Gt. Yarmouth & Hippodrome Circus – Christmas Spectacular

Overview

Come and enjoy a day out in Great Yarmouth, where it’s all about having fun and creating fantastic memories, spending time laughing, joking and relaxing with friends and family, with a visit to the famous Hippodrome Circus included!

The fun starts in Great Yarmouth on Marine Parade, known as the Golden Mile, with more than a mile of enjoyment and laughter to be had between the two traditional seaside piers (subject to Winter opening times and facilities).

The Hippodrome has been dubbed one of the seven wonders of the British seaside. The Historic Hippodrome is Britain’s only surviving total circus building, built in 1903 by the legendary circus showman George Gilbert.

Throughout the century the intimate arena has played host to an incredible variety of entertainment, from amazing water spectacles and stage shows to cinema and cine variety and even wartime use as a military practice shooting range! – Apart from always presenting the very best in circus, Lloyd George held political rallies here – Lillie Langtry sang, Little Tich clowned, Max Miller joked, Houdini escaped, the world’s finest clowns and circus personalities performed…..

ALL experienced the Hippodrome’s unique atmosphere. It’s likely that even Charlie Chaplin performed here as a child actor before finding fame in America.

Peter Jay restored the water spectacle for his first produced circus show in 1981, having bought the building in 1979. The water has been a major part of the unique show ever since.

The final production of the year is described by many as a “Norfolk Tradition” – The Hippodrome Christmas Spectacular. This show is one of the biggest Christmas productions in Europe and combines the festive spirit of Christmas with the breath-taking magic of the circus. There truly is no other show like it and it provides a completely new alternative to the traditional pantomime shows.