San Diego Circus Festival 2026
Celebrate Excellence in Circus Arts
May 21-24, 2026
Mainstage Application Deadline: April 15th
Join us for four nights of world-class circus performances and a full weekend of competition, community, and professional feedback. Perform on our professional stage and connect with the circus arts community.
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 - Thursday & Friday, May 21-22:
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 - Saturday & Sunday, May 23-24:
- 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 May 21-24, 2026 at San Diego Circus Center in San Diego, California.
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 competition track with guaranteed performance slots—no application review required. Rising Stage is divided into three experience-based categories so performers are judged among peers with similar backgrounds.
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 judging.
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, awards, certificates, 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
- Judged within your experience category (Novice, Student, or Adult) for fair comparison among similar skill levels
- Scored judging with numerical feedback and detailed written notes across technique, artistry, presentation, and development areas
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd place recognition within your category, plus special category awards
- Developmental guidance to help you grow toward professional-level performance
- Professional performance photos available for purchase (not included in registration)
Recognition & Feedback
All festival acts are evaluated by a panel of circus professionals who look at technical execution, artistry, originality, and overall impact.
Each track uses a different judging system: Mainstage focuses on categorical awards without scoring or placement, while Rising Stage provides scored feedback with traditional 1st/2nd/3rd place recognition.
Mainstage Competition Awards
No scores or placements. Mainstage recognizes excellence across specific categories, with detailed qualitative feedback for artistic growth.
Vanguard Award
Recognized for creativity. Presented to artists who demonstrate exceptional creativity in presentation and execution, unique transitions, innovative storytelling, or courage in pushing boundaries.
Keystone Award
Recognized for technical skill. Presented to artists who demonstrate strong technical foundation, clean execution of skills, and high skill level.
DaVinci Award
Recognized for overall assembly and presentation. Awarded for fluidity and creativity in converging all act elements: costume, music, concept, technical skills, and character development.
People's Voice
Presented to the artists with the highest number of votes by the audience.
The One to Watch
Presented by San Diego Circus Center to an emerging artist showing exceptional promise.
Mainstage Philosophy: Recognition Without Ranking
We celebrate exceptional artistry across multiple dimensions rather than ranking artists against each other. Each performer receives detailed written feedback focused on artistic development, with awards highlighting specific strengths and achievements.
Rising Stage Spotlight Awards
Scored evaluation with placement recognition within experience-based categories
Judging Within Categories:
Performers compete within their experience-based category to ensure fair judging among peers with similar backgrounds:
- • Novice (Under 18): First or second "real" performance, early in training
- • Student (Under 18): Multi-year academy training, prior performance experience
- • Adult (18+): Adult learners developing toward professional-ready work
Category placement is determined by SDCC based on age, training history, and experience to keep categories balanced.
Rising Stage uses a scored judging system with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place recognition within each category. This provides clear benchmarks for developing artists to track their progress.
What you receive:
- Detailed scorecard with numerical feedback across technique, artistry, and presentation
- 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place medals/certificates within your category (Novice, Student, or Adult)
- Special category awards (Clean Technique, Storytelling & Concept, Big Heart on Stage, Breakthrough Performance)
- Written notes with actionable suggestions for development
Rising Stage provides structured feedback that helps younger and emerging artists understand exactly where they excel and where to focus their training.
Festival Weekend Flow
Four nights of performances and a full weekend of competition. Exact call times provided upon acceptance.
Thursday, May 21
Day 1Academy Spotlight A
Friday, May 22
Day 2Academy Spotlight B
Saturday Day
CompetitionRising Stage Spotlight (Day 1)
Saturday Night, May 23
CompetitionMainstage Competition (Night 1) + Awards
Sunday Day
CompetitionRising Stage Spotlight (Day 2)
Sunday Night, May 24
CompetitionMainstage Competition (Night 2) + Awards
Tech & Feedback Details
Mainstage tech rehearsals:
Thursday or Friday daytime for your assigned performance night
Rising Stage tech checks:
Morning of your performance day
Feedback sessions:
Available the day following your Mainstage performance
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.
During registration, you'll indicate your experience level (Novice/Student/Adult). SDCC will assign final category placement to ensure balanced judging within experience levels.
🎉 Multi-Act Discount
Artists may register up to 2 acts per festival year. Second solo act receives 15% discount ($170 instead of $200). Multi-performer acts already receive group pricing and are not eligible for additional discounts.
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
Ready to Take the Stage?
Join us for the San Diego Circus Festival 2026, May 21-24. Mainstage deadline is April 15th. Rising Stage Spotlight is open for rolling registration.