Clowns, animals, aerialists and more -- that time of the year is here again. The circus has returned to Atlanta.

Atlanta is home to a trio of circuses during the month of February. The first one to pitch the big tent in town was the Big Apple Circus.

GALLERY: Big Apple Circus brings clowns, contortionist, animals to Alpharetta

"We have dogs, we have ponies, we even have oxen," ringmaster John Kennedy Kane told Nelson's News on wsbtv.com. "We have horses, too. We have acts from all over the world."

It's been two years since the Big Apple Circus played to Atlanta crowds. This year, it's back with a new show in a new venue. The show Legendarium takes circus goers back in time and explores some of the history of the circus. Jugglers, acrobats and a pair of clowns are part of this affair.

It's played in Stone Mountain in the past, but this year, the big top can be found in Alpharetta at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park.

The Big Apple Circus is in town through Feb. 18. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus brings its show Dragon to town Feb. 13-18 at Philips Arena and Feb. 21-March 3 at the Gwinnett Arena. UniverSoul Circus is under the big top at Turner Field Feb. 9-26. Each offers a unique experience. The Big Apple Circus' specialty is the intimate environment; one ring with every seat in the house no more than 50 feet from the performers.