Whirligig 2026 Highlights
Over Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June, Weston town centre was transformed into a bustling hub of international circus and outdoor arts for the return of our annual Whirligig festival. Hundreds of you braved the elements as the streets came alive with a spectacle that defied the downpours.
Aimed at bringing world-class, accessible culture directly to the community, the free festival offered a weekend of jaw-dropping and dedicated artists. Each morning from 11am, the town centre began to fill with people eager to see what the weekend had in store across The Italian Gardens, Big Lamp Corner, and the High Street.
Spectators gathered to watch Autin Dance Theatre spin through the wet weather with their mesmerising Giant Wheel, while Artizani leaned into the elements entirely, delivering a dose of literal water mayhem that felt perfectly suited to the day. Nearby, the Bristol Breaking Sessions brought high-octane energy outside Santander, and the unconventional D.O.G.S.H.O.W turned the high street into a live ‘dog’ rave.
The festival’s international lineup brought a dazzling mix of Catalan dancing, clowning and human towers, alongside completely absurd, yet hilarious Japanese comedy and roving street performers. From encounters with terrible trolls and devious dogs to Dik Downey’s hilarious walkabout acts featuring a rabidly opinionated Grandma causing mobility scooter mayhem and Gordon the Gnome defending his favourite mushroom patch, the weekend was a testament to the community’s shared love for outdoor arts.
Guiding the public through the packed schedule were Super Culture’s dedicated team and volunteers, who braved the weather to hand out printed programmes and help visitors navigate the town.
By the time the final performances wrapped up at 6pm on Sunday evening, the packed crowds had thoroughly soaked up every minute of the festival, fully immersing themselves in a weekend packed with high jinx and moments of awe. The weekend served as a brilliant reminder of how outdoor arts can bring a community together, proving that even a mighty wet weekend in Weston can be a mighty memorable one.
Lead image: Castellers of London and Colla Pobl y Taf (UK/Catalonia) by Paul Blakemore