Classical Russian Circus. Make the most of your time in Moscow!

Visit: Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadskogo, Vernadskogo ave, 7, Moscow 119296 Russia

Although the name "Moscow Circus" is familiar to the public all over the world, there has never been one specific “Moscow Circus” whose troupe toured internationally. The name was a generic term for the circus shows from the USSR travelling abroad during the Soviet Era. It has, over time, become synonymous with “Russian circus.” Yet, today there are two resident circuses in Moscow.

Since the 18th century, the circus has played a key role in Russian cultural traditions and it is considered an art form, just like opera or ballet, performed by creative and talented artists.

It is said that it was not a Russian who started the tradition, but it was an Englishman, Charles Hughes, responsible for the great popularity that the circus reached in Russia, still to these days. Hughes began with his company for the court of Catherine the Great, who was fascinated by the performances and ordered that two stages be constructed for Hughes’ company. He returned to England, but some of his companions remained in Russia, popularizing the circus among the Russian population during the nineteenth century. After the Russian Revolution, the Soviet Union leaders strongly supported the circus. Thus, in 1919, all the circuses of all Russia became the property of the State, establishing circus schools in Moscow in 1927 and later in other great cities. In the 1950s, Russian companies began touring Europe and America, becoming one of the most exported art forms in Russia.Today, the most important circuses in Russia are located in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The performances are done with acrobats, trapeze artists, balancers and clowns, but also there are performances with animals (tigers, bears, lions, elephants, etc) that stand out.

While in Moscow, enjoy a unique event: circus performance. You will see everything from the dazzling theatrics and jaw-dropping acrobatics to the otherworldly costumes and death-defying stunts.

Escape to a wondrous world of make-believe to take in exhilarating acts that will stir your imagination. Moscow circus transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary and stimulates the imagination from beginning to end with daring acrobatics, dazzling choreography, vibrant music and whimsical characters only. Enjoy breathtaking aerial dances where performers become artists and artistry combines with agility, as well as artists execute a bouncing choreography, where precision is a must!

Today Moscow circus is a mixture of a traditional circus homage with contemporary forms of entertainment. The show combines acrobatic performances and the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition and power. You will get into contact with comic characters in the world full of surprises, thrills, audacity and total involvement. The talented cast will perform multimedia, martial arts and puppetry to enhance their storytelling, combining fluidity of movement, physical contortion, exceptional balance and impressive dexterity, spinning up to several hoops at once

At present time the "Moscow Circus" employs several hundreds of the artists who perform the acts of practically all known circus genres. Many of the artists hold the honorary titles of Honored Artistes of Russian Federation. Their high artistic and professional level is proved by the fact that every year they take part in the most prestigious international festivals and contests, winning highest awards. The whole programs and separate acts tour every year in more than 20 countries of the world, performing not only in the circuses but on the theatre stages, in the cabarets and in the theme parks.

The award-winning shows of Moscow circus are incomparable!

This tour is extremely family-friendly, being a magical experience for people of all ages coming together!