Past Event17 Feb - 18 Feb 2023

Circus in the Square

No longer available

Aotea Square

Festivals

Circus in the Square

Auckland Live Summer in the Square

Get ready to be on the edge of your seat and challenge your perception of all the things circus can be! 

Featuring an exciting fusion of performance, join us for bucketloads of fun at this sensational smorgasbord of acrobatics, circus theatre, live music, contemporary dance and comedy clowning that goes outside the box of a traditional red nose. Take in wow-factor performances full of all sorts of flips and tricks, join in workshops and classes with the whole whānau, or pull up a beanbag and enjoy outdoor films with crowd favourite, The Greatest Showman and 1928 Charlie Chaplin classic, The Circus.  

Featuring some of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s finest and favourite talent (The Dust Palace, Manubrium Circus, Flip n Fly, Circability), this wonderfully wacky weekend is not to be missed. So, pack a bag, round up your friends both young and old, and come run away with the circus!    

While you're visiting, make sure you stop by to enjoy a bite or a beverage from the Container in the Square Café and pop-up food trucks provided by Auckland Night Markets. Please note, BYO alcohol is not permitted. 

This event is programmed in partnership with Manubrium Circus. 

Image credit: Whenau Film

Schedule

Friday 17 February | 4pm – 9pm

4pm – 5pm | Workshop: Whānau Flow – follow a storytime yoga flow with your little ones or chill in a beanbag and relax to gorgeous live music 

 5.05pm – 6pm | Performance:  Top of the Heap – step into a land of wonder and wisdom, full of glitter, giggles, pirate ships,  tea parties, and characters who balance, clown and contort 

6pm – 7pm | Workshop: Have a Go Circus Workshop - walk a tightrope, spin through hoops and juggle with your friends at this interactive workshop. There's something for all ages and abilities! 

6.30pm – 7pm | Performance: Movement Jazz – be surprised by a unique combination of live music, circus and contemporary dance, bringing you a jazz quartet like you've never seen before 

7pm – 7.50pm | Performance: Confessions of an Aerobics Instructor - get ready to celebrate strength and doin' it together with this street show complete with 80s power numbers, physical comedy acts and audience participation

8pm – 9pm | Performance:  Beauty Through the Eyes of Circus – experience all the beauty, rhythm and flow of circus at this captivating live performance 

Saturday 18 February | 10am – 8pm

10am – 11am | Workshop: Whānau Flow – follow a storytime yoga flow with your little ones or chill in a beanbag and relax to gorgeous live music 

11am – 12.30pm | Film: The Circus – dive into one of Charlie Chaplin’s funniest films from the silent era featuring monkeys, cops, lions, tightrope acrobats and clowns. This classic film will be opened by Manubrium Circus's short film Aptus, which celebrates connection through movement and acrobatics. G | 1 hour, 10 minutes

12.05pm – 12.50pm | Workshop: Banana Boogie – join in a fun, follow-along dance workshop at Banana Boogie! With everything from urban, rock n roll, Latin & 80s, expect blitzing bangers and sweet shapes!  

1pm – 1.30pm | Performance: Movement Jazz – be surprised by a unique combination of live music, circus and contemporary dance, bringing you a jazz quartet like you've never seen before 

1.30pm – 3.20pm | Film: The Greatest Showman – enjoy a free outdoor screening of this hit film filled with magic and musical numbers.  PG | 1 hour, 45 minutes 

3.20pm – 4.20pm | Workshop: Have a Go Circus Workshop - walk a tightrope, spin through hoops and juggle with your friends at this interactive workshop. There's something for all ages and abilities! 

4.25pm – 5.30pm | Performance: Top of the Heap - step into a land of wonder and wisdom, full of glitter and giggles, pirate ships and tea parties, and characters who balance, clown and contort 

5.30pm – 6pm | Performance: Movement Jazz – be surprised by a unique combination of live music, circus and contemporary dance, bringing you a jazz quartet like you've never seen before 

6pm – 7pm | Performance: Confessions of an Aerobics Instructor - get ready to celebrate strength and doin' it together with this street show complete with  80s power numbers, physical comedy acts and audience participation

7pm – 8pm | Performance: Beauty Through the Eyes of Circus – experience all the beauty, rhythm and flow of circus at this captivating live performance 

What’s on at Auckland Live Summer in the Square

On at

Aotea Square | Aotea – Te Papa Tū Wātea

291-297 Queen Street, Auckland

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