Edinburgh Fringe Circus 2025: Here are 11 jaw-dropping circus shows to enjoy this year
Underbelly's Circus Hub at the Meadows is where some of the most spectacular shows take place in traditional circus tents - so we make no apology for including several of their shows in this list. First up is the latest show from Aussie performing arts company Circa, real Fringe favourites who have performed in front of more than two million people around the world. 'Wolf' is the latest spectacular from the group. "Known for their innovative and emotionally resonant performances, this troupe redefine the boundaries of modern circus and 'Circa: Wolf' has captivated audiences with its physicality and exploration of primal human instincts." Catch the thrills and spills at The Lafayette at the Circus Hub from August 1-23. | Contributed
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical returns to Edinburgh Fringe with spontaneous song, dance and improv wizardry
There is a reason Showstopper! The Improvised Musical has established itself as a fixture of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Returning to its longstanding home at the Pleasance Courtyard's Grand for its sixteenth consecutive year, this Olivier Award-winning production invites audiences to witness a musical created in real time — every night, entirely from scratch. Running from 30th July to 24th August (excluding the 11th), and a captioned performance on the 13th of August, the production offers an evening of inventive musical theatre beginning at 5.20pm. The conceit is deceptively simple: audience members provide suggestions for setting, plot, musical styles, and even the title, and the cast of performers respond by crafting an entirely new musical on the spot. No script, no rehearsal — just live, spontaneous theatre delivered with remarkable polish and wit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Each performance is unique and added to the company's growing archive of over 1,400 original musicals since its inception in 2008. Settings have ranged from Victorian orphanages to alien planets, all given the full West End treatment by a cast adept at parodying musical theatre styles from Sondheim to Disney, jazz to operetta. (c) Ray Burmiston This year's cast features a combination of long-standing company members and acclaimed newcomers, including Ruth Bratt (People Just Do Nothing, BBC), Justin Brett (Million Dollar Quartet, West End), Susan Harrison (Peter Pan Goes Wrong), and Jonathan Ainscough (Royal Opera, Opera North). The ensemble is supported by musical supervisor Duncan Walsh Atkins and movement director Ali James, ensuring that the quality of each improvised performance matches that of a scripted production. Behind the scenes, co-creators Adam Meggido and Dylan Emery lead the artistic team, with production overseen by Showstopper Productions and general management by Suzanna Rosenthal. The show's reputation as a Fringe favourite is reinforced by numerous accolades, including the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family, a Broadway World Edinburgh Award, and consistent placement in the Top 10 best-reviewed shows at the Fringe in both 2023 and 2024. Yet despite its accolades and West End success — including a residency at the Cambridge Theatre and national tours — Showstopper! remains firmly rooted in the spirit of live performance and audience collaboration. Its cast must be ready for any genre, any plot twist, and any musical flourish. This ongoing challenge keeps the format fresh and the audience fully engaged. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A consistent critical favourite, Showstopper! continues to be recognised for its ingenuity and theatrical craft, offering audiences a performance that is never the same twice — and rarely short of exceptional. Showstopper! The Improvised Musical will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Grand at 5.20pm for the entire fringe for tickets go to
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
A family favourite - The Greatest Magic Show returns to Edinburgh Fringe
The Greatest Magic Show returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August for another high-energy season of illusions, laughter and family fun. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Running from the 30th of July to the 25th of August (excluding 14th and 18th of August) at 1.10pm, the award-winning show will take place in the stunning Palais Du Variete at Assembly George Square Gardens. Winners of multiple major awards across Australia, including Best Children's Show at Adelaide Fringe 2023 and Melbourne Magic Festival 2022, the show has become one of the most talked-about family acts on the circuit. Since its debut in 2018, it has earned a devoted following and consistently sold-out seasons. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Starring comic magicians Justin Williams and Sam Hume, the performance is known for its playful chaos, clever illusions and sharp humour. With a combined 17 years of experience in family entertainment, the pair deliver an interactive hour that keeps both kids and adults fully engaged from start to finish. (c) Frank Packer This year's show features brand new illusions sourced straight from Las Vegas. Their illusion builder has worked with legends like David Copperfield and Lance Burton, bringing a level of polish and spectacle that sets the production apart. The performance also stars ringmaster Magnus Danger Magnus, whose comic timing and energy keep the action moving while things go hilariously off-script. As a bonus, every child receives a free magic wand on arrival and the chance to meet the performers after the show. The final moments of the show leave audiences with an uplifting message about self-belief and dreaming big. It's more than a magic act—it's a celebration of imagination, determination and fun. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Greatest Magic Show continues to charm audiences of all ages with its fast-paced blend of circus skills, laugh-out-loud comedy and jaw-dropping tricks. For families seeking a high-quality, feel-good highlight at this year's Fringe, it remains a top pick. The Greatest Magic Show will be at the Assembly George Square Gardens Palais Du Variete at 1.10pm for the whole month for tickets go to
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Doktor Kaboom returns to Edinburgh with explosive new science show
Science, comedy and chaos come together once again at this year's Edinburgh Fringe with the return of Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure!, a brand-new show making its international premiere at the Pleasance Courtyard – Beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The run takes place from the 30th of July to the 25th of August (excluding the 6th and the 13th of August), with daily performances at 1.40pm. Back for his fourth year at the Fringe, Doktor Kaboom (the stage persona of actor and comedian David Epley) delivers a fast-paced, interactive hour that combines laugh-out-loud comedy with real science experiments and a healthy dose of heart. The show, commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C., uses the physics of pressure as both a scientific topic and a metaphor for emotional and mental stress — making it as thoughtful as it is thrilling. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Audience members can expect jaw-dropping demonstrations like a vacuum cannon firing a ping pong ball at over 300 miles per hour, a steel bucket imploding under air pressure, a snowstorm on stage, and the return of Kaboom's ever-popular hovercraft ride — with a lucky volunteer zooming across the stage on a cushion of air. (c) Damian Robertson Kaboom's mission goes beyond wow-factor science. Throughout the show, he offers empowering messages for young audiences, encouraging curiosity, resilience, and self-belief. With a string of accolades — including the 2025 SPARK Award for Outstanding Contributions to Science Education and the 2024 WOW Award for Best Family Show — Under Pressure! continues his reputation for smart, meaningful, and thoroughly entertaining family theatre. Suitable for ages 8 and up, the show promises laughs, learning, and plenty of chances for kids (and adults) to get involved. Parents, be warned — you'll be laughing just as hard as the children. Doktor Kaboom!'s new show 'Under Pressure' will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Beyond at 1.40pm for the entire fringe for tickets go to
