"Tokyo Christmas Advent Sponsored by au PAY" (東京クリスマスアドベント) enters its second year in Ueno, Tokyo. As a special feature of this year's theme, "Five Senses Christmas," the outdoor Christmas circus "AURA," the first of its kind in Tokyo, will be staged in the Shinobazu Pond area of Ueno Onshi Park (上野恩賜公園) from Friday, November 27 to Thursday, December 24, 2026.
Themed around "prayer" and "celebration," the show is a fantastical production where stillness and fervor, light and open space intersect. It is directed by Mizuki Shinagawa (品川瑞木), creative director of Cirqueworks (シルクワークス), a contemporary circus company from Japan. Performers from around the world present aerial acts and acrobatics.
Official page: https://christmas-advent.jp/aura/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vsOWqO3pV8
Digest of the Christmas circus "REVERIE," held in Fukuoka in 2025
5 Highlights of "AURA"
1. CLOUD SWING
Soaring through the air on a single rope
A dynamic aerial act using a rope.
2. HAIR HANGING
Supporting the body with hair alone
The body is suspended by hair alone, and the performer shows a variety of movements.
3. DUO STRAPS
An aerial act created by two performers
Using straps, the pair expresses both strength and beauty.
4. HULA HOOP
Colorful trails drawn by hoops
A rhythmic act in which the performer handles multiple hoops freely.
5. CUBE
Physical expression with a giant cube
A fantastical performance created by the movement of the cube and the body.
Director: Mizuki Shinagawa
Performers from around the world gather to present aerial acts and acrobatics themed on "celebration." Combining a fantastical Christmas setting with physical expression, it is Tokyo's first outdoor Christmas circus.
Event Details
- Dates: November 27 (Fri) to December 24 (Thu), 2026
- Venue: Special circus venue, Shinobazu Pond area, Ueno Onshi Park (上野恩賜公園 不忍池エリア)
- No performances: Mondays and Tuesdays
- Show times: About 45 minutes per performance (planned for 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM to 8:45 PM)
- Admission: Advance ¥3,500 (day-of ¥4,000), junior high school students and under ¥1,000
- Tickets: Sold online through LivePocket from October 20
- Weather: Performances are canceled in case of rain or severe weather
- Creative director: Mizuki Shinagawa (Cirqueworks)
- Concept and creative producer: 松本一晃 (Cirqueworks)
- Planning and production: WORQUES Productions Inc.
- Organizer: 上野観光連盟 (Ueno Kanko Renmei)
Performer Profiles
Lisa Hunnekens
Act: Cloud Swing / Country: Germany
An artist from Berlin who became familiar with the performing arts through ballet and gymnastics and was drawn to the sensation of flying through the air. After graduating from a national school of acrobatic arts in Berlin (ベルリン国立アクロバティック芸術学校), she trained further at the École Nationale de Cirque in Canada. Now an up-and-coming performer who has drawn attention with Cloud Swing, she combines grace and strength in her expression.
Jessica Oscar
Act: Hair Hanging / Country: Brazil
A circus artist from Brazil. She trained at Brazil's national circus school (ブラジル国立サーカス学校) and has built a wide range of skills centered on hair hanging, including contortion, aerial hoop, and dance. She has performed on stages in Brazil, North America, and Mexico, including Cirque du Soleil's "Twas the Night Before." Her original aerial acts using her hair and her supple physical expression captivate audiences.
Mayah Mitsuhashi
Act: Duo Straps / Country: USA
She entered the world of aerial arts at age 12 and has won numerous competitions. After gaining experience on stages and at events, she was also active in color guard and a theater troupe in high school. She has appeared in "新春エアリアル空中サーカスショー" and "PARK PLACE OITA CIRCUS," among others, and is a young artist who continues to captivate audiences with graceful aerial acts.
Jean-Yves Willems
Act: Duo Straps / Country: Belgium
A Belgian aerial artist who specializes in aerial straps, aerial silk, and acro dance. He performed for three years in "The House of Dancing Water" in Macau (directed by Franco Dragone) and has also appeared on the stages of Tomorrowland and the Conrad Hotel in Osaka. Drawing on 10 years of gymnastics and dance experience, he combines powerful acrobatics with graceful dance in his aerial performances.
Clara Alex
Act: Hula Hoop / Country: Canada
A circus artist from Canada. She trained at the École Nationale de Cirque in Montréal and has appeared in many productions, including "La Haut," "L'antre D'eux," and "Montréal Complètement Cirque." With outstanding physical ability and rich expressiveness, she pursues a distinctive style that blends delicacy and dynamism. Based in Canada, she performs on stages around the world.
Nicolai Chistol
Act: Cube / Country: Romania
A circus artist who has performed on stages around the world for more than 15 years. He specializes in juggling with cubes, using his excellent sense of balance and physical ability in his performances. After working with the National Circus of Moldova (モルドバ国立サーカス), he has appeared in circuses around the world and on cruise ships. In 2015 he was selected as a semifinalist on "Romania's Got Talent," and he has extensive experience and solid technique.
