Cirque du Soleil’s family‑friendly holiday spectacle ’Twas the Night Before… is sliding back into downtown this winter, with a December run at the Hippodrome inside the France‑Merrick Performing Arts Center. The touring production brings the company’s signature aerial fireworks, wrapped in a reimagined holiday soundtrack that targets both kids and the grownups footing the bill. Expect multiple performances across the season, with a mix of matinees and evening shows.
What the show is
’Twas the Night Before…, Cirque du Soleil’s first Christmas production, is a tightly staged, 85‑minute story inspired by Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit From Saint Nicholas.” It follows a father and daughter through a fantastical winter journey that leans into spectacle instead of sleepy bedtime vibes. According to Cirque du Soleil, the family‑oriented show blends whimsical characters and acrobatic set pieces with a soundtrack of holiday favorites reimagined for the stage. The piece is designed to introduce younger audiences to circus arts while still delivering the big visual moments longtime Cirque fans expect.
Baltimore run and cast
The France‑Merrick Performing Arts Center is slotting the show into a holiday run at the Hippodrome that stretches over several December dates, adding around 17 performances to the venue’s season. As reported by BroadwayWorld, the touring company travels with roughly 26 artists who handle aerial‑strap duos, hoop‑diving reindeer numbers, hair‑suspension feats, and high‑energy dance sequences. The staging is billed as family‑friendly, although there are moments with low light and loud sound, so parents may want to weigh that for very young children.
Why Baltimore
The Hippodrome has become a regular launch point for national tours, and venue leadership folded Cirque’s holiday spectacle into the 2026–27 season lineup as a seasonal option for subscribers. According to a France‑Merrick press release shared by I95 Business, the return is part of a broader plan to solidify Baltimore’s status as a host city for touring Broadway titles and big‑ticket family shows. Local coverage has also pointed to Maryland’s theatrical tax credit and a loyal subscriber base as key reasons producers commit to extended downtown runs, as reported by tax break encore.
Tickets and tips
Specific show times vary by date, but ticketing platforms already list multiple December performances at the Hippodrome, including afternoon and evening options. AXS lists presentations such as December 20 and December 27, along with venue details and ticketing options, and resale listings are already visible for several shows. For accessibility information, full run time, and box‑office hours, check the show page at Cirque du Soleil or contact the Hippodrome box office before heading out.
Whether you are corralling kids, planning a holiday date night, or just looking for an excuse to sit in a warm theater for 85 minutes, the Hippodrome will have Cirque’s festive production ready to go. Keep an eye on official channels for any schedule updates and accessibility notes as the season gets closer.
