Let's Look Ahead to Mother’s Day Weekend in Baraboo, Wisconsin It’s only the beginning of…
Baraboo’s Big Top Parade & Circus Celebration is rolling back into town on Saturday, June 14, 2025, and this year the event lands on Flag Day, so expect a full day of red, white, blue, and circus fun just minutes from Devil’s Lake State Park.
Each summer, this small-town celebration draws thousands of visitors to historic downtown Baraboo, just a 10-minute drive from the park. The parade honors the area’s deep roots in circus history, featuring nearly 90 entries, from antique wagons and horses to marching bands, clowns, and creative community floats. This year’s theme, “Holidays!”, matches the 2025 big top show at Circus World, with a patriotic twist in honor of Flag Day.
Parade Day Schedule
The Big Top Parade begins at 11:00 a.m., but the excitement starts earlier with pre-parade entertainment. Enjoy live performances by the Wild Rumpus Circus, the Forward! Marching Band, and the UW Alumni Band while you find your spot. Scott O’Donnell, former Executive Director of Circus World, will serve as this year’s grand marshal, and parade highlights include the return of the historic Ringling Brothers Bell Wagon—a true piece of circus history.
Circus-Themed Events All Weekend
Visiting Devil’s Lake for the weekend? Add a stop in Baraboo to your itinerary. The celebration kicks off Thursday, June 12 with a special Concerts on the Square featuring Professor Stich’s Original Circus Band. On Friday night, the Al. Ringling Theatre will present Charlie Chaplin’s The Circus—a silent film classic—accompanied by live organ music on the historic Barton instrument.
After the parade on Saturday, head over to Circus World Museum, one of the top historical attractions near Devil’s Lake. Their “Holidays!” Big Top Show takes place at 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., featuring aerialists, jugglers, and more under the authentic circus tent. Then, at 7:00 p.m., return to the Al. Ringling Theatre for a screening of Big Fish, followed by a Q&A with O’Donnell, who appeared in the film.
Art and Exploration in Downtown Baraboo
Baraboo’s local shops and galleries will also be part of the fun. As part of the Tour of Wagons, 16 businesses will display original wagon-themed paintings by local artists, making it easy to explore the square on foot between events.
How to Get to the Parade from Devil’s Lake State Park
Parking can be tricky downtown, especially on parade day. If you’re camping or staying at the park, consider biking in. It’s a scenic and stress-free ride. Here’s a family-friendly bike route map.
Or use this Google map to get driving directions from Devil’s Lake.
For more information, visit the official Big Top Parade & Circus Celebration Website.
For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.
Related Posts
This Post Has 0 Comments