photo by Tim Pethel
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Flying acrobats, gravity-defying stunts, fire breathers, stilt dancers, and the coolest clowns around! UniverSoul Circus returns to Newark with its new Rhythm of the World production from October 2-19, 2025 under the iconic big top tent at Weequahic Park.
Celebrating 31 years, UniverSoul Circus remains one of America’s top family events, bringing together international performers in a high-energy, interactive spectacle of world-class talent, vibrant costumes, and music from across the globe. Audiences can expect a cultural celebration filled with rhythm, soul, and unforgettable performances.
A family favorite with global appeal: Rated as one of Ticketmaster’s “Top 10 Most Requested Family Events,” UniverSoul Circus has entertained over 25 million people with its unique blend of circus arts, theater, and live music. The show spans genres, including R&B, Latin, hip-hop, jazz, gospel, pop, and the infectious beats of world music. The diverse cast of performers, representing five continents, promises to dazzle and entertain with their acrobatic feats, comedic antics, and cultural displays.
More than a performance, UniverSoul is a shared experience – an exhilarating, all-ages celebration where audiences from every background come together and feel like one big global family.
“Our Rhythm of the World production celebrates not only the world’s top circus performers, but also the unity of people from all walks of life. It’s a powerful reminder of the universal values of love, respect, and togetherness,” said Cedric Walker, founder and CEO of UniverSoul Circus.
A beloved, budget-friendly, interactive experience: Described as “not your grandfather’s circus,” UniverSoul is renowned for its engaging and interactive experience, where audience members of all ages become an integral part of the show. Whether it’s participating in a game of Simon Says, showing off dance moves during the Swag Surf, or joining the Soul Karaoke spotlight, the crowd is always in the spotlight. Kids are invited to join Fresh the Clowns in the Big Top Kids Dance contest, while everyone enjoys the high-energy music and playful atmosphere.
With themes of unity and understanding, UniverSoul Circus fosters valuable lessons, encouraging children to honor their parents, be good students, and embrace love and tolerance.
Additionally, last year’s circus attendees praised the event for its affordability ("money well spent!"), The variety of performers and the educational experience of showcasing flags from the performers' home countries. Many also referred to it as one of the "best family events ever" and urged organizers to "return next year!" This year, circus goers are raving about the well-rounded talent and fun vibe, noting, “It's beautiful to see different cultures and people come together,” and “We were all BIG KIDS under the BIG TOP.”
photo by Tim Pethel
An all-new show: This year’s show features over a dozen new acts from around the world, all showcasing their skills under a state-of-the-art big top tent from Italy. The tent is equipped with a dynamic audio and lighting system that adds a new layer to the spectacular performances.
New acts include a vertigo-inducing, electrifying Ethiopian Pole Act featuring dizzying spins and poses on a towering vertical pole, along with Power of Love, a unique and graceful ballerina act. Audiences will also be amazed by Kefeni, an awe-inspiring contortionist who bends in ways most humans never could, and the Morning Doves – a mesmerizing aerial lyra duo from Mongolia and Ethiopia that blends beauty, emotion, daring skill, and heart-stopping suspense. Also new to the lineup is a high-energy, ultra-stylized roller-skating troupe featuring elite skaters from Cuba and the U.S., blending mind-blowing acrobatics and slick choreography set to hard-hitting hip-hop beats.
Featured performers include the soul-stirring African Dream hoop divers from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; an exciting, stylized teeterboard act from Ethiopia; a tantalizing strong-man hand-balance duo called Double Vision from the Dominican Republic; and a high-flying acrobatic act from Russia called Zhukau Swing.
Audience favorites are also returning, including the Caribbean Street Carnival, which features 20-foot dancing puppets, fire-breathing stilt dancers, and vibrant folklore characters. The hip-hop dancing Fresh the Clowns (with hundreds of thousands of social media followers) will have the crowd dancing, while the daring Wheel of Death stunt artists will keep everyone on the edge of their seats as they perform heart-stopping flips and dives 60 feet in the air.
Tickets and more information: Tickets start at $25 and are available at Ticketmaster.com. Performance times are 7:00pm on Thursdays and Fridays, 12:00pm, 3:30pm, and 7:30pm on Saturdays, and 12:00pm, 3:00pm, and 6:30pm on Sundays. An exceptional performance is also planned for Monday, October 13 (Indigenous Peoples' Day). Weequahic Park, one of Essex County’s premier parks, is located at Meeker Avenue and Empire Street in Newark, New Jersey.
photo by Tim Pethel
Rated as a Ticketmaster “top 10 most requested family event” and seen by more than 25 million people, UniverSoul is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including World Music, Hip Hop, Classic R&B, Latin, Jazz, Gospel, and Pop. It embraces and celebrates the exotic and exciting aspects of global urban culture by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul was created 31 years ago as the brainchild of Atlanta concert and theater producer Cedric Walker, whose desire was to create a family-friendly experience promoting love, respect, and unity, to be enjoyed by people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
The UniverSoul Circus is a product of the storied legacy of Atlanta, Georgia, famous for giving the world innovative, multicultural entertainment created by world-renowned artists and producers in the fields of stage, film, music, and events.
