally dropped or tossed in.
How Much is it to Rent the Bellagio Fountain?
Renting the fountains is no longer an offered experience. However, before the Hyde Bellagio closed, you could sit front and center while sipping a 30-liter (almost 8 gallons) bottle of bubbly for $250,000.
The giant golden bottle was equivalent to 40 bottles of champagne. It’s worth $100,000. You got to choose the song that synced to the musical fountain show and then push the red button to start the performance.
Behind the Scenes of the Bellagio Fountain
I was invited by the Bellagio Hotel during a press trip to Las Vegas to tour the back areas with one of the Bellagio Fountain engineers. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We were able to stand on the grate in one of the openings to watch a spontaneous Bellagio Fountain show during our tour.
One of the engineers, Keith, took us through the entire back area, including the famous “bat cave” explaining how the show is produced, and shared with us fun details of the job like scuba diving in the lake in the middle of winter to repair the jets.
The Batcave at the Bellagio
The famous “bat cave” at the Bellagio is where the engineers get ready to head out onto the lake for repairs. All of the engineers who work on the Bellagio Fountain show must be scuba-certified.
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Casandra Karpiak is a travel writer and owner of Savoteur. A Toronto native with Danish roots currently residing in British Columbia, her travel writing has been seen on The Associated Press wire, MSN, FOX, CBS, NBC, Entrepreneur, 24/7 Wall St, Times Daily, and many more. When she’s not traveling, she can be found at hockey arenas all over BC cheering on her two young sons.