Circusstad Festival 2026: FREE! – A Celebration of Freedom and Diversity Free

From April 29 to May 3, Rotterdam will once again be the stage for contemporary circus during Circusstad Festival 2026. Circus has always been a place where diversity thrives; a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of age, background, gender, or ability. This power is at the heart of this year’s edition, which is all about freedom: FREE! from violence, FREE! to be who you are, FREE! to think, dream and act.

For the thirteenth edition of Circusstad Festival, part of the program has already been announced. In 2026, the festival will once again showcase contemporary circus at its best: raw, moving, and surrealistic, with a nod to the past. This year, we welcome clowns, acrobats, and even… an elephant, but nothing is as it seems. With freedom as the central theme, this edition will challenge, surprise and touch.

What to Expect?
Expect performances that are personal, virtuosic, and sometimes downright impossible. Artists blend the spectacle of circus with theater, dance, and new media, touching on themes such as LGBTQI+, overconsumption, identity, and inclusion. Wonder, emotion, and humor go hand in hand.

Practical Information
Date: April 29 – May 3, 2026
Location: Rotterdam
More information: https://circusstad.nl/en/