Acrobats perform as part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey “Greatest Show on Earth.” The circus troupe is bringing its high-flying performance back to Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, Sept. 17-20.

Acrobats perform as part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey “Greatest Show on Earth.” The circus troupe is bringing its high-flying performance back to Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, Sept. 17-20.

Geo Rittenmyer

Feld Entertainment

Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center is turning into the big top next month when the circus comes back to town.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus troupe is returning to Sacramento in September, with a reimagined version of its signature “The Greatest Show on Earth” performance.

A large cast of circus performers bathed in colorful neon lights and costumes will entertain Sacramento crowds with tricks and high-flying stunts during a four-day run.

Since 2020, California has banned circuses from using animals like elephants, tigers and camels in their performances, but the touring troupe’s new version of its historic show has omitted them in favor of more clowns, trapeze artists, acrobats and other dare-defying acts.

Tickets are available online on the circus troupe’s website and Golden 1 Center’s website.

A circus performer flies above the crowd as part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey “Greatest Show on Earth.” The circus troupe is bringing its high-flying performance back to Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, Sept. 17-20. A circus performer flies above the crowd as part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey “Greatest Show on Earth.” The circus troupe is bringing its high-flying performance back to Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, Sept. 17-20. Geo Rittenmyer Feld Entertainment When is Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey coming to Sacramento?

“The Greatest Show on Earth” has a six-show run planned from Sept. 17-20.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, and Friday, Sept. 18, there is one 7 p.m. show scheduled each day. Saturday, Sept. 19, has an 11 a.m. matinee and a 3 p.m. show slated, while Sunday, Sept. 20, will feature a noon show and a 4 p.m. performance.

Half an hour before the performance starts, a new “Ringling Hype Crew” will put on an interactive preshow performance to get the crowd hyped.

How much are tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus?

Tickets for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows start at $30.65, according to Ticketmaster listings. For the closest seats in the house, tickets can cost more than $160.

Thursday evening’s opening show offers 50% off tickets, starting at $17.40 per person.

With every purchase of an adult full-price ticket, circus-goers can also purchase a kids ticket for $15, good for children ages 2-12. Toddlers and babies under 2 do not need a ticket for admission, according to Ringling.

The cast of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey “Greatest Show on Earth.” The circus troupe is bringing its dare-defying performance back to Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, Sept. 17-20. The cast of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey “Greatest Show on Earth.” The circus troupe is bringing its dare-defying performance back to Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, Sept. 17-20. Geo Rittenmyer Feld Entertainment
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Camila Pedrosa

The Sacramento Bee

Camila Pedrosa is the California Diversions Reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked on The Bee’s service journalism team and was a summer reporting intern for The Bee in 2024. She graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in mass communication.