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Under The Big Top - Santa Monica Tickets
- Location
- Santa Monica: Venue Details, Se
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The venue
About Under The Big Top - Santa Monica
Under The Big Top – Santa Monica is a temporary, traveling Grand Chapiteau set up on the iconic Santa Monica Pier. With a seating capacity of about 2,542 to 2,600, this big-top venue hosts captivating performances in a specialized circus atmosphere. The tent is part of a rotating schedule that has welcomed Cirque du Soleil shows such as Ovo (2012), Totem (2014), and KOOZA (2024–2025). There is no permanent demolition or renaming—the Big Top is a traveling venue that moves from city to city for each production. Below you’ll find seating basics, parking details, transit options, and a curated list of nearby hotels and restaurants to help you plan a smooth visit.
We’ve got you covered with practical tips to secure your seats and navigate your visit. If you’re staying in Santa Monica, consider nearby hotels such as Fairmont Miramar, Shutters on the Beach, The Georgian Hotel, or The Pierside Hotel for convenient access to the Santa Monica Pier. For a quick bite or a special dinner, explore top-rated nearby eateries and take advantage of affiliate recommendations for easy booking. And when you’re ready, we’ll help you lock in your tickets with straightforward, no-fuss service—that’s what you’ve got a guy for.
Good to know
Seating, Parking & Venue Information
- Location and venue type: Temporary traveling Big Top (Grand Chapiteau) installed on the Santa Monica Pier, commonly listed as Under The Big Top – Santa Monica.
- Capacity: about 2,542 seats (Big Top); commonly cited as ~2,600 seating capacity.
- Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
- Parking: On-site parking lot available (about $10 per vehicle); handicap parking near main entrance; street parking with 2-hour limit on Pacific Coast Highway.
- Transit: Accessible via LA Metro E Line (Downtown Santa Monica), rideshare drop-offs, and Big Blue Bus; recommended drop-off near 4th & Colorado.
- Nearby hotels: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows (101 Wilshire Blvd), Shutters on the Beach (1 Pico Blvd), The Georgian Hotel (1415 Ocean Ave), The Pierside Hotel (120 Colorado Ave).
- Notable events hosted: Cirque du Soleil Ovo (January–March 2012); Totem (January 2014); Cirque du Soleil KOOZA (October 2024–January 5, 2025).
- Demolished/renamed: No permanent demolition or renaming; the Big Top is a traveling tent that was erected for Ovo in 2012, Totem in 2014, and KOOZA in 2024–2025.