FESTIVAL SHOWS & EVENTS
Get ready for a weekend of circus magic! The festival features live shows and events with professional circus artists from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, a circus movie night, and a vibrant LED circus flow jam where artists and community members can spin, glow, and create together. You can also join for talks and fun at a playful charity fundraiser with audience participation—because at this festival, the audience gets to be part of the show too.
2026 Aerial Artistry Showcase - REGISTRATION OPENING SOON
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Opening Show:
Night at the Gallery
presented by Cirquonscient
When the gallery closes and the patrons go home… that’s when the art really comes to life.
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Join us for a playful and imaginative circus interpretation of works of art, where paintings step off the walls and come to life. Through a vibrant blend of aerial acrobatics and other circus arts bring iconic artworks and artistic styles to life in surprising ways.
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​What happens in the gallery after dark stays in the gallery.
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Friday, May 22, 2026
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
LabO Theatre, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
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Circus gameshow
for charity
WIN GREAT PRIZES
Step right up for a night of circus chaos, ridiculous challenges, and fun - all in support of a great cause.
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At Who's Prop is it Anyway, the audience becomes the show. Volunteers from the crowd will transform into outrageous circus characters, compete in hilarious games, and improvise their way through mystery prop challenges. Come cheer, play, and help us raise funds while celebrating the joy of circus and community.
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💛 Ticket sales support charity
🎟 Prizes from local businesses
🎪 Wear something circus-themed for a chance to win a prize!
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Zero pressure. Maximum fun. Recommended for ages 19+
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026
9:15 PM - 10:15 PM
LabO Theatre, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
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cirque & sip
Coffee, Tea & Conversation with
l'École Nationale de Cirque
Curious about pursuing circus arts at a professional level? Join us for a relaxed and informative Cirque & Sip - a coffee and tea gathering with representatives from the École Nationale de Cirque.
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This is your chance to connect directly with one of the world’s leading circus institutions, right here in Ottawa. Whether you’re a student, parent, or emerging artist, you’ll gain valuable insight into what it takes to train, apply, and thrive in a professional circus environment.
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Bring your mug, questions, curiosity, and your love of circus - we’ll provide the drinks and the conversation. Sip, and start imagining your next step in the world of circus.
Saturday, MAY 23, 2026
11:30 aM - 12:15 PM
LBO 2201, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
everything you want to know about designing AN aerial apparatus
with Bryan Saunders
Designing your own aerial apparatus can feel equal parts exciting and intimidating. In this candid and practical industry talk "Everything You Wanted to Know About Designing Your Own Custom Aerial Apparatus (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)", Montreal-based circus artist, coach, and Circus Concepts founder Bryan Saunders pulls back the curtain on the process of creating custom aerial equipment. Drawing from over a decade of experience in strength-based aerial disciplines - including straps, rope, and silks - Bryan shares real-world insights from both training and performance environments, from studio experimentation to large-scale events like Burning Man.
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Whether you’re dreaming up your first apparatus or refining an existing concept, this talk offers the tools, perspective, and confidence to move forward with clarity. Come curious, leave informed, inspired, and ready to build.
Saturday, MAY 23, 2026
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
LBO 2201, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
Aerial Artistry Showcase
Come experience the excitement of the Aerial Artistry Showcase, watch talented aerialists from ages 6 years+ take the theatre stage to perform and compete across three streams: Developing, Emerging, and Elite. An inspiring celebration of circus aerial artistry, creativity, and skill.
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Whether you’re a circus fan, supporting a performer, or just looking for unique entertainment, this showcase highlights the incredible talent within the aerial circus community.
Saturday, MAY 23, 2026
• 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
​LabO Theatre, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
5@Cirque - Social Hour
with en piste
Step into the heart of the circus community at 5@Cirque, a relaxed and vibrant social hour designed to bring artists, professionals, and enthusiasts together. Hosted in collaboration with En Piste - Canada’s national alliance dedicated to supporting and connecting the circus sector - this gathering is all about building meaningful connections in a creative, welcoming environment. En Piste brings together hundreds of artists, companies, and cultural workers across the country, fostering collaboration, professional development, and the growth of circus arts nationwide.
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Expect a casual, open atmosphere where conversations flow - no formal agenda, just genuine connection and community building.
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Free Ticketed Event
Admission is free, but registration is required—because every guest will receive a complimentary festival drink from Drinks Farm.
Saturday, MAY 23, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
LBO 2201, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
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CIRCUS Film night
with Circus International Film Festival
The Ottawa Circus Festival is excited to partner with the Circus International Film Festival to create Circus Film Night!
The evening will start with a short discussion on how to create your own circus film - perfect for artists, creatives, and anyone curious about bringing circus to the screen. Then settle in for award-winning "Cirque du Cambodia", presented at the inaugural Circus International Film Festival. The film follows two teenagers chasing the ultimate dream - to run away and join the circus. It’s a story of ambition, resilience, and the magic of circus - for anyone who’s ever dreamed big.
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The Circus International Film Festival is an annual virtual festival streaming worldwide, showcasing circus cinema from around the globe.
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Popcorn, passion, and circus culture—this is one night you won’t want to miss.
Saturday, MAY 23, 2026
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
LabO Theatre, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
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CIRCUS LED FLOW Jam
with Music.Art.People
Join us for a glowing night of creativity as the Ottawa Circus Festival teams up with Music.Art.People for a special LED Circus Jam.
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Bring your flow toys, LED props, circus skills, or simply come watch and enjoy as the space transforms into a vibrant playground of light, music, and movement. This open jam invites artists, performers, and curious newcomers alike to share, collaborate, and create together.
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Music.Art.People, an artist collective based in Canada’s capital city, will be providing the live DJs for the evening!
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Come spin, flow, connect, and light up the night with us.
Ages 18+
Saturday, MAY 23, 2026
8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
LBO 2201, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
how to get hired in circus
Industry Q/a with Thomas Lenglart
Curious about what it really takes to build a career in circus? Join us for an open and practical Q&A session exploring pathways into the industry—from first auditions to long-term careers. This discussion invites emerging artists, students, and curious professionals to ask questions, share experiences, and gain insight into how hiring works across different circus contexts.
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The session is hosted by Thomas Lenglart, whose career spans performance, production, and casting. After beginning in music and clowning, he built his career in Québec working as an assistant director and tour manager before joining Cirque du Soleil as a casting coordinator and researcher. He later spent eight years as casting director for Cirque Éloize and currently serves as Program Manager for TOHU and the Montréal Complètement Cirque festival. With extensive experience as a jury member for international competitions and circus schools, Thomas brings a unique perspective on what it takes to get noticed—and hired—in today’s circus industry.
Sunday, May 24, 2026
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
LBO 2201, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON
Capital CaRrousel
Festival Showcase
Capital Carousel/Carrousel de la Capitale, a spectacular circus showcase featuring professional aerial artists, juggling, hand balancing and hoop diving acrobats.
Watch as performers soar high above the stage, juggle with mesmerizing precision, balance with extraordinary control, and launch themselves through hoops in daring displays of athleticism.
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Celebrate the magic of circus as these incredible artists push the limits of strength, coordination, and creativity. Whether you’re a lifelong circus lover or experiencing the magic for the first time, join us for a celebration of creativity, artistry, and the captivating spirit of circus.
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Everyone welcome.
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Sunday, May 24, 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
LabO Theatre, Arts Court
10 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON