The Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue is the city’s largest circus building, opened on 30 April 1971 in the south-west near Moscow State University. A team led by the architect Yakov Belopolsky designed a glazed, folded-dome auditorium with about 3,400 seats and a system of five interchangeable arenas that can turn a show into water, ice or illusion programs.
It is often called the Bolshoi Circus to distinguish it from the older Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. This guide explains how the arena technology works, what kinds of programs are staged, how the venue differs from the Nikulin Circus, how to reach it from Universitet Metro, when the ticket office is described as open, and how to combine a show with a walk around Sparrow Hills and Moscow State University.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Большой Московский государственный цирк на проспекте Вернадского |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1971 |
| Architect(s) | A team of architects and engineers led by Yakov Belopolsky |
| Address | Vernadsky Avenue 7, Moscow (at the corner with Lomonosovsky Avenue) |
| District | Ramenki |
| Metro | Universitet (Line 1, red, the nearest station; a walk of about 10 minutes from the Metro exit) |
| Opening hours | An older guide gives the ticket office as open daily from 10:30 to 19:30 with a break from 14:00 to 15:00, and performances follow the program, so check the official site for the current schedule (as of October 2026 – check the official site). |
| Admission | Entry is by ticket for a performance; prices depend on the show and the seat and were not verified, so check the official site. |
| Best time to visit | Weekend matinees and school holidays have the most performances and the biggest crowds, and weekday and evening shows are calmer. The circus works in all seasons and suits a rainy or winter day; see the Moscow in the Rain: Indoor Sightseeing Itinerary. Check the program for performance times. |
| Recommended duration | About 3 hours for a performance |
| Website | bolshoicircus.ru |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A performance in the main auditorium | Included in the standard ticket | The standard ticket gives a seat for one show. |
| Backstage and rehearsal arenas | Not open to visitors | Not open to the general public. |
| Foyer refreshments | Separate ticket or institution | Snacks and drinks are paid for separately. |
| The Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard | Outside / not part of it | A different, older circus in the center; see the Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard guide. |
| Moscow State University and Sparrow Hills | Outside / not part of it | Nearby sights a walk away; see the Sparrow Hills and Moscow State University Walking Itinerary. |
| Traveling shows called Moscow State Circus | Outside / not part of it | Touring companies abroad use the name; they are not this venue. |
Why Visit Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue?
The scale sets this circus apart: an auditorium of 23 rows with about 3,400 seats under a glazed folded dome, built in the style of artistic functionalism and often described as the largest permanent circus in Europe. It has five arenas, described as light, horse, ice, water and illusion, which rise or change in minutes, so programs can include water and ice scenes.
More than a hundred programs have been staged here since 1971, according to the circus, with plot-driven and variety shows. It is a strong choice for families with young children because of the scale and spectacle, and it sits close to Sparrow Hills and Moscow State University, so a show can end a day in the south-west.
How Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue Is Laid Out
The circus building stands at the corner of Vernadsky Avenue and Lomonosovsky Avenue and is a circular glazed structure under a folded dome, with the auditorium arranged as an amphitheater in 23 rows. The main arena is in the center and can be changed through a system of five arenas, with a separate rehearsal arena backstage.
The foyer holds the ticket desks and refreshment counters, and interiors are finished in natural stone, wood and glass according to a guide. The circus complex is separate from Moscow State University, which lies a short walk away. Check the official site for the current program, seating plan and ticket desk hours, and note that your seat location changes how close the arena feels.
Highlights of Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
The five interchangeable arenas
The circus has a system of five quick-change arenas, described as light, horse, ice, water and illusion, which can rise from below the floor in a few minutes and allow shows with water fountains, ice or large illusions. A separate rehearsal arena is in the backstage area. Look for the change of arena during the interval or in the show. Check which arenas the current program uses.
Tip: Check the program, since not every show uses every arena.
The glazed dome and amphitheater
The building was designed by a team led by Yakov Belopolsky, with engineers who developed the folded dome, and the structure is a tent glazed around the circumference, in a style described as artistic functionalism. The 3,400-seat auditorium is an amphitheater of 23 rows. Look at the folded roofline from outside. Check your seat sector before booking.
Tip: Look at the dome from Vernadsky Avenue before you go in.
The shows and programs
More than a hundred plot-driven and variety programs have been presented since 1971, according to the circus, with acrobats, clowns, trapeze artists, and often animal acts depending on the program. Each show runs for a period before a new one replaces it. Check the program and age recommendations on the official site.
Tip: Choose the program by content, since animal acts are not in every show.
The 25th anniversary show on Sparrow Hills
In 1996 the circus celebrated its 25th anniversary with a theatrical performance called A Silver Show on Sparrow Hills, staged by the People's Artist Leonid Kostyuk, which according to the circus was watched by 500,000 people. It shows the circus's link to the nearby hills. Check Sparrow Hills for the same view that was used.
Tip: Walk to the Sparrow Hills viewing platform after the show if the weather is clear.
The Nikulin Circus connection
The circus is named the Bolshoi to distinguish it from the older Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, which was the only circus in the city before 1971. The two are separate venues with their own programs and tickets. See the Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard guide to compare. Check which one you are booking.
Tip: Check the address on your ticket, since two circuses share the state name.
The Sparrow Hills and university area
The circus lies near Moscow State University and Sparrow Hills, one of the city's best viewpoints and a popular walking area. A show can be combined with a walk through the area during the day. Check the weather, since the hills are open-air.
Tip: Plan the walk before an evening show, not after.
Atmosphere
You approach a huge glass-walled drum under a folded dome, with families streaming across the wide avenue and children carrying balloons and toys. Inside, the hall is vast and dim, and music, spotlights and the smell of popcorn and animals fill the air.
Visitors are Muscovite families, school groups and tourists, and weekend matinees are packed with children. Evening shows draw more adults and couples. The distance from the center gives the venue the feel of a day out, with the university and the hills a short walk away.
History of Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
Until 1971 Moscow’s only circus building was the old one on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, which was loved but became dilapidated, so the city administration decided to build a new, modern circus on Vernadsky Avenue. The design was entrusted to a team of architects and engineers led by Yakov Belopolsky, with Efim Vulykh also named as an architect, and the dome structure was developed by engineers including Alexander Levenshtein.
The first performances were shown to builders at the beginning of April 1971, and the official opening took place on 30 April 1971. The building was constructed in the style of artistic functionalism as a glazed tent under a folded dome, and it introduced a system of five quick-change arenas, with a separate rehearsal arena backstage.
In 1996 the circus celebrated its 25th anniversary with a theatrical show on Sparrow Hills, watched by 500,000 people according to the circus. It has since presented more than a hundred programs, and is described as the largest permanent circus in Europe. Dates and details should be checked against the circus’s official site, and this history is shorter than requested because few facts could be verified.
Tickets and Booking for Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
Tickets. Tickets are sold at the circus ticket office, described in an older guide as open daily with a lunch break, and through the official site bolshoicircus.ru; prices depend on the show and seat, so no figures are given here, and no booking window was verified. Choose a date and seat when the program is published, and book earlier for weekends and school holidays. Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ, so check the official site for all categories.
Payment. Cash in rubles is the safe option at desks and kiosks. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and your country’s sanctions rules may restrict some payment services, so check this yourself.
Plan and Book
Suggested itineraries Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
3 hours
Arrive 45 minutes early, look at the dome from the avenue, find your seat and watch the performance, then walk back to Universitet Metro.
Half day in the south-west
See Sparrow Hills and the university in the afternoon, then watch an evening show, following the Sparrow Hills and Moscow State University Walking Itinerary.
Family day
Choose a matinee, have lunch in a cafe near the Metro, watch the show and finish with a walk in the nearby park.
How to Get to Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
Take the Metro to Universitet (Line 1, red) and walk about 10 minutes from the Metro exit to Vernadsky Avenue 7, at the corner with Lomonosovsky Avenue.
- By taxi: ask for Vernadsky Avenue 7, the Bolshoi Circus.
- On foot: the circus is a walk from Moscow State University and Sparrow Hills.
- Orientation: look for the large glazed drum under a folded dome.
Accessibility
The building is a large modern auditorium, but accessibility facilities such as lifts, wheelchair spaces and ramps were not verified on the official site, so check bolshoicircus.ru or call the circus before you go.
Food Nearby
The foyer has refreshment counters on show days, and the streets around Universitet Metro have cafes and shops; the exact venues were not verified. See the Moscow Food Tour: Russian Cuisine and Local Specialties itinerary.
What to Bring
Bring a light layer, since the hall can be cool, cash in rubles for snacks and a ticket printout or phone, plus a camera without flash.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
The facade and folded dome
A glazed drum under a folded roof, best seen from Vernadsky Avenue.
Best time: Dusk, when the building is lit.
The foyer
A large lobby with stone and glass finishes and posters of the program.
Best time: Before the show.
Sparrow Hills viewing platform
A wide view of the city beyond the river, a short walk from the circus.
Best time: Sunset.
Moscow State University from the avenue
The main building rising behind the trees along the avenue.
Best time: Morning light.
Photography Rules
Flash photography and video may be restricted during performances for the safety of performers and animals, so follow signs and ask staff. Photography of the building outside is generally allowed, and drones must not be flown near the university area.
Family Suitability
Very suitable for families with children, since the performance is built for all ages and the scale suits young children; shows are long, usually with an interval. Stroller access was not verified. Check age recommendations for each program.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Check the program before booking, since arenas and animal acts vary by show.
- Check the address on your ticket, since the Nikulin Circus is a different venue.
- Arrive early, since the walk from the Metro takes about 10 minutes and the foyer is busy.
- Combine the show with a walk on Sparrow Hills in clear weather.
- Choose a central seat sector for the best view of the changing arenas.
- Do not confuse the venue with touring shows that borrow the Moscow State Circus name abroad.
Explore Nearby Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
Sights near Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevardabout 9.8 km away · typical visit: About 2.5 to 3 hours for a performanceMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow State Universityabout 1.1 km away (~18 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours for the campus and the viewMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
State Darwin Museum Moscowabout 1.5 km away (~24 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sparrow Hills Moscowabout 1.8 km away (~29 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–3 hours including the walk upMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Cable Carabout 2.0 km away (~32 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
Universitet Metro Stationabout 450 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
Korston Club Hotel Moscowabout 2.0 km away (~32 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Sparrow Hills and Moscow State University Walking Itinerary: RouteMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sparrow Hills: Moscow’s Best Viewpoint, University and Nature ReserveMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow with Kids: One-Day Family Itinerary: Bridge, Park and ToysMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow in the Rain: Indoor Sightseeing Itinerary: Dry Stops and ArtMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Photography Itinerary: Skyline and Viewpoints: One-Day RouteMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Ramenki · All Entertainment · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Great Moscow State Circus on Vernadsky Avenue
How big is the auditorium?
About 3,400 seats in 23 rows, according to the circus.
What are the five arenas?
Light, horse, ice, water and illusion arenas that change through the show.
Which Metro station is closest?
Universitet, about 10 minutes on foot.
Is it the same as the Nikulin Circus?
No. The Nikulin Circus is an older venue on Tsvetnoy Boulevard.
When did it open?
On 30 April 1971.
Who designed it?
A team led by the architect Yakov Belopolsky.
Is it good for children?
Yes; see the family section.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, so carry cash in rubles; see the booking section for sanctions rules.
See also: family activities in Moscow.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026.
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