Rios beloved circus reopens with João Bosco show

One year after heavy rains destroyed its tent, Circo Crescer e Viver in Rio’s Cidade Nova reopens with a renovated space and a packed cultural program.

A bold orange tent now lights up the skyline of Cidade Nova, in downtown Rio de Janeiro. After a year of full reconstruction, Circo Crescer e Viver is back — with a modernized stage, a redesigned ring, a new social gathering area, and an even more ambitious vision for 2026.

Opening ceremony on National Circus Day

On Friday, March 27 — Brazil’s National Circus Day — the official inauguration of the renovation works takes place at 6 PM. Rio’s mayor Eduardo Cavalieri, Civil House Secretary Leandro Matieli, and Municipal Secretary of Culture Lucas Padilha will attend the ceremony alongside supporters and partners of the circus.

At 7 PM, the circus receives the Pedro Ernesto Medal, the highest honor granted by Rio de Janeiro’s City Council, awarded by councilman Pedro Duarte. The night closes with a live set by Quartetinho Jazz at 8:30 PM. Free admission.

João Bosco opens a new artistic chapter

On Saturday, March 28, at 8 PM, legendary Brazilian singer and composer João Bosco takes the stage of the newly reformed ring. Having performed at the circus in 2022 and 2024, his return carries deep symbolic weight — celebrating both the resilience of the space and the enduring bond between one of Brazil’s greatest musical voices and this cultural landmark.

Tickets are available at https://site.bileto.sympla.com.br/circocrescerviver/

New programs for a new phase

The reopening brings more than restored infrastructure. Director Junior Perim outlines the new recurring programs:

From April through December, a new season of Cabaret – Absurdos e Variedades brings together music, circus, burlesque performances, and surprise acts. Also in April, shows like Juvenal, Pita e o Velocípede, Bagunça, and João Pede Feijão will showcase the best of contemporary Brazilian circus.

Rebuilding after the 2025 rains

In March 2025, severe storms caused the collapse of the circus tent, resulting in damages estimated at over R$ 500,000. The year-long reconstruction was supported by Rio’s Municipal Civil House Secretariat, the State Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy, utilities CEDAE and LIGHT, and an architectural project by Azevedo Agência de Arquitetura.

21 years of social circus in Cidade Nova

Operating for 21 years in Cidade Nova, Circo Crescer e Viver is far more than a performance venue. At its core is the Social Circus Program, which uses circus arts as a pedagogical tool to transform the lives of hundreds of children, teenagers, and young people from the surrounding community.

Director Junior Perim underscores the social commitment behind the reopening: “Our goal has always been to return this space to the public — a space built for togetherness and belonging. The educational and social programs remain central to this new chapter. The Social Circus School is going strong. And initiatives like Vozes do Território are gaining momentum, focused on training and empowering local entrepreneurs — supporting those who want to innovate, turn ideas into reality, and develop both themselves and their community.”

More information at https://circocrescereviver.org.br/

Event Info

• Inauguration ceremony — Friday, March 27, 2026, at 6 PM
• Pedro Ernesto Medal ceremony — March 27, at 7 PM
• Quartetinho Jazz live show — March 27, at 8:30 PM (free admission)
• João Bosco live show — Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 8 PM
• Venue — Circo Crescer e Viver, Cidade Nova, downtown Rio de Janeiro
• Tickets (João Bosco) — https://site.bileto.sympla.com.br/circocrescerviver/
• Official website — https://circocrescereviver.org.br/