Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Photo by Don Kowell.
FROM THE LATEST ISSUE OF BANDWAGON
What did the American circus look like in 2025? The answer: remarkably diverse—and very much alive.
Don Kowell counted approximately eighty active circuses across the United States, from traditional family shows under canvas to arena spectacles, youth circuses, circus festivals and elaborate contemporary productions. Some preserved familiar traditions while others combined circus arts with theatrical staging, dramatic lighting and new technology.
Travel across the country with Kowell for a year-end snapshot of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Cirque du Soleil, traditional big-top shows, boutique circuses, festivals and many more—the people and productions writing circus history in real time.
Discover the state of the American circus in 2025.
A Banner Year for Circus in America:
A Retrospect of 2025
By Don Kowell
Volume 70 • Number 1 • 2026 • Page 48-87
Once again circus history unfolded right before our eyes as 2025 was another great year for the circus in America. No matter where in the country you went, there were numerous circuses to experience, in many forms, shapes, and sizes. I have counted approximately eighty active circuses this year in the United States. This tally includes specialty circuses, youth circuses, and those with multiple units like Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Italia, Venardos Circus, and Circus Caballero. This does not count many small localized performing groups under the namesake of circus or the many fine individual circus acts that perform at fairs, festivals, and community events throughout the year. While they were equally important to the circus world, they were too numerous to cover in this review. In last year’s review, Rodney A. Huey stated the circus in America has experienced a revival. I have personally experienced his assessment that many circuses have stepped up their game, incorporating traditional circus acts with various forms of theatrical arts, dance, dramatic lighting, and visual effects. There are of course circuses that stick to a more traditional approach, with everyone’s taste. Circus is a business, no way around it, so if it leaves a good impression, it will deliver customer satisfaction and brand loyalty upon its return.
Some things never change. The term “with it and for it” has long been synonymous with the circus. If you are on the lot for setup or tear down on one of the smaller shows, you will see first-hand how many of the performers double up and work in concessions and then assist in setup and tear down. Regardless of the size of a circus, multitasking is needed, often resulting in “cherry pie” for the extra work.
The complete article is available to members of the Circus Historical Society through the members-only Backyard.