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It's official: The circus is coming to Montreal with death-defying acts and free performances

A new free high-wire show will take over an 52-foot acrobatic structure, along with breath-taking numbers that defy the laws of gravity and more.

Laura Osborne
Written by
Laura Osborne
Editor, Time Out Canada
Duo Azelle
Photograph: Caroline Thibault | Le Monastère | Duo Azelle
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A 52-foot giant made of steel? Acrobats flying between downtown skyscrapers? Free shows for the whole family?

The circus is coming to town and you’re not going to want to miss it.

The 15th edition of Montréal Complètement Cirque in collaboration with Loto-Québec will feature a steel giant on the Esplanade PVM, Place Ville Marie. 

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE
Photograph: Joshua Mellin | MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE

Over the course of 11 days, Montréal Complètement Cirque pops up in various locations around Montréal. Watch as the city comes to life and wows audiences on the streets, sidewalks and parks with awe-inspiring performances (including death-defying stunts).

Le Cabaret du Jugement Dernier par Le Monastère
Photograph: Caroline Thibault | Le Monastère | Cabaret du Jugement Dernier

A festival highlight—a colossal human-shaped structure at the Esplanade PVM—is also the venue for a free inspiring show by Les 7 Doigts daily at 6:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. (except Monday, July 8).

Expect gravity-defying stunts and death-defying heights!

Sophie's Suprise
Photograph: Sophie's Suprise

Titled Le Géante!, the show stars (the very young!) 10-year-old Adeline Kerry Cruz as the lead, showcasing her Krump dance talents. Her mentor Jr Maddripp, a master of Krump, choreographed parts of the show.

The hyper-dynamic show is a metaphor about the positive impact that every human being, children and adults alike, can have on society and the planet.

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE
Photograph: Benoit Z Leroux | MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE

Surrounded by skyscrapers and with a magnificent view of Mount Royal and the majestic Ring, the Esplanade PVM, Place Ville Marie—just a few steps from Time Out Market Montréal—is an iconic Montreal location in the cultural and commercial heart of the city.

Duck Pond
Photograph: Damien Bredberg | Duck Pond by Cirka

Watch out for circus performances downtown that will also light up the Montreal Eaton Centre on July 6 and 13, 2024.

Variations
Photograph: Agustina Isidori | Variations

Montréal Complètement Cirque is a festival that brings people together every year in July, and offers a dazzling circus lineup across the city for 11 days. 

Ambiance
Photograph: Caroline Thibault | Le Monastère | Ambiance

Founded in 2010, Montréal Complètement Cirque is the brainchild of a collective dream: TOHU, the project’s driving force, with the support of Cirque Éloize, Les 7 doigts de la main, Cirque du Soleil, the National Circus School and En Piste. 

Play Dead
Photograph: Damian Siqueiros | Play Dead

Together they pooled their talent, expertise, and resources to create the first international festival in North America dedicated to circus arts.

Duo Azelle
Photograph: Caroline Thibault | Le Monastère | Duo Azelle

Welcoming the greatest circus talents from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and Québec, don’t miss the masters of juggling, who wowed audiences with Smashed in 2013 and Spring in 2019, who are returning with Smashed2.

The sensational performance features 9 performers, 80 oranges, and 7 watermelons.

Smashed
Photograph: Camille Greenwell | Smashed

Following last year's acclaimed Humans 2.0, Circa returns with Duck Pond, a dazzling reinvention of Swan Lake. 

Duck Pond
Photograph: Damien Bredberg | Duck Pond

Blending acrobatics, movement and physical theatre, Play Dead by People Watching is the debut from a young company made up of former students of the National Circus School.

Briefs: Dirty Laundry
Photograph: Adrian Thomson | Dirty Laundry

Barbu is also back for a 15th edition with their electro-trad fairground.

Barbu
Photograph: Andrei_Kalamkarov | Barbu par Cirque Alfonse

Get ready for a festive evening on steroids where the audience dives into a world of curiosity and eccentricity.

Barbu
Photograph: Idil Sukan | Barbu pa Cirque Alfonse

When is Montréal Complètement Cirque?

The circus takes over the city of Montreal from July 4 to July 14, 2024.

Sophie's Surprise
Photograph: Sophie's Surprise

What are the must-see Montréal Complètement Cirque shows?

Don’t miss the gravity-defying stunts and death-defying heights during Le Géante!, performed free daily at 6:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. (except Monday, July 8).

For more information about Montréal Complètement Cirque's complete programming, click here. 

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