Circuses
and theatres for children

Moscow Puppet Theatre is the oldest state puppet theatre in Moscow. Shows for kids under 12 years of age adapted from classical children’s literature form the basis of the theatre’s repertoire. However the theatre puts on some experimental performances too.

Children’s cultural life has always been actively supported in Moscow. Powerful traditions, rich history, and lots of talented people – these magical ingredients yield an unbelievably wide array of children’s theatres and circuses in Moscow.

Grandpa Durov’s Corner in Moscow is not a circus, but the world’s only animal theatre. This is where many children first encounter trained animals which perform in productions based on both fairy tales and original stories written for Grandpa Durov’s Corner.

Volshebnaya Lampa (The Magic Lamp) is a small puppet theatre in the heart of Moscow. Since the theatre management makes fostering a love for literature its primary goal, the theatre puts on performances of only the best books written by children’s authors.

The Natalya Sats Moscow State Academic Children’s Musical Theatre is one of the best of its kind in Moscow. For over sixty years, it has been cultivating love of art among children and introducing them to the world of classical music, opera and ballet.

Just two facts are enough to set apart the Yuri Kuklachev Cat Theatre. First, this is the world‘s only cat theatre. Second, Yuri Kuklachev’s original idea and its implementation seem next to impossible because cats are known to be untamable.

Among the children's theaters in Moscow the Obraztsov Puppet Theatre is a must to visit. It is the largest puppet theatre in the world. Many of its performances have become benchmarks for spectators. While its ground floor is occupied by the Puppet Museum.

The Great Moscow State Circus located at Vernadsky Avenue is the world’s biggest stationary circus and can seat up to 3,300 people. It was opened in 1970 and immediately gained fame owing to its unique building and performers who never use safety wire.

The Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, or Nikulin’s Circus it's the great Moscow circus. It has been functioning uninterruptedly for over a century. Russian circus art traditions are cherished here while being boldly combined with new expression means.