The beloved and long-standing Talvisirkus (Winter Circus) celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024. The anniversary production, Winter Circus Fantasia, was performed at Dance House Helsinki's Erkko Hall from 5 December 2024 to 26 January 2025. Each year, the Winter Circus presents a new, unique show performed throughout the holiday season until the end of January.

The production was recorded as part of Dance House's two-year Digital Stage project (2023–24), aimed at developing the digital dimensions of dance and enhancing accessibility to performing arts. The recording of Winter Circus Fantasia, created as the culmination of the project, brings the Winter Circus experience to audiences nationwide—a cherished annual tradition for many families.

Directed by Sanna Silvennoinen, the show’s fairy-tale world is built around high-level circus artists and dancers performing skillful acts such as juggling, tightrope walking, and acrobatics. The atmosphere is further enriched by a live circus orchestra. “Winter Circus Fantasia is contemporary circus where technical mastery and imagination meet in a unique way through an international ensemble. The recording, available on Yle channels, is important for the entire circus field: it brings the full scope of contemporary circus expression to all viewers, right into their living rooms,” Silvennoinen explains.

“Every year, the Winter Circus is a major production, and making it available as a high-quality recording nationwide is a significant achievement. At the same time, the recording supports the documentation of performing arts and acts as a preservation of cultural heritage,” says Mikael Aaltonen, Programme Manager at Dance House.

The 2025–26 Winter Circus season transports audiences into the fast-paced world of filmmaking. Winter Circus Filmi, directed by Jyrki Karttunen, Artistic Director of Hurjaruuth Theatre, premiered at Tanssin talo on 10 December 2025. Performances continue until 25 January 2026.

Winter Circus Fantasia at Yle

Yle Teema: 4.1.2026 at 15.35–17.11. Second broadcast Fri 9.1.2026 at 12–13.36.
Yle Areena: 4.1.2026–28.12.2028.

Winter Circus Fantasia

Production

Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth

Artistic Team

Director: Sanna Silvennoinen
Composition and Musical Dramaturgy: Maija Ruuskanen
Choreography and Director’s Assistant: Jussi Väänänen
Set Design: Tinja Salmi
Costume Design: Mirkka Nyrhinen
Lighting Design: Juho Rahijärvi
Sound Design: Tatu Vanhatalo

Performers

Dance: Akim Bakhtaoui
Juggling: Delaney Bayles
Clowning: Andreu Casadellà i Oller
Acroball: Daniel Esteban
Handstands: Valo Kainulainen
Tightrope: Anniina Peltovako
Teeterboard: Lucas Romero
Rope Acrobatics: Sini Saari
Dance: Minttu Sinkkonen
Teeterboard: Gianna Sutterlet
Hoops: Sirje Tolonen
Teeterboard: Dani Torralbo Pérez
Vertical Fabric, Silks: Anniina Tuokkola

Circus Orchestra Hattarapartio

Vocals and Keyboard: Helena Haaparanta
Percussion: Joonas Kinnunen
Cello: Susanna Syrjäläinen

More information:

Saara Oranen, Communications, Tanssin talo, saara@tanssintalo.fi, +358 44 566 1903
Inari Pesonen, Communications, Tanssiteatteri Hurjaruuth, inari.pesonen@hurjaruuth.fi, +358 44 788 7012