November 2 – 9 • Brattleboro, VT

There is circus for everyone at the VTCF!

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.

General Workshop Registration is Open!

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.

It’s here…

The Festival Schedule!

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!

Use the date selector in the calendar to view each days workshops and events.

Save the date, and your seat!

Performances

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.

The VTCF Isn’t just workshops!

Community Events

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.

Sunday 11/2

Circus Life Drawing (Aerial)

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!

Free SilverCircus Class

Sponsored by AARP Vermont • The Trapezium

Free Youth Circus Open Gym

The Trapezium

Free Adult Circus Open Gym

The Trapezium

Sunday Funday! Flying Trapeze Class

A class for all levels! • The Trapezium

Clowns on Ice

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.

Festival Kickoff Soireé

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.

Tuesday 11/4

The Human Art of Play

With Erin Maile & Kevin O’Keefe
3 Day Teacher Training • 118 Elliot St.

Clown Around Book: A Circus Book Reading for Kids

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.

Wednesday 11/5

The Human Art of Play

With Erin Maile & Kevin O’Keefe
3 Day Teacher Training • 118 Elliot St.

SilverCircus Class

Sponsored by AARP Vermont • The Trapezium

Circus Life Drawing

Register via The Drawing Studio
28 Williams St.

Circles of Sawdust: A Book Discussion

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.

Thursday 11/6

The Human Art of Play

With Erin Maile & Kevin O’Keefe
3 Day Teacher Training • 118 Elliot St.

200 Years of Circus in Vermont: A History Discussion

A presentation and discussion with Rob Mermin & guests. • 118 Elliot St.

Friday 11/7

Brown Bag Lunch: Studio Owners Chat

With Stacey Strange • Cotton Mill

Clown Crawl

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!

From Gravity to Grace: Art of the Circus

An Exhibition by Karen E. Gersch
Brattleboro Gallery Walk • 118 Elliot St.
Circus paintings gallery opens alongside a Vermont Jazz Center performance!

I’ll Take It by Parallel Exit

Evening Performances • Trapezium

Saturday 11/8

Brown Bag Lunch: Concussions & Brain Injuries

With Sophie & Elsie • Trapezium
Join us to chat about this injury that can affect us as movers and as teachers supporting our students.

A Brush with History: Art in Circus & Circus in Art

With Karen E. Gersch • 118 Elliot St.
This dynamic slideshow and lecture highlights how and why circus has impacted and inspired visual arts since the start of time.

Festival Social Gathering

Hosted by NECCA • 118 Elliot St.
Join us for pizza, salad and fun! (Yes, we’ll have gluten free and dairy free options, plus salad.)

Alumni Cabaret

Evening Performances • Trapezium

Sunday 11/9

Free SilverCircus Class

Register via AARP • The Trapezium

Roundtable Discussion: Directing for Circus

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!

LGBTQ+ Meetup

Hosted by Kristen Woods • The Marina
Come meet other LGBTQ festival participants and build community.

Beta Night

Evening Performance • Trapezium

Where is the VTCF?

Location Info

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:

Discounts to workshops, shows, and more!

About Advance Passes

There’s still so many benefits to purchasing an Advance Pass! Snag yours today to receive the following perks:

  • 10% off all workshops
  • $5 off all shows
  • Free pop-up workshops
  • Free morning warm-ups
  • NECCA swag bag

General Workshop Registration is Open!

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.

What is the VTCF?

Our Mission & Story

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.

See You in Vermont!

Workshop listings, performance dates, and registration openings are coming soon! Check back here for more info!

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