Run Away & Join Midnight Circus in the Parks

Big Top Pop-Up in Your Local Park

"Midnight Circus takes place in an intimate one-of-a-kind little big top that sets up right in the very heart of each Chicago neighborhood we play. . . the local park!" shares co-founder Jeff Jenkins. "The cast is a wildly eclectic and award-winning group of artists that put together a show that is so jam-packed, exciting and unique that it is the only American circus to ever play the world-renowned Montreal Circus Festival." Indeed this circus offers a little bit of everything, from trapeze thrills to tightrope high jinx. The troupe includes ultra-talented acrobats, aerialists, eccentrics and one super smart (and sweet!) rescued dog.

A Family Circus

Jenkins and his wife, Julie founded the circus in 2007 after a work trip to Europe, where they fell in love with the small circuses that performed in the parks and piazzas of France and Italy. They wanted to create an intimate show that would bring families and communities together for an evening of carefree fun. Their two kids, Max and Samantha, have literally grown up onstage, alongside their parents, and it's a joy to see this family working and laughing together each and every show.

Circus Fun at Your Feet

Midnight Circus constructs its "Little Big Top" tent the day before the show, beginning an exciting setup for the neighborhood kids to watch. Under the colorful big top, bleachers accommodate about 500 people, and there's no such thing as a bad seat. The littlest circus-goers are welcome to sit in the grass at the foot of the bleachers, so bring a blanket and be ready to have the show at your feet.

Building Community. . . One Circus at a Time

Attracting over 15,000 people every year, from the far south side to the north, the circus has raised over $1 million dollars for Chicago parks. "From day one the idea was to bring families and communities together for a world-class circus experience right in their local park and raise money to rebuild the playground," Jeff explains.

Not only are they raising funds, they truly are building communities and creating positive memories for kids who would not otherwise have access to this type of entertainment. Kids from neighborhoods that lack the amenities some of us take for granted: bowling alleys, movie theaters, playspaces, or even safe places for kids to just be kids. Click here to watch a video on Englewood's collective excitement and gratitude when Midnight Circus appeared in their park.

As parents, artists, community activists and life-long Chicagoans, the Jenkins duo believes that access to great public parks and public schools are the foundation upon which a great city is built. That, in short, is why they do what they do.

Run Away with the Midnight Circus

For its 2021 run, Midnight Circus will perform 45-minute shows in 5 Chicago parks from Sep. 11-Oct. 9. Tickets are available at midnightcircus.net and admission is free. 

2021 Schedule

September 11: Foster Park

September 18: McKinley Park

September 25: Lake Shore Park

September 28 & 29: Ridge Park

October 2 & 3: Humboldt Park

October 9: Welles Park

Beyond the Circus Tent

It's not just about the circus life for Jeff, who also spends a lot of time in the south and west sides of Chicago engaged in civic work. He, along with his rescued pit bulls, June Bug and Rosie Rae, in collaboration with the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago visit Chicago Park District camps all summer long in an effort to educate and entertain. Click here to watch an inspiring video highlighting Jeff's work to end the cycle of dogfighting in the most vulnerable neighborhoods.

Jeff wholeheartedly believes the intrigues of the circus and people's natural inclination to be drawn to dogs are both great conduits to reach young people. And the work he does with both fulfills his goal of reaching people in communities that are often overlooked.

For more information on the Midnight Circus, watch this local coverage and then visit the midnightcircus.net.