(Credit: Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival)
A groundbreaking celebration of circus arts is set to debut this spring as the Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival (PCCF) launches its inaugural 10-day run from May 23 to June 1.
The new circus will transform venues across Philadelphia and Camden into hubs of awe-inspiring acrobatics, aerial artistry, and boundary-pushing performance.
Co-produced by Circadium School of Contemporary Circus and FringeArts, with production support from Cannonball, the new festival will present more than 24 shows and events featuring dozens of artists from the United States, Canada, and France.
Performances, workshops, and interactive installations will take place at key venues including Christ Church Neighborhood House, Cherry Street Pier, FringeArts, and the Trenton Circus Squad Tent in Cooper’s Poynt Park in Camden.
(Credit: PCCF)“This isn’t just a festival — it’s the beginning of something transformative,” said Shana Kennedy, executive director of Circadium and a longtime leader in Philadelphia’s circus arts scene. “PCCF gives emerging and established artists a stage while uniting local, national, and international talent in one of the oldest circus cities in America.”
The festival is being seen as a natural evolution of FringeArts’ Hand-to-Hand Festival, which debuted in 2018. This year’s reimagining brings together a robust network of partners, including Almanac Dance Circus Theatre, Airplay Entertainment, Rebel Arts Movement, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, Wahoo Trapeze, and many others.
PCCF’s offerings will range from ticketed evening performances to free public events and workshops, many designed for families and young audiences.
The opening weekend features standout shows such as N.Ormes by France’s Agathe & Adrien, and Cycles by Zack Herzig.
(Credit: PCCCF)On May 25, celebrated French troupe Cahin-Caha will present Life, Circus, and Everything Else, while founder Daniel Gulko will also direct Circadium students in the original production The Garden of Earthly Delights.
Mikaela Boone, Programming Director at FringeArts, emphasized the festival’s inclusive, collaborative mission.
“This festival is for the artists and by the artists — it brings together creators from around the world and across disciplines," she said. "Audiences will encounter work that is visually arresting, emotionally resonant, and deeply rooted in physical storytelling.”
Highlights of the week include:
(Credit: PCCF)Across the river in Camden, the Trenton Circus Squad will celebrate its 10th anniversary with multiple performances under the big top. Camden’s circus tent will also host a range of multidisciplinary acts, including circus-infused theater, immersive storytelling, and experimental movement pieces.
Organizers hope PCCF will elevate Philadelphia’s standing in the global contemporary circus community, much like Montreal and Edinburgh have done in years past.
"Festivals like this are rare in the U.S.,” Kennedy said. “But with the incredible circus ecosystem we’ve built here — including Circadium, one of the few accredited circus schools in the country — Philadelphia is uniquely positioned to become a national circus arts capital.”
(Credit: PCCF)Tickets are on sale now at FringeArts.com or by calling the FringeArts Box Office at 215-413-1318. A full performance schedule, artist bios, and media materials are available at phillycircusfest.org.
Follow the festival on social media at @phillycontemporarycircusfest, @fringearts, and @circadiumschool.
The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
