What to do in Valencia this week has a clear answer for those looking for plans with family or friends: the ValenCirc festival, which fills the city's streets, squares, gardens, theaters, and libraries, as well as those of several municipalities in its metropolitan area, with juggling, acrobatics, and street performances. Organized by Sargantana Circ Inclusiu, this year marks its fourteenth edition, and the festival runs until October 12, 2026, so there are still plenty of shows to enjoy for those who haven't been able to attend in the first few days.
What is ValenCirc and who organizes it?
The circus returns to the streets, squares, gardens, theaters, libraries, and cultural spaces of Valencia and other municipalities with a new edition of ValenCirc, the festival dedicated to contemporary circus. This year marks its 14th edition, with more than 75 activities including performances, workshops, and parallel events. Organized by Sargantana Circ Inclusiu, ValenCirc was launched in 2013 with the aim of bringing contemporary circus to the city of Valencia. Since then, the festival has continued to grow, and this edition expands both the number of events and the number of venues participating in the program.
Where can I see ValenCirc in the coming days?
Valencia's autumn program includes ValenCirc in a wide variety of venues. The Teatro El Musical, the Palau Gardens, Paiporta, Alboraya, the Valencia Libraries, the La Nau Cultural Center of the University of Valencia, and the Nave Ribes 3 Cultural Center are all returning to the festival circuit. This year, the Massamagrell Auditorium and the Valencian Institute of Phonology, through the Escalante Theatre Center, are also participating. Among the highlights at the Palau Gardens are morning circus workshops, followed by afternoon and evening performances such as *El millor atracament de la teua vida * by Cia. Espanta, * Eirenê * by La Troupe Malabó, and * Foc Místic * with Diana Gurrea, as well as concerts to close out the day.
Is it a festival just for children?
No. The program is eclectic: shows for the whole family, for adults, indoors and outdoors, small, medium, and large-scale, including disciplines such as aerial arts, juggling, acrobatics, balancing acts, and clowning. There are performances designed for children in the afternoon and others, later in the evening, with a more adult tone, so it's best to check the schedule for each show before going.
How much does it cost to go to ValenCirc?
The majority of ValenCirc 2026's program is free and outdoors, reflecting a commitment to bringing the performing arts to public spaces and making circus accessible to audiences of all ages. This makes the festival one of the most affordable options on Valencia's leisure calendar for these weeks of October, ideal for both residents and visitors looking for free activities that don't require advance ticket purchases.
How to get to the festival stages
Since the performances are spread across various locations in the city and surrounding towns, how you get there depends on the venue. The Palau Gardens and the El Musical Theatre, in the center of Valencia, are easily accessible on foot or by public transport from anywhere in the city, while performances in Paiporta, Alboraya, or Massamagrell require travel by car, bus, or Metrovalencia, depending on the town. Before leaving home, it's worth checking the schedule and exact location of each show, as some may change from day to day.
Why it's worth getting closer
ValenCirc has been demonstrating for over a decade that contemporary circus has much more to offer than the traditional big top: workshops to try out different circus disciplines, small-scale performances in libraries and courtyards, and large-scale outdoor shows that combine acrobatics, music, and fire. It's the perfect way to fill October afternoons in Valencia without spending a penny and, at the same time, discover the work of Valencian and international companies.
What can we do if we want to go?
The most practical approach is to choose one or two days from the program leading up to October 12th and plan your afternoon around a specific venue, taking advantage of the fact that most performances are free and several are concentrated in the same space, such as the Palau Gardens. It's worth arriving a little early, especially for the family-friendly afternoon performances, as the street and garden venues tend to fill up quickly for the more well-known shows.
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