Paulo’s Circus returned to Cornwall with its popular Bijou Show, bringing daring stunts, comedy, and family fun to Newquay once again. Their final performance turned into a sell-out night full of excitement and support from the local community.

Keep reading for my honest thoughts, photos and videos of their final sell-out performance in Newquay, Cornwall.

Why the Final Show Was So Busy

Paulo’s Circus brought its Bijou Show to Newquay for the summer of 2025, setting up at the site of the now-closed Dairyland Farm Park. The season had been scheduled to run until 6 September, but with advance bookings quieter than expected, the circus announced via Facebook that the final curtain would instead fall on Monday, 1st September.

We’d originally planned to go on Friday 5th September, having snapped up half-price tickets through Newquay Radio earlier in the year after spotting their promotion on social media. At the end of August, however, ticket holders received an email explaining the season would finish sooner than planned and that tickets could be used for any of the remaining shows over the weekend or on the final Monday.

As we were away at Clowance Estate for the weekend, we were fortunate to be back in time for the 6 pm performance on Monday evening. It seemed lots of other families had the same idea, as the tent was overflowing with people keen not to miss out on the circus’s final show. There were even more guests than seats, and staff had to fetch extra chairs to make sure everyone could be accommodated.

The slight delay while seating was rearranged didn’t spoil the mood. If anything, it added to the sense of anticipation. The atmosphere was buzzing, the crowd was supportive, and the performers were met with huge enthusiasm as they took to the stage one last time in Newquay this summer.

A Family-Friendly Circus Experience

The show opened with a dramatic 60-second countdown projected onto the wall before the acts began. Paulo’s Circus always mixes daring performances with comedy and creative visual displays, making it appealing for all ages.

Highlights included:

• Hamster wheel – the impressive rotating stunt that always draws gasps from the audience.
• Clown act – bringing plenty of laughs, with a surprise robot lion making an appearance this year.
• Aerial silks and chandelier swing – graceful artistry with beautiful lighting effects.
• Crossbow act – nail-biting precision, shooting balloons, apples, and even paper targets.
• Laser light show – a modern and colourful performance.
• Foot juggling – skilful balancing and spinning of barrels and objects.
• Final trapeze artist – the most daring act of the evening, swinging without a safety harness or net.

The variety meant there was something for everyone, from children to adults, with a mix of comedy, skill, and spectacle.

Pros and Things to Be Aware Of

Every live performance has its highlights and practical points worth keeping in mind. Here’s what stood out from our visit:

Pros:

• Wide variety of acts to entertain all ages
• Affordable tickets, with great-value half-price deals through local radio
• Professional, friendly staff who created a welcoming atmosphere
• Fun, high-energy show with lots of audience engagement

Things to be aware of:

• Several acts were the same as last year, which is perfect if you enjoyed them before, though repeat visitors may wish for more variety
• Seating is basic and can feel a little uncomfortable over time, so bringing a portable foam cushion (like these on eBay) can make the experience more comfortable

Comparing 2024 and 2025

We first attended Paulo’s Circus in 2024 with the same local radio ticket deal and were blown away by the performance. Going again in 2025, we noticed many of the same acts were repeated, such as the hamster wheel, clown routines, and crossbow performance.

For newcomers, the Bijou Show is fantastic value and a really enjoyable experience. For returning visitors, it may feel very familiar to the 2024 show.

That said, there were new elements this year too, such as the chandelier swing and the robot lion, while the slinky and roller skaters from 2024 did not return.

Check out my 2024 Paulo’s Circus review for lots of photos and videos to see many of the acts from last year.

Maybe that is the appeal for some people—the comfort of familiar favourites and the fun of knowing what’s coming next. Personally, I would have enjoyed seeing a few more fresh routines, as some felt quite similar to last year, with only subtle changes or new costumes.

That said, there were a couple of new acts that were fantastic in 2025. The standout moment in this year’s show was the trapeze artist at the end, who felt the most daring of all the high ropes performers. He leapt confidently from trapeze to trapeze without a safety harness or net, and even performed upside-down monkey bars using just his feet. It was edge-of-your-seat entertainment that had the whole crowd holding its breath.

We also loved the robot lion, part of the clown act, which was both fascinating and funny to watch. I almost wanted one as a robot pet—it was that cool! Clever, a little creepy, and completely mesmerising, it was a humorous and modern twist to bring back the idea of a circus lion without using real animals.

Overall Thoughts

Paulo’s Circus Bijou Show 2025 in Newquay ended on a real high with a sell-out final performance full of energy, laughter, and jaw-dropping talent. The mix of daring stunts, light-hearted comedy, and colourful artistry made it a fantastic evening of entertainment for all ages.

New highlights such as the graceful chandelier swing and the quirky robot lion brought something fresh and memorable to this year’s show, while the return of familiar favourites ensured plenty of crowd-pleasing moments too.

For first-time visitors, it was a brilliant introduction to the magic of the circus. For returning guests, the professionalism and dedication of the performers shone through once again. We felt lucky to be part of their final night in Newquay, joining hundreds of others in cheering on this long-standing family circus and giving them the lively send-off they deserved.

Tips for Visiting Paulo’s Circus in Newquay

• Arrive early: The final show in 2025 was overflowing, with extra seats brought in for the crowd. Even on regular nights, it’s worth arriving early to get settled, and buy snacks!
• Seating comfort: Most of the seating is on simple plastic chairs, which can feel hard after a while. You can upgrade to ringside seats for extra comfort, but if not, bringing a small foam cushion makes a big difference.
• Think about ear defenders: In 2024, our children found it quite loud, but this year, now a year older, they were fine without. If your kids are sensitive to noise, ear defenders are still worth packing. We always loved these Snug ear defenders, which are available preloved or new on eBay.
• Snacks and toys: Refreshments and light-up souvenirs were on sale again this year. The glowing toys add to the atmosphere inside the darkened tent and are always popular with children.
• Good for any weather: Being undercover, Paulo’s Circus is a great option whether it’s sunny or raining in Cornwall.

Before You Go

If you enjoyed this review, you might also like these posts:

• Paulo’s Circus Review 2024: Pop Show in Newquay
• Circus Funtasia Review
• What Can You Do in Newquay in Winter?

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