Cirque du Soleil's Corteo returns to Ottawa and here's how to save on tickets 

Sitting in the audience, you can’t help but gasp as you see a person tied to a bunch of balloons floating just above you. Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo is returning to Ottawa from June 28, 2023 – July 2, 2023, at the Canadian Tire Centre. Audiences are in for a treat as they experience the amazement and awe of this world-renowned performance. With its thrilling stunts and breathtaking acrobatics, Coreto promises an unforgettable night of entertainment that will mesmerize you. Plus, the show even has an exciting Ottawa connection!  

The touring Corteo returns to the National Capital region for the third time. This year there will be seven Ottawa shows from Wednesday, June 28 to Friday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Locals last enjoyed Corteo in 2018 under the big top and before that, in 2008. So, if you missed it before, or wish to relive the magic, now is your chance. You can even use your CAA Membership to save on tickets (but more on that below).   

Cirque du Soleil's Corteo

Cirque du Soleil

Corteo, meaning “cortege” in Italian, tells the story of a festive funeral parade imagined by the Dreamer Clown, Mauro. Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo is a joyous procession that brings the audience into a world of fun and theatrics. Acrobatics and acting come together with a masterful set design and brilliant costumes to depict to life Mauro’s dreams.  

The show runs 100 minutes, with a 25-minute intermission, and guides audiences through a theatrical world of fun and spontaneity. Juxtaposing the large with the small, and the ridiculous and humorous with the tragic, Corteo highlights the kindness and wisdom of the Dreamer Clown through whimsical and playful movement and music.  

Following its debut in 2005 in Montreal, Corteo has visited more than 60 cities in 19 countries and captivated millions with its comedy and artistry. Plus, Corteo shares a unique connection to Ottawa. It was inspired by the National Art Gallery of Canada’s 2005 exhibit “The Grand Parade: Portrait of the Artist as a Clown,” the show highlights Mauro’s strength and fragility, calling to the humanity within all of us. Corteo inspires audiences with a tale of compassion and fragility that is perfectly imperfect. 

The acts

With 16 mesmerizing acts, Corteo is full of gravity-defying stunts and incredible acrobatics. This performance is fun for the whole family, with scenes that call to the child in all of us.

Cirque du Soleil

For example, as you did as a child, you’ll see people bouncing on a bed. But here, the artists do it bigger and better, jumping on a colossal bed and soaring into the air. In the audience, you’ll watch six performers launch from bed to bed atop a rotating platform with daring aerial tricks, each grander than the last. 

Cirque du Soleil

The chandelier act is an awe-inspiring spectacle, where giant chandeliers adorned with approximately 4,000 sparkling jewels float above the stage. The aerial acrobatics showcase unparalleled skill and grace as they perform above the ground, swinging and spinning from the chandeliers. It's a visual feast that will leave you spellbound as you witness the dreamlike ambiance of lustrous gems and incredible athleticism.

Cirque du Soleil

Another highlight is the Helium Dance which will fill you with joy and make your jaw drop simultaneously. During this mesmerizing act, a performer appears to defy gravity as they float effortlessly above the audience, suspended by balloons. It's a captivating display as the clown gracefully moves through the air, seemingly untethered by the laws of physics. It's a testament to the incredible artistry and imagination of Cirque du Soleil and a moment you won't want to miss.

Enjoy Corteo with CAA

Cirque du Soleil

There is no better time to take in the masterful performances and wonder that is Cirque du Soliel’s beloved Corteo. Whether you are seeing it for the first time, or reliving the captivating display of acrobatics, you are sure to be left in awe as the performers and artists take to the stage.  

Use your CAA Membership to save 20 per cent on tickets for Corteo. Revel in the spectacle that the whole family can enjoy from Wednesday, June 28 to Friday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.