The Brussels Region is preparing to burst into motion and colour this March as the UP Festival brings contemporary circus arts to every corner of the capital, transforming theatres, tents, and public spaces into stages for daring performances and creative expression.
Running from 19 to 29 March, the festival will present more than 71 shows across 12 venues, offering one of the most diverse programmes of circus and performing arts in Belgium. Organisers say the event aims to celebrate innovation while making circus accessible to broad audiences, from families to seasoned arts enthusiasts.
The opening night will unfold at UP – Circus & Performing Arts, the festival’s central hub. Two headline productions are set to launch the festivities, combining spectacle with storytelling and technical mastery.
Among them is L’Homme Cirque, a one-man show by Swiss tightrope walker David Dimitri. Known for his blend of humour and precision, Dimitri performs high above the ground, juggling, balancing, and cycling on a wire while engaging directly with audiences.
Sharing the spotlight is 2984, a futuristic and visually bold creation by Italian troupe MagdaClan, founded by Alessandro Maida. The piece merges acrobatics, choreography, and theatrical narrative, exploring themes of society and technology through an imaginative lens.
Both productions will be staged multiple times during the festival, allowing spectators several chances to catch the high-profile acts. This repeated scheduling reflects the festival’s focus on accessibility and flexibility, encouraging residents and visitors to discover performances at their own pace.
Beyond the headline shows, the programme features a wide range of Belgian and international companies, each bringing distinct artistic voices.
Groups such as Back Pocket, L’Habeas Corpus Cie, Le Mur De La Mort, Compagnie Irrealista, Fabbrica C, Compagnie Rasposo, Charge Maximale de Rupture and Compagnie de Cirque “eia” will present everything from poetic juggling pieces to high-adrenaline motorised stunts.
Audiences can expect a blend of disciplines including aerial acrobatics, balancing acts, dance, magic, and experimental theatre. Some performances will take place outdoors, drawing passers-by into spontaneous encounters with art, while others will unfold in intimate indoor settings that highlight detail and emotion.
Festival organisers believe this diversity is key to the event’s success. By mixing free public shows with ticketed performances, they hope to remove barriers and invite a wide demographic to experience contemporary circus, a genre that has evolved far beyond traditional big-top imagery.
The city itself becomes part of the spectacle. Neighbourhood squares, cultural centres, and temporary tents will host artists, creating a festive atmosphere that extends well beyond conventional theatre walls. The decentralised format also encourages exploration, turning Brussels into an open-air cultural map.
In addition to entertaining audiences, the UP Festival serves as a professional meeting point. Industry representatives, programmers, and creators gather for networking sessions, workshops, and discussions aimed at strengthening collaboration across the circus and performing arts sector.
For many companies, the event offers a rare opportunity to test new work, forge partnerships, and reach international presenters. This professional dimension has helped position the festival as an important platform on the European circus calendar.
As anticipation builds, organisers expect thousands of visitors to attend over the ten-day programme. With its mix of daring feats and thoughtful storytelling, the festival promises both thrills and reflection.
By bringing together innovation, community, and performance, the UP Festival once again turns Brussels into a lively playground for contemporary circus, proving that the art form continues to reinvent itself — one breathtaking act at a time.
