Venardos Circus Presents
DAD'S
BIRTHDAY
♥at the Circus♥
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | Gilbert, Arizona
The Show
ALICE
Curiouser and curiouser...
Step through the looking glass and beneath the iconic red-and-white big top, where the unexpected awaits. In this imaginative world, gravity feels optional, laughter spreads quickly, and extraordinary talent takes center ring.
Each act unfolds like a chapter in a curious tale: daring aerial feats, remarkable precision juggling, and whimsical humor from a cast that includes Ramon the Clown as the Rabbit, who gets the entire crowd involved.
No animals. No screens. Original music throughout. Playful, fast-paced, crafted for all ages.
Founded by former Ringling Bros. ringmaster Kevin Venardos.
A handcrafted Italian big top. Intimate seating. Close enough to feel the wind from the acrobats.
The Details
APRIL 11, 2026
When
Saturday, April 11
Dad's birthday. Showtimes: 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Gilbert dates run Apr 9-19.
Where
Gilbert Regional Park
3005 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert AZ 85298. ~15 min from Chandler. Free parking.
Directions from ChandlerDuration
~90 Minutes
One act of pure circus magic. No intermission.
Tickets
$19.95 - $59.95
VIP Stageside $59.95 | Premier $39.95 adult, $28.95 child (3-12) | General $28.95 adult, $19.95 child (3-12). Under 3 free on a lap. Discount codes in the FAQ below.
What People Say
THE REVIEWS ARE IN
5.0 rating | 6,900+ reviews | 100% recommend
“I took my kids here to celebrate my son's 2nd birthday. I've never seen him so mesmerized since he first saw the ocean. We were all beyond entranced by this magical show.”
“Even our hard-to-impress teenager (who huffed and puffed about having to go) left with a big smile on his face and raving about how much he loved it.”
Kristina B., Miami
“Fan-freaking-tastic! Young, Hip, and Rock-n-Roll! Wrapped in tradition with the sweet smell of fresh popcorn. Don't blow it off! Go today!”
Edzui R., Winter Garden FL
The Day
THE PLAN
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Built around five girls under 8 and the adults who love them.
12:00 PM
Lunch Together
Joe's Farm Grill is the pick. Featured on Food Network, huge outdoor patio where kids can move around. Open 7:30 AM - 9 PM daily. Kids menu $6-$8. ~10 min from the park. Call (480) 563-4745 to reserve for a big group. Also good: Joe's Real BBQ (no reservations needed, 200+ seats), Liberty Market (book on OpenTable). Both downtown Gilbert.
2:00 PM or 5:00 PM
The Show
~90 minutes beneath the big top. The 2:00 PM show works best with little ones, though nap schedules matter: doors open at 1 PM, so it's a tight morning if you're wrangling multiple kids. The 5:00 PM lets little ones nap first and gives more morning time (especially if some family is helping Mike and Mary move that day).
After the Show
The Park
No need to leave. Gilbert Regional Park has “The Mountain” -- a massive multi-level playground with climbers and slides. Plus a splash pad (open 8:30 AM - 9:30 PM), a fishing lake, sports courts, and shaded ramadas. Five girls under 8 will need to burn it off.
Plan B
OTHER OPTIONS
Mike and Mary are moving from Gilbert to Flagstaff on April 11. The circus is still happening, but here are other ways to get everyone together.
Gilbert | This Saturday
Global Village Festival
A free multicultural celebration at the Gilbert Civic Center. Traditional dance, world music, and ethnic food. A great way for the five girls (ages 3–7) to see some culture and colorful costumes before the circus begins.
Where: 50 E Civic Center Dr, Gilbert AZ 85296
When: Sat, April 11 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Admission: Free
Flagstaff | May 9
Alice in Wonderland: Aerial Circus
Momentum Aerial presents Alice in Wonderland as a narrative aerial circus -- classic scenes performed through aerial silks and circus arts. Family friendly, about an hour. One day only. Right in Flagstaff where Mikey is moving.
Where: Momentum Aerial, 1802 W Kaibab Ln, Flagstaff AZ 86001
When: Sat, May 9 at 3:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Tickets: Eventbrite
Phoenix | Re-opens Thursday
Maricopa County Fair
Classic county fair with rides, petting zoos, and fair food. It returns this Thursday for its final four-day run. Perfect for the 3–7 age range to see the animals and ride the carousel.
Where: 1826 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix AZ 85007
When: Apr 9-12, 2026 (Opens 10:00 AM Daily)
Info: maricopacountyfair.org
Gilbert | Apr 9 - 19
Venardos “Alice” (Different Day)
The original plan, just not on the 11th. The show runs 10 days at Gilbert Regional Park. Sat Apr 18 has three showtimes (11 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM) and gives everyone a week after the move to settle in.
Best bets: Fri Apr 10 (7 PM) | Sat Apr 18 (11/2/5) | Sun Apr 19 (11/2)
Weekday evenings: Apr 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at 7 PM
Note: Mikey would need to drive back from Flagstaff (~3.5 hrs)
Two strong picks
April 18 in Gilbert for the Venardos Alice show (Mikey drives back down for the day), or May 9 in Flagstaff for the aerial Alice (everyone goes to Mikey). Same story, two ways to see it.
Plan Ahead
THE REST OF 2026
With Mom in Chandler, Dana in St. David, and Mikey up in Flagstaff, getting the five girls together takes some planning. Here are some great excuses to road trip across Arizona this year.
June • Tucson (Halfway)
Summer Safari Nights
Reid Park Zoo stays open late (6–8 PM) on weekends with live music, animal encounters, and cooler temps. A perfect halfway meeting point for Mom and Dana.
July • Chandler (Mom's)
All-American Bash
Downtown Chandler hosts a massive July 4th celebration at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. Everyone can crash at Mom's place, hit the splash pads, and watch the pyrotechnics.
August • Sonoita (Near Dana)
Harvestfest Grape Stomping
Sonoita Vineyards (about 45 mins from St. David) hosts their annual Harvestfest on August 1. The girls will love the messy, barefoot grape stomping tradition.
September • Flagstaff (Mikey's)
Coconino County Fair
Labor Day Weekend (Sept 4-7) at Fort Tuthill. Escape the late summer heat and visit Mikey's new town for carnival rides, livestock exhibits, and funnel cake.
October • Tombstone (Near Dana)
Helldorado Days
Tombstone's most famous festival (Oct 16-18). Just a short drive from St. David, the girls can watch the Old West parades, street entertainment, and historical reenactments.
November • Williams (Near Mikey)
The Polar Express
Head up north before Thanksgiving for the Grand Canyon Railway's magical train ride to the "North Pole" with hot cocoa, cookies, and Santa. Book these tickets early!
December • Chandler (Mom's)
Tumbleweed Tree Lighting
Chandler's iconic Parade of Lights and Tumbleweed Tree lighting on Dec 5. A classic tradition to wrap up the year back where everyone started.
Looking even further — Early 2027
January • Tucson
Gem & Mineral Show
The world's largest gem showcase. Museum-quality crystals and fossils for the girls.
February • Gold Canyon
Renaissance Festival
Just east of Gilbert. Jousting, circus acts, and giant turkey legs. A must-do.
March • Flagstaff
I Heart Pluto Festival
Science nights and stargazing at Lowell Observatory in the high country.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Tickets
VIP Stageside (first two rows): $59.95. Premier Gallery: $39.95 adult, $28.95 child (3-12). General Admission: $28.95 adult, $19.95 child (3-12). Under 3 free on a lap. April 11 showtimes: 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Weekend promo: 50% off one child ticket per adult ticket purchased (so 2 adults + 3 kids = 2 kids at half price, 1 at full).
Photos & Video
Allowed during the show. Capture away.
Doors Open
About 1 hour before showtime. Pre-show entertainment (juggling, comedy) runs while you settle in.
Food & Drinks
Concessions on-site: popcorn (~$8-10), drinks, cotton candy, and snacks. Budget ~$15-20 per family. The fresh popcorn smell is part of the experience. You can bring water bottles.
Parking
Free at Gilbert Regional Park.
Stepping Out
If a little one needs a break, you can step out and come back in. The tent has open entry flaps. No need to worry about a meltdown ruining the day.
Strollers & Seating
Strollers can be parked near the entrance inside the tent. Seating is bench-style in General and Premier, with little ones on laps or between you. The intimate tent means you're never far from an exit.
Weather
April in Gilbert averages mid-80s. The big top tent is covered, so you'll have shade.
Accessibility
Wheelchair seating available. Restrooms on-site. Gilbert Regional Park is a Certified Autism Center with sensory resources. Park Office: (480) 503-6200.
Discount Codes
Try NIGHTSATCIRCUS for 35% off. Military/first responder discount (SERVICE) requires valid ID at the gate, 20% off.
Animals
None. Venardos is entirely animal-free. Dad took us to Ringling when they still had elephants. He later learned how hard the traveling was on their knees. He would have liked this.
What to Bring
Let Us Know
ARE YOU IN?
Pick a showtime, count heads, hit send.
Opens your email with the details filled in
Why We Go
Dad was a Chandler guy who planned the road trips, loaded the van, and took us to the show. Ringling Brothers at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum when we were kids. Zoppe in Chandler years later.
Close enough to feel the wind from the acrobats. He kept journals about all of it. The circuses, the road trips, the garlic festivals, the moments that turned into family stories.
April 11 is his birthday. This is that tradition, with a new show.
Step through the looking glass
beneath the big top
~90 minutes of Broadway-style circus magic
April 11, 2026 | Gilbert, Arizona