We did get Duplo circus sets, but I personally would love to see a sub-theme in a normal LEGO system set for either Friends or City with circus-themed sets including but not limited to:

- Circus Cannon: a cannon and a "human-cannonball."

- Circus Motor Stunts: ramps, two bikes, two drivers, and a generous employee

- Circus Elephant Training: an elephant, a food pen, one animal tamer, one clown, and two employees

- Circus Clown Car: a car with a clown face, some juggling pins, a unicycle, one child, and three clowns

- Circus Train: a long locomotive in bright red, purple, and yellow, two cars for animals, one car for clowns, two tigers, an elephant, two clowns, a mime, an acrobat, an animal tamer, three employees, and a circus director

- The Circus: a large circus tent, a tight rope, two rows of seats, a ticket booth, one tiger, two elephants, a tight-rope walker, three clowns, two acrobats, a circus director, a magician, two employees, an animal tamer, four children, and five parents

- Circus Food Court (a retail exclusive): a hot dog booth, a pizza booth, a popcorn booth, a cotton candy booth, one clown, two employees, two children, and two parents

I think it's possible for this to happen somewhere in the 2020s, or even 2019. Only time will tell. What do you think about these choices and what are yours?

Warning: This is only a wishlist.

Edited November 2, 20177 yr by kungfulegolover

I like that idea, we already have many circus themed minifigs in CMF line. Also, my addition would be a circus band, with percussion, wood and brass instruments, and a conductor minifig. Alternatively, a fairground style organ, either automated, or with traditional console. Because, what circus it would be without music?

I'm not sure they would risk including animals like elephants or lions in it, though, as lately it is often criticized as bad for the animals (which is indeed probably the case)

But for the rest (human-related show) I guess that the theme could indeed be a source of lots of things.

Circuses are one of those weird subjects that are beloved by kids but have their fair share of controversy as well. Most of those have to do with animal rights (especially regarding elephants), and while it'd be possible to focus a circus theme primarily on the human clowns and acrobats, it might have slightly less appeal that way.

I think another of the bigger challenges is that, in terms of structures, most circuses take place in tents—not necessarily the best subject for a Lego build, but nonetheless integral to the overall "feel" of a circus.

3 hours ago, Lyichir said:

Circuses are one of those weird subjects that are beloved by kids but have their fair share of controversy as well. Most of those have to do with animal rights (especially regarding elephants), and while it'd be possible to focus a circus theme primarily on the human clowns and acrobats, it might have slightly less appeal that way.

Same can be said for zoos, but perhaps to a lesser degree since many zoos currently act as educational conservation institutions, whereas circuses are purely for entertainment.

If we ever do see circus subtheme of some sort in the future, minus the animals, I know @Roebuck would be most upset. 

3 hours ago, Lyichir said:

I think another of the bigger challenges is that, in terms of structures, most circuses take place in tents—not necessarily the best subject for a Lego build, but nonetheless integral to the overall "feel" of a circus.

Well, I do think that a "Fun at the Circus" people pack for the City theme would suffice, though such set would probably not be able to contain larger animals such as elephants.

1 hour ago, Digger of Bricks said:

Same can be said for zoos, but perhaps to a lesser degree since many zoos currently act as educational conservation institutions, whereas circuses are purely for entertainment.

If we ever do see circus subtheme of some sort in the future, minus the animals, I know @Roebuck would be most upset. 

Any theme that brings new animal moulds to the table is good news for me But as several already have pointed out circus animals are frowned upon by many people these days and without the animals they loose a lot of the attraction. So I do not think it is likely with a hole subtheme, a few CMF or maybe something like "Fun at the circus" could happen in the future

Zoo's are more likely, because:

1 hour ago, Digger of Bricks said:

many zoos currently act as educational conservation institutions

A couple of years ago I made a similar tread concerning a zoo theme:

 

We have quite a few from the CMF - the circus ringmaster, the various clowns, the daredevil (makes a good human cannonball), the strong man. The ice-skater or other leotard type figures are OK for an acrobat.

It might be easier to MOC your own circus than wait for LEGO to come out with one.  Given the declining popularity of circuses, it may be a tough sell in North America.  Ringling Brothers Barnum Circus in USA shut down this year if I recall seeing in Model Railroader magazine--they had two circus trains criss-crossing the country.

 

Despite the fact that I normally buy sets with animals, if a circus one was made, I would give it a miss. Circuses aren't good for animals, even domesticated ones and Lego does have a policy of not producing toys which promote cruelty to animals. This is probably why you see log cabin sets, but never hunting sets even though the theme could easily be adapted to one.

49 minutes ago, Isavarg said:

Despite the fact that I normally buy sets with animals, if a circus one was made, I would give it a miss. Circuses aren't good for animals, even domesticated ones and Lego does have a policy of not producing toys which promote cruelty to animals. This is probably why you see log cabin sets, but never hunting sets even though the theme could easily be adapted to one.

They only make an exception for fishing as we had the Fishing Boat and the Old Fishing Store this year.

I don't think LEGO will burn their fingers on an animal related circus set. In the past I wanted a zoo, but I guess a LEGO zoo is getting every year more unlikely. There is ever more criticism on keeping animals in captivity. Even if they made such a theme, it would require a lot of bricks/parts to build fences for huge living spaces for the animals. Small cages and enclosures would harm LEGO's reputation.

They make duplo zoo sets all the time, the only reason they do not do it in Lego is because they think animals appeals more to younger kids.. When boys get a little bit older they want a police station not a zoo according to Lego, but at least they have started including more animals in the sets now. The girls they give minidoll sets with more animals, but they are made unrealistically cute because they think girls want that.. Police stations and minidolls sell like hot cakes, then why take a chance on a city zoo (I fear a minidoll one is more likely)

Lego have made duplo circus sets also, but I find it less likely they move in to the city...

It would be cool and it seems like lego is thinking about it because of the Strogman in CMF series 17, the clown in series 1 and the ringmaster in series 2. Maybe next year's creator?. Maybe it could be more cirque de soliel with gymnasts and things. 

Edited November 18, 20177 yr by Lego-fire