The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is returning with a reimagined, music-fueled show.
The new production no longer features animal acts and focuses entirely on human performers from around the world.
The tour, produced by Palmetto-based Feld Entertainment, will launch with several stops in Florida.
Performances include acrobatic bike teams, contortionists, and acro-salsa dancers, along with a returning robotic dog.
The circus is back — only this time, it’s louder, faster, and reimagined for a new generation.
Feld Entertainment, the Palmetto-based company that is also behind Disney on Ice and Monster Jam, is bringing Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s The Greatest Show on Earth to arenas nationwide with an all-new, music-fueled format and a cast of 65 performers from 17 countries.
The tour begins right here in Florida, less than 50 miles from Feld Entertainment’s headquarters in Manatee County.
What cities will Ringling Bros. circus visit in Florida and how do I buy tickets?
The tour — billed as The Greatest Party on Earth — launches this month with stops in Tampa (Jan. 2-4), Miami (Jan. 9-11), Jacksonville (Jan. 16-19) and Sunrise (Jan. 23-25), marking a bold Florida homecoming for one of Sarasota’s most iconic entertainment legacies. Tickets are now on sale at ringling.com/tickets.
“This new production moves at the speed of today’s world — fast-paced, dynamic, and full of energy,” said Juliette Feld Grossman, CEO of Feld Entertainment. “We’re honoring the legacy of circus arts while inspiring everyone to move, play, and join the celebration.”
Does Ringling Bros. circus still feature animals?
Gone are the animal acts that defined the show for more than a century.
In their place, Ringling Bros. now focuses entirely on human artistry — from acrobatic bike teams from China to Colombian acro-salsa dancers and a world-renowned contortionist making her U.S. debut.
Music drives the experience with live drumming, beat drops, and DJ-led moments, all set against a massive LED stage design that captures performers and audience reactions in real time. Before the show even begins, a live Ringling “Hype Crew” gets the audience dancing, turning every arena into a party.
Ringling Bros. circus’ new acts and performers include:
Acro-Salsa Troupe (Colombia): A seven-member group that will bring a dynamic blend of acrobatics and traditional salsa packed with passion, movement, and power.
Contortion (United States): A world-renowned contortionist making her Ringling debut, redefining flexibility with artful, unbelievable control.
Acrobatic Bikes & Hoop Diving (China): A group of performers who create human pyramids on moving bicycles and perform gravity-defying acrobatics with fearless flair.
Bailey the Robo Pup: The beloved Bailey the Robo Pup returns to the spotlight with endless energy, new dance moves, and her signature mix of mischief and high-tech charm.
What is Ringling Bros. circus’ connection to Sarasota?
Founded in 1919, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey relocated its winter quarters to Sarasota in 1927, helping shape the city’s identity as an arts hub. Parts of Cecil B. DeMille’s Oscar-winning film
