The Wizard of Oz at Sphere Celebrates One Year in Las Vegas

For one year, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere has transformed one of cinema’s most familiar stories into a distinctly Las Vegas experience. Now, Sphere is marking the milestone with a limited-time anniversary celebration running August 10 through September 24, 2026, adding commemorative activations to select performances.

The celebration builds on what already makes the attraction unusual: audiences do not simply watch Dorothy’s journey to Oz on a conventional screen. Sphere uses its immersive environment to surround guests with visual, audio and physical effects designed specifically for the venue. For anniversary performances, that experience is being expanded with special-edition Golden Apples, themed photo opportunities, and limited-time food and beverage offerings.

For visitors planning a late-summer or early-fall trip to Las Vegas, this creates a short window to see the production with extras that will disappear after the anniversary period ends.

Anniversary Celebration at a Glance

Sphere’s official anniversary page confirms that the commemorative programming applies to shows running from August 10 through September 24.

Special Golden Apple Drops

One of the most visible anniversary changes is the Golden Apple Drop.

During each anniversary performance, Sphere is using special-edition Golden Apples for the production’s signature apple-drop moment.

It is a small change in scale compared with the enormous visual environment surrounding the audience, but that is precisely why it works as a commemorative detail. Guests who have already seen the experience get a new version of a recognizable scene, while first-time visitors encounter an element available only during the anniversary run.

For collectors and devoted fans of The Wizard of Oz, it also adds a sense that these performances belong to a specific moment in the production’s history.

Anniversary Photo Experiences

The anniversary begins before guests enter the main experience.

Sphere has added themed photo opportunities throughout the venue, including a custom anniversary photo booth in the Sphere Atrium.

That may sound secondary to the show itself, but for travelers it gives the visit a more complete sense of occasion. Instead of arriving, scanning a ticket and heading directly to a seat, guests can spend time exploring the Atrium and documenting the anniversary before the performance begins.

It also makes arriving early worthwhile rather than merely advisable.

Limited-Time Food and Beverage Offerings

The celebration extends into Sphere’s food and beverage program.

During the anniversary period, guests can find a special themed menu along with commemorative popcorn boxes, cups and other limited-edition food-and-beverage packaging.

For families and collectors, the packaging may be as appealing as the menu itself. For everyone else, it reinforces the sense that the anniversary is more than a new sign in the lobby.

Because these items are tied to the limited August 10–September 24 window, availability may vary by performance and inventory.

Make Time for the Sphere Atrium

Visitors often focus so heavily on Sphere’s main interior screen that they overlook the building’s other spaces.

For this anniversary, that would be a mistake.

The Atrium is where the custom photo booth and some of the commemorative activity take place, making it part of the experience rather than merely a transition between entrance and auditorium.

Sphere also currently maintains a Wizard of Oz-themed activation in The Venetian Resort’s Waterfall Atrium, free to view through August 2026.

If your visit falls before that activation ends, pairing it with the Sphere performance creates a broader Oz-themed outing across the connected resort area.

VIP Experiences Add Another Layer

Travelers looking for a more elevated version of the visit can also consider Sphere’s VIP experiences for The Wizard of Oz at Sphere. The venue currently promotes premium options alongside standard tickets.

VIP packages may include premium seating, merchandise and food-and-beverage benefits depending on the specific offer. Sphere’s published terms note that merchandise selections and package benefits can vary and remain subject to availability.

For a milestone birthday, family trip or special Las Vegas weekend, that can make the anniversary visit feel more deliberate than simply purchasing the first available seats.

Who Should See the Anniversary Edition?

The anniversary programming is especially compelling for several types of visitors.

Families who already know the story gain an approachable entry point into Sphere’s technology. Film fans can see a familiar classic reinterpreted through a completely different display format. Repeat Sphere visitors get a production unlike the concert residencies that dominate much of the venue’s calendar.

It is also a strong option for travelers who want a major Las Vegas attraction without building the evening around nightlife or gambling.

Because all guests require tickets regardless of age and immersive elements can include intense visual, audio and physical effects, families should review Sphere’s current accessibility and sensory guidance before attending.

Pair the Experience With The Venetian

Sphere sits directly beside The Venetian and The Palazzo, making the resort complex the easiest place to build the rest of the day.

A practical itinerary could begin with lunch or an early dinner at The Venetian, continue with the free Waterfall Atrium activation if it is still on view, then move into Sphere for the anniversary performance.

Afterward, visitors can remain in the same area for dessert, drinks or a walk through Grand Canal Shoppes rather than arranging another cross-Strip trip.

That geographic convenience is especially useful during summer and early fall, when daytime temperatures can make long outdoor walks less appealing.

Other Sphere Entertainment During the Anniversary Period

The anniversary window also overlaps with a busy stretch of Sphere’s 2026 entertainment calendar.

Backstreet Boys performances continue into early January 2027, while Carín León is scheduled at Sphere from September 4–13 and Eagles return beginning September 18.

That gives travelers several ways to build a Sphere-focused weekend. One trip could combine The Wizard of Oz at Sphere during the day or early evening with a separate concert on another night.

For visitors fascinated by the venue itself rather than one specific performer, that can be more interesting than seeing a single show and leaving.

Tips for Planning Your Visit

Book sooner rather than later if you want the anniversary extras, because the commemorative window ends September 24. Sphere notes that event content, dates, times, prices and availability remain subject to change.

Arrive early enough to explore the Atrium, take anniversary photos and check the themed food-and-beverage offerings before the show.

Review Sphere’s current bag, accessibility and sensory policies before your visit. The experience can involve intense lighting, loud audio, movement sensations and atmospheric effects, which may not be suitable for every guest.

And if you are visiting with a larger group, Sphere currently offers group-ticket options for parties of nine or more.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is The Wizard of Oz at Sphere anniversary celebration?

The anniversary programming runs for performances from August 10 through September 24, 2026.

What is included in the anniversary celebration?

Limited-time extras include special-edition Golden Apple Drops, anniversary-themed photo opportunities, a custom Atrium photo booth, a special food and beverage menu, and commemorative popcorn boxes, cups and other packaging.

Where is Sphere located?

Sphere is located at 255 Sands Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada 89169, next to The Venetian Resort.

Do children need tickets?

Yes. Sphere states that all guests, regardless of age, require a ticket. Event-specific age restrictions should also be checked before purchase.

Is The Wizard of Oz at Sphere suitable for everyone?

The experience can include seat haptics, flashing and intense lighting, loud sounds, wind, mist, scent, movement sensations and other immersive effects. Guests with sensory sensitivities or medical concerns should review Sphere’s guidance before attending.

Are VIP tickets available?

Yes. Sphere currently offers VIP experiences for The Wizard of Oz at Sphere in addition to standard tickets.

Is there anything Wizard of Oz-themed at The Venetian?

Yes. Sphere currently lists a free Wizard of Oz at Sphere activation in The Venetian Resort’s Waterfall Atrium, on view through August 2026.

Are there other shows at Sphere during the anniversary period?

Yes. The current 2026 calendar includes Backstreet Boys, Carín León and Eagles during overlapping periods in August and September.

Continue Exploring Las Vegas

You may also enjoy:

• Backstreet Boys Add New Year’s Weekend Shows at Sphere
• F1 Las Vegas Afterparty at Sphere
• Experience Carín León Live at Sphere: A Historic Las Vegas Celebration You Won’t Want to Miss

For tickets and current anniversary information, visit the official Sphere anniversary page.

For current venue policies, accessibility information and show-day planning, use Sphere’s official visitor guide.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road Back to Sphere

The first anniversary of The Wizard of Oz at Sphere offers something that standard performances cannot: a defined moment in the life of one of Las Vegas’ most unusual attractions.

Between August 10 and September 24, special Golden Apples, anniversary photo experiences and limited-edition food and beverage offerings add new details to an already immersive production.

For first-time visitors, the extras make this a particularly interesting time to see the experience. For those who have already followed Dorothy into Sphere’s version of Oz, the anniversary creates a reason to return.

Either way, the celebration is temporary—and in a city where entertainment constantly changes, that limited window is part of the appeal.