There’s more than one reason Circus Flora has become an annual tradition for countless St. Louis families, in addition to being one of St. Louis’s most recommended summer events! We speak from experience when we say it’s easy to get hooked in – all it takes is one performance and then you’ll never miss a year! Circus Flora is celebrating 40 amazing years this season!
After logging a few years under the Big Top (the location of Circus Flora, found in the heart of the Grand Center Art District), we’ve got some tried and true tips and tricks to help make your outing the best it can be.
Know Before You Go
- Parking is not an issue! We know sometimes St. Louis public events can be a headache when it comes to parking, but there’s ample street parking and a $10 lot available directly across from the venue. Easy to park, easy to leave, the crowd thins out quickly!
- NOTE: If you do metered parking, Sundays are free and you won’t pay for any time after 7pm Monday-Saturday.
- It gets chilly in the tent, which feels heavenly on a beastly summer day in St. Louis. Consider bringing an extra jacket.
- Bring wipes! Cotton candy and Dippin Dots = sticky hands! You’ll be glad to have these.
- Bring some cash for face painting, there’s always someone onsite ready to create a masterpiece for your little one. It helps to arrive early for this as the line forms quickly!
- Strollers are permitted but they’ll need to be parked outside the tent.
- Every year, they offer a sensory friendly performance if you have a kiddo with sensory needs.
What age is best for Circus Flora?
We receive this question every year from local moms, and it’s a good one! The main performance lasts 2 hours with a brief intermission. If your child can’t sit for an hour and will want to get up and walk around/do something else, you might want to wait until they’re a bit older! In our experience, ages 5 and up are best suited for the main performance.
If you have a kiddo who isn’t ready for the main performance, consider their Little Top performances! They offer this twice every year and is an abridged version of the regular program and lasts one hour and runs from 10am-11am, so you’ll be home with plenty of time to spare for nap time.
Where should we sit? Where are the best tickets?
There isn’t a bad seat at Circus Flora. The VIP boxes are fun to sit in and make you feel like you’re part of the show, but we love to sit in the mezzanine too because sometimes you get a better overall experience of the show!
- FAMILY 4-PACKS are available in the Mezzanine seating areas! Purchase 4 tickets in the Mezzanine and save 15%. This promotion does not apply to Little Top Wednesdays.
- Children 2 and under are free when seated on an adult’s lap
- Seating is always reserved at Circus Flora except for during the Little Top performances, when the Mezzanine is general admission.
On-Site Amenities
- Concessions are available on site and include cocktails from STL Barkeep, canned beverages, typical concession stand finds and some heartier items including hot dogs, bratwursts, pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches.
- There are portable restrooms located directly next to the Big Top with handwashing stations, but due south of those toilets you’ll find an air conditioned building with actual restrooms and running water to wash hands. Highly recommend this option with littles in tow!
So, have we sold you on Circus Flora yet? Sounds like you need to go see what the magic is all about! Here’s to your new summer tradition! Tell them that St. Louis Mom sent you!
