The Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard is one of the oldest permanent circuses in Russia, founded in 1880 by the rider and impresario Albert Salamonsky and named after the clown and film actor Yuri Nikulin, who led it for years. It stands on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, a short walk from the Metro stations Tsvetnoy Bulvar and Trubnaya.
A visit means seeing a performance in a round hall that holds about 2,000 spectators, with new programs staged a couple of times a year. This guide explains how the circus relates to Nikulin, what the on-site museum shows, how the shows are organized, which parts of the complex are open without a ticket, how to find the entrance and the statue outside, and how to combine an evening at the circus with a walk along the boulevard.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Московский цирк Никулина на Цветном бульваре |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1880 |
| Address | Tsvetnoy Boulevard 13, Moscow |
| District | Meshchansky |
| Metro | Tsvetnoy Bulvar (Line 9, light gray, the closest station, a short walk of about 3 to 5 minutes (estimate); a stained-glass panel in the entrance hall has a circus theme) Trubnaya (Line 10, lime, also named as a nearby station, a walk of about 5 to 10 minutes (estimate)) |
| Opening hours | A listing gives the circus complex as open daily from 11:00 to 19:00, while performances are given at times set by 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 seat and were not verified, so check the official site. |
| Best time to visit | Weekends and school holidays have the most performances and the biggest crowds, while weekday shows are quieter. A listing gives the complex as open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 for visits, with evening performances by program. The circus works in all seasons and suits a rainy or winter day; see the Moscow in the Rain: Indoor Sightseeing Itinerary. |
| Recommended duration | About 2.5 to 3 hours for a performance |
| Website | eng.circus.moscow |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A performance in the main arena | Included in the standard ticket | The standard ticket gives a seat for one show. |
| The museum with the clown dressing room | Separate ticket or institution | A small museum on the premises; check whether it needs its own ticket. |
| The statue of Yuri Nikulin outside | Outside / not part of it | Free to see on the boulevard. |
| Backstage and animal areas | Not open to visitors | Not open to the general public. |
| Tsvetnoy Central Market | Outside / not part of it | A separate shopping center nearby. |
| The Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue | Outside / not part of it | A different large circus building in another part of the city. |
Why Visit Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard?
The circus is a rare working link to 19th-century Moscow entertainment: Albert Salamonsky opened a permanent brick circus here in 1880 with horse acts and later pantomimes and children’s performances, and an indoor swimming pool was added in 1889. Yuri Nikulin worked here as a clown from 1960 and became its chief producer in 1983.
Today the arena seats about 2,000 and the circus presents two new shows a year, according to a listing. A museum in the premises reconstructs a mid-19th-century clown dressing room, and a statue of Nikulin stands outside. It suits families and anyone who wants a classic Russian circus evening in the center.
How Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard Is Laid Out
The circus stands on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, with the main entrance on the boulevard and a statue of Yuri Nikulin outside. Inside is a large round hall with an arena and tiered seating for about 2,000, with the foyer and the museum around it.
The museum with a reconstructed clown dressing room is on the premises, according to a listing, and ticket desks are in the foyer. The Metro station Tsvetnoy Bulvar is across the street, and the Tsvetnoy Central Market shopping center is a short walk away. Check the official site for the current program, the ticket desk hours and whether the museum is open on performance days.
Highlights of Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
The arena and the show
The main event is the performance in a round hall with an arena and seating for about 2,000 spectators, with two new programs staged each year according to a listing. Shows typically combine acrobats, clowns, animal or equestrian acts depending on the program. Check the program, since not every show includes animals and running times differ.
Tip: Check the poster for the current program before you choose a date.
Yuri Nikulin's legacy
Yuri Nikulin, one of the most popular clowns and film actors in Russia, worked here as a clown from 1960 and became the chief producer in 1983, leading the circus for about fifteen years. The circus now carries his name, and a statue of him stands outside. Look at the statue before you go in. Check the museum for his story.
Tip: Take a photograph of the statue before the show, when the entrance is quieter.
The museum of clowns
A museum on the premises reconstructs a clown dressing room of the mid-19th century and tells the circus's history, according to a listing. It is small and best before the performance. Check whether it is open and whether it needs a separate ticket.
Tip: Arrive early enough to see the museum before the show starts.
The 1880 foundation
Albert Salamonsky, a hereditary rider, built a permanent brick circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard that opened on 20 October 1880, with benches, box seats and a standing gallery. Brick stalls followed in 1884 and a pool in 1889. The original building is not the one used today. Check the circus's own history page for the details.
Tip: Read the circus's history page before your visit to follow the story.
The old building and its last show
The last performance in the old building took place on 13 September 1985, after which the circus was rebuilt, according to the official English page. The later building is the one visitors use today. Check what the official site says about the reconstruction.
Tip: Ask at the museum which parts of the old interior are remembered.
Tsvetnoy Boulevard
The circus stands on a boulevard laid out in the 1830s on the bed of the Neglinnaya River, with the Tsvetnoy Central Market shopping center and a column with a statue of St George slaying the dragon nearby. It is a pleasant walk before or after a show. Check opening hours of shops if you plan to combine them.
Tip: Walk the boulevard to Trubnaya after the show.
Atmosphere
Families gather under the lit facade and queue at the foyer, children with balloons and popcorn, while the smell of sawdust and animal hay drifts from the stables on show days. Inside, the round hall is dim and warm, with music rising and the sound of hooves and applause.
Visitors are Muscovite families, school groups and tourists, and the circus is busiest at weekends and school holidays. Afternoon shows are for families, and evenings suit adults. Outside, the tree-lined boulevard gives a calm contrast, and the statue of the clown is a favorite photograph.
History of Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Albert Salamonsky, a hereditary circus rider born in Italy, came to Moscow at the beginning of 1880 to open a new circus in the capital. The permanent brick circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard opened on 20 October 1880, with an official page giving this date and another guide giving 12 October for the first performance. From 1880 to 1913 it carried the founder’s name.
In 1884 brick stalls were built and in 1889 a swimming pool was added. The circus staged elaborate pantomimes and special performances for children, and drew horse acts and performers from around the world. After the revolution the circus was nationalized, in 1919 according to a guide, and was renamed the First State Circus.
After the Second World War the circus formed a production company, and Yuri Nikulin began performing as a clown from 1960. In 1983 he was named chief producer, and the last performance in the old building took place on 13 September 1985. The circus has carried his name since 1996 or 1997, and he died in 1997. The circus now stages new programs twice a year. 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; sources differ on some dates.
Tickets and Booking for Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Tickets. Tickets are sold on the official ticket site linked from eng.circus.moscow and at the circus ticket desks, and prices depend on the show and the seat, so no figures are given here; no booking window was verified. Choose a performance date and seat when the program is published, and check for popular weekends and holidays in advance. 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 Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
3 hours
Arrive 45 minutes early, see the statue and the museum, watch the performance and leave through the boulevard toward the Metro.
Half day with the boulevard
Walk Tsvetnoy Boulevard to Trubnaya before the show, have lunch nearby and watch an afternoon performance.
Family evening
Choose an early show, buy snacks in the foyer and finish with a walk to Patriarch's Ponds, following the Patriarch's Ponds and Tverskoy Boulevard Walking Itinerary.
How to Get to Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Take the Metro to Tsvetnoy Bulvar (Line 9, light gray), which has a circus-themed stained-glass panel, and walk about 3 to 5 minutes to Tsvetnoy Boulevard 13, or to Trubnaya (Line 10, lime), a walk of about 5 to 10 minutes.
- By taxi: ask for Tsvetnoy Boulevard 13, the Nikulin Circus.
- On foot: the circus is close to Trubnaya Square and the Boulevard Ring.
- Orientation: look for the statue of the clown outside the entrance.
Accessibility
The hall is a large modern auditorium, but accessibility facilities such as lifts, wheelchair spaces and ramps were not verified on the official site, so check eng.circus.moscow or call the circus before you go.
Food Nearby
The foyer has snack counters on show days, and Tsvetnoy Boulevard, Trubnaya and the Tsvetnoy Central Market have many cafes and restaurants; 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 the program, and a camera without flash.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
The statue of Yuri Nikulin
A bronze clown outside the entrance, a popular photograph before the show.
Best time: Before the evening show.
The circus facade on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
The lit entrance and posters with the boulevard trees in front.
Best time: Dusk.
The stained glass at Tsvetnoy Bulvar Metro
A green circus-themed panel above the stairs in the entrance hall.
Best time: Weekday mornings, when the hall is quiet.
Tsvetnoy Boulevard
The tree-lined boulevard with the column and statue of St George nearby.
Best time: Autumn afternoons.
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 facade and the statue outside is generally allowed, and drones must not be flown in the center.
Family Suitability
Very suitable for families with children, since the performance is built for all ages and the museum and foyer add interest; the show is long, usually about two hours with an interval. Stroller access was not verified. Check age recommendations for each program.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Check the program before you book, since not every show includes animals.
- Arrive early to see the museum and the statue before the crowd.
- Choose a weekday show for a calmer foyer and easier seats.
- Use Tsvetnoy Bulvar Metro to see the circus-themed stained glass.
- Do not confuse this circus with the large Moscow Circus on Vernadsky Avenue.
- Walk the boulevard to Trubnaya after the show for a calm ending.
Explore Nearby Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Sights near Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Gulag History Museum Moscowabout 400 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vysokopetrovsky Monastery Moscow – about 450 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hours (if doing the overview tour and/or the belltower mini-tour)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Museum of Modern Artabout 500 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hours per venueMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hermitage Garden Moscowabout 600 m away (~10 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
State Museum of Decorative Arts Moscowabout 800 m away (~13 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines Moscowabout 1000 m away (~16 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Tsvetnoy Bulvar Metro Stationabout 100 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Trubnaya Metro Stationabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sukharevskaya Metro Stationabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Sakhliabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Butcher Steak Houseabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Gorynychabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
La Maréeabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nightlife near Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Delicatessenabout 600 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Mendeleev Bar & Musicabout 700 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Okno Aparthotelabout 600 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Petrovka Loft Mini Hotelabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Rus Teatralnaya Hostelabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Circle of Light Festival in Moscowabout 1.1 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Pushkin Day and Russian Language Day in Moscowabout 1.1 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Tea Party Festivalabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Tsvetnoy Boulevard: Nikulin Circus, Clowns Fountain and MarketMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Patriarch’s Ponds and Tverskoy Boulevard Walking Itinerary: RouteMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Chistye Prudy, Myasnitskaya and Sretenka Walking Itinerary: RouteMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sretenka: Moscow’s Old Pilgrim Road, Monastery and BoulevardsMain 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.
Browse more: More in Meshchansky · All Entertainment · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Nikulin Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard
Who founded the circus?
Albert Salamonsky, a rider and impresario, opened it in 1880.
Why is it called Nikulin Circus?
After the clown and actor Yuri Nikulin, who led it and performed here.
Which Metro station is closest?
Tsvetnoy Bulvar, a short walk; Trubnaya is also near.
How big is the hall?
About 2,000 seats, according to a listing.
Is there a museum?
Yes, a small museum with a reconstructed clown dressing room, according to a listing.
Is it only for children?
No. Many programs suit adults, though animal acts depend on the show.
How do I buy tickets?
Through the official ticket site or the circus desks; see the booking 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.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026.
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