Circus in the Square

Be dazzled by an impressive, family-friendly line-up of aerial acrobatics, hilarious flips and slips, and a whole lot of tricks!

Spanning two weekends, Aotea Square will transform into a mini-festival featuring a mixture of local and international circus and music performance. From slippery tricks in Manubrium Circus Theatre's Towel You What!? to the dreamy circus antics of Colossal to the impressive acrobatics of HighJinx Youth Company, you’ll find yourself wanting to run away with the circus in no time.

Perfect for whānau and tamariki, make the most of these free sessions these April school holidays. Check out the full programme below.

RISE AND SHINE - WEEKEND ONE (23 & 24 April)

Whānau Flow - Storytime Yoga and Live Music | 11am
Guided by a yoga expert and accompanied by stunning vocals, don’t miss this story led yoga session for the whānau that will leave you feeling ready to take on the rest of the day’s adventures!

Childish Wanderings | 12:15pm & 1.15pm
Emerging and talented circus troupe, Highjinx Youth Company will be offering a unique insight into how urban spaces can be transformed through playful physicality and circus storytelling. Woven into the story will be elements of hand balancing, contortion, stilt walking, tumbling, unicycling and aerial work.

Scribbles | 12:45pm
Inspired by a well-loved notebook, the scribbles of youth circus performer, Mary come to life through the use of aerial straps, visual art, and body movement.

Towel You What!?| 1:30pm
A combination of slippery acrobatics and fluffy puns, Towel You What!? celebrates the unsung hero of our time: the humble towel.

Towel You What!? Circus Workshop | 2:30pm
Have a go at learning tips and circus tricks with the performers from Towel You What!?

SUNSET SESSIONS - WEEKEND TWO (30 April & 1 May)

Childish Wanderings | 3:30pm & 5.30pm
Emerging and talented circus troupe, Highjinx Youth Company will be offering a unique insight into how urban spaces can be transformed through playful physicality and circus storytelling. Woven into the story will be elements of hand balancing, contortion, stilt walking, tumbling, unicycling and aerial work.

Are You Having Fun Yet? | 4:30pm
Don’t miss this fun, circus variety show! Six artists from acrobats to an accordion player, reveal their secret joys and how to find them in this quirky cabaret for the whole family.

Dream Garden | 6:00pm
Featuring aerial acrobatics, comedy and live art projections, this daring circus duet is inspired by the concept of dreams - dreams of being an astronaut, a superhero, of flying and of falling. “Hands down one of the best shows at Bread and Circus World Buskers Festival 2019”.