The National Circus Festival has drawn its final curtain for 2024, wrapping up a weekend brimming with breathtaking performances, laughter, and community spirit at the Mullumbimby Showground.
Nearly 3,000 circus lovers gathered to witness over 100 performances over three days, with Saturday ultimately selling out.
Over 60 local, national, and international artists dazzled audiences across the weekend, including Belfast’s Snatch Circus, Australia’s A Good Catch Circus, and female trailblazers YUCK Circus.
Crowd-favourite Monumental 2.0 by Spaghetti Circus captivated the audience. Set to an original live score, this new work featured 26 performers on the big top stage.
Rooke’s Small Wonders welcomed home two international stars and Spaghetti Circus alumni, Billie Wilson-Coffey and Bridie Hooper, amazing audiences with their aerial performances and feats of flexibility and strength.
The Famous Spiegeltent set the stage for a cabaret extravaganza, with improvisation specialist Daniel Oldaker, hoop artist Anna Fisher, the irrepressible Mario Queen of the Circus, and internationally renowned Jake Silvestro amazing crowds.
Attendees involved
Beyond the performances, attendees got hands-on in the workshops and activities, from acrobatics and juggling to the excitement of the flying trapeze.
The Circus Olympics blurred the lines between competitor and spectator, truly bringing the community together on Sunday with a new female-held record for the most backsaults in a row – 110 by Indra Garvey!
Leading up to the weekend, the sold-out National Training Program hosted over 500 workshops across five days, drawing 150 participants, 57 trainers nationwide and international guests.
‘We are thrilled by the infectious energy, creativity, joy and support from the community,’ said the National Circus Festival Director, Alice Caldwell.
‘The huge audiences on Saturday and high attendance across the weekend is a testament to how circus arts continue to inspire and unite people. From our youngest performer at just 3 years old to our oldest over 70, this festival truly celebrated diversity, talent, and joy.’
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