Get ready to laugh, cheer, and maybe even learn to juggle. Pitch’d Circus and Street Arts Festival is back for its 8th spectacular year, running from August 22nd to 29th, presented by Circus Factory Cork (aka us) in partnership with Cork Independent, Cork’s 96FM, and C103FM.

Volunteer Links:
Group Performance
General Volunteer

This year, we’re celebrating what makes Circus Factory truly special: community. It’s the lifeblood of everything we do at Circus Factory, from the first shaky stilts to the polished performances on stage. That spirit shines throughout this year’s programme, starting with a fiery bang…

It All Begins With a Spark… – August 22nd

We kick things off with a Community Fire Show, created by and for the people who make Cork so vibrant. It’s the perfect way to light up the festival (literally!) and set the tone for a week bursting with talent, creativity, and joyful chaos. It will be at 8PM at Marina Park, the one by the slides. Directions here

Step Into Our Story: The Circus Factory Photo Exhibition  – Open from August 24th

This year, we’re taking a moment to reflect. The Pitch’d 2025 Photo Exhibition offers a beautiful window into our journey, from wild performances to quiet training days and inclusive community outreach projects.

Featuring stunning images by longtime friend David Hegarty alongside snapshots from the Ballincollig Camera Club, the exhibition is a visual tribute to the artists, students, and audiences who have shaped our space over the years. It’s completely free and open throughout the festival.

A Family Friendly Circus Picnic, Saturday, August 23rd

Pack a blanket, snacks, and a big smile—it’s time for our beloved Circus Picnic at Elizabeth Fort!

Expect a whirlwind of fun with:

• Wobbly waiters and warring beach buffoons
• Roaming characters and Disco Dragons ready to boogie
• A show about normalising stims and neurodivergence
• Music from Cork’s 96FM to keep you dancing
• It’s free, family-friendly, and full of unforgettable moments.

 The Gala – Sunday, August 24th

Prepare to be dazzled! The Pitch’d Festival Gala returns for one night only with a glittering lineup of top circus talent. Featuring aerial artistry, laugh-out-loud clowning, and acts that defy gravity, this is circus at its boldest and brightest. Expect gasps, giggles, and glitter.

Circus Club – August 25th & 26th

Ever wanted to run away with the circus? Here’s your chance.
Join us at the Pitch’d  Circus Club for two full days of open training and taster workshops at Circus Factory Cork. Try your hand at juggling, hula hoop, aerial, and more with help from our brilliant coaches.

It’s a great way to test the waters ahead of our September term—and it’s open to absolute beginners and seasoned movers alike.

Kundle Cru at The Everyman – August 27th

On Wednesday, we head to The Everyman Theatre for a truly special event: the first public performance of Birds, the new show by international dance-circus collective Kundle Cru, led by Dublin-based choreographer Matt Szczerek.

Following their smash-hit Blame Game at Pitch’d 2022, Birds is a powerful, high-energy blend of hip-hop, contemporary dance, and circus—all set to a hypnotic soundtrack. It’s a fierce and poetic look at how we navigate a world in crisis, and how we might hatch a new path forward.

 Industry Day – August 28th

Calling all artists, arts workers, students, and creative minds!
Join us at Circus Factory for a day of Industry Panels exploring the big questions behind the scenes:

• The Creative Method
• Tech to Enhance Your Show
• Motherhood and Creativity

It’s a day for connection, conversation, and collaboration, with one ticket giving you access to all three panels. Full schedule and panellists coming soon.

Emerging Artists Stage – August 28th

Also on Thursday, we spotlight the next generation of circus creators with our Emerging Artists Stage. Expect fresh, fearless, and wildly original work from rising performers eager to share their ideas—and grow through your feedback. Come cheer them on!

A Secret Scratch Night to Close It All – August 29th

We’re ending Pitch’d 2025by looking toward the future. Our final event is a Scratch Night / Work in Progress night at Circus Factory. This is your chance to see work in progress and give feedback if you like. The work you see, may contribute to a bigger final piece in the future. And you were the first to ever see it.

Pitch’d is more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and Cork itself. Whether you’re watching from the sidelines, jumping into a workshop, or clapping wildly at the Gala, there’s a place for you here. Want to volunteer, fill out 2025 volunteer form