Cirque du Soleil London

Cirque du Soleil, which means “Circus of the Sun”, are a Canadian entertainment company founded in 1984 by former street performers Gilles Ste-Croix and Guy Laliberté. They are renowned for their intricate narrative-driven productions, which feature dazzling costumes, high-level circus acts, live music, and break traditional circus norms by not using animals in their performances. Often considered one of the definitive modern circus companies, Cirque du Soleil are the largest contemporary circus producer globally, staging productions across Canada and the US, as well as in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. Cirque du Soleil have also created work for television and film, winning multiple Emmy Awards in the US and Gemini Awards in Canada. Cirque du Soleil shows London are usually staged at the Royal Albert Hall over the festive period, making them a fantastic annual treat for theatregoers visiting the city.

Want to book tickets for Cirque du Soleil in London? Check out our list of Cirque du Soleil shows currently playing, along with key past productions, and set an alert for your favourite shows to be notified of their return! Keep in mind that revivals tend to feature different performers and may be staged at different venues from the past productions listed below.

Kurios 2027

Kurios premiered in Montreal in 2014, later making its European premiere at the Royal Albert Hall in 2023, and is one of Cirque du Soleil’s most popular touring productions. The steampunk-infused show follows a 19th-century inventor who creates a contraption that defies the laws of time and space. He is joined by cross-dimensional creatures as he reinvents the world around him. The show features contortion, aerial straps, balancing acts, synchronised dance, and high-flying aerial act Russian Cradle, amongst other thrilling feats. The show features a jazz and electro swing fusion score, composed by Raphael Beau in collaboration with composition duo Bob and Bill.

Last On: Playing at the Royal Albert Hall from 13 January – 28 February 2027. 

Alegria 2024

Alegria (“Joy” in Spanish) premiered in Montreal in 1994. Since its debut, the show has been performed over 5,000 times in more than 250 cities globally. Alegria follows a power struggle between two generations: the fading, privileged Old Order and the hopeful, youthful New Order, drawing inspiration from Baroque art and the Gilded Age for its design. Acts include clowning, trapeze, contortion, aerial stunts and fire performance, amongst others, accompanied by a Grammy-nominated soundtrack composed by René Dupéré. The show has performed at the RAH several times, in 1998, 1999, 2006 and 2007. In 2019 the show was remounted as Alegria: A New Light in celebration of the show’s 25th anniversary, later celebrating its 30th anniversary with a London staging in 2024. 

Last On: 2024, Royal Albert Hall. 

OVO 2026

Ovo premiered in 2009 in Montreal, making its European premiere in London in 2018. Set in a world of insects, whose community is shaken up by the appearance of a newcomer and a mysterious egg, Ovo places an emphasis on insectile movement. With a Brazilian-inspired score by composer Berna Ceppas, Ovo features the largest flying act undertaken by Cirque so far, alongside aerial cable, trapeze, slackwire and unicycle, vertical rope, Russian Cradle and more! The show’s name has a double meaning: “Ovo” is Portuguese for egg, and the show name is often stylised as oVo – concealing a bug’s eyes and antennas within the typeface. 

Last On: 2026, Royal Albert Hall.

Corteo 2025

Corteo premiered in Montreal in 2005, breaking Cirque du Soleil’s audience record, before debuting in the UK in 2025. Corteo, meaning procession in Italian, follows a clown who watches his own carnival-like funeral take place, and drew inspiration partly from a Canadian art exhibit The Grand Parade: Portrait of the Artist as Clown and the Fellini film I Clowns. The show has an original score by Philippe Leduc and Maria Bonzanigo and additional composition/reworking by Jean-François Côté and Michel A. Smith. It is presented on a circular stage, with a revolve splitting it in two. Acts include Cyr wheel, teeterboard, clowning, trampolining, juggling and a “balloon dance” – in which performers are lifted by helium balloons! 

Last On: 2025, Royal Albert Hall.

Luzia 2022

Luzia premiered in Montreal in 2016. The show’s UK premiere in 2020 marked 30 years of Cirque productions at the Royal Albert Hall. Showcasing Mexico’s rich culture, the show takes its name from the Spanish for light (“Luz“) and rain (“lluvia”), key elements at the heart of the production. It follows a parachutist as he lands in a dreamlike, Mexican-inspired landscape, and encounters various creatures and characters. The stage features a pool and a ‘rain curtain’, which uses lights and water to create images and projections. Acts include contortion, hoop diving, Chinese pole climbing, aerial swings and freestyle football and ball balancing. A soundtrack, which differs slightly from the live performance’s score, was recorded in partnership with Bostich + Fussible, remixing songs composed by Simon Carpentier. 

Last On: 2022, Royal Albert Hall.

What Are the Most Famous Cirque du Soleil Shows?

Some of the most well-known Cirque du Soleil shows include O, a water-themed act that merges synchronised swimming and circus, and Mystere, a fantasy-based show that incorporates opera. Both productions are part of Cirque’s Las Vegas residencies. 

Mystere was the company’s first-ever residency and has been in a custom-built theatre at the Treasure Island Hotel since 1993, while O, which features a 1.5-million-US-gallon pool, has been at the Bellagio Hotel since 1998. 

Two of Cirque’s most famous touring productions are Kurios, their Cabinet of Curiosities themed steampunk extravaganza, and Luzia, a vibrant show inspired by Mexican culture. 

How Often Are Cirque du Soleil Shows Performed in London?

While some productions are officially ‘retired’, many Cirque du Soleil shows are frequently revived, as part of the company’s annual residency at the Royal Albert Hall.  Cirque du Soleil productions usually staged over the festive period or during the summer holidays.

Find out more about upcoming and currently running Cirque du Soleil shows above, or set an alert for when your favourites return! 

Where Can I Find Out More About Cirque du Soleil? 

You can learn more about the history of Cirque du Soleil and more information about their shows on the official Cirque du Soleil site, or learn more about the show’s history in London at the Royal Albert Hall site. 

What Else Can I See If I Like Cirque du Soleil Shows?

For circus lovers, there’s Cirque Alice, a family-friendly take on Alice in Wonderland, or Cirque Berserk, a full-throttle contemporary circus show full of heart-racing stunts, including the “Ring of Death” motorcycle trick.

For a less traditional circus take, check out The Greatest Showman: Circus Spectacular, which combines musical theatre with circus performance, or for an illusion-based show, book Now You See Me Live. Both shows are based on the hit films of the same names.