The circus is coming to town!

No, not the media circus covering Capitol Hill, but the actual Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

On Tuesday night, the “pachyderm parade” – or a band of the circus’ elephants – stomped through Capitol Hill, starting at the Capitol Power Plant and passing by the Capitol complex en route to the Verizon Center.

The stunt was in preparation for the circus’s show “Dragons,” which opens Thursday and runs through Sunday at the Verizon Center.

The show honors the Chinese Year of the Dragon – which wrapped up at the beginning of February – and features martial arts, fire, tigers, acrobats and, of course, elephants.

Prior to Thursday’s opening night performance, the circus will host a VIP party from 6  p.m. to 7 p.m. for all ticket holders. The party features “Asian-inspired drinks and activities.”

“We will have a number of DRAGON-inspired elements at the opening night VIP receptions, including dragon facemasks for the kids, red lanterns, dragon garnishes and trinkets,” circus spokeswoman Becky Brand said.

Brand added that Washingtonians who would like a sneak peek of the circus show can head to the Renaissance Hotel Plaza in Chinatown on Friday night, where the Chinese Shoalin Warrior Troupe will perform some of the martial arts moves from the show.

The circus will play nine shows at the Verizon Center. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or at the Verizon Center box office, and cost between $15 and $35.