Art & creativity, Central city  |  6h ago

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The World Buskers Festival is back this month, bringing wild, world-class street performances to Christchurch.

More than 240 free street performances and 25 ticketed shows will be on in the heart of Ōtautahi between 23 January – 1 February, as buskers from 12 countries descend on the city for the 33rd World Buskers Festivals.

Festival directors Pitsch Leiser and Drew James from HooHa Productions have lined up a programme packed with street comedy, circus and acrobatic stunts across the ten days.

“Every act we have chosen from around the globe, and every performer is one to watch,” Mr James says.

“It’s hand-picked, curated, and a celebration of world-class talent – with over half of our performers from Christchurch and New Zealand.

The Festival headline act, Cirque Bon Bon, will present an all-star cast of contortionists, acrobats, and dancers from Australia.

Canadian duo, The Silver Starlets, will bring their sparkle to the streets with vintage circus glamour and trapeze acrobatics. Celebrating their ten-year anniversary, it will be the first time they have ever performed in Christchurch.

“Over the ten days of the festival the streets of the circus capital will come alive from the Bridge of Remembrance to Cathedral Square, Rollickin Gelato, Scott Statue and the Arts Centre,” Mr James says.

While most events are free and along the street, ticketed events boast a highly curated selection of circus cabaret, dace, drag, comedy and theatre, hosted in some of the city’s most revered theatre venues.

From Cirque Bonbon at the Isaac Theatre Royal, to New Zealand’s cheeky Boylesaue MKII and Late Night cabaret at Altiora, ticketholders can find vibrant worlds up spiralling stairwells and through mysterious doors.

Visitors can even find buskers at the beach, at the New Brighton Kite day Pop Up on 24 January from 12 – 4pm.

For the full programme and to buy tickets, head to www.worldbuskersfestival.co.nz