9.12.2026-24.1.2027
Winter Circus Colour
This winter’s most anticipated circus experience for the whole family takes us on a journey through a world of colours.
This winter’s most anticipated circus experience for the whole family takes us on a journey through a world of colours.
Winter Circus Colour is a playful and visual contemporary circus performance that explores themes of individuality and togetherness through the language of colours. The performance opens a window onto a captivating world where peculiar characters live in their own monochromatic realities. What happens when an unexpected situation causes these lives and colours to collide?
This year, the soulful rhythms of jazz and the percussive sound of tap dancing guide the show. World-class circus artists and dancers delight us with their skill. The circus acts include floor, aerial and pair acrobatics, inventive juggling and unorthodox sleepwalking parkour, among others. Winter Circus Colour will feature for the first time the exciting freestyle highline and the impressive acrobatics of Chinese lion dance.
The fans of the Winter Circus’s long-time star, the Rat, will be thrilled to learn it has an important, surprising and mischievous role in the performance. The show’s enchanting atmosphere is completed by the vibrant live music played by Hurja Jazz Trio.
Winter Circus Colour reminds us about the importance of being open to the world and to each other. Daring circus skills, a vertiginous set and surprising magical moments come together to create an adventure for all ages.
With Winter Circus Colour, Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth introduces Luis Sartori do Vale, Finland’s first Artist Professor in the field of circus, in his debut as director of the Winter Circus. Originally from Brazil and based in Finland since 2011, Luis is a versatile circus artist, director and visual artist. Over the years, he has worked and collaborated with numerous Finnish companies and artists – and performed in two previous Winter Circuses: Winter Circus Nose (2011) and Winter Circus Speed (2020-21). He has co-founded the contemporary circus group Company Portmanteau, whose performances have toured extensively in Finland and around the world.
Designers
Concept creator, director: Luis Sartori do Vale
Assistant director, choreographer: Saku Mäkelä
Choreographer: Riia Kivimäki
Composer: Valtteri Pöyhönen
Costume designer: Maria Sirén
Lighting designer: Jere Mönkkönen
Set designer: Aino Koski
Audience engagement designer: Paule Aladin
Performers
Krista-Julia Arppo (Finland): dance
Inga Björn (Finland): physical comedy, aerial acrobatics
Santiago Esviza (Argentina): acrobatics, Chinese pole, dance-parkour
Ada Forsberg (Finland): hand-to-hand acrobatics, Washington trapeze
Alonso Gonzales Barria (Chile): juggling
Anselmi Kaisanlahti (Finland): hand-to-hand acrobatics
Louise Lenoble (France): freestyle highline
Minna Liimatainen (Finland): dance, aerial acrobatics
Tony Mo (USA): Chinese lion dance
Emmi Peltola (Finland): aerial hoop
Ilmari Simonsen (Finland): tap dancing
Jayde Wong (USA): Chinese lion dance
Hurja Jazz Trio
Joonas Riippa (Suomi): drums
Aki Rissanen (Suomi): conductor, piano
Eero Tikkanen (Suomi): double bass
Ticket prices
Shows on weekdays Monday to Thursday by price category A | B | C
Adult 39 € | 35 € | 28 €
Child (0–17 yrs) 28 € | 25 € | 20 €
Pensioner 36 € | 32 € | 25 €
Ticket package (2 adults and 2 children) 120 € | 108 € | 88 €
Discount ticket (student, unemployed, civil servant, conscript) 28 € | 25 € | 20 €
Theatre professional (1 ticket per card, available one week before the performance) – | 25 € | 20 €
Shows on Friday to Sunday and public holidays by price category A | B | C
Adult 46 € | 40 € | 32 €
Child (0–17 yrs) 33 € | 29 € | 23 €
Pensioner 42 € | 37 € | 30 €
Ticket package (2 adults and 2 children) 144 € | 128 € | 100 €
Discount ticket (student, unemployed, civil servant, conscript) 33 € | 29 € | 23 €
Theatre professional (1 ticket per card, available one week before the performance) – | 29 € | 23 €
Morning shows at 10 am (duration approx. 1 h)
16 € per person
Delivery costs will not be added to the ticket price. The price is based on the time of the show and the location of the seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Hurjaruuth online store or at the information point in the Glass Courtyard of the Cable Factory (Kaapeliaukio 3) during its opening hours.
Group tickets for school children are only available from Hurjaruuth Customer Service, tel. 09 565 7250, liput(at)hurjaruuth.fi.
Tickets for assistants are free of charge. Tickets for wheelchair assistants are available online. Other assistance tickets are available from the Hurjaruuth customer service or the information desk in the Glass Courtyard.
More information on ticket sales.
Map of the stage and entrances
The stage is divided into three price categories. The different price categories are marked in different colors.
Category A: red
Category B: blue
Category C: green
Rows 1–14: Entrance through the main door of the Erkko Hall. Wheelchair access to Row 1. Stairs starting from Row 2.
Rows 15–19: Entrance through the upper balcony door located in the lobby of the Dance House Helsinki. Stairs lead up to the upper balcony. No wheelchair access.
In the online store wheelchair spaces are marked in purple and assistant spaces are marked in yellow.
The sign language interpretation space is located in the 1st row, approximately in front of seat 1. Those coming with an interpreter are recommended to choose their seats from rows 1-6, seat numbers 1-10. If you are coming with an interpreter, please contact our customer service.
Services
Coatroom: The coatroom is located in the basement which is accessible via stairs through the Dance House lobby. An accessible coat stall is located in the Dance House lobby. Large bags or totes are not allowed in the auditorium. There are lockers available in the basement. NB! Our theatre is not responsible for any items or clothes left in the coatroom.
Refreshments: Intermission refreshments are available through Dance House Helsinki’s restaurant Traba. Bookings and more information here (in Finnish) or tanssin.talo@restel.fi, phone 041 731 6911.
Toilet facilities: Combined accessible toilet and childcare room as well as unisex toilets are located next to the lobby.
Strollers: If possible, we recommend arriving to Winter Circus without strollers. If necessary, the personnel will guide you on where to store the strollers.
Location and accessibility
Performances are at the Erkko Hall of the Dance House, Kaapeliaukio 3, Helsinki.
Dance House is located within the Cable Factory. Access to the Dance House is via the main entrance of Cable Factory and the Glass Courtyard.
The first floor of the Dance House, where the Erkko Hall, lobby and unisex toilets are located, is completely accessible.
Read more about Dance House and accessibility.
In Erkko Hall, the first row of seats is wheelchair accessible. Please note that otherwise Erkko Hall’s stand is steep and access is via stairs.
There is an induction loop available for those using a hearing aid.
The sign language interpretation space is located in the 1st row, approximately in front of seat 1. Those coming with an interpreter are recommended to choose their seats from rows 1-6, seat numbers 1-10. If you are coming with an interpreter, please contact our customer service.
We are a Disability Card venue, and an assistant can be brought to the performance free of charge. If you use a wheelchair, you can get wheelchair and assistant seats from our online store (wheelchair seats are marked in purple on the auditorium map and assistant seats in yellow). In other cases, assistant seats can be ordered from Hurjaruuth customer service.
Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service if you need further information about our accessibility.
Date
9.12.2026-24.1.2027
Duration
Approx. 2 h, incl. intermission; morning shows at 10 am 1 h (no intermission)
Tickets
Adult: 28–46 € / Child: 20–33 €
Venue
Erkko Hall, Dance House Helsinki
Suggested age
For all ages (3+)
Other
Non-verbal performance.
The show may include strong theatrical lights and smoke effects. Viewers with sound sensitivity are advised to wear hearing protectors. The Erkko Hall’s auditorium is steep and contains stairs.
Please note that elements of danger are characteristic of circus performances. Therefore, it may be necessary to make some unannounced changes to the overall structure of the show for safety reasons.
Colour Play
15 Dec at 9.30
15 Dec at 12.30
16 Dec at 9.30
13 Jan at 9.30
20 Jan at 9.30
Come and learn more about Winter Circus Colour and have some fun playing with colours!
Colour Play is an introduction to Winter Circus Colour. The session takes place in the Dance House lobby before the morning performances. Paule Aladin, Hurjaruuth’s Head of Audience Engagement talks about the performance and guides participants through an independent colour play.
For ticket holders and groups.
Dress Along Performances
29 Dec at 17.00
16 Jan at 13.00
Dress fully in one of your favourite colours! The Dress Along Performances celebrate the full spectrum of circus and colour. Dressing according to the theme is completely optional, and you are also very welcome to attend the performance without a special outfit.
Artist Talk
19 Dec after the performance starting at 17.00
At the artist talk, you will have the opportunity to hear from and discuss with the director of Winter Circus Colour Luis Sartori do Vale and the choreographer Saku Mäkelä. The discussion is facilitated by Paule Aladin.
Art Testers (Taidetestaajat)
Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth has participated in the Art Testers program since 2018. We offer the Winter Circus, Finland’s largest annual contemporary circus production, as a destination for Art Testers. So far, more than 32 000 Year 8 pupils have attended Winter Circus. It will continue to be one of the destinations for Art Testers in the 2026–2027 season.
Materials for Art Testers will be updated on our website during autumn 2026.
Winter Circus, the warm-spirited show for the whole family, has been delighting viewers since 1994. It is an annual Christmas and New Year season tradition for many families, but it also reaches new audiences every year.
Many spectators remember these Winter Circus shows with nostalgic feelings: Vega, Tähti/Star, Taika/Magic, Kuusi/Spruce, Sirius, Nauru/Laughter, Lumi/Snow, Aika/Time, Poro/Reindeer, Valo/Light, Tuike/Sparkle, Sika/Pig, Nenä/Nose, Afrikka/Africa, Kosmos/Cosmos, Uni/Dream, Matkalla/Journey, Muisti/Memory, Play, Rakkaus/Love, BAU, Vauhti/Speed, Ilo/Joy, Super, Fantasia…
Winter Circus has been both critically acclaimed and popular among audiences, and many have found a particular favourite among the numerous shows. Winter Circus has received the Sirkuksen lumo award, and in 2012, the leading Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat named Winter Circus Africa among “the tops of the year”, meaning it was one of the most memorable and touching art experiences of the year.
The masterminds behind the Winter Circus tradition are director/choreographer Arja Pettersson, who was Director General of Hurjaruuth until 2019, and her long-term work partner, costume designer Kirsi Manninen. Petterson has directed 18 out of the 31 Winter Circus shows, thus establishing the foothold of modern circus in Finland. Manninen created the look for such iconic characters as the Pig, the Elves with French fries for beards, the Rats, and many more. She worked in Winter Circus productions until 2014.
Winter Circus shows have also had visiting directors: Liisa Risu, Sanna Silvennoinen, Davide Giovanzana, Hannu Raatikainen and Maksim Komaro. Hurjaruuth’s current Director General Jyrki Karttunen directed Winter Circus Film in 2025-26. The performances have featured hundreds of professional circus, dance, theatre and music artists from Finland and abroad.
Winter Circus has been a springboard for several Finnish circus artists, and renowned international artists have also been seen in the Winter Circus arena. Music for the shows has been played by several wonderful bands and musicians, such as Trio Bordurka, Cleaning Women, Nieminen ja Litmanen, Valtteri Pöyhönen, Petteri Rajanti, Peloton, Kuukumina, and Ninja Beat.
Many families come to see Winter Circus in groups of several generations: grandparents, parents and children. The show also attracts young people and groups of adults for workplace recreational events and Christmas parties, for example. Thanks to the non-verbal storyline, Winter Circus is accessible for everyone, including viewers who don’t speak Finnish. Physical accessibility has also been taken into account, and there is room for spectators in wheelchairs.
“
Hurjaruuth’s traditional Winter Circus is traditional only in the sense that it takes place every winter – and always offers the audience something new and unexpected.
Teatteri & Tanssi + Sirkus magazine 8/2017
“
Winter Circus Film – there really isn’t another world-class circus for children on this scale in Helsinki.
Maria Säkö / Helsingin Sanomat
12.12.2025
