Roll up roll up as the circus is coming to town with children across the city invited to join in the action when it arrives in Leeds city centre.
Briggate will be brought to life with everything but the big top as it is transformed into a circus scene with performances, workshops and entertaining activities for a week of free family fun during the forthcoming February half-term school holiday.
Brought to the city by LeedsBID in association with The Yorkshire Circus and Super Friendz, the Pop-Up Circus will provide children with the chance to become the performers with Leeds city centre as their stage as they learn the skills of the circus.
Offering activities for all ages and abilities, there’s the opportunity to get involved with an array of circus disciplines. And that’s not all with daily story time sessions, arts and crafts, face painting and free candyfloss for those taking part.
Whether you want to try your hand at tightrope or trapeze, fancy yourself as a juggler or plate spinner, want to have a go at acrobatics and Parkour or reach for the sky by stilt walking, you can watch and learn and then try it for yourself.
Martin Dickson from LeedsBID said: “We know from the success of Leeds Jurassic Trail 2 last year that it is essential to provide added attractions for families coming back into the city centre, especially during school holidays, and entertaining activities children can get involved with while also animating the high street and enhancing the overall experience as part of the on-going recovery essential for businesses.”
Running from Saturday 19th- Saturday 26th February 2022, there are workshops and performances every day between 11am-4pm, starting with an introduction and short performance, before children can take part in a workshop teaching various circus disciplines, with three sessions held daily.
Choose from the full programme as follows:
Saturday 19th February – Aerial Hoop, Trapeze & Stilts
Sunday 20th February – Acrobatics & Parkour
Monday 21st February – Spinning Props (Diablo, Flower Sticks, Poi)
Tuesday 22nd February – Balancing & Equilibristrics (Tightrope and Slackline)
Wednesday 23rd February – Juggling
Thursday 24th February – Wheel Props – Unicycle and Hula Hooping
Friday 25th February – Spinning Props – Diablo, Flower Sticks, Poi
Saturday 26th February – Aerial Hoop, Trapeze & Stilts
In addition, there are circus themed crafts to enjoy and face painting every day between 12.30-2.30pm, and Story Corner running 11am-12pm and 3-4pm, not forgetting the free candy floss and a stilt walker or two to be spotted on both Saturdays.
The Pop-Up Circus will be pitching up on the event space on Briggate (outside the former Debenhams) – all activities are free and available on a first come, first served based.
