Town Hall Gardens

At the heart of the town centre, Town Hall Gardens will become a showcase of creativity during Big Top Festival, hosting two performance stages within this much‑loved space. Throughout the weekend, the gardens burst into action with a packed programme of circus, theatre, and family‑friendly entertainment, offering audiences the chance to experience world‑class performances one after another, and all completely free!

Alongside internationally acclaimed acts, these festival stages shine a spotlight on the town’s proud heritage of entertainment and imagination, celebrating local talent and the creative spirit that defines Southport. Whether you’re dropping by for one show or settling in for a weekend of festival magic, Town Hall Gardens promises unforgettable moments for all ages.

Explore the line‑up below to discover who’s performing across the weekend and don’t forget to find Town Hall Gardens on our Big Top Festival map!

Three people dressed as clowns in grey and red clothing in front of a yellow and red sign that says Cirque du Kaka.

Cirque Du Kaka by EggPeople

Saturday - 11:00-11:30 | Sunday - 16:45-17:15 | Join three hapless, circus misfits who bungle every act, recruit unsuspecting audience members, and spiral into hilarious chaos that ends in a disastrous lion‑taming finale that reveals their only true skill. Dramatic eating.

A group of acrobatic performers in matching gold‑and‑black geometric costumes form a dramatic balance pose. One performer stands on another’s head on a single leg while the surrounding dancers look upward, illuminated against a dark gradient background.

Wolf by Circa

Saturday - 12:00-12:30 & 14:15-14:45 | Sunday - 12:30-13:00 & 14:30-15:00 | A unique 30 minute performance of critically acclaimed show Wolf, unleashes Circa’s fierce performers in a raw, high‑energy storm of acrobatics and primal power. This is unmissable - circus with fangs.

A person dressed as a clown, wearing white face makeup, a black beret, and a ruffled black collar, with a bright red clown nose. They are turned slightly to the side against a warm-toned background, with dramatic lighting highlighting their face.

Wild Laughter: Fun on the Prom by CutToTheChase Productions & Sidelong Glance

Saturday - 13:00-13:35 & 16:30-17:05 | Sunday - 13:30-14:05 & 15:30-16:05 | A brand new performance in which history’s forgotten clown Albert James returns to life, guiding audiences through his seaside memories, vintage postcards and joyful clowning that transforms the town into a lively…

Five performers in a public square act out a scene in front of a large metal cage structure. Three in the centre wear vintage explorer-style clothing and point urgently into the distance with surprised expressions, while two others dressed in black bodysuits with ape masks crouch in the foreground, mimicking confused gestures.

Don’t Feed The Explorers by Birdcage Stage

Saturday - 15:15-15:45 & 17:30-18:00 | Sunday - 14:00-14:30 & 17:30-18:00 | A 30-minute, slapstick family adventure that follows bumbling explorers through wild jungles. Expect exotic creatures, aerial‑acrobat monkeys and a clumsy panda that creates a hilarious, high‑energy circus and clowning…

Three acrobats wearing red body suits. One is lying on the floor holding up another person with their legs. A third person is doing a hand stand on the second person's hands in the air.

The Black Eagles In Association with GModels & Casting Agency

Sunday - 11:00-11:25 | A high-energy spectacle blending African acrobatics and contemporary performance, featuring human pyramids, tumbling, limbo, and flexibility, delivered with vibrant energy, rhythm, and captivating, crowd-thrilling excitement.

A group of eight adults pose theatrically in a garden against a brick wall, all dressed in dark formal or semi-formal outfits. Each person is holding oranges in stylised, almost sculptural poses, some standing, some seated, and one lying on the grass. One man crouches on all fours with an orange in his mouth while another person balances across his back. The group’s expressions are serious and composed, creating a surreal, staged tableau.

Smashed2 by Gandini Juggling

Saturday - 11:30-12:00 & 14:45-15:15 | The iconic Gandini Juggling present 9 performers, 80 oranges and 7 watermelons, blending Pina Bausch inspired choreography with witty, inventive acrobatics. Smashed2 is as wild as it sounds.

Two people in ballet outfits wearing tutus. They are posing with their arms in the air over their heads holding green balls.

YOU TOO CAN TUTU by Gandini Juggling

Saturday - 12:30-12:50 | Sunday - 13:00-13:20 | A witty take on ballet storytelling, this slapstick infusion blends playful precision, rhythmic movement and vibrant colour into a joyful, mischievous performance bursting with humour, energy and mesmerising patterns.

Two people on a beach wearing blue jeans and white tops. One person is standing on the head of another person.

Life's a Beach

Saturday - 13:34-14:15 & 15:45-16:15 | A joyous, if not a little chaotic window into a day at the beach. It is a fun and playful observation of family life at the beach, with darker undertones of more serious questions such as sewage in our seas and antisocial behaviour.

A performer dressed in grey with a grey hat on. They are standing between to ladders looking down at the camera.

Now That I Am Become d/Deaf (Destroyer of Words) by Tit for Tat in association with Extraordinary Bodies

Sunday - 11:30-12:00 & 15:00-15:30 | Now That I Am Become d/Deaf is a non-verbal, visual clown show that transforms hearing loss into playful connection, exploring identity, silence, chaos and belonging through looks, movement and laughter.

Don’t Feed The Explorers by Birdcage Stage

Saturday - 15:15-15:45 & 17:30-18:00 | Sunday - 14:00-14:30 & 17:30-18:00 | A 30-minute, slapstick family adventure that follows bumbling explorers through wild jungles. Expect exotic creatures, aerial‑acrobat monkeys and a clumsy panda that creates a hilarious, high‑energy circus and clowning…