the mommy avenger

Salt Lake City is full of sparkle in December, but this year there is a new kind of holiday magic glowing inside the Eccles Theater. ‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil has arrived for a limited holiday engagement, and if you are looking for a festive outing that delivers joy without exhausting your already stretched holiday bandwidth, this might be your winner.

Cirque du Soleil has a way of taking the familiar and flipping it into something unexpected. This Christmas themed production draws its inspiration from the classic poem many of us know by heart, but what unfolds onstage is more playful, more modern, and more heartwarming than a simple retelling. From the moment the lights started to shift and the first snowy visuals washed across the stage, the audience settled into that rare feeling of being totally ready for the next surprise.

The story centers around a young girl named Isabella who feels like she has lost her Christmas spirit. She is stuck in that in-between stage where the magic of the holidays feels too childish, yet the adult world has not offered anything better. As she drifts into the world of the poem, she is met by bright characters who tug her back toward wonder. Acrobats swirl through the air, dancers twist through glowing sets, and the whole adventure becomes a reminder that joy is not something we outgrow.

The plot is simple enough to follow without heavy thinking, but thoughtful enough to feel like it matters. It speaks to that place in all of us that gets a little worn down every December. It nudges you to remember the feeling of believing in something bigger, softer, and sweeter.

One thing that surprised me was how balanced the audience was. This was not a room full of restless kids and tired parents trying to keep them entertained. Adults came in groups. Couples came on date nights. Families came with teens who were just as entertained as the younger children around them. Everyone seemed to settle into the same warm rhythm once the show began.

The length has a lot to do with that. At just under an hour and a half with no intermission, it is the perfect stretch of time. Long enough to feel like a real event, short enough to hold attention without anyone checking their watch. You never hit that slump where you start to wonder how much longer the show will run. Instead, it moves with energy and keeps your focus naturally.

Cirque du Soleil is known for artistry, and this production delivers. The aerial acts brought that signature sense of weightless grace. The tumblers were sharp and full of personality. The performers played with rhythm, humor, and emotion in a way that kept every number feeling fresh.

What stood out most for me, though, were the effects. The lighting shifted from soft golds to icy blues to bold, candy-colored brightness. Snow seemed to drift with perfect timing. Costumes glimmered without feeling overdone. Each scene change pulled the audience deeper into the world without ever interrupting the flow.

The music was another high point. Familiar holiday themes blended into modern beats and soft instrumentals in a way that felt comforting and fresh at the same time. It supported the story without overpowering it, and it wrapped the whole experience in warmth.

December gets chaotic. School events, work parties, shopping, travel planning, cleaning, cooking, and trying to squeeze in some kind of holiday memory before everyone collapses into the new year. What I loved about ‘Twas the Night Before… is that it gave the gift of letting people slow down without losing energy.

You do not need to study a program or decipher a complicated plot. You do not need to coach kids to behave through a three hour performance. You do not need to fight boredom or fatigue. You simply sit back, enjoy the artistry in front of you, and feel the room shift into shared wonder.

It is the kind of show that leaves you lighter than when you arrived.

If you are planning to see it, you can purchase your tickets here. The show is only in Salt Lake City for a limited holiday run, so grabbing seats earlier is wise. Evening shows and weekends tend to fill first.

If you are building your holiday calendar and want something that feels fresh, uplifting, and perfect for the whole family, ‘Twas the Night Before… is a strong choice. The artistry is impressive. The story is sweet without being sugary. The pacing is ideal. The effects and lighting bring genuine sparkle. And the music ties everything together beautifully.

I walked out of the Eccles Theater feeling grounded, festive, and genuinely happy. That alone makes this a standout holiday experience. If you get the chance, go see it. You deserve a little magic this season.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}