"Talented kids. Professional coaches. Life on the road. Adoring 5-year-olds, sitting around the ring just feet from the stars of Circus Smirkus, where big kids have been the stars of the show of this Vermont-based company for 32 years now."
Roll the dice, whirl the spinner, and join the ultimate circus showdown—The 2025 Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour: Game On! This high-energy, action-packed spectacular brings your favorite board games to life with daring circus acts, playful twists, and nonstop fun for all ages!
Step inside the Big Top and enter a world where anything can happen! The checkerboard bursts with acrobats leaping and tumbling while aerial chess queens plot their next bold moves high above. Contortionists twist into impossible shapes as a barrel of monkeys swings to the trapeze! Chaos and comedy erupts as jugglers race through a candy-colored wonderland—and clowns dodge a life-sized mouse trap! Is something sinister brewing in the library with the candlestick? Keep your eyes out for the man in the top hat — he’s dishing out $200 every time someone passes GO!
From gravity-defying flips to hilarious hijinks, this game is full of surprises—and the only rule? Expect the unexpected! It’s your turn now—so get ready to have fun! When Circus Smirkus is in town, it’s always GAME ON!
ABOUT THE BIG TOP TOUR
Every summer, a freshly auditioned company of Smirkus Troupers, ages 10 to 18, take to the road in traditional mud show fashion for a two-month performance tour of New England. Backed by professional coaches, cooks, musicians and crew, our Smirkus perform to sell-out crowds in Circus Smirkus’ very own 750-seat European-style one-ring big top tent. There are no animals in this event.
The Smirkus midway tent opens one hour before showtime and features Smirkus novelties and food concessions that include popcorn, pretzels, cotton candy, ice cream, Italian ice, bottled water/lemonade/iced tea. Our popcorn is popped in coconut oil. We do not sell peanuts.
Only food and drinks purchased in our concessions are allowed in the big top tent. Personal water bottles are permitted, but there is no water source to refill on site.
SHOW TIMES
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025 – 1 PM & 6 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025 – 1 PM & 6 PM
CUMBERLAND FAIRGROUNDS, CUMBERLAND
RUNTIME: 2 HR, 1 INTERMISSION
This event is rain or shine.
PORTTIX BOX OFFICE
MEMBER PRE-SALE THROUGH MAY 7. PUBLIC ON SALE MAY 8.
ADULT TICKETS: $40
CHILD TICKETS: $25 (under 12 yrs)
Membership – Learn how to become an Ovations Member here.
Discounts – This performance is not eligible for student, senior, or Member discounts.
Exchanges – Ticket exchanges are available to Portland Ovations’ Members only. Exchange requests must be made prior to the performance date of the original tickets. All other sales are final.
PortTIX is the trusted box office for purchasing Portland Ovations tickets. 207.842.0800.
ACCESSIBILITY/SEATING
This performance is under a big top circus tent, with primary seating on bleachers. Seating for wheelchairs or those who cannot climb bleachers is available.
ASL available upon request.
ASL available upon request.Media Sponsors
