Going to the circus may be a distant childhood memory, but now you can watch an enthralling circus performance for free in various SF venues this summer. The one-ring show will come to San Francisco this weekend, on July 19 and 20. The circus has been performing free, family-friendly shows throughout the Bay Area since June, and this weekend they’ll take the stage at Salesforce Park, and at the beloved Hayes Valley Carnival.
This year’s show, HOOPLA!, is a dynamic sixty-minute performance that is a unique take on a one-ring circus featuring performers from the Circus Bella Company. The late SF musician Rob Reich composed a wonderful score to accompany the performance, featuring a six-piece band.
You can expect to see your favorite acts at this one-of-a-kind show, including a clown, jugglers, aerialists, and acrobats. The show offers a modern twist on a classic circus and is a family-friendly event perfect for children of all ages. Seating for the show is on a first-come, first-served basis, and organizers encourage people to bring picnic blankets to enjoy the show.
This weekend, they will perform at the Hayes Valley Carnival, an annual tradition that dates back to 1911 and was revived in 2022. The neighborhood celebration will feature vendors, games, prizes, and more. The event runs from 11 am to 4 pm, with Circus Bella shows scheduled for 1 and 3 pm. Then, on Sunday, July 20, the one-ring circus will perform in SF’s floating park at 1 and 3 pm.
HOOPLA! performance schedule in the Bay Area 2025
- June 20: Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, 12 pm
- June 21: Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, 12 pm, 2:15 pm
- July 4: Burgess Park, 12 pm, 2 pm
- July 10: Lincoln Square Park, 6 pm
- July 19: PROXY Hayes Valley, 1 pm, 3 pm
- July 20 , TJPA Salesforce Park, 1 pm, 3 pm
- July 26: Radium Runway, 1 pm, 3 pm
All performances are free to attend, but they ask guests to consider a recommended donation of $20 to help support the show. The show will also be in other California locations if you happen to miss the SF shows. The show is part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, a six-month festival full of free performances. The festival holds various amazing community events and is a great way to spend a summer weekend.
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn