Over 100 Years of Family Circus Tradition

From Small Town Shows to the Largest Circus On Earth!

Free Kids Ticket

A Circus Built For Families Since Day One

Garden Bros Circus has been entertaining families for more than a century. Founded in the 1930s by Scottish immigrants William and Robertson Garden, it began as a small vaudeville act in Canada. Today, it stands as the Largest Circus on Earth, touring across the United States and bringing unforgettable live entertainment to cities of every size.

We’re proud of where we came from. And we’re just as proud of where we are now. Family is important to us, which is why we offer free kids tickets to coincide with an adult purchase.

1916 to 1949

A Look Back to How It All Started

In 1916, William and Robertson Garden settled in Canada. William pursued a career in vaudeville, forming the act Garden and Shaw with his wife, Jean. They later established the Canadian Vaudeville Exchange, which evolved into Garden Amusements Limited. In 1932, William was contracted to produce a circus at the Coliseum in Toronto. By 1949, his brother Robertson joined as a partner, and together they relocated to California. During its early years, the circus was North America's sole full-time indoor circus.

1950 - 2015

From a Small Show to the Largest Circus on Earth

After William's passing in the 1950s, his sons Bill, George, and Ian launched smaller circuses, eventually adopting the name Garden Bros Circus in 1959. They transitioned to indoor performances and introduced a circus tent in 1960. In 1967, Ian and Dick Garden took over, with Ian continuing the indoor Garden Bros tour throughout eastern Canada. In 1990, Ian passed the reins to his sons, Richard and Ian Jr., who carried on the tradition until around 2010. The Garden Bros Circus title remained dormant until Niles Garden revived it in March 2015.

2015 - 2021

Taking the Circus to the Next Level: The Vision of Niles Garden

Since Niles Garden took over as producer, Garden Bros Nuclear Circus has evolved into a next-level entertainment experience. Under his direction, the show has expanded nationwide, introduced cutting-edge production elements, and featured a world-class lineup of performers. Niles brought a fresh creative vision and a focus on high-impact visuals, making the circus bigger, louder, and more immersive than ever before.

2021 - Today

Purchase and Merger of Cole Bros

Niles Garden purchases COLE BROS CIRCUS and merges with GARDEN BROS CIRCUS creating GARDEN BROS NUCLEAR CIRCUS the Largest Circus On Earth and the largest Circus merger since Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey.

Today

What the Circus Looks Like Today

Today’s Garden Bros Nuclear Circus features over 60 performers from around the world. The show includes aerial artists, stunt drivers, dancers, clowns, and daredevils. The lighting and sound are concert-quality, and the Big Top is the largest of its kind in the world.

Popular Attractions

Jr’s Big Adventure (virtual reality experience)
The Human Cannonball
Globe of Death
The World’s Smallest Person
Live music and special effects

Every show is 100 minutes long and built to keep families entertained the entire time.

A Tradition That's Still Growing

We hear it all the time: “I came to this circus as a kid. Now I’m bringing my own kids.” That’s the kind of tradition we believe in.

We’ve always focused on making the circus affordable and family-friendly. Kids get in free with every adult ticket. Pre-show activities, games, and food turn every stop into a full day of fun.

We don’t just want to be the biggest circus. We want to be the best family circus in the country.