A barrier-free festival

Circolo aims to be an accessible and safe festival. For the younger and older circus lover, for the discoverer, for the curious, for the jump-in-the-field to the slightly less mobile fellow man. For everyone, with and without limitations. To make that happen, Festival Circolo works closely with Toegankelijk Tilburg. This organization offers a helping hand to lower thresholds and avoid obstacles.

No language barriers

Despite the different languages and nationalities of our companies and audiences, there are hardly any cultural or language barriers at Festival Circolo. All performances have the label ‘language no problem‘. Circus is a universal language that is told with the body. Some proposals have some spoken text, but you do not need to understand this to follow the story.

No physical barriers

Contemporary circus is for everyone. To fulfil this promise, we are lowering as many barriers as possible. We take this very literally; the festival is easily accessible for people with physical disabilities. This starts with parking. Disabled parking is available on Hazelaarstraat, to the left of the entrance to the Stadscamping. This is also the best place for kiss & ride. There are disabled toilets on the festival grounds, accessible via a ramp. Almost all performances are accessible by wheelchair or assistance dog. When you purchase a special wheelchair ticket, we know you are coming and we will reserve a nice spot in the tent with a good view. Do you have specific questions? Send an email to tickets@festivalcircolo.nl

No barriers for the hard of hearing

Festival Circolo is also accessible to people who are hard of hearing or deaf. The text in performances is fairly limited. If it is an important part of the performance, we will provide a sign language interpreter or speech-to-text interpreter. In 2025, this will be the case for the performances by Collectif Malunés and BNG Bank Circuspijs on Saturday 18 October. On that day, there will also be a Sign Language Café from 13:30 to 18:30, organised by Theater met Tolk on the festival grounds.

No visual barriers

Can you experience the circus feeling if you are visually impaired? Yes you can! If a blind interpreter from ‘Komt het Zien‘ is present, you can really experience everything. Even if you see little or nothing. In this, Festival Circolo also collaborates with the Oogvereniging.

During the festival in 2025, Le P’tit Cirk’s performance Les Dodos on Sunday 19 October will be accompanied by a sign language interpreter. If you would like to make use of this service, please purchase a separate sign language interpreter ticket so that we know you are coming and can make the necessary preparations.

Curious about how it works? At a performance with a sign language interpreter, the interpreter provides a live commentary, just like a sports journalist on the radio. The blind or visually impaired visitor is seated in the gallery and can hear the interpreter’s extra information via a wireless headset. The performances include a special introduction with “meet & feel” beforehand. Here, the location, costumes and scenery are described, props can be seen and felt up close and the actors can be introduced.

Less hurdles with a tight budget

Youth discount
In an increasingly expensive world, we are happy to give young people a helping hand. And, of course, we are keen to pass on our love of the circus to the younger generation. Therefore, everyone up to 26 years old gets 50% discount on a ticket for a performance.

Tight budget?
We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy all the beauty that circus has to offer; also people who have a little less to spend. Therefore, there is a daily offer of free-to-attend performances. It is also possible to pay with the Meedoenregeling. And in cooperation with Quiet Community and the Voedselbank, free tickets are distributed to people and families living in silent poverty. These tickets are partly made possible by donations visitors can make when buying a ticket.

A safe festival for everyone

Inappropriate behavior, including threats and physical or verbal harassment, are also unacceptable within Festival Circolo. Discrimination based on age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability is not permitted. We expect Circolo employees (staff, team, hired employees and volunteers) to lead by example and address colleagues who do not. Unfair treatment, discrimination or undesirable behavior should be reported immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.

If you experience inappropriate behavior, please report it to the Circolo director Marc Eysink Smeets, marc@festivalcircolo.nl, 06-53436972 or the artistic director Lucho Smit, lucho@festivalcircolo.nl, 0033 689 697187. You can also contact the external confidential advisor for the organization: mediator Ms. Philine Krans: krans@philinekrans.nl, 06 1451 7340. After making a report, we will look at the situation and possible solutions with you as soon as possible. Any follow-up steps are always taken by mutual agreement.