The “Greatest Show on Earth” is back and headed to Florida early next year.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents “The Greatest Show on Earth” is coming to arenas nationwide with an all-new format, with multiple stops in Florida.
“This new production moves at the speed of today’s world — fast-paced, dynamic, and full of energy,” said Juliette Feld Grossman, CEO of Florida-based Feld Entertainment. “We’re honoring the legacy of circus arts while inspiring everyone to move, play, and join the celebration.”
Does the new show still feature animals? Here’s what to know and where to grab tickets.
What cities will Ringling Bros. circus visit in Florida?
The Ringling Bros. Circus will make stops in four Florida cities in January 2026:
How do I buy tickets to Florida shows?
The presale for the Florida shows is now underway. You can buy them at ringling.com/tickets.
Does Ringling Brothers Circus have animal acts anymore?
No lions, tigers or huge elephants, oh my! As of 2023, the Ringling Bros. Circus no longer has animals in its acts.
According to USA TODAY, declining sales and accusations of animal cruelty led the circus to shut down in 2017. A new version of the circus without animals was announced in 2021 and debuted in 2023.
What happened to the elephants, animals from Ringling Brothers?
Before its 2021 decision to no longer use any animals in its act, officials retired the elephants in 2016. According to CBS, the elephants were originally moved to a small preserve south of Orlando before being moved to the Walter Conservation to Florida’s White Oak Conservation Center in 2021.
As for the tigers, several were relocated to a Tennessee sanctuary called Tiger Haven. Others owned by trainer Alexander Lacey would remain with him.
Feld Entertainment said in 2017 that they had found homes for all of the approximately 50 animals with the show, and while they couldn’t publicly disclose where they were going, they said they met Feld’s standards for a “high-level of care.”
What changes have been made to Ringling Bros. Circus?
In place of the animals, Ringling Bros. now focuses entirely on human artistry — from acrobatic bike teams from China to Colombian acro-salsa dancers and a world-renowned contortionist making her U.S. debut.
Music drives the experience with live drumming, beat drops, and DJ-led moments, all set against a massive LED stage design that captures performers and audience reactions in real time. Before the show even begins, a live Ringling “Hype Crew” gets the audience dancing, turning every arena into a party.
See other changes and new acts:
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Ringling Bros. Circus is coming to 4 Florida cities. Do they still have animals?
Reporting by Samantha Neely and Samantha Gholar, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
