Carnivals vs. Circuses: How Do They Differ?

A troupe of performers arrives at the edge of town; the poster promises fun-filled acts featuring clowns and dazzling jugglers, all while you enjoy popcorn or cotton candy. But are you attending a carnival or a circus? Though their boundaries sometimes overlap, these two events have unique historical beginnings. Come closer to discover the distinction.

What defines a carnival?

The roots of American traveling carnivals date back to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair. At the Midway Plaisance, visitors could experience entertainment such as belly dancing, strongman feats, and magical performances by Harry Houdini. They could also indulge in fairground games, enjoy food, and even take a ride on one of the world's first Ferris Wheels.

Otto Schmidt began his career as a showman at the fair before founding the Chicago Midway Amusement Company, which traveled around northeastern states to showcase these attractions. Traveling carnivals gained popularity over time, and by 1936, approximately 300 of them were traversing the country.

Entertainment at a carnival is spread across a variety of small booths and tents. Initially, the main attractions were the games (like ring toss, balloon darts, and high striker) and performances (such as sword swallowing, fire breathing, and snake charming). Freak shows featuring conjoined twins, people with dwarfism, bearded women, and more were also common.

As freak shows became less popular during the 20th century due to shifting attitudes about physical differences, new mechanical rides emerged to take their place. Attractions like Tilt-a-Whirls, carousels, roller coasters, and bumper cars quickly became staple features at carnivals.

What defines a circus?

The circus began in 1768 when Philip Astley and his wife, Patty, established Astley’s Riding School in London. The couple performed stunts on horseback inside a circular ring. While trick riding was already a popular form of entertainment, it was Astley who introduced clowns and acrobats to the act. Known as the “father of the modern circus,” he created the concept of the circus we recognize today. He also determined that a 42-foot diameter ring was ideal for balancing horseback riders, and this size has remained the standard ring size ever since.

Astley himself never used the term circus, however. That distinction belongs to his competitor, Charles Dibdin, who opened The Royal Circus in the same year. The introduction of the iconic circus tent or big top is credited to Joshua Purdy Brown, who in 1825 began using a tent to allow his circus to travel across the United States with ease.

At the heart of the circus is the showcasing of extraordinary skills, such as acrobatics, flying trapeze acts, and tightrope walking. These feats are often presented by a ringmaster—dressed in a red tailcoat with gold trim, a waistcoat, and a top hat—who initially directed the horses but eventually evolved into the master of ceremonies. Circuses also began to feature exotic animals, with audiences expecting to see lions leaping through hoops and elephants balancing on their hind legs.

Showman and impresario P. T. Barnum played a major role in introducing freak show performers to the circus, building on his earlier success at his museum. Barnum entered the circus industry in 1870, hiring giants and people with extra limbs to appear in sideshows next to the main tent. Today, however, such physical oddities and cruel animal stunts are less common, with performances now focusing on impressive gymnastic acts.

How to Distinguish Between a Carnival and a Circus

In general, there are two key differences between carnivals and circuses, although these aren’t rigid rules. First, carnivals usually feature a variety of booths offering multiple forms of entertainment, while circuses typically take place under a single large tent or in a theater. Second, carnivals tend to include interactive rides and games, whereas circuses usually involve a seated audience watching stunts performed in the ring.

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