Cirque Sleighs the Season as ’Twas The Night Before Flips the Script and Wrap Ups Wonder, Whimsy and a Winter-Ready Wow Factor.

November 21st, 2025

The holiday season arrives with its usual sparkle, yet in Cirque du Soleil’s ’Twas The Night Before, now gracing Dreyfoos Hall at the Kravis Center, that familiar shimmer becomes a full-fledged blizzard of wonder.

It’s Christmas time, and this year feels different. For years, Isabella and her father have read A Visit from Saint Nicholas (’Twas the Night Before Christmas) together. Now she believes she has outgrown the family ritual. When the magic of the poem comes to life, Isabella and her father are unexpectedly swept apart by a snowstorm that sends them on a fantastical journey. As they navigate a winter wonderland inspired by the poem, they encounter delightfully whimsical characters who guide them back to one another in the true spirit of the holiday.

What unfolds is quintessential Cirque du Soleil, a high-flying, intricately choreographed, visually sumptuous spectacle that still preserves the poem at the heart of the story. Director James Hadley, celebrating more than 25 years with the company, shapes the experience with the imagination and finesse of a dreamer. His one-act tapestry of circus arts blends traditional Cirque flourishes with the warmth of a family fable, creating a seamless bridge between spectacle and sentiment.

Cirque fans will feel right at home in a cavalcade of standout acts. The opening Aerial Straps Duo sets the tone—effortless and breathtaking. A whimsical Hotel Cart aerial act transforms a luggage trolley into an airborne carousel, while a mesmerizing Hair Suspension performance bathes the stage in otherworldly light as the artist spins from impossibly anchored tresses.

As the show returns to the ground, the acrobatics continue with both charm and spectacle. The Acro Table act delights with tumbling feats atop a single piece of furniture that becomes a stage within a stage. The crowd-pleasing Diabolo yo-yo act, complete with glowing apparatus and audience interaction, invites children and adults into the fun. A troupe of reindeer-like acrobats then bursts into a thunderously joyful Hoop Diving finale, culminating in a breathtaking leap through a hoop suspended in midair. Added to that are block balancing, hula hoops, inline skating, and a generous dose of Cirque’s signature mischievous clowning, resulting in a show overflowing with delight.

I found myself in utter awe of the physical talents of the performers. Whether spinning high above or balancing bodies below, their skill and artistry are undeniably spellbinding. With so many magical moments, my personal favorite was the reindeer ring act, thanks to its personality-driven choreography. Still, rest assured that every audience member will discover a moment that feels made just for them.

What elevates ’Twas The Night Before beyond a simple holiday diversion is its heart. Beneath the glittering costumes and sweeping stage pictures lies a gentle reminder: traditions matter not because we must keep them, but because they keep us. Watching Isabella rediscover the joy she believed she had outgrown, guided by characters whimsical enough to step out of a snow globe, feels both timely and timeless.

Audiences in West Palm Beach have from November 20–30, 2025 to experience this shimmering snow globe of a show at the Kravis Center’s Dreyfoos Hall. For families seeking a production that earns both the wide-eyed wonder of children and the warm, knowing smiles of adults, this one-act marvel fits the bill, wrapped in a perfect Cirque bow. For tickets or questions, contact the Kravis Center box office at boxoffice@kravis.org or 561-832-7469.