CATEGORY · A HUDDLEPIN LIST
Circus & Street Performance in Bristol
Bristol takes its circus seriously, and it shows. NoFit State Circus pitches its Big Top right in the centre with CARNATION 2026, tickets from £18 and a family price that takes the sting out. Circomedia trains kids in actual trapeze and acrobatics rather than just showing it to them, ages 2 to 21, and Tobacco Factory Theatres programmes circus and street performance with a bar open well before curtain up. The Bendy Studio, a little further out, runs kids' aerial hoop and silks classes and builds parties around the same kit. For watching rather than doing, Bristol Old Vic has shows from £9 and a circus-flavoured Thunder Run Experience, while Circus Extravaganza throws in a free skills workshop before its 45-minute show. Younger children do well at The Wardrobe Theatre, from £12, ages 3 to 8. If you fancy a longer trip, Devito's Circus in Street runs free Saturday workshops alongside its bigtop show, and Giffords Circus out in Stroud puts horses and dogs at the centre of its. Clock Factory is 18+ only, for aerial classes and adult nights out.
21 places 2 free to visit
Bristol Beacon
Bristol · ages 0+
A big Bristol concert hall with an orchestral season, kids' meals and a café for before or after the show.
CaféIndoor seatingFood on siteRestaurant+1 more
from £9Bristol Old Vic
Bristol
Family theatre shows, a circus-flavoured Thunder Run Experience and toddler musical theatre classes under one roof.
Booking requiredCaféSchool visitsWheelchair accessible+1 more
Circomedia
Bristol · ages 2-21
Kids learn actual trapeze and acrobatics skills at a proper circus training school, not just watch one.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBirthday partiesParty rooms+3 more
Circus Extravaganza
Bristol
Jugglers and acrobats do their thing in a 45-minute show, with a free skills workshop beforehand for the kids to have a go themselves.
FreeClock Factory
Bristol · adults only (18+)
An 18+ venue for DJ and aerial classes, jujutsu, spoken word and tabletop nights, not a kids' day out.
LockersToilets
from £8.99Devito's Circus
Street
A proper two-hour bigtop show with acrobatics, balancing and aerial acts, plus free workshops on Saturday mornings.
Accessible toiletSensory friendlyWheelchair accessible
from £350eclipseArts circus skills
Bristol
A circus skills party comes to you, with tightrope, stilt walkers, plate spinning and micro bikes for two hours.
Birthday parties
from £25Electric Bristol
Bristol
A late-night gig venue in Bristol with evening live shows, not a daytime kids' attraction.
Lockers
Exchange
Bristol · ages 14+
A gig venue for teens and up, not a kids' venue, with strict age rules on the door.
Accessible toiletWheelchair accessible
Giffords Circus
Stroud
A big top show with horses and dogs at its heart, plus acrobatics, running just under two hours with an interval.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingFood on siteToilets+1 more
Lost Horizon Arts Centre & Bar
Bristol
A late-opening arts venue and bar in St Jude's with live music, visual art shows and street food vendors.
Accessible toiletBooking requiredFood on siteStep-free access+1 more
from £18NoFit State Circus: CARNATION 2026, Bristol
Bristol
Big Top circus show in central Bristol, about two hours with a 20-minute interval, and a family ticket that softens the price.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingDog friendlyParking+2 more
Puppet Place
Bristol
Puppetry and circus workshops in Bristol, from shadow puppets to stop-motion, but only by arrangement, not a walk-in venue.
Bike parkingPublic transport nearby
Redgrave Theatre
Bristol · ages 0+
A proper theatre near the old zoo site where under-16s watch shows accompanied, babies go free on a lap.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+5 more
FreeSmoke & Mirrors
Bristol
Close-up magic at your table and a 90-minute comedy magic show in a Bristol venue that opens late, evenings only.
Toilets
Temple Cloud Circus
Bristol
Trapeze, silks and aerial hoop classes for complete beginners, with birthday parties built around an aerial show.
Accessible toiletBirthday partiesGroup bookingsWheelchair accessible
The Bendy Studio
Bristol
Kids' circus classes with aerial hoop, aerial silks and even pole dance, plus parties built around the same kit.
Parking
The Fleece
Bristol
A proper old Bristol music venue with flagstone floors, where under 16s can go to gigs if an adult comes too.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingPublic transport nearbyToilets+1 more
The Island
Bristol
A circus and dance training space in Bristol where kids can try aerial hoop, aerial silks and structured dance classes.
from £12The Wardrobe Theatre
Bristol · ages 3-8
Storytelling shows for young kids, from clowning cyclists to dinosaurs made of ice cream, in a proper theatre near Temple Meads.
Accessible toiletBooking requiredCaféRestaurant+2 more
Tobacco Factory Theatres
Bristol
A proper theatre programming circus and street performance shows, with a bar that opens well before curtain up.
Bike parkingCafé
Good to know: circus & street performance in Bristol
Are any of them free?
Yes, Clock Factory and Smoke & Mirrors are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £8.99 at Devito's Circus. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Which ones are indoor?
Bristol Beacon, Bristol Old Vic and Smoke & Mirrors are indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find circus & street performance in Bristol, Street and Stroud. Every place we list is in or around Bristol, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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