Cirque Bijou family area

Saturday 22^nd & Sunday 23^rd July
Location: Castle Park
Times: 12:00 – 18:00

Working with some of the most colourful and creative companies in the South West and beyond, Cirque Bijou present a whole weekend packed with activities, games, storytelling and more for kids of all ages in Castle Park. And best of all you don’t have to pay a penny!

Check out the exciting programme below for more information on all the things to do and see.

The storytelling tent will have BSL interpretation.

Around the park

From babies to teens to the still-young-at-heart, kids of all ages are invited to explore and discover leafy Castle Park with Cirque Bijou this Harbour Festival. There’ll be things to make and do, places to think and dream, singing, storytelling, dancing and dreaming. Enter your baby in the baby race, learn some slacklining or have a go on the aerial trapeze. Watch a show with your friends and family and celebrate Bristol’s diverse culture in this gem of a park in the heart of the city.

The storytelling tent will have BSL interpretation.

Check out our programme for more details of our acts and timings, or turn up for a lucky dip.

Family Area Programme

APE Project

Once again APE Project are bringing along their Wacky Bikes, a fleet of the most unusual, topsy-turvy little vehicles for 5 years plus to have a go on. Helmets are provided.

Babel Babies

It’s never too early or too late to start learning and loving languages. Parents and children are invited to sing languages together, learn languages together, and love languages together.

Baby Racing

On your marks, get set, CRAWL! This Cirque Bijou special originated at Bristol Harbour Festival, and over the years has seen some seriously competitive babies crawling like lightening over the finish line. It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part that counts… right parents?

Bocadalupa

Back for their 4^th year, Bocadalupa invite you to explore their interactive ‘Dream’ playscape. Mix your own dreams, hang from a tree in a dream pod or make your own dream catcher.

Caroline Bowditch

Performance artist and choreographer Caroline Bowditch is bringing her new show ‘The Adventures of Snigel’. Little ones will love this curious snail who loves bubbles! Join Snigel and friends on a journey to find out where bubbles come from.

Cassandra Wye – Saturday & Sunday 12 noon, 2pm & 4pm

International Inclusive Storyteller, Cassandra Wye has travelled the world telling stories from the heart of the rainforest to the roof of the world. Fizzing with exuberance, energy and enthusiasm, her love of stories and storytelling knows no boundaries.
Cassandra will be joined by a BSL interpreter for all performances.

Circomedia

Find out more about Bristol’s internationally renowned circus school, and join in with their ‘Have a Go’ workshops. You can try a range of circus skills from juggling to aerial. This year they will be bringing in two aerial rigs, one of which will be specially set up for inclusive practice, prioritising and inspiring young disabled people to ‘have a go’.

Rag & Bone

Makers of great beasts, puppets and mechanical contraptions, Rag and Bone are bringing their Umbrella Tree to Castle Park. The Umbrella Tree is an absurd and charming moving sculpture, designed to bemuse, baffle and delight.

Effootless Slacklining

Fancy a go at slacklining? Effootless are here to introducing beginners to the sport. They will be offering open workshops with specialised tuition for beginner and intermediate slackline enthusiasts, as well as showing off their own awesome talent with their trickline demo’s.

Everyone Active

It’s time to get moving! Everyone Active invite you to bring your football skills to the park. There will be competitions to test your footwork and control, so come along and show off your stuff!

Happymess

Happymess runs art, craft and messy play sessions for children in Bristol.
Come along and make your very own bright paper parrot kite to fly around the festival, then search for pirate treasure, and swim around in a glittery sandy ocean!

Marky Jay

Headlining the kids area its Marky Jay! And his hilarious monkey magic show packed with circus, banana based magic and family friendly comedy.

Somerset Storyfest

Providing ‘story inspired’ activities since 2012, Somerset Storyfest will be bringing out the storyteller in every child. Rummage for materials, make a puppet, rattle an instrument, create and then tell a story that’s never been told before.
This activity will be BSL interpreted.

Cirque Bijou are grateful for the support of Arts Council England