Free circus day heads to Collett Park in Shepton

By Laura Linham 24th Aug 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 40 minutes ago

Wannabe jugglers, tightrope walkers and hula-hoopers will get the chance to test their circus skills when a free event takes over Collett Park in Shepton Mallet.

Circus in the Park returns on Sunday, 30 August, with workshops and performances open to families and visitors of all ages. The event forms part of Shepton Mallet's programme of free community events and will bring professional circus performers into the town for the afternoon.

Wookey Hole Circus will be leading workshops covering low wire, hula hoops, fun wheels and juggling, giving visitors the chance to have a go under the guidance of experienced performers. The day will finish with a show featuring the circus professionals themselves.

And crucially for anyone whose juggling career has so far been limited to dropping three oranges in the kitchen, the workshops are designed for people to get involved rather than simply watch from the sidelines.

The event is free to attend and will be held at Collett Park on Park Road. Avon and Somerset Police, whose neighbourhood team will also be attending the event, lists Circus in the Park as running from 1.30 pm until 4 pm.

Officers will have a stand at the park during the afternoon, giving residents another opportunity to speak to the neighbourhood policing team, ask questions or raise concerns about issues in the town. The appearance is one of several community drop-ins being held by Shepton officers over the Bank Holiday period.

Circus in the Park is one of a number of free events supported by Shepton Mallet Town Council. The council's programme also includes events such as Collett Park Day, Skate Jam, Cinema in the Park and its Easter Egg Hunt.

The circus event was included in Shepton's wider 2026 summer programme announced earlier this year, alongside the Mid Somerset Show, outdoor activities and the town's markets.

With the summer holidays heading towards their final stretch, it offers families one more free afternoon out before September arrives — although mastering the low wire before teatime may be ambitious.

More information is available through the Circus in the Park event page.