ABOUT CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a touring multi-million-dollar live family holiday show. It features some of the world’s most talented and unique performers. It includes over 300 colorful costumes and 20 different acts. The Boston Globe describes it as “Las Vegas meets family entertainment.” It is a great way to kick off the winter holiday season!
This year, Cirque Dreams Holidaze will tour to over 35 cities across the United States between November and December, including a stop in my local Central Maryland area at the MGM National Harbor in mid-December.
“A delicious confection of charm, sparkle and talent by the sleigh load, and is so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil.”
New York Daily News
ABOUT THE CIRQUE DREAMS BRAND
Cirque Dreams was created by Long Island-born Broadway director and theatre producer, Neil Goldberg. It is not part of the Cirque du Soleil circuit, which was founded in France. For over 25 years, Cirque Dreams has dazzled more than 50 million people around the world with traveling performances.
Cirque Dreams offers several different public brand shows. Plus, there are more productions under development for future roll out! Cirque Dreams is headquartered in Pompano Beach, Florida. Hundreds of performers train here along with talented designers who create the costumes and sets for the shows.
ATTENDING THE HOLIDAY SHOW AT MGM NATIONAL HARBOR
We watched the show at the MGM National Harbor. This venue has a 3,000-seat capacity and hosts musical guests, comedians, dancers, and other performers. Past acts include The Temptations, Mariah Carey, and Chicago. It is a beautiful theater with comfy seats and helpful ushers.
If you plan to attend a show at the MGM National Harbor, make sure that you review the COVID protocols, list of prohibited items, and other policies. If you bring in a water bottle, they will take the caps (strange I know), but it is to comply with the rule that you can only bring in one outside beverage.
Parking is free and there is plenty of it in the gigantic parking garage. Follow signs to the casino, even though it may seem a little strange if you have kids in tow.
Arrive early because it is a lot of fun to walk around and see some of the interesting artwork. Spend some time taking pictures in the atrium, which is always decked out for the holidays.
CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE LOGISTICS
The show is about two hours long, including a 20-minute intermission. There is a bar with refreshments right outside the doors. When we went to the show, they did not sell souvenirs, which was nice. It is the worst when we go to some shows and they try to entice the kids with overpriced trinkets!
We sat in the first section of bleacher-style seats above the floor seating area. Even though we were all the way on the right side, there did not seem to be a bad place to sit since many of the acts involved aerial feats. There were also two giant monitors on the sides of the stage. That was neat because you could see the intricate detail of the costumes and the up-close maneuvers of the artists too!
CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE EXPERIENCE
When we went to the show, the first act included a well-defined shirtless cowboy, tumbling gingerbread men, mainstream Christmas songs, a contortionist in a champagne glass, twirling dancers, and audience participation with musical instruments among other things.
The second act highlights included a glowing hula hooper, twin tuxedoed gymnasts, a fast-moving juggling act, and silly waddling penguins.
Both acts also featured jaw-dropping trapeze and balancing feats! It all led up to a heavenly aerial silks acrobatic finale.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze was one of the most epic holiday events we’ve experienced in the DC/Maryland area! Whether you’re able to see the show in the Nation’s Capital or elsewhere, it is a sheer delight to watch the expressions on the kids’ faces as they watch! It is definitely a great holiday gift for the entire family to enjoy together.
Christmas at Gaylord National
If you missed out on the Cirque Dreams Holidaze show while it was at the MGM National Harbor or want to make a weekend out of it, your next best bet in for the holidays in DC is Christmas at Gaylord National. The Gaylord National Harbor has lots of fun events lined up this year including a fountain show in their atrium, snow tubing, ice bumper cars, ice skating, gingerbread decorating sessions, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, story time, and jolly holiday decor throughout the resort.
We were provided with four complimentary tickets to Opening Night of this show at the MGM National Harbor in exchange for our honest Cirque Dreams Holidaze review. All opinions are our own.
Looking for other ideas for holiday fun? Check out our review of Dutch Winter Wonderland, a family theme park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania!
Would be so much fun to see a famous artist in MGM National Harbor. A really special evening at a special location!
I love that this show has all of the athleticism and showmanship as any other Cirque experience, but is more family friendly. What a great way to kick off the holidays!
This looks like a great place to take the little uns at Christmas. Ususally it’s a traditional pantomime over the festive season, which I can’t stand. This certainly looks far more entertaining for everyone.
I LOVE shows and this one looks amazing! Thanks for the detailed recommendation.
The Cirque shows are so much fun. I much prefer giving experiences over items for Christmas, so thanks for a great recommendation!
I never heard of Cirque Dreams, it’s interesting to read about it. Nice pics of your family 🙂
That looks like such a fun event! Hopefully, it will come to our area next year!