Celebrating its 37th year, Circus Smirkus is the only traveling ‘tented’ youth circus in the United States—its shows are among the most beloved arts events of the New England summer. This year’s tour continues the tradition of Smirkus’ annual theme-based shows with The 2024 Big Top Tour: The Imaginarium.
The show will feature a vast array of circus arts — including aerials, acrobatics, juggling, clowning — a dazzling display of brilliant costumes, and many other surprises. The 2024 Big Top Tour takes to the road June 29 and travels through mid-August with a tour caravan that requires some 23-support vehicles and 80 people— including performers, coaches, cooks, tech and tent crew and a live circus band playing an original score written specifically for this show. The award-winning circus company performs across New England to approximately 40,000 patrons each summer.
Contact tour@smirkus.org for sponsorship opportunities.
Latest News Coverage
Stowe Today – August 1, 2024
Circus Smirkus comes to town
Portland Press Herald – July 29, 2024
At Circus Smirkus, coming to Maine on Aug. 5-6, kids entertain kids
CBS Boston – July 25, 2024
Vermont-based Circus Smirkus comes to Waltham
Cape Cod Chronicle – July 25, 2024
Circus Smirkus Benefits Harwich Children’s Fund
WWLP 22 News – July 21, 2024
Greenfield welcomes Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour
Greenfield Recorder – July 19, 2024
12-year-old Gill resident joins Circus Smirkus, with local performances this weekend
Waterbury Roundabout – July 19, 2024
Kids from across the U.S. run away to New England to join Circus Smirkus
Mass Appeal – July 15, 2024
Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour coming to town to benefit North Star Learning for Teens
Milton Independent – July 15, 2024
Magic under the Big Top: Circus Smirkus delights Milton
Hot Bread Kitchen – July 11, 2024
Running Off to the Circus with Hot Bread Kitchen Alums Hannah & Amber
Cape Cod Times – July 10, 2024
Circus is coming to Cape Cod: Aerial acts, acrobatic feats, clowning, juggling in Harwich
Cape Cod Chronicle – July 3, 2024
Award-Winning Circus Smirkus Is Coming To Harwich
The Keene Sentinel – July 3, 2024
Circus Smirkus 2024 Big Top Tour Presents “The Imaginarium” at Cheshire Fairgrounds
Barton Chronicle – July 3, 2024
Old troupers guide the new at Circus Smirkus
Sheboygan Press – June 27, 2024
Plymouth sisters to perform with Circus Smirkus traveling youth circus this summer
Waterbury Roundabout – June 19, 2024
Circus Smirkus ‘Imaginarium’ heads to Waterbury
Here in Hanover – June 8, 2024
Circus Smirkus – Entertaining Audiences and Inspiring Youth
Press Release – November 17, 2023
Circus Smirkus Announces New Executive Artistic Director
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt – September 2023
YouTube News Video
Conway Daily Sun – August 16, 2023
Circus Smirkus bring the big top to Fryeburg
Marshfield Community Media – July 20, 2023
YouTube News Video
Monadnock Ledger – July 26, 2023
High Mowing School Hosts Circus Smirkus
Melrose Weekly News – July 20, 2023
Local Teen Wins Spot With Award Winning Traveling Circus
Castro Valley Forum – July 19, 2023
Castro Valley Brothers Join the Circus
Milton Independent – July 14, 2023
‘A Midsummer Night’s Circus’ Takes Milton by Storm, Leaving Audiences in Awe
Mountain Times – July 12, 2023
The Circus Comes to Town
Best of Burlington – June 29, 2023
Circus Smirkus Returns
Waterbury Roundabout – July 9, 2023
Circus Smirkus works its Big Top magic at Farr’s Field
Mass Live – July 6, 2023
Circus Smirkus Rolls into Three County Fairgrounds
Caledonian Record – June 22, 2023
Circus Smirkus Kick-Starts 2023 Tour
Explore Central Vermont – June 20, 2023
Circus Smirkus for the Summertime Win
Waterbury Roundabout – March 31, 2023
July 4-6: The Circus is Coming to Town
Camp Business Magazine – March 1, 2023
Born to Perform
Press Release – October 12, 2022
Circus Smirkus Names Stephanie Abrams as 2023 Big Top Tour Show Director
Lincoln Squirrel – July 24, 2022
Lincoln 12-year-old Revels in Being a Circus Performer
Local Headline News – July 21 2022
Rising MHS Senior Wins Spot with Award-winning Traveling Youth Circus
Seven Days – July 6, 2022
After a Two-Year Pandemic Hiatus, Circus Smirkus Hits the Road Again
Seven Days – March 25, 2020
Enterprising Vermonters Go Virtual with Online Classes
Boston Globe – July 29, 2019
Big Top Magic
Waltham Patch – July 23, 2019
Circus Smirkus Brings Local Talent Back to Waltham’s Gore Place
Portland Press Herald – July 17, 2019
South Portland Teen has Encore Performance with Circus Smirkus
Arlington Advocate – July 11, 2019
Arlington Resident Performing in Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour
Valley News – July 10, 2019
Highlights: Longtime Friends Go on Tour with Circus Smirkus
Mass Appeal – July 10, 2019
A Live Look at Circus Smirkus (VIDEO)
Union Leader – July 10, 2019
Granite State Teens Part of Circus Smirkus’ Summer Tour
Holyoke Sun – June 28, 2019
Holyoke Youth Performs Under the Big Top
Caledonian Record – July 2, 2019
Summer Fun Under the Big Top
My Champlain Valley/Local 22 & Local 44 – July 2, 2019
Running Off with Circus Smirkus (VIDEO)
Caledonian Record – June 30, 2019
Circus Smirkus Features Local Rising Star
Mass Appeal – June 28, 2019
Circus Smirkus is Coming to Town (VIDEO)
Portland Press Herald – July 31, 2018
South Portland Teen Clowns Around with Circus Smirkus
News Messenger – July 31, 2018
Local Gymnast Takes Talent to Circus
Wicked Local – July 30, 2018
Local Teens Take on Big Adventure as Circus Smirkus Performers
MassLive – July 25, 2018
Circus Smirkus Returning to Northampton
The Nashua Telegraph – July 18, 2018
Circus-Bound: Merrimack Teen Joins The Circus
The Daily Gazette of Schenectady – July 9, 2018
Photo Gallery: Circus Smirkus’ 2018 Big Top Tour Vaudeville
The Bennington Banner – July 6, 2018
Circus Smirkus Returns to Manchester with Four Shows
The Saratogian News – July 6, 2018
Circus Smirkus Set to Entertain Spa City
The Rutland Herald – July 4, 2018
Circus Smirkus Coming to Region July 12-13
The Sentinel Source – June 29, 2018
Spice Up Your Summer with a Circus Celebration!
The Valley Reporter – June 28, 2018
A Circus Smirkus Sneak Peak
Newton TAB – June 19, 2018
Circus Smirkus a family affair for Newton residents
Arlington Advocate – June 7, 2018
Arlington Resident to Perform in Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour
Melrose Free Press – August 29, 2017
Melrose 12 Year Old Performs in Youth Circus
WTEN Albany (video & story) – July 11, 2017
Circus Smirkus Comes To Town For Its 30th Year
WPTZ (video)– July 5, 2017
Vermont’s Circus Smirkus Turns 30
Troy Record – July 5, 2017
Circus Smirkus Marks 30th Anniversary
Times Argus/Rutland Herald – July 1, 2017
In Uncertain Times For Circus, Smirkus Thrives
Best of Central Vermont – June 2017 Issue
Circus Smirkus Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary
Kids VT – May 30, 2017
Born Performer: A Vermont Teen Spends Her Summers in the Circus
Valley News – March 20, 2017
Sharon Academy Middle Schoolers Stage Circus
Merrimack Journal – March 3, 2017
Merrimack Teen Touring With Southern Circus Group
The Commons Online – March 1, 2017
NECCA welcomes guest artists for annual Circus Spectacular
VillageSoup Knox – February 17, 2017
Droplet Dance drops into the Midcoast
Blank Gold Coast – February 3, 2017
Circus Smirkus: Blanc de Blanc takes a twist on tradition
River Head Local – January 29, 2017
Baiting Hollow teen trapeze artist, juggler lands summer gig with youth circus
The Patch – January 25, 2017
Local teen sees circus dreams come true
Misadventure Magazine – January 18, 2017
Bravery, not balance, required at “Big Kid” circus camp
WAMC – December 27, 2016
Burlington Prepping for 34th First Night Celebration
Keep Me Current – August 10, 2016
Faces and places
WBUR Radio Boston – August 9, 2016
The Kids Who Clown: Circus Smirkus Summer Tour
My Champlain Valley – August 8, 2016
Circus Smirkus Performers Hit the Streets of Montpelier
The Morning Call – August 5, 2016
Musikfest: Bravo to the buskers (street performers)
Newburyport News – August 4, 2016
The Lookout: Circus comes to town this weekend
Monadnock Ledger-Transcript – August 1, 2016
Pine Hill alumn performs with circus
Burlington Free Press – July 29, 2016
Greensboro draws authors and circus artists home
WMUR – July 28, 2016
Circus Smirkus heads to Milford this weekend
Newton Media Center – July 27, 2016
Newton News: Circus Smirkus 2016
Keep Me Current – July 27, 2016
Circus Smirkus pitching tent in town
The Forecaster – July 26, 2016
Seriously clowning around: Yarmouth student returns to Freeport with Circus Smirkus
The Lafayette Sun – July 20, 2016
Keep Smiling – this week Trenton Golden
Mass Live – July 12, 2016
Holyoke teen spends last summer with Circus Smirkus
WRSI – July 12, 2016
Local Hero Takeover of Circus Smirkus
ABC News 10 – July 8, 2016
Circus Smirkus Traveling to Saratoga Springs this weekend
Yankee Magazine – February 10, 2016
Hidden New England: Greensboro, Vermont
Bennington Banner – January 28, 2016
Circus Arts: Necca, Smirkus continue their collaboration
The Citizen – January 16, 2016
Circus Smirkus recieves national community impact award
Paul Binder Blog – January 8, 2016
The 2nd Annual Celebration of American Circus