World Circus Day

World Circus Day is a global holiday dedicated to the art of the circus. This art form has evolved over centuries to reach its current state. Vivid performances, mysterious tricks, trained animals, and dangerous stunts—the circus is capable of evoking a wide range of emotions! The celebration takes place every year on the third Saturday in April.

History

The history of World Circus Day began in 2010 when it was officially established by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. A great admirer of circus arts, she decided to dedicate a special holiday to this unique form of entertainment.

The art of the circus itself has a long and storied history, dating back to ancient Rome, where it served as entertainment for society. The first arenas could hold more than 200,000 people, such as the Circus Maximus.

The circus saw significant development in the 1700s when Philip Astley founded an amphitheater in Lambeth, London. This era marked the beginning of using horseback riding and various equestrian stunts as central elements of circus performances. In 1835, Joshua Purdy Brown introduced the concept of the big top tent, giving performers the freedom to tour the world. This innovation allowed circuses to reach new audiences far and wide.

Since the 1970s, the popularity of the circus has soared to new heights, with more circus troupes emerging worldwide, adding new tricks, stunts, and creative elements to their performances.

Interesting Facts

• The diameter of the performance ring (arena) is standardized at 13 meters, regardless of the venue’s capacity.
• There is a special curtain between the stage and the backstage area in the circus, known as a foregang.
• Animal acts became a staple of circus performances in the 19th century. The inclusion of predators like tigers made performances even more thrilling.

How to Celebrate

Learn more about the structure and organization of dangerous stunts. Gather your family or friends and attend a circus performance on this day!

Share the holiday on social media. Ask your followers how often they visit the circus.

When is World Circus Day in 2025?

World Circus Day is observed every year on the third Saturday of April.

Observations