25 YEARS OF CIRCUS MAGIC!
We’re celebrating a huge milestone – our 25th festival – and it’s bigger than ever!
From 6th–9th November, join us at our exciting new home, the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU, for a four-day circus convention packed with skill, spectacle, and community. Add in a Charlie Chaplin classic on opening night, breathtaking parades and fireworks on Friday, world-class shows like Gandini Juggling’s “Heka”, and family workshops all weekend – this year’s National Circus Festival of Ireland is not to be missed.
Let’s make some noise and make 25 unforgettable! To book please visit: https://circusfestival.ie
Events
- Film Night – Join us for NCFI’s much celebrated film night at the Kerry County Museum. This year we will present Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Circus’. The Circus is a 1928 silent romantic comedy film written, produced, and directed by Charlie Chaplin. (Thurs, 7pm)
- Future Producers – Join us at the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU for a day of inspiration, conversation, and connection at the heart of the National Circus Festival. The Future Producers Industry Day will bring together emerging producers, international delegates, and mentors to share ideas, explore new perspectives, and spark collaborations. Full programme details (Fri, 10:30am)
- Street Shows, Parade and Fireworks – Enjoy all the spectacle of the circus along with spectacular Friday fireworks on Denny Street. Featuring new work by spectacle inventor and sculptor Hannes Jung. Don’t miss the ‘Circus Ringers’ spectacle troupe, from Mercy Mounthawk and artist Elisa Gallo Rosso. (Fri, 7pm)
- Heka presented by Gandini Juggling – Juggling and Magic are like long lost sisters. So similar and yet so different. Drawing inspiration from the intricate connection between the two, Heka (the Egyptian goddess of magic!) transports audiences into a mesmerising realm where reality blurs with illusion. Infused with a captivating blend of humour and philosophy, Heka marks a departure for Gandini’s renowned repertoire. . Age guidance: 8+ (Fri, 8:30pm)
- Festival Club: Circus Sideshow & 5X5 Artists – Got a wild circus idea buzzing in your head? Now’s your chance!We’re looking for bold, ground-based acts (with minimal tech) to take part in NCFI’s legendary 5×5 2025. That’s 5 minutes, 5 acts, and the best circus audience in Ireland. Send your idea to info@circusfestival.ie and you could be on stage this November! Deadline date : 17th October.(Fri, 10pm)
- Circus Siamsa – At the heart of and always a highlight of the festival is Circus Siamsa, a variety show, held each year in Siamsa Tíre theatre. As is the case every year, an entirely new show has been curated, bringing the stars of contemporary circus, street and variety performances to the stage in Siamsa. It’s a family show but not just for kids! (Sat, 2pm & 5:30pm)
- The Arts Council of Ireland will launch their new Circus Policy and Implementation Plan, outlining a vision for an Ireland where circus practice in all its forms is respected and celebrated, and where all citizens — especially young people — have access to high-quality circus performance and participation experiences. (Sat 10am Ashe Hotel)
- ISACS Share – an annual event welcoming new and stories from the circus community (Sat 10:30am Ashe Hotel)
Workshops and Masterclasses
- Circus Convention 2025 – A four-day convention full of intensives and adult workshops in MTU Kerry Sports Academy. It’s FREE with a Convention Ticket so make a purchase and access all the convention workshops, shows and conferences over the weekend. You’ll be spoiled for choice!
- Juggling Convention Schedule
- Acro/ Aerial Convention Schedule
- Aerial Hoop Masterclass with Jenny Tufts – Focused on spin-based choreography: applying advanced spin technique to find unusual entries, isolations, and opportunities for transition that become exclusively available in collaboration with the forces of circular momentum. Working extensively with the ropes above the hoop, using Jenny’s signature choreography to open up fresh ways of partnering with this classic apparatus. (Fri 12 & 2pm, Sat 11am)
- Liam Wilson Juggling Intensive – Join Liam to explore an intuitive, playful approach to learning juggling. In this workshop, will lay the foundations for several types of juggling including footwork, balance and isolation style. (Fri 7th 10:30am – 12:30pm)
- Gandini Juggling Workshop with Sakari Männistö & Kate Boschetti – Gandini Juggling is at the forefront of contemporary juggling with innovative and groundbreaking approaches to integrating movement and object manipulation. This is a unique opportunity to learn from the masters of contemporary juggling. (Sat 8th Nov 10:30am – 12:30pm)
- Children’s Circus Workshops – Run away with the circus for a day and learn how to juggle, spin plates, to the hula hoop and throw the Diablo! (Sat, 11am-12pm & 12pm-1pm)
