Founder · High-Wire
Seventh Generation
Nik Wallenda
Seven-time Guinness World Record holder and the driving force behind Wonderland's vision of a premium hometown circus.
Nik Wallenda is a 7th generation member of the legendary Wallenda family. Known world-wide for his incredible feats upon the high wire and beyond, Nik has set 13 World Records, among these the highest 4-level 8-person pyramid on the wire, the highest and longest bicycle ride on a wire, hanging from a helicopter by his teeth, and the first tightrope crossing of an active volcano. His career began at the age of 2, learning to walk the wire while holding his mother’s hand, and it has continued with record breaking performances across the United States and around the world.
In 2012, he fulfilled his life-long dream to become the only person to walk directly over the precipice of Niagara Falls live on ABC. In 2013, he became the first person to walk a wire across the Grand Canyon, an epic event aired live by Discovery Channel in 178 countries, breaking network ratings and social media records in the process. The following year, Discovery Channel again provided live coverage as Nik broke 2 more world records over the city of Chicago. In 2019, Nik & his sister, Lijana, became the first to walk a tightrope directly over Time Square NY live on ABC; and in 2020, ABC aired yet another special live to the world, as Nik claimed another world record, becoming the first person to walk a tightrope over an active volcano.
Nik is a member of the ownership group of Big Apple Circus and headlined and produced the 2021 & 2022 seasons. In 2023, Nik & his wife Erendira started their own show, “Wonderland”, and have just completed the 3rd successful edition, both producing and headlining in what has become a holiday tradition in his hometown of Sarasota. Nik & Erendira have been married 26 years and have 3 children, and 4 grandchildren. Nik is the author of 2 books, “Balance” and “Facing Fear”, and he carries his motto of “Never Give Up” in every walk with the purpose of inspiring people around the world to follow their dreams.
