Not Clowning Around: A ghost clown uses a hand puppet to talk with a kid at the Haunted Circus Carnival at Tropical Cart. The venue is open through Oct. 30. DANNA QUINTERO/THE REPORTER
A&E

The Haunted Circus Carnival Will Leave You Entertained And Spooked

Emily Schraer , 

Santa’s Enchanted Forest left Tropical Park but the site has a new holiday tenant—the Haunted Circus Carnival.  

This time there won’t be any elves or Santa Claus but prepare to be entertained and mildly spooked. The Haunted Circus Carnival, 7900 S.W. 40th St., opened its doors on Sept. 16 and runs through Oct. 30.

That Look: A circus ringmaster eerily stares away at the Haunted Circus Carnival. DANNA QUINTERO/THE REPORTER

It features a pumpkin carving station, face painting for kids, a special effects booth, ghost clowns, a mad ringmaster, and a mystery to solve. 

“The circus offers a great time for families and friends,” says Soleih Nibbs, a clown performer at the Haunted Circus Carnival. “Some performers can look very scary and others can look nice like me. It’s good for babies and adults, the circus keeps a well balanced amount of entertainment to enjoy yourself no matter how old you are.”

For those trying to solve the circus’ mystery, legend has it that its grounds are haunted by the tormented souls of ghost clowns and frightening performers searching for their beloved lady acrobat.

Guests can help find her by attending all seven interactive circus tents and experience the 35 minute circus performance on the main stage, which features jugglers, a slinky man, ringmaster, gymnasts, and aerialists to help bring her back to the circus. 

If guests aren’t interested in being Sherlock Holmes for the evening, they can experience the carnival’s spooky maze, get a palm reading, or for an extra cost visit the circus’ petting zoo that features baby chicks, sheep, goats, rabbits, and roosters. 

For a more laid back experience, attendees can order something to drink or eat from a variety of food vendors and watch gymnasts soar through the air.

Attendees visiting the circus on Oct. 30 can enter a costume contest and trick-or-treat throughout the carnival.

The Haunted Circus Carnival is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. General admission tickets are $39.

Face coverings are not required, but are recommended if you are not vaccinated. 

To buy tickets, click here.

Agile: A gymnast soars maneuvers through a ring at the Haunted Circus Carnival. DANNA QUINTERO/THE REPORTER

 

Emily Schraer

Emily Schraer, 19, is a biology major in The Honors College at the North Campus. Schraer, who graduated from Miami Arts Charter School in 2020, will serve as an A&E writer for The Reporter during the 2021-2022 year. She hopes to be a forensic pathologist.

Emily Schraer has 13 posts and counting. See all posts by Emily Schraer