[Zoom-in] Acrobats, circus, and royalty
You might wonder what the Royal Family of Monaco has in common with the world of the circus. In fact, the two are closely connected.
The International Circus Day, celebrated on the third Saturday of April each year, was initiated in 2010 by H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco herself. Her aim was to celebrate the circus as an essential part of cultural heritage and to raise public awareness of its importance.
Sixteen years on, circuses around the world will celebrate their art and heritage on 18 April this year. To mark the occasion, we are sharing five circus festivals taking place throughout the month.
World Circus Day festival
9 - 12 April 2026, Bratislava, Slovakia
A weekend filled with circus performances, workshops, and activities for both children and adults in Bratislava! World Circus Day festival has become a regular gathering of circus artists from Slovakia and beyond. Their programme features a range of performances, a fire night, and much more. The festival aims to open up the world of circus to everyone, which is why it includes the DiversAbility circus workshop, offering inclusive activities for all.
More information and tickets are available here.
Photo via: Facebook
MUCH Circus Festival 2026
16 - 19 April 2026, Budapest, Hungary
The third edition of MUCH Festival will feature three days of contemporary circus productions from both local and international artists. Aiming to celebrate and connect circus arts with existing and new audiences alike, the programme includes performances, work-in-progress presentations, roundtable discussions, and workshops, as well as the MUCH More Showcase - a competition of short pieces and creative concepts held at Trafó House of Contemporary Arts in Budapest.
Check out the festival and competition here.
Photo via: much-festival.com
6Fest Street Arts Festival 2026
20 - 26 April 2026, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
The latest edition of the 6Fest Street Arts Festival continues to grow, featuring 16 multidisciplinary events with artists from 11 countries across three continents, including five circus performances. The festival aims to promote carnival and street arts in Bulgaria, support professional street artists, and strengthen their connection with audiences. With that in mind, all performances are free for the audience to attend.
More information about the festival edition on the website here.
Photo via: Facebook
Circusstad Festival 2026
29 April - 3 May 2026, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam will once again come alive with the Circusstad Festival. Over five days, circus, theatre, dance and music come together in a vibrant celebration for all ages. From breathtaking acrobatics to intimate street performances, audiences are invited to discover personal stories and be swept up in boundary-pushing artistry. Around 100 circus artists from 22 countries are expected at the Circusstad Festival, making it the largest circus festival in the Netherlands.
Check it out here.
Photo via: Facebook
Festival Sismògraf 2026
23 - 26 April 2026, Olot, Spain
Celebrating its 19th edition, the Sismògraf Festival returns this year with a rich and diverse programme featuring both national and international artists, unfolding across theatres, public spaces, and natural settings throughout La Garrotxa. This edition places a special artistic focus on walking as the most fundamental form of movement - a way of connecting body, landscape, and thought. The programme includes two circus performances on 24 and 25 April, each by a different artist.
Find more information about the festival and their programme here.
Photo via: www.sismografolot.cat
