Published: 25 June 2025
Full programme available!
The last weekend of July (24–27) once again sees Lublin come alive as the vibrant heart of contemporary circus. Carnaval Sztukmistrzów is set to transform the city into a spectacular celebration of clowning, acrobatics, juggling, and boundless creativity. This eagerly anticipated event annually draws thousands of spectators, all seeking thrilling performances and joyful, unforgettable experiences.
About
This year’s guiding theme is “RUN AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS” — not just an invitation to leave your worries and duties behind, but also a call to dive headfirst into a world of laughter, joy, and spontaneity.
The Old Theatre
We’re thrilled to host Gabriela Muñoz, a leading figure in contemporary clowning renowned for her performances on prestigious stages worldwide. Her show, “Julieta,” is an empathetic, humorous, and deeply moving narrative about aging and human quirks. The show is a tribute to the elderly and redefines the boundaries of modern clowning.
Big Top
A dedicated circus tent will also be part of the festivities. This year, French troupe My!Laika will perform their show “Winter” four times. This surreal story blends diverse circus techniques with live music. The artists boast a rich artistic background and have garnered international acclaim.
The Centre for Culture in Lublin
The Centre for Culture in Lublin will transform into a showcase for Eastern European contemporary circus. In collaboration with the Baltic Nordic Circus Network, a mini-showcase will feature artists from the Baltic countries who will redefine our understanding of circus art. Lithuanian group Teatronas will present “Itch,” a theatrical-circus essay about the fear of death, while Art For Rainy Days will showcase “How a Spiral Works,” a unique fusion of aerial acrobatics with dance and music from the Baltic region.
As part of the programme at the Centre for Culture in Lublin, Polish collective Kolektyw Kejos will present their latest show No Yes You — a clown performance delving into human fragility and the art of coping with failure.
Ticketed shows
Tickets are required for all indoor performances and can be purchased online. We recommend booking early — discounted prices are available until 30 June.
For performances at the Culture Centre in Lublin and the Big Top in Błonia near the Castle, ticket prices are:
• 40 PLN (reduced)
• 50 PLN (regular)
At Teatr Stary, there are four pricing categories:
• Full visibility – 65 PLN (reduced) / 80 PLN (regular)
• Limited visibility – 50 PLN (reduced) / 60 PLN (regular)
• Very limited visibility – 40 PLN (reduced) / 50 PLN (regular)
• Standing, full view – 30 PLN (reduced) / 40 PLN (regular)
Free outdoor shows
This year’s programme features four free open-air performances that will transform the city into an outdoor stage.
At Błonia near the Castle, a towering 7-metre slackline structure will serve as the aerial stage for Cie des Chaussons Rouges, a Belgian company presenting Épiphytes. This poetic performance weaves together risk, emotion, and beauty through stunning aerial choreography that defies gravity.
Litewski Square becomes the heart of motor-themed entertainment with two distinct shows. Thursday and Friday bring the Czech troupe BoCirk and their thought-provoking OnTestoterOn — a circus meditation on the strength and vulnerability of contemporary masculinity. The weekend shifts gears with French collective SPPI presenting Heavy Motors, a high-octane spectacle combining razor-sharp wit with death-defying acrobatics.
The festival continues its tradition of hosting the “Friends of the Magician” — participants from the Following I.B. Singer’s Traces project, organised by The “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre. These cultural ambassadors will bring their literary journey to a memorable close in Lublin on Saturday.
Urban Highline Festival
The accompanying events programme will also be rich and varied. Highliners from around the world will suspend their lines above the audience’s heads as part of the 17th edition of the Urban Highline Festival organised by Firmament Foundation.
This is the event that launched the entire urban highline scene. Over recent years, Lublin has welcomed participants from across the globe: from the USA, Argentina and Australia, to Taiwan, Israel and Morocco (in total, UHF has hosted people from 56 countries across 6 continents). It’s worth noting that 60% of participants come from abroad – often experiencing their first contact with Poland and Europe, with the festival itself becoming a gateway to further exploration of the Lublin region. Participants don’t just balance on lines – UHF also offers workshops (yoga, acroyoga, handstand), community building, and exploration of Lublin from a completely new perspective. The festival also generates hundreds of thousands of photos and videos, 15 official productions, songs, and thousands of social media posts.
The event is carried out with safety as a priority by a professional rigging and climbing team. This is the standard for which Lublin is renowned. For the first time in the festival’s history, it will be organized by an all-female team – three experienced highliners who are bringing new energy and perspective to the event.
“Urban Highline Festival is more than a sporting event – it’s a community, a passion, and the magic of a city that becomes the world capital of courage and balance for a few days. We’re delighted that Lublin sends such a positive signal to the world,” say the organisers of UHF 2025.
Participant registration is open at: www.urbanhighline.pl
Circus Camp for kids
A vibrant circus camp for children will be set up on Błonia near the Castle, curated by Frikart. Young festival-goers will have the chance to try slackline walking during open workshops led by experienced instructors from the Urban Highline Festival.
Festival Club & More
On Błonia near the Castle, festival-goers will find food trucks and a lively festival club — the perfect spot to recharge and enjoy evening concerts and DJ sets.
The music line-up includes the alternative band Chilly Breeze and the duo Bossa Noga, who will bring the sounds of Portugal to the stage. The musical highlight of the club will be a high-energy performance by the French duo Flying Bones, with drums taking centre stage.
A literary discussion around the “Circusiana” publishing series also promises to be interesting – it will serve as a pretext for discussing circus as a cultural phenomenon, both from historical and contemporary perspectives.
Information Points
If you’d like a printed festival programme or need additional information, feel free to visit one of our Information Points, open throughout the Festival:
Łokietka Square
Thursday 24 July – Sunday 27 July
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Błonia near the Castle
Thursday 24 July – Sunday 27 July
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Organisers: Culture Workshops in Lublin, Cultural Institution of the City of Lublin, Lublin – City of Inspiration
Media Patronage: Radio Nowy Świat, TVP Kultura, Onet, Gazeta Wyborcza, TVP Kultura, TVP 3 Lublin, Radio Lublin, Kultura Enter
Partners: Firmament Foundation, The Centre for Culture in Lublin, The Old Theatre in Lublin, Baltic Circus On The Road, French Institute in Warsaw, The Czech Centre Warsaw, Wallonie-Bruxelles International
Honorary Patronage over: Krzysztof Żuk – Mayor of the City of Lublin.
Published: 25 June 2025
Full programme available!
The last weekend of July (24–27) once again sees Lublin come alive as the vibrant heart of contemporary circus. Carnaval Sztukmistrzów is set to transform the city into a spectacular celebration of clowning, acrobatics, juggling, and boundless creativity. This eagerly anticipated event annually draws thousands of spectators, all seeking thrilling performances and joyful, unforgettable experiences.
About
This year’s guiding theme is “RUN AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS” — not just an invitation to leave your worries and duties behind, but also a call to dive headfirst into a world of laughter, joy, and spontaneity.
The Old Theatre
We’re thrilled to host Gabriela Muñoz, a leading figure in contemporary clowning renowned for her performances on prestigious stages worldwide. Her show, “Julieta,” is an empathetic, humorous, and deeply moving narrative about aging and human quirks. The show is a tribute to the elderly and redefines the boundaries of modern clowning.
Big Top
A dedicated circus tent will also be part of the festivities. This year, French troupe My!Laika will perform their show “Winter” four times. This surreal story blends diverse circus techniques with live music. The artists boast a rich artistic background and have garnered international acclaim.
The Centre for Culture in Lublin
The Centre for Culture in Lublin will transform into a showcase for Eastern European contemporary circus. In collaboration with the Baltic Nordic Circus Network, a mini-showcase will feature artists from the Baltic countries who will redefine our understanding of circus art. Lithuanian group Teatronas will present “Itch,” a theatrical-circus essay about the fear of death, while Art For Rainy Days will showcase “How a Spiral Works,” a unique fusion of aerial acrobatics with dance and music from the Baltic region.
As part of the programme at the Centre for Culture in Lublin, Polish collective Kolektyw Kejos will present their latest show No Yes You — a clown performance delving into human fragility and the art of coping with failure.
Ticketed shows
Tickets are required for all indoor performances and can be purchased online. We recommend booking early — discounted prices are available until 30 June.
For performances at the Culture Centre in Lublin and the Big Top in Błonia near the Castle, ticket prices are:
• 40 PLN (reduced)
• 50 PLN (regular)
At Teatr Stary, there are four pricing categories:
• Full visibility – 65 PLN (reduced) / 80 PLN (regular)
• Limited visibility – 50 PLN (reduced) / 60 PLN (regular)
• Very limited visibility – 40 PLN (reduced) / 50 PLN (regular)
• Standing, full view – 30 PLN (reduced) / 40 PLN (regular)
Free outdoor shows
This year’s programme features four free open-air performances that will transform the city into an outdoor stage.
At Błonia near the Castle, a towering 7-metre slackline structure will serve as the aerial stage for Cie des Chaussons Rouges, a Belgian company presenting Épiphytes. This poetic performance weaves together risk, emotion, and beauty through stunning aerial choreography that defies gravity.
Litewski Square becomes the heart of motor-themed entertainment with two distinct shows. Thursday and Friday bring the Czech troupe BoCirk and their thought-provoking OnTestoterOn — a circus meditation on the strength and vulnerability of contemporary masculinity. The weekend shifts gears with French collective SPPI presenting Heavy Motors, a high-octane spectacle combining razor-sharp wit with death-defying acrobatics.
The festival continues its tradition of hosting the “Friends of the Magician” — participants from the Following I.B. Singer’s Traces project, organised by The “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre” Centre. These cultural ambassadors will bring their literary journey to a memorable close in Lublin on Saturday.
Urban Highline Festival
The accompanying events programme will also be rich and varied. Highliners from around the world will suspend their lines above the audience’s heads as part of the 17th edition of the Urban Highline Festival organised by Firmament Foundation.
This is the event that launched the entire urban highline scene. Over recent years, Lublin has welcomed participants from across the globe: from the USA, Argentina and Australia, to Taiwan, Israel and Morocco (in total, UHF has hosted people from 56 countries across 6 continents). It’s worth noting that 60% of participants come from abroad – often experiencing their first contact with Poland and Europe, with the festival itself becoming a gateway to further exploration of the Lublin region. Participants don’t just balance on lines – UHF also offers workshops (yoga, acroyoga, handstand), community building, and exploration of Lublin from a completely new perspective. The festival also generates hundreds of thousands of photos and videos, 15 official productions, songs, and thousands of social media posts.
The event is carried out with safety as a priority by a professional rigging and climbing team. This is the standard for which Lublin is renowned. For the first time in the festival’s history, it will be organized by an all-female team – three experienced highliners who are bringing new energy and perspective to the event.
“Urban Highline Festival is more than a sporting event – it’s a community, a passion, and the magic of a city that becomes the world capital of courage and balance for a few days. We’re delighted that Lublin sends such a positive signal to the world,” say the organisers of UHF 2025.
Participant registration is open at: www.urbanhighline.pl
Circus Camp for kids
A vibrant circus camp for children will be set up on Błonia near the Castle, curated by Frikart. Young festival-goers will have the chance to try slackline walking during open workshops led by experienced instructors from the Urban Highline Festival.
Festival Club & More
On Błonia near the Castle, festival-goers will find food trucks and a lively festival club — the perfect spot to recharge and enjoy evening concerts and DJ sets.
The music line-up includes the alternative band Chilly Breeze and the duo Bossa Noga, who will bring the sounds of Portugal to the stage. The musical highlight of the club will be a high-energy performance by the French duo Flying Bones, with drums taking centre stage.
A literary discussion around the “Circusiana” publishing series also promises to be interesting – it will serve as a pretext for discussing circus as a cultural phenomenon, both from historical and contemporary perspectives.
Information Points
If you’d like a printed festival programme or need additional information, feel free to visit one of our Information Points, open throughout the Festival:
Łokietka Square
Thursday 24 July – Sunday 27 July
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Błonia near the Castle
Thursday 24 July – Sunday 27 July
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Organisers: Culture Workshops in Lublin, Cultural Institution of the City of Lublin, Lublin – City of Inspiration
Media Patronage: Radio Nowy Świat, TVP Kultura, Onet, Gazeta Wyborcza, TVP Kultura, TVP 3 Lublin, Radio Lublin, Kultura Enter
Partners: Firmament Foundation, The Centre for Culture in Lublin, The Old Theatre in Lublin, Baltic Circus On The Road, French Institute in Warsaw, The Czech Centre Warsaw, Wallonie-Bruxelles International
Honorary Patronage over: Krzysztof Żuk – Mayor of the City of Lublin.
