The Knie Circus – Magic Just Got an Upgrade

Last night, Circus Knie opened its 2026 season in Zurich — and it delivered.
The big news this year is what’s happening above your head. A completely new laser and special effects system installed under the dome — never before used in a traveling circus — turns the entire tent into a living, breathing artwork. Every act lands differently when the ceiling is part of the show.
And what acts. Ballet, acrobatics, live music, comedy — all arriving together at the same address on the same night.
The clown is Italian, and I can personally confirm he is funny before he even enters the ring. I arrived late, bumped into him outside while searching for my seat, and was already gone. By the time the Swiss audience joined in, the whole tent was laughing. That’s the real test.
Then there’s the curly-haired acrobat on all the posters. His parents worked with Knie in the eighties. He grew up in the sawdust, and it shows — he moves like an angel and the crowd knew it.
The motorcycles inside the giant steel sphere? Still terrifying. Still magnificent. Some things just need to keep existing.

The tour kicked off on March 13th in Rapperswil — so that’s already happening right now, this weekend. Zurich follows from May 8th to June 7th at Sechseläutenplatz. Tickets at knie.ch.