Get ready, Jacksonville. “The Greatest Show on Earth” is returning to town, and it’s nothing like the circus you remember. This all-new, adrenaline-pumping edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is reimagined for today’s thrill-loving crowd, packed with jaw-dropping stunts, non-stop music, and performers from around the globe.
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.
And lucky us, Jacksonville’s VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is the third stop on the tour, hosting seven performances over four days.
So grab the kids (or your inner kid), and get ready to dance, cheer, and be amazed, because the circus is officially back, and Jacksonville is part of the magic. Here’s what you need to know about the Ringling Bros. reimagined experience.
When is Ringling Bros. coming to Jacksonville? What dates and times are showtimes?
The Ringling Bros. will be in Jacksonville from January 16-19 at the Veterans Memorial Arena.
January 16: Friday, 7 p.m.
January 17: Saturday, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.
January 18: Sunday, 1 and 5 p.m.
January 19: Monday, 2 p.m.
Get tickets to the Ringling Bros. Circus
The presale for Jacksonville tickets is going on now. You can buy them at ringling.com/tickets.
What cities will Ringling Bros. circus visit in Florida?
The tour — billed as The Greatest Party on Earth — launches in January, 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.
“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?
No. Gone are the animal acts that defined the show for more than a century.
In their place, Ringling Bros. presents a reimagined circus experience that spotlights cutting-edge human artistry, featuring everything from acrobatic bike teams from China to Colombian acro-salsa dancers, along with a world-renowned contortionist making her U.S. debut.
Music fuels the high-energy atmosphere, combining live drumming, electrifying beat drops, and dynamic DJ-led moments. A massive LED stage design captures both performers and audience reactions in real time, enhancing the immersive experience. Even before the show starts, the live Ringling “Hype Crew” gets the crowd moving, transforming every arena into a full-blown party.
Who is performing at the Ringling Bros. circus? Here’s a look at new acts and performers
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’s 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 “The Greatest Show on Earth” were even filmed here in 1951, cementing the region’s circus heritage.
Though the modern show trades elephants for LED screens, Sarasota’s imprint on Ringling Bros. endures. John and Mable Ringling’s legacy lives on through The Ringling Museum of Art — and particularly The Ringling’s Circus Museum — as well as the Historic Asolo Theater, small reminders that the world’s most famous circus didn’t just pass through the Gulf Coast; it was born here.
More than a century later, The Greatest Show on Earth takes center stage again — this time, with a beat that keeps audiences on their feet.
In 2023, Feld Entertainment first announced plans to relaunch Ringling Bros., appointing London-based creative directors Dan Shipton and Ross Nicholson to reinvent the production for 21st-century audiences. The duo, known for large-scale pop tours and stadium shows, partnered with scenic designer Josh Zangen, whose Broadway background brings cinematic flair to the revival.
For Feld, headquartered in Manatee County since 2013, the relaunch represents both a homegrown legacy and a global reinvention.
“Ringling has always been about connection — between performers and audiences, between families, and across generations,” Feld Grossman said. “That spirit remains the heart of everything we do.”
Where is the Ringling Museum?
Officially known as The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ringling Bros. Circus coming to Jacksonville. How to get tickets