Daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs…a kaleidoscope of magnificent
movement…powerful precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics…amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control…astonishing foot juggling dexterity…incredible balancing feats showcasing tremendous skill and ability…extraordinary exhibitions of agility and grace…beautiful costumes and high-tech special effects – All with the excitement and festive pageantry creating the atmosphere of a Chinese Carnival!! This is just part of the magnificent show offered by THE PEKING ACROBATS® from the People’s Republic of China. THE PEKING ACROBATS return to North American soil for their 36th North American Tour in 2026, the Chinese Year of the Horse, which is an ancient symbol of courage, momentum and high energy. All of these elements and more are the watchwords for this incredible show, as THE PEKING ACROBATS continue to impress audiences with their unique brand of ancient artistry and good-spirited fun!
THE PEKING ACROBATS offers more than a glimpse into the fascinating traditions of the Orient. It consists of sensational Chinese acrobatics, comedy, balancing feats and much more. A truly authentic Oriental spectacular and a show for all ages, the grace and precision of the acrobats are the triumph of years of dedicated training and discipline. Chinese acrobatics are, in fact, more than just a series of stunts. Most of these acts clearly demonstrate the achievement of perfection through finding harmony between mind and body – An ancient concept in the Orient. The art form has been transformed from its simple “folk-art” roots, to the
spectacular entertainment event we see today, by centuries of tradition.
Because of the unusual and difficult nature of the feats involved, high honor is conferred upon those skilled enough to become acrobats; an acrobat can be considered the Chinese equivalent of a Western opera star. In China there are over 100,000 acrobats studying at schools dedicated to the art. After ten or eleven years of extensive tutoring, often beginning as early as age 5 or 6, the student will join a professional troupe, usually a citywide organization that draws its members regionally. Only the best acrobats find themselves
members of an elite world-touring troupe such as THE PEKING ACROBATS. Their tradition has thrived through the centuries, dating back to the Ch’in Dynasty (221 B.C. – 207 B.C.) and Chinese acrobats have continued to perfect an ever evolving folk art form. Each new movement or action takes many years to practice and perfect, and tradition demands that each generation of acrobats add their own improvements and embellishments to their acts. It is telling that the Chinese Acrobatic tradition just gets stronger, due to the continued innovation of the artists and the endless enthusiasm from their adoring public.
Each artist in THE PEKING ACROBATS displays a range of demanding performances, most of them typifying the Chinese Circus, offering a refreshing alternative to the usual Western traditions of performance. From the dangerous climbing chair stack high above the audience, about which the New York Times said, “these acrobats provide of circus art that reach breathtaking heights of skill,” to the gravity defying contortionists and tumblers, to the spectacular Bicycle Pagoda where multiple performers ride atop a single
performer on the bicycle – all this and more completes a marvelous and exciting entertainment event for theatre going “youngsters” from nine to ninety-two…as Variety once raved, “A is for Acrobat…and astounding…and AMAZING!”
Over the years, company members of THE PEKING ACROBATS have toured throughout Europe,
South and Central America, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Monte Carlo, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Israel and, of course, extensively in the United States. The tremendous response of the audience is a testament to the popularity of their art form, which transcends time to the delight of people of all ages. Those who have seen THE PEKING ACROBATS on their previous tours can be assured that they will see new,
exciting acts and innovative twists on old favorites on this tour, celebrating thirty-six years of awesome entertainment in 2026. For this tour, THE PEKING ACROBATS will be pulling out all the stops with their most memorable production to date, so audiences should prepare for a very special experience.
They have performed many trail-blazing Symphony Concerts, combining their unique art form with the traditional Symphony Orchestra in their inspiring performances that have been hailed by the press as “theatrical alchemy at its finest!” Some of these world-famous Symphony Orchestras include the San Francisco Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. THE PEKING ACROBATS have built a tremendous reputation while performing not only on the cultural stage, but
also on many popular television shows, including NICKELODEON’S UNFABULOUS, and ELLEN’S REALLY BIG SHOW, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, among several others.
They have performed for dozens of prestigious Corporations around the world, including Unisys, Ferrari/Maserati of Beverly Hills, Walmart, and the International Monetary Convention. They have performed seven consecutive European tours, visiting such countries as Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal. They have been featured in star-studded feature films, including Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s 11, Ocean’s 12, and Ocean’s 13. They were filmed in High Definition for HDNet, and presented on 3D Television
by Xfinity. Their incredible popularity and longevity as a performing entity is a testament to the awesome power of their performances. Their renown continues to grow with each passing year, refining their unique artform and inspiring crowds of all ages, from all walks of life, performance by performance.
A performance by THE PEKING ACROBATS, therefore, brings with it the opportunity to experience the epitome of a rich and ancient folk-art tradition with the addition of the pageantry and spectacle of a modern Chinese theatrical circus. As the Seattle Times has reported: “Nearly everything the Peking Acrobats did last night was amazing – and
stunning, and breathtaking and WOW!” and the Los Angeles Times stated: “The Peking Acrobats regularly passed from the seemingly impossible to the virtually unbelievable!” Dance Insider has said: “It’s like watching ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ LIVE! When a show can fill you with the wonder of a ten-year-old, you know you have had a good time…that’s success!”
THE PEKING ACROBATS have performed for over thirty-five years to standing ovations and packed houses, including such far-reaching corners of the globe as Australia, Europe, throughout the Americas, Israel, Africa, and numerous Asian countries. Now, over 2,000 years of tradition, perfection, spectacle, and awesome entertainment comes to Tracy – are you ready to be amazed?
