‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil might be your new holiday tradition, if you love Christmas theater shows that wrap you in warmth and sparkle.
At its heart, this Christmas family show follows Isabella, a modern girl who feels she has outgrown the holidays. When the classic poem comes to life, she steps into a winter wonderland full of characters, circus artistry, and emotional surprises that will help her reconnect with her father and their family traditions.
Discover the Magic
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Discover ‘TWAS the Night Before...
‘Twas the Night Before… is inspired by Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.” It reimagines the beloved poem through movement, acrobatics, and holiday storytelling. Isabella and her dad are swept into a snowy adventure after a magical storm separates them. Their search to reunite introduces them to a cast of whimsical beings and festive holiday icons.
The story blends classic holiday feelings with Cirque du Soleil’s signature visual style. Audiences experience a winter wonderland filled with glowing props, dreamy lighting, and unforgettable characters who guide Isabella toward joy and gratitude once again.
Characters of ‘Twas the Night Before…
- Isabella: A trendy teen who believes she has outgrown Christmas’ traditions. She struggles to connect with her dad and has forgotten the joy brought by holiday traditions. Her journey helps her rediscover gratitude and magic.
- The Father: A loving dad who misses the closeness he once shared with Isabella. He hopes the famous poem will bring them together again. His determination becomes one of the emotional anchors of the show.
- Jolly: A comedic, colorful guide who helps Isabella throughout her adventure. Only at the end do we learn of his true identity: no spoiler!
- Les Tuques: Playful, high-energy characters who dance, tumble, and fill the stage with holiday spirit. Eventually, we discover they are actually Santa’s elves on a mission.
- Ava: A glamorous but spoiled starlet who gets a heartfelt transformation. When she decides to share a gift, she experiences the true meaning of Christmas and quite literally soars above the stage.
Signature Acts in 'Twas the Night Before...
Every act in ‘Twas the Night Before… is inspired by a specific line from the original poem. Acrobatics include roller skating at up to 37 mph, a Strap Duo act performed 20 feet high, and a stunning Hair Suspension act in which the artist spins at seven revolutions per second while her hair supports up to 250 pounds.
- Straps Duo: A poetic, snowy aerial act.
- Acrobatic Table: High-energy chaos inspired by children waiting for Santa.
- Roller Skates: A fearless skating couple gliding on a frozen lake.
- Winter Wonderland: A magical transformation sequence.
- Diabolo: Twinkling, glowing props passed between young performers.
- Hoop Diving: Santa’s reindeers spring to life with fast-paced jumps.
- Snowball Fight: A playful moment that spills into the audience.
- Finale: Santa’s grand reveal and a joyful Christmas send-off.
Artistic Elements of ‘Twas the Night Before…
Costume Design
The show features 50 handmade costumes, including eight brilliant reindeer outfits. Each costume uses up to 2,000 sequins and more than 125 fabrics. There are ten wigs, eight hats with reindeer antlers, and dozens of tuques to highlight the wintery theme. Even Jolly’s heavy suit is fully handcrafted.
The Role of Music and Sound
With 41 total musical pieces, the soundtrack mixes original Cirque compositions with refreshed holiday classics. The score follows Isabella’s emotional journey, shifting from playful beats to touching melodies as she reconnects with her father and the holiday spirit.
Give it a listen on all music streaming platforms!
About ‘Twas the Night Before… Set Design
The set includes giant snowballs, glowing diabolos, hotel carts, and a magical frozen lake. The production uses around 100 tons of equipment and enough cabling to stretch nearly five miles. Everything works together to build a living holiday world filled with color and movement.
Behind-the-Scenes of 'Twas the Night Before...
The Journey From Concept to Global Success
The creative team explored how to transform every famous poem line into an acrobatic moment. The result is a modern traveling Christmas theater show, becoming a favorite for families looking for a holiday Cirque du Soleil experience.
Meet the Team Behind ‘Twas the Night Before…
This touring production, as of 2025, performs on four different stages simultaneously. Thanks to four complete cast and crews, this touring show can bring the holiday magic to many people at once! Each cast features 26 artists, supported by a touring crew of 18 from 21 different countries.
The world of ‘Twas the Night Before… was brought to life by top creative minds within Cirque du Soleil. Together, they built an artistic experience filled with color, warmth, and Christmas magic.
- Stage direction and writing by James Hadley
- Music composed by Jean-Phi Goncalves
- Costumes by James Lavoie
- Set design by Geneviève Lizotte
- Choreography by Vinh Nguyen (Kinjaz)
- Makeup design by Maryse Gosselin
Planning Your Visit to ‘Twas the Night Before…
Pick a date early because the show sells out quickly in major cities! Arrive about 30–45 minutes before showtime to enjoy the atmosphere and merchandise. Families with children often say that ‘Twas the Night Before… is a perfect first Cirque du Soleil show for younger kids because it is joyful, easy to follow, and packed with holiday magic.
Ticketing and Venue Information
Visit the official Cirque du Soleil page for updated tour stops, venue details, and seat maps: Keep an eye out for holiday weekend performances and special family-friendly daytime shows.
Below are all the cities ‘Twas the Night Before… will perform in for the 2025 Holiday season:
- Milwaukee, WI at Miller High Life Theater (November 26-30, 2025) Tickets here
- West Palm Beach, FL at Kravis Center (November 20-30, 2025) Tickets here
- Boston, MA at Boch Center Wang Theatre (November 26 - December 14, 2025) Tickets here
- Minneapolis, MN at Northrop Auditorium (November 26 - December 7, 2025) Tickets here
- Salt Lake City, UT at The Eccles Theater (December 4-14, 2025) Tickets here
- New York, NY at The Theater at Madison Square Garden (December 4-28, 2025) Tickets here
- Chicago, IL at The Chicago Theatre (December 11-28, 2025) Tickets here
- Buffalo, NY at the Shea's Performing Arts Center (December 17-28, 2025) Tickets here
- Phoenix, AZ at the Arizona Financial Theatre (December 18-28, 2025) Tickets here
Engage with ‘Twas the Night Before… and Cirque du Soleil
Fans share photos, reactions, and behind-the-scenes moments on social platforms using holiday hashtags. Follow Cirque du Soleil on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube to stay updated on new tour cities and cast stories.
Ready to Experience the Magic?
‘Twas the Night Before…is a holiday Cirque du Soleil show that brings joy, wonder, and family togetherness to center stage. If you are searching for that perfect Christmas theater show this season, this one might be the spark your family needs.