Step inside Germany’s Circus Roncalli, and you’ll find a circus like no other. Gone are the live elephants, horses, and exotic animals that once paraded through the ring. In their place, life-like holograms captivate audiences with astonishing realism. From a mother elephant trumpeting alongside her calf to a herd of galloping horses and even floating fish, the arena becomes a stage for imagination and technology. This is the first circus in the world to fully embrace a cruelty-free, holographic approach, offering all the thrills of a traditional circus without harming a single animal. Here’s everything you need to know about how Roncalli is reinventing circus magic.
Founded in 1976, Circus Roncalli has long been a pioneer of creativity in Europe’s circus scene. By the 1990s, it had already begun phasing out exotic animals, responding to concerns about welfare, travel stress, and cramped living conditions. Elephants, tigers, and lions, often confined to trailers and subjected to harsh training routines, were gradually replaced with performances that highlighted human artistry—acrobatics, clowns, and theatrical storytelling. By 2017, the circus made the bold decision to remove all animals entirely from its shows, turning to cutting-edge technology to preserve the spectacle and wonder that audiences expect.
The concept was inspired by modern holographic performances in music and theater, where long-deceased performers can appear on stage through 3D projection. Roncalli asked a simple question: if holograms can bring humans back to life, why not animals? The result is a dazzling 360-degree spectacle. Eleven ZU850 laser projectors, paired with long-throw lenses and fine-mesh screens, fill the 105-foot-wide arena with high-resolution images of animals performing acrobatics and interacting with the ring. Every seat offers an unobstructed view, allowing the audience to feel completely immersed in the experience.
The show begins with a miniature steam train circling the ring, followed by a bright green parrot flitting through the air. Moments later, a mother elephant stands tall beside her calf while a herd of horses gallops around the arena. Fish float mid-air, performing impossible stunts that a traditional circus could never achieve. The choreography is seamless, combining human performers and holographic animals in acts that retain the charm of classic circus storytelling while embracing futuristic creativity.
Creating this illusion was no small feat. Unlike theaters where audiences face one direction, the circus ring requires projections that work perfectly from every angle. Roncalli collaborated with agencies like TAG/TRAUM and Bluebox to design a system that could handle the technical complexity. Animators and graphic designers crafted each creature with meticulous detail, ensuring motion and scale felt authentic. The use of holograms also opens new creative possibilities: animals can defy gravity, interact with lighting effects, or appear in fantastical scenarios that maintain the thrill of the circus while expanding its imaginative scope.
Human performers remain at the heart of the show. Acrobats soar across the ring, clowns juggle and tease, and magicians conjure illusions, all now enhanced by holographic companions. Families and first-time visitors often remark on the relief and excitement of watching a circus without live animals, appreciating both the ethical considerations and the spectacle itself. For children, it is an awe-inspiring introduction to the beauty of animals; for adults, it offers nostalgia combined with a fresh, high-tech twist.
Circuses have always evolved with the times, and the public’s growing awareness of animal welfare has accelerated this change. Many countries now regulate or prohibit the use of wild animals in performances, and audiences increasingly favour cruelty-free entertainment. Roncalli’s holographic innovation positions the circus at the forefront of this movement. By marrying artistry and technology, the circus preserves the thrill of performance while eliminating ethical concerns.
Audiences leave the big top with a sense of wonder and possibility. Elephants balance on two legs, horses spin and gallop, and fish float through the ring with astonishing clarity, all choreographed in harmony with human performers. The holograms not only replicate the thrill of a traditional circus but also allow for feats impossible in reality, turning the performance into a fully immersive narrative.
Circus Roncalli’s holographic approach proves that magic need not come at the expense of living beings. It is a celebration of imagination and ethical innovation, showing that tradition and technology can coexist while letting the wonder of the circus thrive.
Go to roncalli.de to explore the circus’s latest offerings and updates.
Look for the section called "Tickets und Tourneen" to see detailed information about current shows, tour dates, and locations across Germany and beyond.
Browse the tour schedule to find performances in your city or in a nearby location you can travel to.
Secure your seats in advance through the links on the official website or use trusted platforms to ensure a smooth booking experience.
Booking early helps guarantee your spot and allows you to plan your visit around the full immersive holographic circus show.
1. What’s unique about Circus Roncalli?
It uses holograms instead of live animals, offering a cruelty-free, immersive circus experience.
2. When did they stop using live animals?
They phased out exotic animals in the 1990s and fully switched to holograms by 2017.
3. How are the holograms shown?
Elephants, horses, and more are projected in 3D using eleven laser projectors onto fine-mesh screens for a 360-degree view.
4. Are human performers still part of the show?
Yes, acrobats, clowns, and magicians perform alongside the holographic animals.
5. Where can I watch Circus Roncalli and book tickets?
Tour dates and locations are available on the official website, roncalli.de, under the “Tickets und Tourneen” section, with tickets also available through trusted online booking platforms.
