Cirque du Soleil ‘Echo’ Delights Seattle-Area Families Under the Big Top

Cirque du Soleil shows are always full of surprises. Every show — whether it’s one of the bigger shows in Las Vegas, or a more intimate one here under the Big Top — has left me speechless and impressed. While “Echo” is packed with Cirque du Soleil’s iconic jaw-dropping acts, the show also provides the comedic relief we all need right now. All ages can enjoy this show for a limited time at the Big Top in Redmond’s Marymoor Park, now through March 22, 2026.

The story of ‘Echo’

“Echo,” a newer touring show, premiered in 2023 in Montreal. The storyline follows the journey of a girl, Future, and her dog, Ewai, as they seek to bring balance to the natural world by restoring the mysterious and interactive Cube that they encounter back to its original state. The concept was a bit abstract for my kids, but they were fully captivated and entertained by the mind-bending acts, live music and bold imagery.

My kids, ages 4, 7 and 9, enjoyed the diverse cast of animals and the playful bond of Future and Ewai. They especially liked Double Trouble, a high-energy pair of clowns who kept us all engaged and laughing with their slapstick comedy and their continuous struggle to stack impressive amounts of white boxes on top of each other. I think we’d all see this show again just to see this dynamic duo.

The runtime for “Echo” is just over two hours, including a 25-minute intermission. While the show is created with all ages in mind, parents should use their own discretion when considering their children’s attention span to sit through the show. The Big Top is dark at times but the content of the show is colorful, playful and lighthearted. There aren’t any dark themes, villains or inherently scary moments (unless you count the truly breathtaking stunts!), making this a great Cirque du Soleil show for families.

What we loved about the show

In my opinion, the overall feel of the show is graceful, poetic and peaceful. It’s difficult to choose a favorite act, but there were several that felt new and exciting to us. The opening act sets the stage for a modern aesthetic as the Cube rotates with mesmerizing projections and acrobats gracefully dancing and moving in sync with each other as they circumnavigate the Cube. “Echo” is the first Cirque du Soleil show to feature as many as six live vocalists along with the live band, which all add to the delight and wonder of the show.

Nothing shocked me more than the Hair Suspension act, during which two performers not only executed impressive acrobatic aerial acts, but did so while suspended by their hair. My head hurt just watching this impressive act of strength and years of dedication to the practice. My kids were equally amazed.

My oldest is fascinated by Guinness World Record books and was bewildered to see a live contortionist, The Fossorial, bend and move in ways that seem impossible. We were all on the edges of our seats as the Teeterboard artists jumped, spun and flew through the air on three teeterboards simultaneously. I especially enjoyed their improvised flies, where some of their humor and personality shone through.

Lastly, I can’t stop thinking about the precision and speed of the Icarian Games act. A base acrobat lies on their back and uses their feet to toss and juggle the other acrobat in flips and spins. It made me think of dads playing the classic game of airplane with their kids — but majorly next-level!

The best seats at Cirque du Soleil ‘Echo’ for families

The circular stage provides all 2,500 seats under Cirque du Soleil’s Big Top with excellent sight lines from different perspectives. We sat in section 102, which provided us with a close view, but for small children, the views from the 200 sections might provide a more unobstructed view looking down at the stage, instead of being at or below eye-level to the stage. And yes, if you went to Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza” last year, this show is completely different in stage design, plot and acrobatic feats, creating a completely new experience.

More tips for parents

The concierge lends noise-reducing ear muffs for children who need them. Being in the second row from the stage, all of my kids borrowed boosters for a better view. Boosters are available just outside of the entrance to the tent where the stairs are, and inside the tent against the back wall. If you need help, ask an usher for assistance. It’s also worth noting that my kids did not like being at nose-level for the stage smoke that spilled over the audience a few times.

The public bathrooms outside of the Big Top tent are nicer than portable toilets in that they have pressurized flushes and handwashing stations with running water. The stalls feel smaller than an airplane lavatory though, so if you need to assist your little one, I’d recommend using the all-gender accessible restrooms. You also might be standing in line for several minutes, so consider bringing your jackets to the bathroom line if it’s cold outside.

Outside food and beverages are not allowed. You can purchase food and beverages at the concession stands and you are allowed to consume them at your seat. There are several kid-friendly food options ranging in price from $6–$13 like chicken tenders, Bavarian soft pretzels, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, fresh cotton candy, assorted candies and ice creams. Having a snack always helps my little one be less squirmy and sit on her own, so it’s a worthy splurge for us. Drinks start at $6 and include water, soda, juice, slushies, cold brew, hot coffee and hot chocolate. You can also bring your own water bottle to fill up at the water stations by the concessions. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased as well.

If you’d like to commemorate the show with an “Echo” souvenir, there’s a variety of unique items and a small kids section with animal plushies, a light-up cube, animal purses and 3D-printed animals.