Dust off your popcorn instincts and your sense of wonder: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is officially returning to New York this winter.
The “Greatest Show on Earth”—which now boasts a reimagined, all-human spectacle—will land in New York City for two short stints, first at Barclays Center from February 19–22, followed by UBS Arena from March 6–8.
This isn’t the circus you remember from childhood, though. After shuttering its tents in 2017 amid declining ticket sales and growing concerns about animal welfare, Ringling spent years rethinking what a modern circus could look like. When it returned three years ago, it did so with a fully animal-free format, leaning instead into global performance, music and arena-scale production. The current tour, overseen by Feld Entertainment, continues that approach, turning the circus into a live, high-energy cultural mashup rather than mere nostalgia.
The two-hour show is powered by live music, DJ-driven transitions and constant movement across the arena floor. Acts come from around the world, including a Colombian acro-salsa troupe that turns dance battles into airborne events; a U.S.-based contortionist who treats flexibility like a superpower; and acrobatic bike and hoop-diving performers from China. You can expect aerial stunts, precision balance work and large ensemble moments.
For New Yorkers, the timing is ideal. With cold weather keeping weekend options limited, Ringling’s short New York run slots neatly into winter event previews, school-break planning and “what do we do with the whole family?” conversations. Blink and you’ll miss it—just like the performers flying overhead.
