An Indiana Town is the Circus Capital of the World – Here’s Why to Visit in July

Indiana is home to an amateur circus. Every year they host a big festival full of performances for the public, and you're invited!

Small Town with a Big Top

The small Indiana town of Peru has a population of less than 12,000 people, yet it is known as the Circus Capital of the World! It is also home to the Peru Amateur Circus and the Circus City Festival. For decades, this has been a Hoosier tradition.

What Is an Amateur Circus Exactly

Every year around 200 young adults ranging in age from 7 to 21 take part in an amazing youth organization where they learn all different kinds of circus acts like tumbling and trapeze. Then every July, they get to showcase their skills under the big top at the Circus City Festival

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More About the Circus City Festival

The Circus City Festival, which houses its own permanent big top tent, also includes rides, games, vendor booths, and delicious foods. But perhaps the most spectacular feature of the Circus City Festival is its performances by the Peru Amateur Circus.

When is the Circus City Festival

The annual festival takes place Monday through Saturday during the third week of July. For 2024, it will run from July 15th through July 20th. That Saturday, the festival wraps up with the longest-running annual Circus Parade on Earth!

More About the Annual Circus Parade

This isn't your average, run-of-the-mill parade. The annual Circus Parade includes authentic circus wagons, floats, calliopes, clowns, and even wild animals making it the second largest parade in the entire state of Indiana.

To learn more, and to buy your tickets to see a performance by the Peru Amateur Circus, buy your tickets in advance by visiting PeruCircus.com.