Circus Flora

Suffice it to say: Circus Flora impresses with broadly appealing storytelling, passionate performance and wonderful music. From the moment that you first glimpse the bright, red big top to the moment it fades from view, the experience of taking in a performance here is a giddy mix of delight and youthful wonder (regardless of your age). During its summer run, I doubt there’s a more fun way to spend an afternoon or evening in St. Louis than with Circus Flora.
A few tips to enhance your first visit?
1) Parking options include a dedicated lot and metered parking around Grand Center. At least some of the meters are payable via credit card through the Parkmobile app. Whether you plan on using the app or are depositing coins, be sure to look for the spaces marked for 4 hours. (If you’re inclined to use public transit, the 70 Grand bus has stops within a few blocks of the circus grounds).
1a) While the Circus Flora website includes directions to the big top, if you’re using a GPS and need a landmark, use Powell Symphony Hall. Once there, you can’t miss the circus! It’s just one block to the east of Grand.
2) Plan for the show to last around 2 hours, including a brief intermission. There may be short acts/​demonstrations and music prior to the show as well. It’s worth arriving half an hour before showtime to check out the talent and tent up close!
3) Other Unilocalers have mentioned that there are no truly bad seats, and this is definitely accurate. Premiums are placed on those sections that are closer to ringside as well as those closer to the ‘middle’, but even the most inexpensive seat in the tent is a decent one. Per Circus Flora’s claim, no seat is further than 43 feet from the ring’s edge.
4) I’m intentionally avoiding saying too much about the show itself, not only because it changes from year to year, but because half of the fun is being surprised by the diversity of performance types that circus includes. Acrobatics and tumbling, trapeze, tight rope, juggling, animal training, cycling, clowning: Florans do it all.
5) Be sure to read and adhere to the rules at all times (especially the ban on frowning).

Very family and wallet friendly. Parking was great too for $ 5. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much. Yes, I had read the reviews, but compared to say Cirque de Soleil, this Circus Flora was incredibly cheap. Even walking in the concession stand prices were cheaper than a movie theater. Then you go in to this huge tent in the parking lot where every seat seems like a good one.
I was blown away by the performances. It was a fantastic show. It was fun. The clown was really funny. The tumblers were great. The animal acts were amusing. The high wire act raised my blood pressure quite a bit, and the trampoline finale was just loads of fun. It was very high quality.
I have to add that the best part, the cherry on top, was the live music. Who has freaking live music at a carnival? Circus Flora does, and it was amazing. It made so much of a difference for the mood.
Definitely going back every year now!

Circus Flora is truly a gem and should not be missed! It is fun for the whole family and enough variety of acts to keep everyone entertained.

SO MUCH FUN!!! Looking for a different date night? Circus flora! Need a kid-​friendly outing? Circus flora! I can’t say how much I enjoyed the show this year. You will be AMAZED at some of the acts. That’s all I’m going to say. We St. Louisans are incredibly lucky that we can enjoy this unique experience every summer.

This year’s Circus Flora is really fun. Well worth seeing. Great high trapeze act, and the trampoline act at the end is not to be missed.
OK, a trained cat act? Where else would you see that?
All in all, this is a spectacular show and all visitors and residents of St. Louis should see it.

How have I lived in St. Louis for five years and am now just getting to see Circus Flora??? I cannot say enough amazing things about this production. St. Louis is one of only 3 cities in the nation with an annual resident circus. Just another reason to love living here! Every year from about the end of May to the end of June, they put on a new and spectacular show. What is really impressive is the fact that they spend only 10 days preparing for this… that’s right!!! Just 10 SHORT days.
I cannot say enough how impressed I was with this production. They have performers of all ages ranging from elementary/​middle school kids all the way to older adults. They also incorporate animals into the production, including horses, birds, and cats. Finally, they have tons of different acts, including a trapeze act, a high wire act, and a trampoline act. Every single act was spectacular! Another thing I feel that this show does right is the use of comedy. Typically when I go to a circus, I just never seem to understand the jokes they’re trying to make… or maybe I understand them and they’re not funny. The same cannot be said of Circus Flora. I was actually laughing during the comedic act with the repair man. I also found myself frequently clapping and smiling along with the show. The live band and the enthusiasm of the ring leader were also amazing. Such a great production overall!
All of these amazing things are packed into a small tent for TWENTY DOLLARS!!! I can’t even go to dinner for that price anymore. Tickets start at only $ 12.75. What a steal, especially since I DEFINITELY enjoyed this more than when Cirque du Soleil came to town this past winter (and those tickets were way more expensive). The value for the quality of the show you get just cannot be beat. It is also worth noting that with so few seats in the circus tent, you really can’t find a bad place to be.
If this isn’t enough to get you to go, I think it is important to emphasize that they’re non-​profit and that they do a lot of good things for the community. For example, they have Clowns on Call, which brings laughter, healing, cheer, and the wonders of circus to hospitalized children and their families. They also have Tumbling & Teamwork, which is a two-​month training intensive for students with a range of learning and socialization challenges. Finally, they give 3,000 tickets away every year, free of charge, to children and families from underserved communities. Such a great organization!
In sum, I just cannot say enough great things about Circus Flora. If you’re living in St. Louis and haven’t been yet this year, you are most certainly missing out! I enjoyed it so much that I plan to attend it at least one more time before June is up.

So fantastic, just so fantastic.
Where else besides Stomp! does the cast greet you as you exit?
Where else can you sit 30 feet from the show?
Worth every penny and the last show of the year is Sunday June 22.
Go!

My absolute favorite way to officially kick off summer in St. Louis. Circus Flora is a STL original, a circus. A theater company. A treasure. Don’t miss it!

My second year attending. When I go to Circus Flora I feel like a kid again. The acts you see are world class. The size of the circus brings a warm intimate feel. This is truly a St. Louis event that should be seen by everyone. I highly recommend the ring side box seats to get the full affect of the show.

If you are afraid of clowns, get over it because Circus Flora’s production this year, Vagabond Adventures, is nothing short of amazing! It’s not the typical circus with a ton of animals that look like they are in hell during their «performance». Instead Circus Flora tells a narrative that is supported by high wire acts, flying trapeze, awesome tumblers and yes there are horses and the cutest dogs ever as the animal acts. Circus Flora relies more on the creative and human aspect of performance.
For the past 3 years, I have attended a Circus Flora production and this year is by far the best. And it is great for kids and adults. Nino the clown is a crowd favorite and you can hear the little kids yelling his name. So cute. Don’t miss Aureila Wallenda on the rope swing. Sort of cool sort of scary since she’s doing it without a net but completely mesmerizing.
And did I mention the tent is air conditioned? It was practicely freezing inside but I nice change from the 90 degree weather outside. There are concession stands with water, soda, cotton candy and such so all of circus food you woud expect to have is on hand.
Great time for the family, a date night or go with a group of friends. You will NOT be disappointed.

This was a fantastic show. Everything a circus should be. Go see it!

An old-​fashioned circus like you’ve never seen. Every year, Circus Flora gives us a unique chance to experience entertainment with a purity rarely found in modern life.
No nets, no over-​done clowns, just amazing feats and humor. A must-​see for anyone who lives within day-​trip distance!