From free community events and family-friendly performances to circus workshops, the Vermont Circus Festival is for everybody!
Families can enjoy the thrill of live circus shows. Recreational students can join in for fun and engaging learning experiences. Professional artists will have opportunities to teach, train, perform, and build community.
From family friendly shows and events to workshops for newbies and pros alike… There’s something for everyone at the VTCF!
Sign up for your workshops today! And don’t forget, if you purchase an Advance Pass, you also get discounts to our shows and other perks.
View all of the workshops and events happening during the week and weekend below. You can register for your workshops directly via the calendar description!
The Google calendar will only show 7 days. In order to see Sunday, Nov. 9, use the date selector in the calendar to see those events!
A big thank you to our festival sponsors!
From gravity-defying acts to laugh-out-loud moments, the Vermont Circus Festival showcases unforgettable performances by artists from near and far. Whether you’re a longtime circus lover or brand new to the big top, there’s something here for all ages to enjoy.
Check out this short breakdown of what is happening each day! You can find more details about times, location, and registration on our Google Calendar above or at the downloadable PDF.
Register via The Drawing Studio • The Trapezium
Experience the magic of circus artists in action by capturing their aerial poses with your favorite drawing medium!
10:00 – 12:00pm
Sponsored by AARP Vermont • The Trapezium
10:00 – 11:00am
The Trapezium
10:00 – 11:00am
The Trapezium
10:00 – 12:00pm
A class for all levels! • The Trapezium
12:15 – 1:45pm
Nelson Withington Ice Rink
Join the vibrant clown community from NECCA and anima mundi arts in a silly open skate sponsored by the Brattleboro Department of Recreation and Parks. And it’s the 50th anniversary of the rink so there will be cake! Free skate rentals for anyone showing up with a clown costume! Hosted by Nettie Lane and Annabelle.
1:00 – 4:00pm
118 Elliot St.
Join the leaders of NECCA and members of our community for a festival launch that will include a personalized tour of the gallery hung with paintings by storied circus performer and painter Karen E. Gersch.
5:00 – 6:30pm
An Exhibition by Karen E. Gersch • 118 Elliot St.
12:00 – 3:00pm
With Erin Maile & Kevin O’Keefe
3 Day Teacher Training • 118 Elliot St.
12:00 – 5:00pm
Brooks Memorial Library
Bring the little ones and enjoy circus themed children’s books read aloud by a real circus clown! A NECCA Vermont Circus Festival event supported in part by Vermont Humanities.
1:30 – 2:00pm
With Erin Maile & Kevin O’Keefe
3 Day Teacher Training • 118 Elliot St.
9:00 – 5:00pm
Sponsored by AARP Vermont • The Trapezium
12:00 – 1:00pm
Register via The Drawing Studio
28 Williams St.
5:30 – 7:30pm
With Rob Mermin & Karen E. Gersch • Brooks Memorial Library
Read the autobiographical book by the founder of Vermont’s Circus Smirkus and then join us for a discussion with the author as well as illustrator Karen E. Gersh who also has a long career in the circus ring.
6:00 – 7:30pm
With Erin Maile & Kevin O’Keefe
3 Day Teacher Training • 118 Elliot St.
9:00 – 5:00pm
An Exhibition by Karen E. Gersch • 118 Elliot St.
5:00 – 6:00pm
A presentation and discussion with Rob Mermin & guests. • 118 Elliot St.
6:00 – 7:30pm
With Stacey Strange • Cotton Mill
11:00 – 12:00pm
With Nettie Lu Lane • Meet at Pliny Park
Anyone who identifies as a clown and those who love them, meet up and just do a little fun wandering around town. Free clown noses for all, dress up encouraged!
5:00 – 7:00pm
An Exhibition by Karen E. Gersch
Brattleboro Gallery Walk • 118 Elliot St.
Circus paintings gallery opens alongside a Vermont Jazz Center performance!
5:00 – 8:00pm
Evening Performances • Trapezium
6:00 & 9:00pm
Register via AARP • The Trapezium
11:30 – 12:30pm
With Mark Lonergan • Trapezium (Church)
Circus adds multi-dimensionality to the process of a director supporting show creation with the performers having critical considerations like not falling while emoting from 40’ in the air. Join us for tales from the ring curb with a roundtable of circus directors!
3:00 – 4:30pm
Hosted by Kristen Woods • The Marina
Come meet other LGBTQ festival participants and build community.
5:00 – 6:30pm
Evening Performance • Trapezium
7:00pm
There’s a lot going on at the Vermont Circus Festival in Brattleboro, Vermont! Below you can find a list of locations where our events and workshops are being held. Click their links to open up Google Maps and plan your way!
Our workshops are primarily held at:
We also have events happening at the following locations:
There’s still so many benefits to purchasing an Advance Pass! Snag yours today to receive the following perks:
Sign up for your workshops today! And don’t forget, if you purchase an Advance Pass, you also get discounts to our shows and other perks.
Vermont Circus Festival’s mission is to bring people together to celebrate the joy of circus through workshops, performances, and community events.
By sharing the magic of this art form, we strengthen community connections, inspire creativity, and bring cultural and economic vibrancy to the region.
Workshop listings, performance dates, and registration openings are coming soon! Check back here for more info!
