San Diego Circus Festival 2027
Five Shows. Four Days. One Unforgettable Weekend.
May 2027
From Academy Spotlight nights to the Rising Stage daytime competitions and the Mainstage evening competition, this is San Diego's premier circus event. Applications are now open — apply to perform, and check back for ticket info as we get closer to the festival.
What Makes This Festival Different
A professional, supportive environment designed to elevate your artistry and connect you with the circus community.
Artist-First Approach
Every decision we make prioritizes your growth, experience, and artistic development
Meaningful Feedback
Detailed, actionable feedback from experienced professionals who understand your art
Exposure & Content
Professional performance photos and exposure to engaged circus community
Supportive Environment
A welcoming space where artists support each other and celebrate growth
"No scores, no hardcore judging, but much more about really valuable, meaning growth-focused feedback for each and every participant."
Stacy Clark
Festival Juror
Moments from Previous Years
See the magic, artistry, and community that make the San Diego Circus Festival special.
A Festival for Every Stage of Development
The San Diego Circus Festival is hosted by San Diego Circus Center. We've expanded our traditional end-of-year Academy Spotlight performances into a full destination festival for circus artists at all levels—celebrating our students while welcoming the broader circus community.
Festival Opening Nights:
Academy Spotlight performances featuring polished acts from our year-long professional training programs. These evening performances celebrate the culmination of our academy year and officially open the festival weekend.
Festival Weekend:
- Evening Performances: Mainstage Competition with curated professional artists competing for festival honors
- Daytime Performances: Rising Stage Spotlight provides emerging and youth artists a supportive performance track with structured feedback and recognition
The festival takes place in May 2027 at San Diego Circus Center in San Diego, California. Exact dates will be announced soon.
Find Your Track
Two performance tracks designed for different stages of artistic development.
Mainstage Competition
The Mainstage Competition is our top-tier, evening festival show. All acts are reviewed by our artistic team, and artists are accepted based on performance readiness and fit for the evening show format.
You're a good fit for Mainstage if:
- You are professional-ready – an emerging professional, working artist, or advanced student whose act can anchor an evening show.
- You have a polished solo, duo, or ensemble act ready for stage.
- Your act is approximately 4-5 minutes (duos and trios may receive additional time).
- You're excited to perform for a live audience, receive detailed feedback, and compete for festival honors.
While typically for artists 18+, exceptional younger performers are considered case-by-case.
Rising Stage Spotlight
The Rising Stage Spotlight is our all-ages, developmental showcase track with guaranteed performance slots—no application review required. Rising Stage is divided into three experience-based categories so performers receive feedback relevant to their training background.
Rising Stage Categories:
- Novice (Under 18): Younger or newer artists, first/second performances
- Student (Under 18): Consistent training, academy-level, multiple performances
- Adult (18+): Adult learners and hobbyists developing toward professional level
Final category placement is at SDCC's discretion to ensure balanced showcases.
You're a good fit for Rising Stage if:
- You're a youth or adult artist actively building your act and seeking stage experience and feedback.
- Your act is up to 3 minutes (duos and trios may receive additional time).
- You want the certainty of open registration with guaranteed acceptance.
Rising Stage artists receive written feedback, participation certificates, special recognition awards, and the full festival performance experience. Register and your spot is confirmed!
What Artists Are Saying
"The organization, the structure, and thought that's been put into it has gone a long way to ease my anxiety and nerves."
Cyrus Luciano
Festival Participant
"I'm feeling extreme gratitude for a space to put on a new act and get feedback from some highly renowned casting directors and producers."
Garrett Allen
Festival Participant
What You'll Receive
Mainstage Competition
- Performance slot in Saturday or Sunday evening Mainstage Competition show
- 5-minute tech rehearsal to test apparatus, music, and lighting
- 10-minute one-on-one feedback session with professional jurors (active casting directors in the circus industry)
- Industry-insider perspective on how you stand out among your peers and actionable feedback for career advancement
- Categorical awards only - no scores or numerical rankings, focused on recognizing specific artistic strengths
- Professional performance photos and videos available for purchase (not included in registration)
Rising Stage Spotlight
- Performance slot in Saturday or Sunday daytime spotlight
- On-stage tech check to confirm music and lighting
- Showcased within your experience category (Novice, Student, or Adult) to provide context for reviewers
- Juror feedback cards — written notes from our professional panel covering technique, artistry, and presentation
- Same festival awards as Mainstage — Vanguard, Keystone, DaVinci, People's Voice, and The One to Watch
- Recognition within experience-based categories (Novice, Student, or Adult) — no numerical scores or placements
- Professional performance photos available for purchase (not included in registration)
Recognition & Feedback
Every performer — Mainstage and Rising Stage — is eligible for the same awards. No scores, no rankings. Judges evaluate each artist relative to where they are in their journey.
Juror Awards
Vanguard Award
Recognized for creativity. Exceptional creativity in presentation and execution, unique transitions, innovative storytelling, or courage in pushing boundaries.
Keystone Award
Recognized for technical skill. Strong technical foundation, clean execution of skills, and high overall skill level.
DaVinci Award
Recognized for overall assembly and presentation. Fluidity and creativity across all act elements: costume, music, concept, skills, and character.
Audience Award
People's Choice
People's Voice
Decided entirely by the audience. The act with the most votes wins — any performer at any level can take this one.
Mainstage — 1:1 Juror Feedback
A private 10-minute session with our professional jurors after your performance.
Rising Stage — Written Feedback Cards
Judges apply a level-relative lens, so every award is winnable by any performer. Audience picks People's Voice.
Festival Weekend Flow
Five shows across four days. Exact dates and show times for May 2027 will be announced soon.
Academy Spotlight A & B
Evening performances featuring polished acts from our year-long professional training programs.
Rising Stage Competition
Daytime showcase for emerging and youth artists, judged with a level-relative lens.
Mainstage Competition + Awards
Evening showcase of curated professional and advanced artists, followed by festival awards.
Doors & Arrival
Evening shows (Academy Spotlight & Mainstage):
Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. We recommend arriving early to find your seat.
Daytime Rising Stage shows:
Doors open 20 minutes before showtime. Seating is general admission — arrive early for best seats.
A Professional Circus Venue
San Diego Circus Center provides a fully-equipped performance space designed specifically for circus arts.
25 ft
Rigging Height
150+
Audience Capacity
✓
Dressing Room
✓
Warmup Space
⚠ Important Rigging Note
Aerial acts with lifts: You are required to bring a caller for your act. If you do not have a caller available, we can supply one for an additional fee. Please contact us in advance to arrange.
Experience the Festival
Performances, community moments, and behind-the-scenes glimpses from past festivals.
Join Our Growing Community
The San Diego Circus Festival connects artists from around the world, fostering collaborations, friendships, and opportunities that last well beyond the festival weekend.
Registration & Fees
Limited slots available in both tracks. Early application recommended.
What Your Registration Includes
Registration fees cover the professional infrastructure that makes this festival possible and valuable for your career:
- • Professional venue with rigging, lighting, sound, and tech crew
- • Industry professional jurors with casting experience
- • Dedicated tech rehearsal time for your performance
- • Performance day coordination and artist support
- • Awards, recognition, and professional feedback sessions
Photos and videos are separate purchases to keep registration costs accessible while providing professional-quality documentation for those who want it.
Mainstage Competition
Limited slots across two festival nights. Each artist in duo/trio/group must register individually.
Rising Stage Spotlight
Open registration, no audition required. Each artist in duo/trio/group must register individually.
Important Note:
Registration fees cover festival participation, tech time, judging, feedback, and awards. Artists are responsible for travel, accommodation, meals, and photo purchases.
Ready to Apply?
Choose your track
Mainstage Competition requires video submission and curated selection, or Rising Stage Spotlight offers open registration without audition.
Mainstage: Prepare application materials
- • Video of your act (must show current skill level and act concept)
- • Act description (apparatus, discipline, concept, music)
- • Technical requirements (rigging, props, floor needs)
- • Photo or headshot for festival materials
Applications are reviewed and curated
Rising Stage: Simply register
No video or audition required! Provide basic act information, your training background, and technical needs. You'll indicate which category best fits you (Novice Under 18, Student Under 18, or Adult 18+), and SDCC will assign final category placement to ensure balanced judging.
No review process—register and perform!
Submit & confirm
Mainstage: Submit application through the portal. You'll be notified of acceptance status and assigned performance day.
Rising Stage: Complete registration and payment. Your category (Novice, Student, or Adult) will be assigned based on your age and training background. You'll receive immediate confirmation with performance details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Be Part of the Festival
The San Diego Circus Festival returns in May 2027. Five extraordinary shows, one unforgettable weekend. Applications are open now.