BJC 2026

All Hallows Catholic High School, Penwortham
3rd to the 9th of April 2026

Shows and Competitions

We will be adding more information about our line-up of shows and competitions as the details are confirmed. We are currently planning for:

Show	Day	Time
Gala Show	Saturday 4th	3pm
Gala Show	Saturday 4th	7:30pm
The Spanish Gentleman Juggler	Sunday 5th	12pm
BYJOTY	Sunday 5th	7:30pm
Fiery Jacks Family Show	Monday 6th	1pm
Fire Open Stage	Monday 6th	7pm
Fight Night	Monday 6th	9pm
No Pressure... by Emma Hörnell	Tuesday 7th	12pm
Games	Wednesday 8th	2pm
Open Stage	Wednesday 8th	7:30pm

Gala Show

Our Gala Show will be onsite, featuring a fantastic line-up of special guests from both the UK and further afield. This show will take place on the first full-day (4th April) to welcome you all to BJC 2026!

We will run an afternoon (3pm) and evening (7:30pm) showing to ensure everyone can attend. The 3pm showing will be slightly more relaxed: less expectation to sit still; reduced sound volume/intensity; no latex balloons. It will also be BSL interpreted. Physical tickets to one of the two showings will be assigned on arrival at the event, mostly at random, please make it clear if you require a ticket to the earlier showing for accessibility reasons.

If you are not otherwise attending the event, tickets to the Gala show (or any other show) can be bought by purchasing a day or half-day ticket. For more information please see the tickets page.

BYJOTY

British Young Juggler Of The Year

We are looking to run British Young Juggler of the Year (BYJOTY) again in 2026. We are looking for young people to take part in the BYJOTY show. It's an evening where people gather to see the best young circus talent the UK has to offer.

Entrants must pre-register for the competition, be under 21, and be British-ish (at least resident in the UK). As well as being an amazing show to be a part of, it's an incredible show to watch and see the young up-and-coming circus talent first-hand. Not to be missed!

Email bjc2026shows@gmail.com with your name, age and circus skill(s) to sign up.

The Games

Fun Circus Games For Everyone

The Games are a staple of juggling conventions. Everybody gathers to take part in various juggling and circus related games from 3 coin endurance to diabolo high toss.

Open Stage

Acts Signed-Up From Our Attendees

The Open Stage show is an opportunity for attendees at the BJC to perform. It is an excellent place to trial new routines in front of a friendly crowd. We will be signing up acts during the week of BJC (more details will be announced closer to the time) so if you’ve got a new routine in mind, or an old one you want to dust off and perform again, the Open Stage is the perfect opportunity. If you would like to perform or compère the show, please get in touch at bjc2026@hotmail.com

Fight Night

Gladiatorial-Style Juggling Combat

Fight Night returns to BJC! Featuring some of the UK's (and further afield) best jugglers battling it out for the BJC Fight Night Champion title! If you're not familiar with Fight Night, you can get a taste with this video.

Fire Open Stage

Acts Signed-Up From Our Attendees

Bring the Fire Project are organising a Fire Open Stage at BJC this year. If you’re interested in performing in the show, head on over to the Fire Space one evening during the event to speak to Szymon about your act!

Fiery Jacks Family Show

A fun family show for all ages, for both jugglers and non-jugglers alike.

This will be a repeat of the 2024 show, and will be attended by community groups from the local area.

A photo of the fiery jack family show from 2024

No pressure...

A Stand-alone Show by Emma Hörnell

Tuesday 7th April at 12pm

"No pressure..." is an intimate and personal performance that explores perfectionism, control, and the fear of failure.

Through juggling, vulnerability and humor, the piece moves between holding on and letting go. It explores the ways perfectionism can limit rather than drive us. Asking what happens when we dare to begin without certainty of success, when failure and change are allowed to become part of the process.

Rooted in lived experience, the work offers a raw and honest look at perfectionism and the fear of letting go of control.

The performance has been presented as a work in progress to audiences and has received a warm and deeply engaged response. Audience members described the piece as open, raw, and an important experience.

The Spanish Gentleman Juggler

Sunday 5th April at 12pm

Mr Vita performs finely crafted juggling routines, mixing classical and experimental juggling.

Bringing to life everyday objects such as fishing poles, drinking glasses and kebab sticks alongside invented props and gymnastic balls, in routines that guarantee to surprise and entertain all age groups. With the air of a punkish matador, this eccentric and playful character looks like he could have walked straight out of a cartoon and onto the stage. Rather, he invites the audience into his zany cartoon world, communicating with his expressive rubber skin, physical comedy and sounds.