After eight years based in Arcozelo, CÚPULA – Circus Village Festival announces a change in location and scale for this year’s edition, a reconfiguration made possible by support from the Vila Nova de Gaia municipal government.
Organized by INAC—the National Institute of Circus Arts—the festival will now take place in the downtown area of Vila Nova de Gaia, with performances scheduled for September 4, 5, and 6 at Cais de Gaia and the Municipal Auditorium, and for September 12 and 13 at Parque da Lavandeira. Admission is free.
A new chapter for the circus in Gaia
The program includes street arts, contemporary circus, music, workshops, art installations, and family-friendly activities.
At Cais de Gaia, the performances are spread across several stages — Rabelo Stage, Margem Stage, Afluente Stage, Douro Stage, and Cais Stage —, with highlights including productions such as “O Princípio do Fim” by Cia. Errância, “Inânia” by Teatro do Mar, and “Cabaret” by the BlucinQue company, which will also take the stage at the Municipal Auditorium.
Weekends at Parque da Lavandeira
On September 12 and 13, the festival takes over Parque da Lavandeira with a more participatory program. The lineup includes circus workshops and creative ateliers organized by INAC, as well as yoga sessions, creative dance, and performances such as “Alboroto” by Truca Circus and “Pasto” by Zumbido Coletivo. The program also includes a DJ set and the performance installation “Tarot – O Oráculo dos Incertos” by Diogo Pires.
Eight editions, a new responsibility
Over the course of eight editions, CÚPULA has established itself as aleading event on the European circus scene. According to the organizers, this transition represents not only a geographical shift but also a commitment to promoting public spaces as venues for cultural exchange and to democratizing access to the arts. The full program is available on the festival’s officialwebsite.
Useful Information
📍Where: Cais de Gaia, Gaia Municipal Auditorium, and Parque da Lavandeira
⏰Schedule: September 4, 5, 6, 12, and 13
🎟️Ticket: free admission
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